North East to Armitage to Tixall - 11.5 miles, 2 locks, 6 hours

The end of the week in the North East saw us take a trip into Newcastle, I haven't been into Newcastle City centre since I was about 12 years old (along time ago!).  Had a lovely wander along the Quayside, was great to see the Tyne Bridge set up for the Great North Run.

On Friday we did a 8.5 mile walk round Morpeth, this took us along the river and into the town, at the end of which the dogs were totally knackered, they weren't the only ones!!

When we left Soutter Point on Saturday morning we went to an amazing fish mongers that Mike and I had spotted on the way to the match the previous Saturday.  So I was really brave and cooked both Scallops and Seabass for the first time ever, though I say so myself they both came out ok.

Sunday morning we set off with a plan to stop at Armitage where we had arranged to meet up with Marie and Antony.  We had a lovely afternoon/evening, was great to catch up. The weather was absolutely amazing especially for the end of September.

We set off this morning with the aim of getting just past Hayward Junction and onto the Stafforshire & Worcester canal.

The weather wasn't quite as had been forecast it was damp and drizzling, later in the day Rod bumped into a guy who advised that his six year old had informed him this morning that "the weather man tells lies!" She is not wrong.

As we travelled on we went over a couple of Aqueducts, the one below at Brindley Bank and the second over the River Trent.

We also passed a couple of impressive country homes, the first Bishton Hall, which is now a school.

We then travelled alongside the beautiful and impressive Shugborough Hall.

We were soon at Hayward Junction, where we took the left turn under the bridge onto the Staf & Worc canal.

Shortly afterwards we moored up for the day, and were treated to a great view of a hot air balloon going overhead.

Rod did his usual end of day checks, engine oil, grease the stearn tube and the dreaded weed hatch, he thought we had caught something today on the prop as By The Way was running a bit slow, and low and behold the following was wrapped around the prop - yuck!!

(EH 297.2)