August 1st Aston Marina on the Trent & Mersey canal.

         241 miles, 215 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Wednesday 1st August

Preparing for the car journey north and much general boat tidying today.  Back in September.

Tuesday 31st July

Expedition to Rufford to collect car today.  Battery was flat and had to use jump leads to get started. Gave notice of intention not to return north to our mooring at Fettlers this autumn.  Will stay in Midlands to avoid the journey north and back again in spring. Lynne had joined Bridie on the boat for the day while I went on the train and then drove down the M6 and we all repaired to the Bistro for an evening meal watching the rain come down.  We had had showers all day

Monday 30th July - Arrived at Aston Marina for engine service

Cooler and cloudy with showers of rain.  Once moored up tried the Bistro for lunch and it was excellent.

Sunday 29th July

Stayed put today for general boat tidying and enjoying a bit of sunshine. Had chairs out and enjoyed sunshine
with cooler periods and a little shower of rain later.

Saturday 28th July - Iron Bridge just short of marina at Aston

Moved on to get away from railway line which is very noisy at bridge 82 being right beside the canal. Only cruised for about an hour and through Sandon lock, mooring just beyond the Iron Bridge (88).  Railway is now a field away and much more bearable.  Seems that this line is used more and also at night now whereas we used to be able to count on it being quiet overnight and not used Sundays.  Of course it may be just the extra trains for the Olympics (am I allowed to mention them?)  All the trains are Pendilinos see lots of eleven car as well as more normal nine.  Also have noted a new livery with large black semi circular panel with PENDILINO in white lettering.

Friday 27th July - Salt

Moved on just as far as Salt so that we could have dinner tonight at the Holly Bush. 

Well worth the visit,old thatched Inn with an excellent menu.  We must come back soon.  Walked back to the boat and watched the sunset.

July 26th moored at Pasturefields Ingestre near Weston on Trent & Mersey canal

         235 miles, 213 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Thursday 26th July - Wedding Anniversary at Pasturefields mooring

Mid morning moved up the line of about thirty boats moored along this stretch up to the lock and then onto Great Haywood services again to water up.  I like to keep tank topped up rather than meet the unexpected lock closure with an half empty tank. On through Hoo Mill Lock still in glorious sunshine and spotted a short mooring with rings at Pasturefields where we decided to call it a day.  Batteries should be charged enough anyway. Seats out and sunbathed until too hot and retreated inside(!)

Rang Aston Marina today and confirmed our arrival on Monday for a mooring and engine service.

Had a very peaceful afternoon apart from passing boats some of whome seem to think slowing down past moored boats involves proceeding on their bow wave up to the stern of the moored boat, abruptly shutting power on reaching moored boat, gliding past at speed, then applying power as soon as they have past other end of boat (or boats).   Of course this has no effect on the two priciple causes of annoyance to moored boaters, first the bow wave or water surge still hits you and second the noise is still intense and especially annoying in the early hours when trying to sleep.

Another boat from the Ashby Canal joined us on the mooring for the night during the evening while we celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary quietly on our own.

Wednesday 25th July - Shugborough Great Haywood
Took a look at the nature reserve at Wolsleley this morning, rather an interesting spot and a lot bigger than
we had thought.  Lakes surrounded by wild gardens with lots of walk ways through the trees and down to banks of the Trent.

Yet another summers day as we moved on up to Shugborough Hall, where we moored a little further down the towpath from Great Haywood this time, with views of the hall and grounds.  Went for a walk with the dogs into the estate to visit the arboretum which was closed due to effects of flooding when we visited about a week ago.  We met one couple who complained that this walk should be removed from the map of Shugborough as it was not interesting and only had lots of trees.  eh?

Beautiful calm summers evening spent watching hot air ballon prepare for lift off from the estate grounds.

Tuesday 24th July - Wolseley
After a rather lazy day yesterday finished off with Haddock and chips from Mikes fish and chip shop we decided to move on today.  It was another sunny summers day and I took time out to wash down the starboard side of the boat and windows, already quite dusty from last few days of heat. Then we retraced our path through Armitage, past the heaps of white toilets and on through Rugeley, not stopping this time, although we watered up near Spode House.  Had to lend our hose to two ladies in a small boat who had not been able to find the right connections for their hose. By the time they past the hose back to us there was a queue of three boats waiting. 

Moored up in the trees on end of moorings at Wolseley and spent next couple of hours relaxing on the bank of the Trent.  Found time to visit the garden centre with attached Edinburgh Woollen Mill where we both purchased some shirts (and new handkerchiefs!).   About six in the evening we watched as someone came up the river past the nature reserve on a Jet ski at speed

and then returned down river under the road bridge

He did this twice and had a passenger on the second trip.  Obviously he either knows the river well or is a complete idiot as recent floods will have brought debris including trees down on the river.

July 23rd moored at Handsacre on Trent & Mersey canal

         223 miles, 210 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Monday 23rd July

The sun is shining, the sky is blue (with a bit of a breeze) so staying put to enjoy the weather while it lasts.

Sunday 22nd July

And even more improvement as temperature rises and clouds disperse. Spent morning on a jaunt to Morrison’s in Rugeley with Molly the Trolley.  The beer stocks built up in Droitwich have mysteriously disappeared

This afternoon we watered up and headed through Armitage to Handsacre where we turned and moored near the winding hole.  Spent afternoon enjoying sunshine and the took the dogs to sample delights of Handsacre (but didn't find them).

Saturday 21st July

A definite improvement in the weather today as we made our way (five miles along Trent Valley) to Rugely and moored in 7Day moorings at bridge 67.

Friday 20th July

It was a bit brighter today but still plenty of cloud about.   We went to Shugborough Hall and although we had been some years ago we saw much more of the house this time.  Patrick Lichfield’s apartments have now been opened to the public, well worth seeing. Lot's of history on Admiral Anson and his circumnavigation which earned him the money to build Shugborough.

Thursday 19th July

On the move again today headed for Great Haywood and junction with T&M. Bit grey and grim but rain held off until we got to the junction where I wanted to reverse onto water point so we could then head south.   Had to shuffle about as three boats already moored (or trying to) and got wet in process.   Eventually watered up, emptied loo and rubbish etc moved off through lock and moored just below and near to Essex Bridge, the largest un widened packhorse bridge in England which crosses the Trent to Shugborough Hall.  We managed a walk with the dogs and a shopping trip to the Farm Shop this afternoon.

Wednesday 18th July

Bridie travelled back from Carlisle today and I walked into Stafford to meet her train (14:46).  It did not look too bad as I left the boat so I did not take a waterproof but it started to rain as I walked through Victoria Park.  As I entered the Station there was a cloud bust and luckily I was able to watch from the safety of the station.  Bridies train arrived on time and we went for a late lunch in town before walking back to the boat.

Tuesday 17th July

A bit better day today and I went for a walk up the towpath and back.  I went to the spot where the canal used to link to River Sow.  Little evidence of any activity yet although a new fence has been erected round the spot where the aqueduct used to be.

Monday 16th July

Wet for most of the day with a lull in the rain between 4 and 6 when I managed to take the dogs for a mud bath walking down the towpath past the Stafford Boat club.  Bridie had two teeth out and another temporary bridge at her dentists in Dalston today.

July 15th moored at Radford Bridge Stafford on Staffs & Worcs canal

         209 miles, 207 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Sunday 15th July

A better day (so far) - cloudy but sunny intervals and dry although the wind has picked up a bit this evening.
Bridie has taken the train to Carlisle and was met by Simon and Mel (with whom she will stay) in order to visit her dentist. We took a walk into Stafford late morning avoiding all the traffic hurtling into and out of the town centre.  Bought rail ticket and then walked through Victoria Park - somewhat flooded with lots of benches under water - to the Yard for a light lunch before walking back to the station.  Bridie caught 14:09 to Crewe to change for Carlisle.  I walked back to the boats and read the paper sitting on our seat on the
towpath.  Thats a first for a few weeks now!

Saturday 14th July

Although it rained overnight it had actually stopped and was drying this morning.  We managed a walk into Penkridge for a bit of shopping without getting wet this time.  Then made ready and set off down first of two locks in Penkridge with a stop before the second to fill up the water.  Then onwards, mainly in sunshine, through Acton Trussel shadowing the M6 and listening to the traffic noise and finally mooring alongside the much flooded floodplain of the River Penk just before Radford Bridge.  The information board along the towpath has a picture of the flood plain, saying it floods in winter, and talks of it drying out and being used for cattle grazing in summer - not this summer though!

Friday 13th July
Wet nearly all day, very heavy at times.  Lynne came to join us and we did venture into Penkridge and had lunch at the Star but not without getting wet.

Thursday 12th July

Headed north from Gailey towards Penkridge this morning and managed to avoid another soaking.  Five locks and three miles so it was only a relatively short trip.  Moored above the lock near the Cross Keys Pub.  We managed a short trip into village with the dogs for some shopping without getting wet. Started to rain as soon as we got back to the boat though.

July 11th moored at Gailey Roundhouse on Staffs & Worcs canal

         201 miles, 196 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Wednesday 11th July

Rained heavily during the night and was still raining this morning when I was woken by sound of mowers at about 8, put kettle on, then suddenly realised that the grass cutting contractors were busy strimming along the
boats behind us in the rain.  Decided to get our boat out of their way and started engine, dropped pram hood
and demoored in record time.  Poor dogs had to wait for another 15 minutes before I could find a spot to stop and let them off briefly, even then the strimmers were in hot pursuit and within twenty feet of the boat
before we got going again.  Had breakfast on the move and my toast got soggy in the rain.  We need the grass on the towpaths to be cut and would prefer that the job was done to include a cut up to the canal edge more often than it is. But when you see boats that have been strimmed against and see dirt and grass right up the windows you might understand my concern.  Anyway we moved onto a new mooring at Gailey where the grass has already been cut! Moored up before 12 and after tidying the boat, fitting a spare glass to firedoor, repairing the handle and refitting, having showers we then had lunch. Afterwards we spent some time reading and watching the showers as they lessened and it visibly brightened. By 3 we were able to go out for a walk down the locks ahead of us with the dogs, although not without another shower giving us a timely reminder not to venture too far.  On our return we visited the gift shop at the Roundhouse for magazines, new canal mugs for ourselves and some gifts to take back home with us.

July 10th moored at Coven near Cross Green on Staffs & Worcs canal  - in the wet, wet, wet rain

         196 miles, 196 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Tuesday 10th July

Still raining this morning so another wet dog 'walk'. Decided to move on anyway and got underway up Compton Lock (the last of the uphill locks onto the summit pound). Just the Captain and Mac on deck for the next five rain drenched miles through Tettenhall and past Aldersley Junction (for Wolverhampton 21 locks into Birmingham) and Autherley Junction (back onto the Shroppie) mooring up just after the Fox & Anchor for lunch on board but decided that we would stay for the night if the rain persisted and it did!  Noticeable how many more boats are on the move this side of the junction.  All those intrepid souls 'enjoying' their 'summer' holidays on the Four Counties Ring.  Pity someone hasn't told them that the slow down past moored boats rule still applies in wet weather.  One has just gone past and yes I admit he would have been moaned at for going too slowly - if he had been motoring down the M1 - but on the canal 2mph is plenty fast enough past moored boats thank you.

The afternoon was depressingly grey and wet and Bridie suggested a fire might be in order.  Now we have only lit the fire once since we came on board that is how bad it was!  But don't you wish some days you had never got up? 

I put the chimmney on and tried to open the fire door but it had welded itself shut and the handle would not budge, so I used the supplied fire door tool.  Result - door handle came off in my hand. Now resorted to removing the two pins that hinge the door - door removed.  Took door out onto wet towpath to apply some brute force to door catch which was 'welded' in place.  In about an hour I had succeeded in loosening this catch but had dislodged the rope seal - so this would require glueing back on.  Then fairly predictably (in hindsight) I broke the glass.  To add to my woes I stood up from my crouched position and did something to my back.  Now feeling nauseous and light headed I had a bag of broken glass, sundry tools on towpath and back deck, no fire and Bridie now had dinner ready.

Monday 9th July

Made a reasonably early start in dry conditions and just cruised about a mile and a half to Wightwick bridge
where we moored up again.  Left dogs to guard the boat and went to explore Wightwick Manor.

A most enjoyable visit well worth repeating in the future.  The house and decorations are fabulous although the pre-Raphaelite paintings leave me a little cold, just too pretentious for my liking.

 The gardens and lake were pretty too, although a little wet still.

After visiting the kitchen garden guided round by this chap we had soup in the small cafe before we headed back to the boat and moved on through the two Wightwick locks to Compton.  Spotted 'Warrior' on the moorings, fuelled up with 80 litres of diesel and purchased another gas cylinder at Limekiln chandlers and then went back for a chat with Ian and Joan (our neighbours at Rufford).  They are in trouble and under tow with friends heading to Stoubridge to have their Gardner engine dismantled.   We headed to Oddfellows (a large Marstons pub) for an excellent meal deal (2 meals for £10).  For once it was real value as well, anyone heading for Tettenhall should try it out.

July 8th moored on 5day mooring above Dimmingsdale Lock on Staffs & Worcs canal

         191 miles, 195 locks, 3 swing bridges and 12 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Sunday 8th July

Set off a bit later today (well it was Sunday).  Made steady progress in fairly good and sunny weather.  Never really queued but we were following another boat and had another following us. Much of the way, being Sunday, the towpath was lined with fishermen, so only a sedate pace was possible.  Arrived at Bratch and only had to wait a short time before a boat emerged from the bottom of the staircase and the lock keeper let us proceed as there was no one waiting to come down. Sun still shining we arrived about 4pm at Dimmingsdale Lock (15th of the day) and no one was moored on the offside 5day mooring we occupied on the way down so we called it a day and moored up with the intention of taking the dogs a walk after a cup of tea.  We did just that, but did not make it far, before it started to rain again.

Saturday 7th July

Made an early start after a last dog walk round the basin getting under way about 9:15.   First three locks into Kidderminster we kept dry and Bridie went off for a shop in Sainsbury's at which point it started to rain again.   On the move and approaching the next (Wolverley Court) lock the heavens really opened and we got wet (!)  So it continued through to Wolverley lock where we exchanged banter with six heavily tattooed comedians drinking outside the pub and trying to shelter from the downpour under the parasols. Evidence of flooding all along the Stour Valley but it did slowly clear and we finished a 13 mile cruise in sunshine.  We moored on the 5day mooring at Prestwood Bridge Stourton just before Gothersley roundhouse.  (Next time we will give this mooring a miss, looks very nice but the Alsations guarding Bridge House are too noisy).

July 6th moored on 5day mooring at Stourport on Staffs & Worcs canal

         171 miles, 170 locks, 3 swing bridges and 10 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Friday 6th July

Well typical, yesterday when we couldn't move we had what would have been good weather for cruising, whereas today the rain started in the early hours and it has poured steadily all day.  Over 100 flood alerts out
according to the news.  Being fair weather sailors we quickly decided to stay indoors and read.   Although
Bridie braved the elements with two reluctant dogs first thing.  They are both decidedly reluctant to venture
out again.

Thursday 5th July

Better start to the day but Bridie needs a dentist and we start the day trying to get an appointment. Luckily
no problem and she got an appointment in York Street (which passes over the lock just behind us).   However only temporary fix possible to her bridge which only had to last until her August appointment.  Now looks as if she needs to get home to see her dentist earlier than that. So re thinking current plan and she may need to catch train north from Stafford sometime next week.

Wednesday 4th July

Wet and grey start to the day again.  Lynne arrived just before 10 by which time we had boat ready to move (in the rain)! Just moved out of the basin, off the 24hr mooring, through the lock and managed to moor below the property which was once Fred Landon's Auction Rooms (see July Waterways World).  I think he was the son of Edwin Landon, son of James, my great great great grandfather.
Once moored we left the boat for the day and went in Lynnes car to Kidderminster to meet my cousins and go for a day out on the Severn Valley Railway. Caught the 11:40 for Bridgenorth where we wandered across the bridge to the castle gardens

and on to the White Swan (oldest pub in the town) for lunch in the beer garden.  Would have been fine had the heavens not opened before we had finished.  Back to the station and caught a train to Highly

for a short visit to the 'Engine Shed' for tea and a look round the engines and other exhibits. We watched a train heading up the valley with same engine (prairie 5164) and coach set we had travelled up the valley on.

Next a brief ride down to the next station at Arley where, after watching our train headed this time by 'Erlstoke Manor' depart for Kidderminster,

we walked down to the river and across the footbridge for an ice cream and then wandered up the hill to the church.

I stayed outside with the dogs who were busy watching a small herd of young Jersey cows, while everyone else went in to see the floral displays.

Actually felt quite warm at this point and apart from a couple of brief showers while we at Highley the afternoon was almost summery.  Back to Arley and caught last train back to Kidderminster hauled by class diesel D8188 which put up quite a spirited performance heading towards and through Bewdley tunnel. Even Mac got excited nd wanted to look out of the window.

We all headed back to Stourport in 2 cars and then spent an 'interesting' time in the basin car park watching a rainstorm pass over before we braved the wet and returned to Prairie Oyster. 
Repaired to 'Black Star' for drink, meal and amusing off stage banter from chaps trying to stem a plumbing leak. Great to see Peter and Barbara again (you must join us again soon).

July 3rd moored in Stourport Basin on Staffs & Worcs canal

         171 miles, 169 locks, 3 swing bridges and 10 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Tuesday 3rd July

Wet and grey start to the day again.  Yesterday never improved and it only ever stopped raining long enough to get coat and shoes on before it started up again.  We stayed put and watched the hire boats chugging past from Stouport including three Black Prince boats between 7:30 and 8:00, obviously making a serious challenge to Viking Afloat (see yesterdays comment).
Note the towpath, nicely cut for walkers and cyclists, but with an eighteen inch barrier of nettles, thistles, assorted weeds and tree saplings left at the waters edge for us boaters to struggle through. Some kind soul from Stourport (I think) had recently hacked this mooring out and I used our shears to tidy up when we moored up.
We set off today after braving the towpath puddles to take the dogs a short walk and actually managed to get down into Stourport through the lock and moored up before the rain started again.  Managed to moor in same spot as last time (see 10-12 June) and got onto an electric point to recharge the batteries and give Bridie a chance to use the washing machine with gay abandon!

The owner of 'Atlas' a 1929 LMS boat, just fresh out of dry dock for blacking, very kindly dropped back a mooring ring to let us in. 

Mended some prestuds on front cratch that had been torn in the locks last week and watched the rain come down most of the afternoon.  Did manage a reasonable walk with the dogs about 5 exploring the park alongside the river and then going back along the canal to see how many boats are moored there now as we plan to move onto 5 day moorings tomorrow and visit the SVR with Lynne.  Came back via High Street but shops are now shut so it was only a quick diversion.

July 2nd moored between Oldington and Bullock Lane bridges just outside Stourport 
                          on the Staffs & Worcs canal

                         169 miles, 168 locks, 3 swing bridges and 10 tunnels from Dunham Massey

                         Hoping the weather in July is going to change but no sign yet!

Monday 2nd July

Wet and grey start to the day so not moving, yet. Catching up on chores on very quiet mooring, watching boats come up out of Stourport, it is now mid day and none have gone into Stourport yet.  The 'Viking Afloat' hirers win the speed contest outright, it is a good job we are secured on the armco and not using mooring pins like the hire boat we had to rescue at Stourton Junction earlier this week.

Sunday 1st July.

Made an early start (9:45) on what looked like, and turned out to be, a better cruising day, if some what chilly.  We both kept putting coats on and taking them off again when the sun came out, which it did for longer periods in the afternoon.  Kept going for six miles (through 5 locks) until we arrived outside Tesco at Kidderminster when we moored up for lunch and then had a slightly major shop.  It pays to buy all the heavy stuff when you can actually moor outside a supermarket (bottles of gin and wine get quite heavy if you have to carry them far)!  Back on board about four pm we moved on through another two locks and passed Pratts Wharf where boats were once able to descend through a lock onto the adjacent River Stour. Found a suitable mooring shortly after and made camp for the night. 
Fell out with Bridie at Falling Sands Viaduct.  She was not keen to linger or let me look up train times so we slowly chugged along the canal, camera at the ready, just in case.  Then finally as we passed under the high arches a steam train whistled and chuffed across.  All we saw was a few curls of smoke! 

Saturday 30th June.

Got up and out reasonably early and walked up Stoney Lane out of Kinver with the dogs to visit Holy Austin
Rock and the Rock houses at Kinver Edge.  Had cup of tea at the new (1990 rebuild of the 1840 terrace) tea house

and then took it in turns to visit the rock houses (National Trust) as dogs are not allowed inside. A
lot of work has gone into saving them from the vandals and preserving them for future generations to see.
Well worth a visit.

We then took dogs up onto the edge to enjoy the views and watch grey rain clouds heading across into the Black Country (it was pretty black today any way). Looking the other way towards Wenlock the sun was more in evidence and the distant hills more visible. 

We were lucky and only had a spit of rain and were back in sunshine for the walk down the lanes and paths back into Kinver. Got back to the boat, had a late lunch and decided not to risk the weather, which didn't look too good and soon turned to rain.  Enjoyed (!) the noise of a frantic strimmer as a local boat owner tried to cut the grass on his mooring on the opposite bank of the canal before the rain got the better of him and peace reigned at last.

Friday 29th June.

Moved on today into Kinver, just 3 miles and 3 locks and a stop at the services on the way.  After luch we
went for a food shop, found the Vets and made an appointment to take Mabel.  Walked dogs back to the vets via Hyde lock and Hyde Lane.  Mabel was very good letting vet prod and poke without a murmer.  Came back to boat via the White Harte with eye and ear drops for Mabel.  Later walked back to White Harte for a meal (since the Vine Inn is not open). Managed all this walking without actually getting wet today.

Thursday 28th June

Woke to rumble of thunder and it was so dark we had to have the lights on to eat breakfast. Storm gradually passed over us with about two hours of fairly torrential rain and lots of thunder and lightning. (56000 bolts struck England today according to daily Mail).  Needless to say we stayed put and watched the weather from inside until it cleared up later on and we were able to take the dogs a towpath walk towards Kinver and back to see River Stour in spate.  Our neighbours on 'Rosie' kindly offered to bring back milk and paper as they were taking the bus to Stourport.