We arrived at the boat about tea time on Monday after not being able to find Macy Cat anywhere. I was just posting her picture on the local missing pets site, when she trips in as if nothing had ever happened.
We couldn't go straight away as we had to talk to the marina staff so had a night alongside.
We set off in the end at 10:00 and the first thing we came across was this 'wide' beam heading towards us. We haven't been in wide beam land for a long time but I think the timings in Pearson's Guides must be well out the window these days. Mind you they are pretty well out as there is all the slowing for many more moored boats than there used to be, that is if you do slow down.
It is strange how the light coloured new towpath surface alters the picture on the way to Woodend Lock. The new gritty surface seems to be quite loosely packed and I can only assume that it is supposed to bond more together with age. There were spots where the material didn't seem to be enclosed by boards or bank and may well ooze away when it rains etc. I'm sure time will tell.
All the pots etc that we had left at Woodend Lock had gone. Whether taken or smashed we will never know. How did the 'originals' last for some many years? All I can think of is that the lock cottage was lived in and may have dissuaded folk. By the time we arrived at Shade House Lock the best Volunteer Lock Keeper on the system had started work. He was busy keeping things moving but took enough time of to have a coffee with us by the boat on the lock landing as we waited for one to come up. It is nice to see him actually doing some work.
All to soon it was our turn and we headed off, leaving him cake and biscuits to enjoy with his flask later on. Judging by the number of boats coming up and down he would need it! If you pass through and meet this guy say Hi and be gentle with him!!
Around Streethay and Kings Orchard Marina the water was very red with clay, not like at Harecastle Tunnel where it is Iron in the water. I can only think that as there are large HS2 working here that with the rain the clay particles are easily washed out and into the canal.
Hopwas Wood had all the red flags flying and the gate at Hopwass Wood Bridge was locked. I didn't hear any firings though. It is a shame as it is a great area to walk in, not that we were stopping today.
On the outskirts of Hopwas this very large dog poked their head out of the window to check us out. There can't be that much room left in the boat when he is moving a bout. I love their ears though.
The vast housing estate is getting close to being completed with the house right by the canal getting close to first fix. They seem to be constructed on some sort of timber frame method and then brick faced. I wonder if there are any new shops, schools, pubs etc in the area. The roads will certainly need upgrading as everybody will be needing at least on car. It did lock like many of them had charge points for E vehicles, but I'm not sure if this was standard. Fradley is also having a massive build going on too.
We moored up at Fazeley Junction as Helen wanted a new carpet for the bedroom. I had a picture of a carpet shop around the junction and looking it up we found that there was a carpet wholesaler close by so we went to see if they had a roll end for us. The long and short of it is that I walked home with a roll on my shoulder. I will have to find the right time and place to get it fitted but it will look great when down and keep our feet, and the boat warm over the winter. Pictures when it get laid.
As a reward we popped back to the road and turned right to try the 'Three Tuns' that is just opposite where we had moored. They had Wye Valley's HPA for me and Helen's eyes nearly popped when she saw they had around 25 different ciders. Better still they did 1/3rd pints on a board so you could try a few, and she duly did. Nice to go back and have tea with a rosy glow!
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