Hopwas to Hillmorton and only summer occasionally!

Thursday 29 June
Very windy today with occasional light showers.  Set off for Hopwas.  Moored to the north of the village and walked to see the 'mooring suspended' signs which I found all the way from School Bridge to Dixon's Bridge - with British Waterway logo.  Typical of BW to not know who placed them!  Booked a table at the Tame Otter.

Friday 30 June and my birthday - rain forecast for pm
At 10am watched the Olympic Flame and Procession cross the canal bridge - very exciting - it passed right by me.  At 12.15 daughter Lesley arrived from Lancashire (she had left her 2 little girls with husband).  After I opened my cards and presents from family, we walked to the Tame Otter.  Sat outside to have drink and order food - but could see huge black cloud coming - rain forecast for 1pm.  As first large spots fell, we went inside, leaving Ebony tied under the table where we could keep an eye on her - she gets very stressed when left alone (separation anxiety!)  Had a lovely, leisurely meal - the first time we have chatted together, child-free, for ages.  The menu here is really great - a really interesting and different selection.

Following our meal we walked back to the boat and after a cup of tea Lesley left at 4 to return to her family - a 2 hour drive - thank you Lesley, it was lovely to see you.  We meet again at  Caitlin's Thanksgiving in July - a big family get together.  Later had a phone call from Kent - dau-in-law Becky and 3 grandchildren sang Happy Birthday - had lots of chats with all.  Later I watched a very thrilling Wimbledon match!

Sunday 1 July
Quite windy but the forecast rain never materialised.
I cruised to Bonehill Road Bridge, cycled to the retail park - so handy, then after a quick lunch moved on to moor opposite Peel's Wharf at Fazeley.

Monday 2 July
Got bus into Tamworth for a bit more shopping - rain started as soon as I arrived and never stopped.  Failed in my bid to find a silver serviette ring for Caitlin's Thanksgiving present - wasn't this difficult for my other grandchildren's rings.  Castle closed so returned to boat.  Later a friend (Maisie) moored next to me and we took our dogs for a walk together along the canal.

Tuesday 3 July - dry am but light showers pm
Said goodbye to Maisie, and at 11am Chris and Mary arrived after celebrating his birthday yesterday on the Severn Valley Railway.  They brought with them my roof planter which Chris had repaired for me, as well as a new bottom for my pin box which he fitted.  After an early lunch we set off in their car for Tamworth Castle - a very interesting place and which Chris' relative Thomas Cooke had rented many years ago - for his wife and 10 children! They lived their many years and they even had a mention in the information.  That evening we drove back to the Tame Otter at Hopwas (pubs in Fazeley rubbish) and had a delicious meal to celebrate both Chris and my birthdays.

Wednesday 4 July - a lovely sunny and dry day
We drove to the Moat House at Acton Trussell to retrieve my car and then all drove to Chris' Mum's house in B'ham where it will stay for the rest of the summer.  After lunch Mary drove me back to the boat.  At 3.30 I set off to go up 2 Glascote locks and then went on to moor at 5.40 at Alvecote - opposite the Samuel Barlow pub - where the air reeked of stale chip fat - ugh!

Thursday 5 July
As it was supposed to be a dry day I set off to go thru Polesworth (never moored here yet!) and then on to work the 11 Atherstone locks.  Found a queue of 5 boats and the bottom lock had only paddle working so I had a wait of 1 1/2 hours before I could get into 1st lock.  Time for coffee and lots of chatting with other boaters.  Boats in front and behind were families who had teenage scouts on board so I had plenty of help at first lock!  Good trip up in the sunshine with help from the lad behind who usually arrived to shut gate behind me.  Passed a few of the boats who stopped for lunch after 6th lock but I continued on to top, having packed my lunch ready!  I never moor in Atherstone (I have had bricks thrown on boat from roof of mill building! and others have had problems) so continued on 1 more mile to a lovely open country mooring - but with large puddles on towpath.
This week I have passed 3 boats that once belonged to friends  - Wendy's nb Seranade on moorings nr Wolseley Bridge, and today - Tim and Cathy's My Lady and then Penny's Pennylock moored at Bradley Green.

Friday 6 July - stayed put as rained heavily all day - and the towpath was a stream and unwalkable

Saturday 7 July - dry again!
Tempted to stop at Hartshill but decided to make the most of the weather.  Stopped at Boot Wharf, Nuneaton for cheap diesel (85p/138p - you decide on %) then moored up for a walk into town.  Very busy as market day.  No luck at jewellers but quick trip into Co-op then back to boat for lunch.  Nuneaton is one of those places I never moor overnight - but I think it might be OK nr Boot Wharf (lots of boats were moored here).  Set off again through the grim outskirts of Nuneaton, then a mile of countryside before the entrance to the Ashby (would have liked to go up to moor, but long way to winding hole).  Continued on through grim Bedworth, past the amusing Charity Dock boat yard - what a mess!  Decided not to moor before Sutton Stop (big mistake!) and turned onto the Coventry and through the stop lock.  There was a mooring here - but a very sickening smell of diesel? in the hedge beside - so continued on 2 1/2 miles to Ansty - alas no moorings free (that is why there was a boat moored by motorway!).  Another 3 miles on I found the first decent mooring - opposite LTM's before Br 26.  Only problem - the ground is so soft that pins were pulled by every passing boat - still it is 6pm.  Few boats passed and I was out with hammer - one even passed at midnight - slowly!

Sunday 8 July - windy, cool but dry!
Set off at 9 - stopping at Stretton to look at Rose Narrowboats chandlery.  Alas the new owners do not have it stocked to its once excellent range - now I reckon that Nantwich Canal Centre has the best supply of chandlery on the canals.  Moved on to moor with others at the Easenhall Lane ringed moorings - good TV picture - Wimbledon's Men's Final's this pm!  Walked into Brinklow - it is a lovely village, with small shop, decent pubs, fish and chips and Chinese.
Also have a doctor's surgery - I have an insect bite that seems to have turned into an infection - may need to see a doctor if doesn't improve!  Spent afternoon glued to TV - we had more rain than Wimbledon.

Monday 9 July - sunny start, then clould with some blue
Set off at 9.40 to go into Rugby, mooring near Tesco's.  Needed some wood for planter base infil - which I then carried round Tesco's - I only needed a few things!  Lunch on board then travelled on to Hillmorton.  Filled 3/4 water - then saw a boat leaving lock so made a quick move!  Easy run up locks as very quiet, then moored in sun just before the next bridge on 14day moorings - pretty busy.  Also passed Nick Wolfe on his working boat Aldgate - now looking very smart after a repaint.

Tuesday 10 July after ringing a few doctors managed to get an appointment - have an infected insect bite - now turned into an abscess.  Got bus into Rugby and saw doc - prescribed antibiotics but is doing a test - just in case - so have to hang around in the area for a few days.  Luckily I have a week in hand - as I travelled more on sunny days or through grotty areas I have actually gained time! 

Thursday 12 July - lovely and sunny until 5.30 
Getting to know all the dog walkers as well as the volunteer lock keepers who helped me down and up today when I did lots of washing and topped up water!

Tixall Fix, Shugborough, Fradley and Huddlesford Junctions

Left Acton Trussell on Sunday 17 June and went on to deep Deptmore Lock - luckily boaters behind were able to open the gates to let me out - so I didn't have to climb the long ladder.  This lock house has now been re-occupied and at last has electricity - perhaps they even have road access now!  Went on through low Radford Bridge then had to remove chimney to go thru Br 99 - never had the chimney up this long!  On to Tixall lock - such a sweet, low little one and then to moor at Tixall Wide in sunshine - time for a Tixall Fix!   Was joined by the boat following me - who said they remembered my article on disabled boating in Waterways World in 2004 - what a memory!

Spent a lovely 2 1/2 days here - even got to wash and polish one side of the boat and to paint the poles and planks at last - just the stripes to do!

On Wednesday went to use facilities then moored at junction.  I went to Shugborough Hall in the afternoon to have a quick tour of the house, visit the restored walled garden and enjoyed the new walk the far side of the lake (I love this place too!).  From this mooring I also made use of the bus to Stafford (main shops and Sainsbury's) and the farm shop at Great Haywood.  Still very mixed weather.  Joined by Liz and Andy on nb Snowgoose also recently repainted - and a new phrase below her name - 'a l'eau c'est l'heure' (Allo sailor) - she used to belong to some lovely friends now in Spain.

On Friday, son Steve, wife Julia and dau Lauren, 7, arrived for the weekend - unloaded car in the dry!  I was given some lovely early birthday presents. Saturday we went for a spin round Tixall Wide - dry with odd showers - but very windy so boat leaned quite well as we turned!  Back past our mooring, down thru the lock to moor with a view of Shugborough Hall.  By 11.30 we were entering the grounds of the Hall.  We spent a good time 'downstairs' where Lauren was given jobs to do in the kitchen and laundry.  At the school/play area she tried on a maid's outfit and went to offer her services back in the laundry!  After a delicious lunch we caught the little train to the farm and play area.  We walked back to the main building and finished off the downstairs area before walking round the gardens and back to the boat for a much needed cuppa.  A lovely dry day - but it rained well overnight.

On Sunday we had a short walk round the village and back down the canal, then played some noisy games before lunch.  After that the family had to drive back to Devon - it was a short but good and busy weekend.

Monday 25 June, fairly windy with sunny spells and warm all day.  Cruised to Wolseley Bridge and visited the Wildlife Trust garden, then went nextdoor and round the large garden centre - always lots of good ideas for presents, as well as plants.  Moved on to moor in Rugeley.  After lunch a quick walk round town.  Sadly the lovely one and only butcher has gone - so had to use Morrisons.  Also popped into Wilko and the greengrocer.  Set off at 3 to go through the rest of Rugeley, then the Ash Tree, Spode Hall, Shrewley Tunnel and the Plum Pudding.  On through Armitage (Bogland! to those who have passed all the toilets stacked outside) then Handsacre.  I had intended to moor on a nice sunny rural curve in the canal - but 2 boats there!  Continued on to moor at 5.15 (late for me) on rings just before Kings Bromley Marina - in the shade!

Tuesday 26 - Sunny 6-8am, then cloud all day.  I had a leisurely start and put on a load of washing before setting off.  Just over 2 hours and 3 locks later I turned onto the Coventry Canal and took on water before mooring - again in shade!  Bit of trek from here to empty cassettes too.

Wednesday 27 - might have stayed 2 days at Fradley but not in shade and weather 'outside' warm, so set off through more countryside, thru Streethay beside Ryknild Street and then on to moor just before Huddlesford Junction - now warm and sunny and can dry my washing outside.  Pm was very hot and muggy, the evening was even worse - slept with all windows open - for the first time this year!

Thursday 28 - jobs on board today as rain due. But what a shock - we had horrendous thunderstorms at 11am and 1pm, then hot sun 3 onwards.  In Birmingham, not far away, they had 1/3 of the month's rain in 1 hour - resulting in flooding, people stuck in cars and some waist high in water!  Was going to move on tomorrow as I want to get to Hopwas for a birthday lunch with my daughter from Lancashire on Saturday.  Then I was told that the moorings there are closed for the weekend - due to the Olympic Torch going thru on Saturday!  BW said they knew nothing about the moorings nor did the council - who closed them?  Will probably go anyway - apparently, according to a boater, the moorings (under trees) just before the village are in use.  The Plough pub at Huddlesford has now re-opened but the food is more steak and chips etc - I rather fancy returning to the Tame Otter (as it is now known) at Hopwas (after about 10 years!)

MD to Acton Trussell - still dodging the weather!

Set off at 8.50 on Saturday 9 June to head for Tyrley locks - and soon found 4 boats following me, all making the most of the dry weather.  Stopped for a quick lunch near the Wharf Inn at Knighton then continued on to moor on the embankment at Norbury.  Spent a hot sunny Sunday morning planting up some of the plants I purchased in Market Drayton market and moved on after lunch.  Always a quandry when weather is fine at the moment - to move or do outside jobs!  Some years since I bothered with Norbury Junction chandlery - found they have much more in stock with new owners!  After lunch I set off for Gnoshall, mooring under trees.  Had a quick circular walk round - good to see the butcher is still there! - and then set off into the sunshine.  Just under 2 hours later I moored almost opposite High Onn Wharf - lovely setting.

Monday 11, after a quick walk with Ebony, I set off for the 3 miles to Wheaton Aston.  Filled tank at Turner's garage (71.9 as was Norbury Junction - now claiming to be cheapest boatyard selling diesel), took on water, then went up through the last but one lock on the canal. Another 3 miles saw me at Brewood, mooring in the shady cutting.  After quick lunch I walked into the lovely village for bread etc.  The only hairdresser looked rather posh/expensive and was closed.  I am desperate for a hair cut but don't want to wait to find they have no appointments next day, nor spend a fortune when I am going to be soaked/windblown!  Back at the boat I decided to move on - a lovely day and I find it quite depressing mooring in the deep shade.  Another 2 miles and I arrived at Park Bridge (8) moorings where there were a lot of boats but a couple of spaces - in the sun!!

Tuesday 12.  Ebony woke, as usual, at 6.30 for drink etc - and it was warm and sunny - lovely.  Set off at 9, followed by another boat.  At Autherley Stop Lock I told them that I hate the creepy narrows at Marsh Lane - and I once found a boat stuck there because they had a mattress, complete with springs, round their prop.  I was glad they were to follow me that way!  Soon thru Cross Green, one of my frequent stops, but not with this good weather!  After that I had a quick few words as I passed 'Father Christmas on his boat' - Dennis on Roma - over 80, long white beard, always cheerful and going strong!  Stopped just past Hatherton Marina for lunch - to stop for night or??  Decided to carry on to pound 2 locks down Gailey flight - but when I got there I found a load of tatty boats...  carried on to moor after 3 more locks opposite Otherton Marina - ready for Penkridge in the morning.

Wedneday 13 - at first lock met BW men opening weir, who said pound after the town lock was 1 foot down and the next completely drained.  Went on to moor above town lock with many other boats, how many in next pound?!  Booked a hair appointment for the afternoon at Inspired, then went to market, butchers and Co-op.  After lunch an ex-boating friend, Wendy from Serenade came to visit - complete with large cream cake!  She left just before I had to go for haircut.  Rather amused as my hairdresser was wearing a towell etc - she had just spray tanned herself in the garden and was rather pre-occupied about its development and her impending first visit to London!  Had an average cut!  We really need a website somewhere to provide us women with recommended hairdressers - strangely Mates Guides don't include this info!

Thursday 14 - was going to retrieve my car from Nantwich, but decided weather was more suited to boating so went on 2 1/2 miles and 4 locks to moor opposite the Moat House Hotel in Acton Trussel - love this village, either by canal or walking through.  From here I can bus to Stafford.

Friday - got 10.04 bus to Stafford station, then trains to Crewe and Nantwich, and another bus to canal.  Car fine - phew!  Drove back to Penkridge - where I asked hair salon manager to tweak my hair - was longer one side and had a long tuft behind my ear - all discovered when I combed my hair wednesday evening.  Most apologetic - hair now shorter all over - but I won't have to find another salon for some time!  Went to leave car, as arranged, at Moat House Hotel - 2 weeks for free, with CCTV.  They also have boats moored long term beside hotel so are used to boaters parking here.  Stafford Boat Club wanted to charge me £10 per week - despite being an AWCC member!

Saturday 16 - due to be very windy all day - 18mph plus with rain, some heavy showers, in pm.  Good day to stay put and do some jobs on board!  Did have a walk to other end of the village - where I have moored often before and opposite low field with ducks, geese.  But the hedge beside the moorings is very high and the moorings are overgrown and not as easy to get hooks in as where I am opposite hotel - will definitely stay put!  Tomorrow a better day!

Audlem to Market Drayton - in the dry!

Sun 3 June - constant rain all day.  am - did jobs inside, then sat and watched the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames from 1.30 to 6pm.  It was a fantastic sight to see - I really enjoyed seeing the new rowbarge, the many rowers and narrowboats - would have been nice if someone had provided us with a bit more information especially historical - we could all see that President was a "steam boat"!  It was such a pity that everyone who was there suffered the wind and rain too.  The Queen and Duke have great stamina to last all that time standing - just sad that he ended up in hospital that night.

Mon 4 June - a really lovely day, windless and sunny.  Shopped in Audlem in am, then went back later to have a delicious home-made burger outside the Lord Combermere.  Watched the procession and followed it to the Recreation ground to see the stalls.  Sat to have an icecream watching the dancing and fun dog show.  There was live music everywhere all weekend - outside 3 pubs and in cafe's etc.  A really lively weekend.  Watched the concert in the evening - loved Madness and the changing Buckingham Palace - hilarious.

Tues 5 June - warmish but dry with rain forecast later.  Boats beginning to back down the bottom two locks so I moved up to take up their moorings.   Ex-boat owning friends Roger and Mirjana (ex nb Maggie May) came for an early lunch then we set off to work the 11 locks to Cox Bank.  Not too busy so we made good time - thank you to my efficient volunteers!  Was rather marred though by contractors cutting the long grass.  2 men had strimmers and 1 was strimming beside the boat as I rose in lock - they had goggles and ear defenders - I had nothing - but the cuttings were coming at my face (and newly painted boat).  I had to ask him to stop!
At Cox Bank we moored and had tea, cake and chat - unfortunately Roger and Mirjana unable to join me for a pub meal back down in Audlem.

Wed 6 June - breezy, 50% cloud and warmish.  Had to set off quickly at 8.45 - the grass cutting men were approaching and I had to stop them from strimming beside the boat before I set off.  Worked last 2 Audlem then Adderley 5 locks - meeting 4 singlehanding men coming down!  Went on to moor in Market Drayton, just past the first lot of moored boats.  Dashed up to the market - bought few more plants, but no tomato plants! 

Thursday 7 June - rain all day and evening.  Rang Vimart Signwriting and Martyn said he was coming to paint the roses on my side hatch doors (an indoor job!).  He arrived about 10.30 and spent most of the day painting - fascinating to watch - just 7 round blobs turned into beautiful flowers.  That is the boatpainting now complete.  (Just need to repaint boat poles etc - need 2 consecutive dry days!)  Took Ebony for a few short walks - she doesn't like the rain!

Friday 8 June - today!  Rain all night and forecast all day - getting really fed up with it now!  Strong winds also forecast.  As Tyrley 5 locks are under trees and wet/muddy/difficult at the best of times will not be tackling today - I shall catch up with diary, blog and some family history.  Need have go into town for some food to last till Brewood tho!  (Just had a dry spell of 1 1/2 hours - and dashed to Asda (was Lidl?) but raining again now!)