We knew it was going to be a rainy day, but actually it was mainly just light rain so not too bad at all for boating. The wind didn't get up to expected velocity though so we didn't get chilled to the bone as we had to move. We were off about 09:45.
The daffodils in Shobnall Fields park were abundant, and very cheerful on a dull day like today. As you can see the blossoms are starting to come on the trees too, so despite there been few leaves on the trees there is plenty to catch the eye as we pass gardens etc.
We were at Dallow Lane quite quickly. It is the last narrow lock on the way to Sawley and below the bridge is this well painted mural that has been there for sometime now. It is protected by perspex sheets that may explain its survival.
This unusual chimney intrigued enough for to try to find out what it was. It turns out it was part of the J.Grout and Co cooperage that was built here in 1891. Here they only made new barrels. In 1935 they were bought out by J. Burnham and Co. who only repaired old casks, so making a great symmetry. The business survived until 1970 when a new direction was taken with them becoming a DIY shop!
We continued to Horninglow Basin where we stopped for water and to dump the accumulated rubbish, both ours and collected along the route. However there are no bins here. Along the joining wall propping up the busy A38 is yet another mural, paid for by local business. It was a bit of a struggle to get in so I think that it is quite shallow other than alongside the wharf.
This is the view of Horninglow Basin in the early 1970's. Where the boat is moored is where the water point is now. The buildings were part of the Midland Railway warehouses. The wooden shed on the right is for salt and spans the canal. It is a shame it has gone for road widening in 1976/77. The crane you can see is now the one outside Fradley Visitor reception and toilets.
Looking across the basin from in front of where the old salt warehouse would have been you can see how close the main road is. Amazingly though there are several new large houses being built along the off side, as you can see top left. I suppose triple glazing and the fact the road is slightly raised may mitigate the noise, but I worried about the pollution from it all.
This is listed as Bridge 1, not obviously on the Trent and Mersey, but of the Bond End Canal that connected the T&M with the River Trent wharfs where keels and flats worked. There were plans to link this with the Ashby Canal and also the Caldon Canal at one time. However it closed and part of it was filled in 1874 as the River traffic disappeared.
With all the building of houses and warehousing that is going on around Branston it is good to see that somebody has done okay out of it all. Burton Rugby Club has a smashing new club house and stand as well as 5 pitches. It may also have an indoor training place nearer the road. Top notch stuff.
As you approach Barton Lock from the south there is a large house on the towpath side that is right next to the A38. It looked like it had a bit of history so I sort it out. It seems that it was built in 1837 and it probably got given it name by a later occupant a Mrs. Hallam who seemed to spend her time between here and Ireland. The house is called 'Errisbeg' which is the name of a mountain over there. The house changed hands many times and by the 1930's it had become an hotel that held dinner parties, wedding receptions, bridge parties etc. It seems that during and just after the war it was frequented by stars of the stage and other famous people as a stop over between gigs! In the early 1950's Burton on Trent Council bought the ten bed house to become an 'old peoples home' for 10 men and 10 women. It has been home to a brewery, a dentist and has been offices to a boxing promoter and It companies. In 2018 it was sold to a Lichfield Vets as they had outgrown their premises in that city. It has had a large wooden extension put on the south side and it now houses 6 consulting rooms, 4 operating theatres, 2 X-ray rooms as well as a cattery and kennels. The building lives on and has a car wash and taxi firm in the car park too.
I have noticed that these lock signs have the grid reference on them. These are pretty useless to most people. On the canal we perhaps tend to use bridge and lock numbers to indicate where about we are, but when not talking to canal people they have no idea what you are on about. I once reported a break in in progress in Manchester. They didn't even know what the canal was called, never mind the bridge or lock number. Needless to say they did not attend! It would be best to use What Three Word. Here would be Whirlwind. Piles. Dairy, which could be the story of my day as it happens!!
The Barton Turns pub look like it has been there a while but I can't find it as a pub until the 1930's when it was The Vines. A coroners inquest was held there regarding an unknown man who had been found dead either side of a railway line at the station over the road! It remained The Vine until around 1990 and by 1993 it was known as the Barton Turns Inn. I have never been in but it looks as though it would be welcoming. It seems that they don't do much of a selection of beer though.
The rain petered out as we approached Wychnor Lock. there was somebody coming down too. All the notices were saying that the river section was in Amber but when we got to Alrewas Lock the board was well into the green. We didn't go much further and just moored up before the water points. Another great day on the cut, but a bit of sun would have made it even better.
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