One of the most enjoyable elements of canal boating is the lovely,fantastic,quirky,amusing,surprising,frustrating at times or just down right weird things that you come across as you slowly move through/around the country on our waterways. Which is why they are such a quintessential part of our Island.
Day 7 (Fri 20/4) was a day in particular.
We had just moored up past bridge 68 north of Rugeley over looking the River Trent when a man stopped to chat - kitted out for serious walking. He was retired military who was doing something that he had always wanted to do - Walk from Lands End to John O’Groats. He showed me his series of maps which showed his route each day and where he would be stopping-either camping,B&B or on some occasions people he has met have offered free rooms or even the odd barn. We provided water,cake and took his rubbish for disposal. Having then rested he set of along the Staffordshire Way and then the Pennine Way leading him to Scotland.
A few pictures of other things that we have come across to illustrate the point:-
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| This is our mooring last Ffriday just north of Rugeley |
Day 8 (Sat 21/4) After our rural mooring yesterday we headed into Great Haywood, It took just over an hour arriving at 10.30 to get an excellent spot looking towards Shugborough Hall. The coffee shop at the Canalside farm shop by bridge 74 provided good coffee and cake. It turned into another glorious spring afternoon so a visit round the hall was in order along with a lot of other visitors. The National Trust has only recently taken it fully over from Staffordshire Council and there is a lot to be done.
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| Shugborou10th Hall from BB |
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| BB from Shugborough Hall |
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| A Showmans caravan in someone's garden |
