Past Shugborough Hall estate with the most substantial fencing we have seen so far; must have been put up by an Australian. The Triumphal Arch folly can just be seen poking through the trees
It was a truly beautiful morning; the sun was shining, the birds were singles their heads off and the canal kept beckoning us onward. All was right in our little world
Does anyone know what this giant plant is
Under the new and onto the old; Colwich Lock, our second for the day
For a couple of miles the canal kept company with the River Trent
Our first stop of the day was just before the aqueduct over the River Trent
when we were madly waved down by a moored boat, thinking we had something dreadful wrapped around the bow we pulled over. The man madly waving turned out to be Richard Nunn, the proud owner of the bespoke, Aqua Narrowboat built nb Tabitha Twitchett, whom we had met and chatted to briefly on the towpath 2 nights before our departure from Mercia Marina. He was keen to know all about our travels so we moored up and swapped stories. Richard kindly invited us to inspect his pride and joy, only about 10 weeks old. We would have gladly swapped boats. Justin and co have done a beautiful job and Richard and Jills design and layout couldn't, in our opinion, be bettered.
Unfortunately we couldn't stay for coffee as we had two waifs sitting forlornly on the towpath further along the canal waiting for our arrival. Richard and Jill were off to do the Macclesfield and Peak Forest Canals. So Lawrence and I were doubly envious, we took a long time to decide whether to do the midland or the Peak District canals.
Coming into Rugeley where we were to pick up our two strays
As bridge 66 hove into sight we could see two men loitering. It was Tim and Mike. They had driven 262 miles in about 4 hrs 20 minutes. We travelled 5 miles in about 1 1/2 hours. Moored up, we did the meet and greet and left Mike and Tim to unpack and settle in while Lawrence and I went in search of a bank and to do a quick shop at Morrisons, conventiently located close to the canal. Back at the boat, we had lunch and caught up on Mile and Tim's news. We are both very pleased to have them on board again.
We motored on to Spode House and Hawkesyard Priory, past this future des res
and stopped for the obligatory water fill while L. had a shower. The lads were very impressed the tap fitting was no longer spurting water everywhere. Josiah Spode, a member of the North Staffs pottery family, left his house to a Dominican Order in 1893. The buildings now house a day spa and the grounds a golf course.
On through a one way working narrow section. It was once the Armitage Tunnel however coal mining caused subsidence which necessitated the opening of the tunnel and the lining of the bed of the canal with concrete.
Under bridge 61
Going through Armitage (home of Armitage dummies) and Mike appreciating some of the garden decorations.
We moored up about half after five and I lit the BBQ while Lawrence attended to some much needed washing
Lawrence cooked the gourmet sausages to a T and Mike and Tim outshone themselves and made a scrumptious potatoe salad and a garden salad to go with the bangers, followed by a bowl of fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
As the boys were preparing dinner the nb Adagio pulled in and moored in front of us. Sandra and her husband had just come from Mercia Marina and Aqua Narrowboats where they signed a contract for a bespoke Justin build, after having inspected a couple of Aqua boats at the crick Boat Show (you know, the one Lawrence wouldn't let us go to). Their own boat, Adagio, is only 4yo and looks brand new. However they had it designed and built just for them but now need more room for the grandchildren. Vic and her husband Steve were a lovely couple and showed me over Adagio. Very, very nice. They think we should buy it - much cheaper than continuing to hire they reckon!! Meanwhile dinner was ready and I was nowhere to be found, but did any of my menfolk go out in search of me -
No, they just served themselves dinner and started eating.
10 miles, 2 locks, 6 hours.
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