Last night before eating we decided to go for a stroll in the evening light. It has become a bit of a tradition when we are moored near Great Haywood.
We walked up the tow path to cross the Essex Bridge and to the back gate of Shugborough Hall. It is closed for visitors now though. There were a couple of fishermen at the sand banks by the bridge who seemed to be losing more fish than they were catching.
Looking back as we ascended the track we have a good view of the house. By now it was getting quite dark. None the less we thought that the house had been cleaned or painted since we were last here.
A bit further on we passed the Tower of the Winds. It was erected in 1765 and originally it was surrounded by water with two bridges for access. This was lost in 1795 after massive flooding in the area. The ground floor was converted to a dairy around 1803 and the upper two levels were said to be gambling dens for the 'gaffer'. We are pretty sure that this was covered in scaffolding last time we passed and looks all new now. It was pretty dark when we got back to the boat
We got away before 1000 and were first at the Haywood lock. there was one at the top to come down and another had arrived before us. The oat cake boat was swinging about at the junction, and we thought he was going for water but he was mooring by the corner. That left a free tap so we nipped in to top up, and were soon on our way. By the time we got to Hoo Mill Lock there were two ahead of us, but nobody coming down. I switched off as the wait would be a few minutes.
That was my first mistake as the engine wouldn't restart!! When I started it this morning there was a bit of a hiatus once the switch had been turned but it was fine. I switched on and off at the water point, but no joy this time. I did all the checks I had learned when it was the wiring loom that had come adrift. That was still secure and there didn't look like any wires out of place. I checked the engine harness fuse and that looked fine too. I checked everything electrical I could think of, including the batteries, before admitting defeat and calling RCR. They were there in good time and were very methodical with fault finding. I was worried when they got a kick out of the starter after cleaning up the 40 amp spade fuse, but that wasn't it either. It turned out to be the engine starter battery isolation switch. One of the bolts holding it in place was seized so Kerry bypassed it and left it in place so that we could get under way. The isolation switch is the top left most red switch.
Helen had not wasted the time as she had set too making the 'Bake Off' technical challenge of ciabatta bread sticks. I did a few jobs around the engine hole too. Once we got up the lock I noticed this stone at the foot of the wall of the lock cottage. It looks like a milestone with a definite P on the up stream side and possibly a G on the down stream. However this does not match up with the 'normal' mile posts. It does not coincide with a parish boundary on the old maps either. Any ideas?
There is all sorts of kit down the arm that used to lead to the Weston Salt and Manure Works.
The sturdily ornate Salt Bridge frames another boat. The trip seems to be in quite deep water but there is a lot of time lost for slowing down for moored boats who have taken advantage of the lovely countryside. It isn't as bad as the leg from Kings Bromley as Pearson's reckons that it should be three hours, but it seems to always take five hours!
Helen gets Sandon Lock ready with the lovely cobbles and worn stone steps.
It is traditional to take the half way post at Aston Lock. 46 miles to either end of the Trent and Mersey, and was one of the original mile posts that was made in Stone in 1819.
Almost to Stone as I was attracted to the greenery around Bridge 92, Andre Mills Bridge. I wonder what the colours will be like when we come back this way.
We then had to wonder whether there would be a mooring for us before Star Lock or we would have another lock or two to do. Luckily there was a few places and we settled in. We quickly changed and headed into town as we thought we deserved a drink. We headed for the new Joule's Crown Wharf pub and on the way settled on eating out too. Although new they have kitted it our in the style of wood and brick and it looks good. It is massive too. The only food they have at the moment are burgers but they were really nice, if a tad expensive. I did enjoy the beer though. We are heading to Canal Cruisers to discuss the isolation switch tomorrow.
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