THE BIG SUMMER CRUISE--July 14th--20th


Monday, 14th July
Today we moved on along the Staffs & Worcs Canal.
We stopped at Limekiln Chandlery, to fill up with diesel.
On the canal, boats are allowed to use 'red diesel',
the fuel used for agricultural purposes.
The duty on it is 5%, I believe, and it's about a third of the price
of normal diesel at filling stations.
But the price can vary wildly.
At Stratford, we paid 42p per litre, at Limekiln it was 23.8p per litre!
So we squeezed as much in as we could.

We came through two junctions today; Aldersley Junction,
where we met with the Birmingham Canals navigation,


Aldersley Junction

and then Autherley, where the Shropshire Union canal starts.
We moored eventually at Gailey, a noisy spot, too close to the M6.

Tuesday, 15th July
We only travelled a short distance today, to Penkridge.
As we pulled in to moor, I noticed the boat next to us was called Shendish.
This boat was built by our boatfitter, about four years ago.
We had never met the owners, but our boatfitters, Lyn and Dave,
had mentioned the boat to us on several occasions.
So we introduced ourselves and agreed to chat later.
Trev's cousin and her husband live in Penkridge.
They had kindly agreed to accept our mail.
Trev's cousin and her husband came and picked us up and took us out for a meal,
They have a Jag so we felt very posh!
It's quite a change to go at sixty mph instead of three!
There was less post than ever this time! Hooray.


The M6--see the blue sign in the centre,
right by the canal at Lock 39 on The Staffs & Worcs.

Wednesday 16th & Thursday, 17th July
For a few days now, the boat has had a list to starboard.
It doesn't seem to affect Trev, but I some times feel off balance with it,
and bang against the walls as I walk up and down the boat.
Doors and drawers shut or open by themselves!
I've spoken to our boat fitter about it and he can't think what it might be.
Of course, as I've said before, I always need something to worry about!

This morning, as we came back to the boat after shopping,
I certainly had something to worry about!
The list was worse than usual, and was obvious even from the outside.
It was down on one side by about 4" and as we were looking at it,
it seemed to get worse.
I hurriedly got the middle rope and tied it to the metal piling on the bank.
I was convinced it was going to capsize.
Trev rang Dave to ask him what we should do and he said
he would ring us back when he'd had a think about what it might be.
As we were standing there, Trev trying to stay calm in the face of my growing hysteria,
the owners of Shendish came back.
I said to them that we were worried that the boat seemed to have such a list
and Graham, owner of Shendish, said there was nothing to worry about!
The boat was on a ledge at the side of the canal.
The part of the canal we were moored in was between two locks and,
as boats came through they filled the locks,
which in turn lowered the water level in the section we were on,
and so there was less water in it!
Phew. So we weren't going to capsize after all.
Trev, feeling rather embarassed, rang Dave and told him what had caused
the excessive list, and there was relief all round!
So, as you can see, it's a very steep learning curve!

We invited our new friends on board for coffee, and talked with them for over an hour.
They've been boaters for years, and gave us all sorts of tips! Like: Don't Panic!

We moved on along the canal, and moored for two nights at Baswich.
Not the most scenic of places, but peaceful and away from the M6.
At last the heat and humidity of the last few days
was dissipated by a storm.
We had thunder and lightning and lots of rain.
Trev assures me there was a clap of thunder in the night
which must have woken everyone within a twenty mile radius--except me.
I can sleep for England!

On Thursday, we caught a bus in to Stafford,
and were pleasantly surprised what a nice town it is.
We spent the day there, browsing around the shops.

It's much cooler today and the air is fresh.
We've nearly come to the end of the Staffs & Worcs. Canal, and are sorry it's all over.
We've loved it, it's been so peaceful and rural.
The canal had really saved the best bit till last.
Less than a mile before the junction with the Trent & Mersey,
there is an area called Tixall Wide.
It's where the canal opens out in to quite a wide expanse,
at least as wide as the Severn.
There is lots of wildlife here-ducks, geese, swans
and we saw a crested grebe catch a fish and feed it to its chick.
It's also a good area to see kingfishers, but they still elude me!
We moored here for the night, a delighful tranquil spot.


Tixall Wide

Saturday, 19th July
We went on to the junction with the Trent and Mersey canal this afternoon,
to meet Trev's cousin Ann and her husband Graham, as they're coming with us for a day trip.
The good news was--after two toothless weeks, they brought my dentures with them!.
We went south down the Trent and Mersey to the first winding hole and back.
It was their first experience of travelling on a narrow boat, and they really enjoyed it.
We had a meal on board and moored in Tixall Wide again

Sunday, 20th July
We went to visit Shugborough Hall today.
It's a National Trust property and very close to the canal.
It's the home of the Earl of Lichfield.

I was reminded of a previous occasion when we had a chapel outing there years ago.
As well as seeing the 'state rooms' one could pay extra
and see the Earl of Lichfield's private apartments.
When we got back on the bus,
I asked one of the older members of the congregation if she had enjoyed the day.
Yes, she said she had, and what's more she'd seen the Earl of Lichfield's private parts!
Considering he's the queen's cousin, it seems a bargain at half the price!

This time I was not so impressed as when we had visited before.
There didn't seem to be much to see.
Tonight we're moored on the junction of the Trent and Mersey canal,
ready to set off tomorrow towards Stone, Stoke-on-Trent and northwards.

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