We have had a busy few days between dodging the rain and drizzle. Since leaving Acton Trussell last Friday we have done 20 locks and travelled 41 miles and for us that's going fast. The totals so far for the trip are 163 locks and 308 miles. We are now on the Coventry Canal moored just before bridge 34 which is near Hartshill. Our views are over the Trent Valley and tonight the sky cleared and we managed prawns and lamb on the BBQ. Last Saturday as we were approaching Fradley Junction voices called out and we met John and Barbara from nb Barnaby two +, we moored up for the day and had a very pleasant catch up with them.
 |
| The impressive bridge and club house of the Stafford Boat Club |
 |
| It really is nice when homes of all types face the canal as you get a chance to see what people can do to their gardens |
 |
| Another impressive garden |
 |
| As you approach Tixall Wide and Great Hayward on the Staffs & Worcs Canal you see some very impressive buildings. This is the old gatehouse of Tixall Hall now demolished |
 |
| This is Tixall Wide which for us "ditch crawlers" is a bit like the ocean. Its thought that it may have been created for the owners of Tixall Hall so that it looked like a lake not a canal. |
 |
| Another interesting building but not sure what- some form of gatehouse and a very large barn type building |
 |
| We turned south at Great Hayward junction onto the Trent & Mersey Canal and moored up below Haywood Lock and this is the view from the side hatch towards Shugborough Hall |
 |
| In the grounds of the Hall are several follies like this. |
 |
| And another folly |
 |
| As we approached Fradley Junction we went through Ravenshaw Woods which is a profusion of rhododendrons this time of year |
 |
| Home sweet Gnome! |
 |
| The tunnel tug Sharpness |
 |
| As we came up the Atherstone Locks this morning there is this lovely field where the solid yellow of the rape field has been broken up by red poppies |
 |
| There are some lovely views as the Trent & Mersey Canal made its way towards Fradley along the Trent Valley even if its only the distant view of Rugeley Power Station |
 |
| This was the approach to Great Hayward Junction on the Staffs & Worcs where you have to weave through the Anglo Welsh hire boats before we can turn right onto the Trent & Mersey to head south |
