It was pretty foggy at 0700 and was slow to lift. Before we set off a single-hander past and headed up the locks. When we got away we went straight for water to allow him to get well ahead and to allow the fog to lift further. There is an old saying that fog before 7 and sun after 11!
First lock of the day, Middle Lock Fradley. There were plenty boats coming down. At Woodend lock there always appears to be a queue in one or other direction and this time it was coming down. Historic boat 'Saturn' was on the way to Alvecote for work to be done.
The air is still and even with the sun not showing itself much it was a beautiful day and great to be on the cut.
Helen stirred her stumps and strolled down the narrows at Armitage. We were third boat in a line so no problems.
The Rugeley Power station cooling towers shooting steam straight up today. We stooped at Rugeley for some lunch and popped over to do some shopping for bits before setting off again.
The sumac bush has a brilliant colour and the red berry clusters make a great lemonade and a tart flavouring for things.
The canal crosses the Trent on the aqueduct built by Bridley and a little later is another of his original bridge, No. 68.
Near Wolseley is a narrow boat moored at a farm on the off side that sells diesel and gas. Presently it says 79p a litre but is closed on Wednesday. These pigs were at the same farm. The piglets aren't very old.
Colwich Lock is another that seems to always have a queue and again it was for those coming down. It makes a lovely picture, especially with the local cows crossing.
We moored up almost at the beginning of the straight alongside Shugborough parklands. The sun was shinning and I managed to get Helen to give me a hand to wash the port side. Unfortunately it is the other side that badly needs it! With two of us it doesn't take long at all. The evening light was beautiful giving such lovely tones to the trees. A real autumn day.
Shugborough moorings
4 comments:
It looks beautiful on the cut at the moment, Tony - we are jealous! We do love autumn on the canals. And your post brings back memories of our cruising that way earlier this year. M&D
Crikey everything was on the move--man, beast and boat! Lovely pictures indeed. We love this stretch of canal and are jealous along with M&D; we are traveling vicariously with other boaters these days. thanks for the lovely pics!!
Jaq & LesX
Hi There,
I wish I could make a camera show what my eye sees. In inevitably it is a little window of the scene not, the panorama that we get, and certainly not with the sound and smells too. Autumn is a very special time on days like this. Maybe not so special on Monday though.
Keep safe and well. Cheers for now, Tony and Helen.
Hi Both,
I expect you will be feeling smug tomorrow when it is peeing it down with rain, but we will take the last couple of days of calm and sun as payment for the wet one.
Bye for now, Tony and Helen.
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