Trent following.

We got involved in a bit of a queue at the one and only lock today. There was a bit of confusion about some floating reeds but it was all sorted and didn't delay us too long. We didn't go too far before we parked up to see if we could get to a Garden Centre and there was also supposed to be a place selling the paint that is on our boat there too. As it turns out there was a busy road and no path so we had a cup of tea and carried on.

Woodend Lock Cottage.

The milepost that was by our mooring last night was one of the originals. Apparently they were removed during WWII so that the German's could not find their way! Amazingly the majority of them were found by the Trent and Mersey Canal Society and they managed to get them replaced. There were some missing and the they were made up as the original. You can tell the difference as the original is dated 1819 and the newer ones 1977.

The countryside was very pretty to Handasacre and Armitage. There are several very narrow parts and one way only ways. We stopped for water near to Spode House and Hawkesyard Priory. It was built Josiah Spode, of the pottery folk. He left it to A Dominican Order in 1893 who built the priory and finished it just before WWI. The place has now become a hotel and spa and golf course. There must be some meaning in that.

Hawkesyard Priory and Spode House.

We continued after filling up to Rugeley and stopped there to do some shopping as you can moor very close to the town centre. I was expecting a bit of a dire place but the centre seems to be predestrianised and a fair selection of shops, outdoor and indoor market. We went to a supermarket, and after the main shop went back and filled up with cat food, wine and beer. We soon left and continued for a bit longer along the Trent Valley to find a more picturesque mooring. The sun was still shining and it was a very pleasant evening. We found a nice place just past Wolseley and it is close to a garden centre for the morning. We are looking for garden centres as we are looking for some cocoa shell mulch for our compost loo. We may even get for a drink tonight too.

One of the original James Brindley built bridges on the Trent and Mersey. Bridge 68.

Enjoying the sunshine.

Junctions.

What a lovely day it has been. Our mooring gave us a great view to wake up to and plenty of sun for the panels. Before breakfast we went for a walk through the Whittington Woods and it was a joy. The leaves were just opening on the trees so the light for the bluebells etc was dappled and the whole lot looked magical.

Here is the Jay that Helen took yesterday. We have seen loads of them during the last few days. Many more than Magpies.

Bluebells and wood anenomes.

After getting back and having breakfast Helen sat in the sun and I re-rigged the forward fender and greased it all up so the shackles and screws will be free when required. I managed to find a knife in the cut when I went fishing with the magnet too. Whilst I was 'fishing' I disturbed a snake that was about 2ft long and was a Grass Snake. It was a real surprise and the closest I have ever been to one and the best view too. We set off about to and passed through some lovely countryside. As it is a Bank Holiday it has been really busy. We went past Huddlesford Junction where there disused canal would connect the Walsall canals with the the rest of the Birmingham Canal system and the restoration of it is probably going to be the next big opening.

Signpost at Huddlesford Junction.

The Swan (Mucky Duck) at Fradley Junction.

We were hoping to find a mooring at Fradley but everywhere was full up so we turned left and went up a couple of locks before finding a spot before the next lock.

Shadehouse Lock near Fradley.

Mile post next to our mooring for the night.

We found that we had had a packet of four finger KitKats for three weeks and have only eaten half the packet! That would never happen at home, but shows that we are keeping busy.

Washing Day.

It turned out nice today and as we had planned to only move about 2 miles or so we didn't set off very early. Mind you there were a fair few early risers as the first boat went past at just after 0600! We went for a walk down the canal and then round again to pick up a paper before breakfast. After a quick scan of the sports and money pages I checked the fuel/water/oil and belts and then we started up. We put a load of washing on and then waited until the water point and rubbish disposal point opposite was vacant. We had acquired a load of rubbish and after collecting stuff around our mooring we needed to drop it off. We filled up with water to replace what we were using for the wash too. It has been busy this sunny and warm Bank Holiday weekend.

Waiting for the water to finish and displaying yesterday's fish and chips!

It was a very pleasant trip through the countryside to the north of Tamworth, past the Hints TV mast and through Hopwas where both pubs seemed to be doing roaring trade. We passed the Whittington Range and found a nice spot over looking the Tame valley and with Tamworth in the distance. The washing had finished and as the weather was nice and sunny we got it drive too. We have a wirly gig thing but so far we haven't had to use it.

Helen hanging up the washing.

Whilst parked up we cleared our compost loo and as it was the first time we were surprised how quick and easy it is. I also filled the grease cylinder for the stern gland.

A lovely evening view from our back deck.

Helen got a good photo of a Jay so I will have to post that next time. We are aiming to move up to Fradley Junction tomorrow. It is a really busy place at the weekend and especially a sunny Bank Holiday so we have kept clear until tomorrow evening.

Very relaxing evening.

A great day.

It has been quite an emotional day for several reasons. We were in Fazeley as it was the easiest place to catch the bus to Sutton Coldfield, NE of Birmingham. I moved there in 1960 when I was five and left in about 1979 (That makes about 23/4!) so it was my 'best years'. Scouts was a big part of mine and my brothers lives and I belong the MAGNUS Venture Scout Ranger Guide unit. It was great to have the girls around and in those days we could get up to lots of things with very little red tape. And we did. Today we caught the 110 to Sutton Parade, £12 return for Helen and I. There were one or two faces that I instantly recognised but it took me a fair while to 'tune in' to seeing the young people I know in their new persona. I found that with the blokes it was the change of colour, or loss of it, that I had discount. After a while it was gestures, a look or movement that alerted me to the different people. I have never been to a reunion of any sort, and I never thought I would either. It was very good to see everybody and to bring back memories too. They were good times and I'm sure helped make us all what we are today. I wonder now what folk thought of me in the new disguise.

Brother Neal and Sue were also in MAGNUS but were unable to attend today as there eldest son was playing at Twickenham where they were in the Senior Vase Final against Drybrook. Selby came out on top 29-20 and Dan scored two tries and a drop goal. He did all this with 12 staples in his scalp after playing last weekend in a match that secured their promotion to Yorkshire League 1. Congratulations to all at Selby Rugby Club. I'm sure they are going to have a hell of a party when you get back home.

As if all that wasn't enough emotion for the day Hull City have been promoted to the Premium League. Now I don't really follow soccer but Hull needs some good news. On the bus to Sutton was a 20 something lad drinking lager, and had been for a while (1030). After discussing religion, class and cricket he then went on to tell us that Hull is crap, even though he had never been there. This is the reaction you often get when you mention you are from there. Just the same as anywhere else Hull has it's faults, but there are also lots of good points too and like anybody else I don't like it when folk slag it off with no knowledge of the place. Hull has been slapped down so much that people lack self belief in a big way. We made a big fuss of Luke Campbell who won a boxing gold at the Olympics and with The Tigers promotion another shot in the arm can only be agood thing. Typical Hull though they made heavy weather of it to the end. A missed penalty and than a last minute equalizer by Cardiff men't that they had to wait until the end of the Watford v Leeds game. This was late as the Watford Goalie had been injured. Leeds are one of Hull's Derby teams and we couldn't expect any favours but they came through and beat Watford 2-1. I had tears in my eyes when I read the result. As I say it has been an emotional day. The sun is shining charging the batteries, the wine bottle is open and Helen has just baked a loaf of bread, so what could be better.

Sorry no photos today Mum. I hope that you are having a great time in France.

Moved round the corner.

Isn't it funny how a couple, with no discussion, decide on things which seat you will sit in etc. From the first time we came aboard this boat I sat at the dinette facing aft and Helen facing for'd. Ever since we just do it automatically! I suppose if either of us were not happy with the arrangement we would be moving but it is surprising what is mutually settled with no comment in a couple.

We went for a walk to the Ventura Retail park as Helen wanted to look round the big John Lewis Home shop and I popped to Maplin's. We also went to ASDA to get bits and pieces. The walks around the ring roads of Tamworth are very good as they keep you away from the traffic with grassand water etc etc, and it is good to see all the Mum's and kids out, along with joggers etc. It was about a mile and half each way.

Glascote Lock No.1

We set off and were soon at the two Glascote locks. They take the canal down from the valley of the Anker into that of the Tame, a bigger brother of the former. The bottom lock gate was leaking badly and so Helen had a bit of a push to waggle the gate open as it was leaking out so fast. 

The Tame Aqueduct with pill box from WWII.

Fazeley Junction

Fazeley Junction is actually the end of the Coventry Canal and the start of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. The Junction House is still quite a site but some of the area has been flattened some time ago and housing started. They let them build in a red brick that doesn't blend in at all and then they have been half built for sometime by the look of it. We took on water and then moved a little up the canal to moor up for a couple of days.

I hope this duck doesn't make a habit of sitting here and cutting my solar power!

Sunny day.

I can report that the shower pump seemed to work fine this morning so we will continue to monitor. The sun was lovely and we charged everything up with the solar panels and then charged the batteries up to float on them too. They are already paying for themselves.

I made a sortie into the out of town shopping areas in search of bits and pieces for some jobs I want to do. There is a huge area of units just outside Tamworth with a massive ASDA, Sainsbury's, John Lewis Home etc etc. I found what I was looking for in B&Q and stopped off in ASDA to pick up some bargains. I was just about 2 hours. When I got back I wired up a fan to the compost toilet. We have a solar fan but the rechargeable battery runs out before the night it out. I have wired in another fan in line with a switch so that when we go to bed we can put the 12v one on. I am hoping that the continuous fan will help the compost process to speed up.

When I was out Helen baked a lemon drizzle cake, checked out the bank accounts, brushed through etc etc.  The cake was lovely and moist and very lemony. She is in a state of excitement as it is the final week of Master Chef and as she is watching them on IPlayer she is a day behind so nobody tell here the outcome, please, as my life would be a misery.

Ten ducklings. I hope there are still ten tomorrow.

After lunch we walked back into town for a look around the Charity shops to find the elusive crochet book. We had stamps to buy and cards to post too. When we got back Mrs. Duck was being severely harassed by a male duck. He wasn't going for the young so maybe just after creating another clutch.

Helen enjoying a glass of wine at the end of the day. Honestly it was only one glass!

We sat on the back reading and watching the world go by. It is gratifying to see so many using the towpath for walking and jogging. There are loads of dogs too so Macy doesn't get out too much until later.

Tamworth

We were delayed setting off this morning as the shower pump didn't work. It has been working  intermittently but I thought I had fixed it. Anyway took it to bits and back together again as nothing unusual found and it worked okay. I have my fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Pooley Hall and Miners Memorial.

Just round the bend from Polesworth is Pooley Hall. Just a little further was the Pooley Hall Colliery that closed in 1987. wrought iron pagoda is a memorial to the colliery men who fell in WWI. (or if not it is  around there somewhere). There is very little to show of the mine as we passed. It made me think that since Coventry we have been passing through areas of heavy engineering, quarrying and mining, and there is basically nothing to see of it now. It is amazing to think that a younger generation will have no idea of what has gone before and how different the life and environment was. I'm not saying the 'good old days' but days of different values I think.

25 year old waste tip.

The stretch of canal from Polesworth was very rural now and in the sun today was very pleasant boating. It would have been very different 30 years ago. The mine closed in 1987 and you would be hard pressed to tell the waste tip was there now.

Tamworth Castle and gardens from the River Anker walk.

I thought we would have to walk alongside busy roads to get into the town centre of Tamworth but there was a very pretty walk under all the roads and alongside the river with a park and gardens to the Castle. With it being sunny there were plenty of people out and about too. I had not seen a sedum statue before but thought it was a good idea. It will look good when it is all grown over.

Sir sedum!

Sir Robert Peel and Market Hall.

We had to go to the station to collect Helen's tickets for when she goes home later in the month. You can collect them from any station with a machine and she is going from Stone with no machine so as we were passing through Tamworth we chose here. When I was booking them the first price was £75 one way. After a bit of digging etc I got it for £48 both ways. The town is a funny mixture of old and new. There only seemed to be one green grocer and one butcher in the place, but I think the centre is surrounded by retail parks so maybe too much competition for them.

Roses around a thorn.

Not a good quote really as they aren't roses and I'm more grumpy than thorney, but I am sporting my new No.2 haircut! We are staying here tomorrow as we can catch the bus to Sutton Coldfield from Fazeley Junction on Saturday.