On the Way once More.

 We are back on the boat after a few days at home. This time we have some cargo, well passengers, well I suppose crew really. It is also nice to have a budgie back aboard with us. We used to have Skye travel with us but not since she passed away. We now have No.1 daughter Amy and budgie Beryl with us,along with Macy Cat.

We set off from home about 1100 and ran into some heavy rain just before joining the M1. However by the time we gained the A38 it was fine again, and it was sunny, still and warm when we arrived at the boat. The usual empty the car and load the boat took place, and this time we needed to fill with water before heading out of the marina with two lookouts on the bow. They still didn't tell me whether it was clear or now. I just assumed it was as they carried on talking!

I thought I had better take this picture on the way to Handsacre as it may be the only time we see the sun whilst we are out!

Amy was straight into the steering and took great delight in piloting through an arch cut in a weeping willow. Others may be cussing C&RT for not cutting everything back but after all it is all part of the fun.

The irresistible curved Armitage Shanks factory. There were no finished products in the yard for delivery. Either things aren't right at the factory or there is a big demand for new loos etc! 

I was struck by this tree on the Spode House and Priory moorings. It would be great for climbing.

We arrived in Rugeley two hours later and there was a 'Holderness' slot for us before the Leathermill Bridge, and just before the old factory warehouse. After mooring up we decided to go for a shambles around the town. We passed the old building by the moorings and noticed that not much else has been done to it.

We headed down the lane by the canal to see the front of the old warehouse that I would love to see in use. It was great to see that there was a crane still on the front and well as a block and pulley. I was interested to see that there were two small chimneys, maybe for working hearths.

On our walk up Lichfield Street I glimpsed this building down Heron Street. It was built in 1851 by Joseph Whitgreave who was the co-founder of the church opposite St. Joseph and St. Etheldreda. By 1903 it was the home of the Sisters's of the Christian Retreat who tried to lead people back to faith by prayer and christian retreats. It became the Snooker club in the 1970's. They are struggling to keep up the maintenance and have had a plan approved to convert the building to apartments, but preserving as much of the original features as possible. They will build a new club for themselves in the grounds.

Further up Lichfield Street was this Weslyan Chapel. It was paid for by a local lady and opened in Septmeber 1839. It was enlarged in 1870. I love the brick work which seems a little extravagant for a Weslyan Chapel some how. We got back to the boat and didn't get wet, despite the rumbles of thunder banging about. I think we may listen to the football, rather than watch it tonight.