June 1st moored above Dimmingsdale Lock on the Staffs & Worcs Canal 
         83.5 miles, 41 locks and 3 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Friday 1st June

Cloudy and cooler but dry (all day). Got under way just before 10 and led a convoy of about four boats for the five miles to Autherley Junction where we stopped to top our water tank up.  Had to wait for Duke and Duchess Hotel boats to finish with the tap first. Bridie set the stop lock and I made my way in as someone turned off the Staffs and Worcs into the bridge hole to come up the Shroppie, obviously he hadn't checked lock was free and set it ready before he turned the corner!  Anyway he reversed out and we turned right.  Stopped for lunch above Compton lock. Bridie went for a quick shop at the Daisy delicatessan and after descending the lock we stopped briefly at Limekiln chandelry for a new rope, then proceeded on through the two Wightwick locks, through MOPS farm bridge (!) and past Dimmingdsdale wharf. So little traffic today we seem to have the canal to ourselves after the busier Shroppie.  Everyone must have been on the four counties circuit.  Even Mabel is settling down to the chilled out lifestyle and coping with the stresses and strains of canal life (even though she is now in season)!

Managed to moor on the 5day mooring (room for just two boats) above the lock on opposite side to towpath.  Always nice to get away from the cyclists hurtling past and the joggers who manage to pound past at silly o'clock in the morning!

Thursday 31st May

Rained a little over night and was a bit more serious this morning, grey skies, much cooler and a mix of light
and heavy showers. I decided to make use of the weather and wash down the starboard side and clean the
windows, not often we have been moored with towpath on our left this last few days and the boat is decidedly dusty.  Bridie defrosted the fridge and spent some time downloading photo's from camera to laptop and CD, not that she has taken as many as usual., however we should now be able to put some onto the blog at last.  After lunch, with little sign of improvement in the weather, we decided to sit tight for
today and got back to crossword puzzles and Soduko. Late afternoon the rain eased so we went back into Brewood with the dogs to replenish food and drink stocks a bit more given the long bank holiday weekend ahead.

Wednesday 30th May

Another summers day but fridge has been making some funny noises cutting on and off over last couple of days so decided to spend my morning checking and topping up the batteries. Main bank of four are now six years old but were all ok, no empty cells at least, but topped up anyway.  Starter battery (newest) was ok,  but the oldest battery in front locker had a couple of exposed cells and needed a fair bit of 'topping' up.  This
battery (supposedly for my non working bow thruster) is connected to my radio and amplifier and is charged with the rest so could be a problem(?) however it still shows a green indicator.  Once finished we set off for a short cruise to Brewood.  However first stop was about 100 yards from mooring where we stopped for a fuel top up (81 litres) then another 100 yards to services for a water top up, followed by a further 100 yards to Wheaton Aston Lock. Then to Brewood and a short walk with Mac & Mabel and back via the village and the shops.

Tuesday 29th May

A rather slow start today having decided to slow down!  First we had a wander round Norbury Junction with the dogs to visit the chandlery and take some photo's and then use the services etc before moving on across Shelmore Embankment and through Gnosall Heath.  Plenty of visible signs of the imenent passing of the Olympic Flame through the locality tomorrow and lots of flags on show for the Diamond Jubilee (but not on Prairie Oyster I have to say). Weather not quite so hot and some clouds about but still dry and calm.  Stopped on the moorings at Wheaton Aston and after lunch went on a perambulate around the village to find the Spar mentioned in our Pearson's guide.  We both think we remember shopping here when we camped with our caravan at Little Onn with the boys (many years ago) but didn't recognise it.