Barged on to Branston.

We had a signal okay for the 'Line of Duty' time last night. Is it just our generation that does the set piece television viewing these days? If I miss it when it is actually aired I very rarely ever go back and watch it on catch up, or other means. After all it is just a TV programme!

A couple of boats passed us going our way, and even a couple coming up the Trent. This is the view from the lock at Alrewas. It was very deceptive as there was a roaring current a little further down where the River Trent actually joins before tumbling over the weir and leaving the canal once again. We were pretty worried about the strength of the current pushing us towards the weir, but as boats had come up we decided to chance it.

As we got round the corner the full strength of the Trent in torrent hit us! With full speed we headed crab like across the current to try to keep in the channel.

One past the weir the danger passed and the river assumed it's normal tranquil state, thankfully It was nice to see Wychnor church, knowing that we were now safe once again.

As you pass the moorings at Wychnor the funny bridge has a very restricted access with the only navigable section right by the tow path. I'm not sure whether it is just restricted headroom, or that there is limited water under the bridge.

We reached absolute safety when we got to Wychnor lock. Helen is recounting the dangers of the passage towards Alrewas as we wait for the them to leave  before we could head on down. I love the little warehouse/shed by the lock with the remains of a little post crane on it's corner.

The canal now runs next to the Ryknield Street Roman Road, now the A38. In fact there seems to be a a question about whether it is called Ryknield Street or Icknield Street? It runs from Bourton on the Water at the Fosse Way through to Derby and beyond. We have traveled the road many times and have passed down the canal a few times too. It is a lot quieter in the car than standing on the back of the boat!

There seems to be houses being built on the edge of Barton Marina and there were plenty of  boats still in there. We did leave the boat in there for a week and Helen remembers what she bought in the shops there!

At Barton Lock there is this lovely house. It is called the Wharf House and was built in the 1700's and was made Grade II Listed in 2014. I assume it was built for the canal. There is a building close by that could well be a converted warehouse that is end on to the canal.

We dropped off the rubbish as the remote bins by the cafe just when the canal leaves the A38 and continued on towards Tatenhill Lock. I think that this must be an original bridge but is very narrow as there is no tow path going under the bridge. This would mean the horse would have to be let go as they passed over.I can't think that the boatmen were very happy with this style of bridge.

At the lock there is a little basin before the actual lock. I'm not sure why it was designed like this. Was it a small wharf that was for loading aggregates on boats as on either side of the canal are old or working gravel quarries.

We tied up by Branston Water Park and after digging out the battery locker and checking everything, plus, Helen hanging some curtains and other little jobs, and helping tie up Mountbatten and Jellico working boats up ahead of us. We then took a turn round the lake before heading to the Bridge Pub. Only one beer on but the food looked good. We didn't eat there though.