Sunday 14/6 Teddesley Park Bridge (89) to Great Haywood

Nothing to report for Saturday. We woke up in Penkridge to steady rain and waited until just before lunch for it to ease - to a steady light rain. 10 minutes after we left our mooring, down it came again. We managed 1 lock and 1 mile and moored up again just after Bridge 89

and waited and waited and waited, whiling away the time reading, sleeping and watching Miss Marple movies until it was time for bed.  Tim rang while we were still in Penkridge to inform us that he and Mike would not be joining us today. Mike has been unwell all week and hasn't recovered as they had hoped. So we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will be able to catch up with us by mid-week.

Today, Sunday, we pulled the pins and were away at 8.00, in sunshine. Our first lock of the day was Park Gate, not far from where we were moored. Looking back after we exited the lock we noticed the figurine, not quite a gnome, at the side of the bridge hole.

Which belonged to this house, the gnome thing, not the bridge

Then it was back into the trees again, which we really love, English trees are so very different to ours.

Shutt Hill Lock. This is the sight you like to see when approaching a lock - another boat coming out of it.

Both parties are pleased. The other boat doesn't t have to stop to close the gate/s and Lawrence doesn't have to let me off to open them. We can just sail straight in, lovely.

Quite a few of the houses we cruised past in Acton Trussell had 'scarecrows' displayed canal side. We voted this one the best.

Going under Acton Bridge. Ray and Barbie, I hope your new lawn is looking this good, not a flat weed in sight.

Leaving Acton Trussell we were soon in the countryside 

We had a quick stop at Radford Bridge while Lawrence with the aid of his trusty Leatherman checked the weed hatch and cleared some fishing line wrapped around the propeller shaft. The clouds were gathering again and another layer of clothing was required. We continued on, past some crops

Through more woods

To the River Sow running alongside the canal. Brindley always ran his canals along the easy contours of River valleys wherever possible.

To the aqueduct of the River Sow

Betty and Geoff do you remember this immaculate garden, going this way, just after Tixall Bridge.

Last lock of the day, Tixall

More delightful countryside before

Tixall Wide. Supposedly the canal was widened into an artificial lake to placate the owner of Tixall Hall.

The Hall, where Mary, Queens of Scots was imprisoned for awhile in 1586, was demolished in 1927. The 16thc gatehouse

And the early 19thc farm buildings are all that remain.

Aqueduct over the River Trent. We will be travelling on the River once more before we return Aqua Life to her home.

Great Haywood Junction where we left the Staff and Worcs. and turned right onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.

With the completion of the Staff and Worcs. in 1772 and the Trent and Mersey 5yrs later, Great Haywood became a canal junction of major importance, as significant to transport in the 18thc as a major freeway interchange is today. However a canal junction is far more scenic and peaceful.

Lawrence executing the perfect turn.

We moored up at Great Haywood village at lunch time and strolled into the village for some lunch. After which we walked back up to and over the junction and crossed the Trent and Mersey to the farm shop Lawrence and Geoff wouldn't let Betty and I visit last year! Betty it was full of fresh produce and yummy things. We had some of their delicious fresh asparagus for dinner. Tomorrow we are planning to explore Shugborough Hall.

8 miles, 3 locks in 4 hours