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.