There are a couple of very narrow stretches only just wide enough for one boat, luckily we didn't meet anything coming the other way.
As we headed under the M54 we got the view of the road works from the canal, rather than being stuck in the traffic.
We were contemplating where to stop, when I decided to look back on the blog to see if we had found any good spots on our way down in September. I found that we had stopped at this beautiful spot in the middle of nowhere so we decided to see if we could find the same place and we luckily did. That is the advantage of travelling on a stretch of water you have done before.
Saturday we were aiming for Penkridge we had moored there on the way up and met a lovely guy, John, who's garden backed onto our mooring spot so we were hoping to see him again and we had also found a nice pub. We made good progress through the locks.
Yes I really am driving the boat :-).
We made it to Penkridge and were lucky enough to bump into John again, unfortunately he has had a mild stroke but he is doing well and was off dancing on Sunday. We also visited the pub. We shared a table with this couple and I am sure he thought he was Ronnie or Reggie, we had an hour of his exploits although entertaining I did wonder how many of them were really true.
Sunday was beautiful and we set off for Great Haywood. We passed my dream home, with beautiful gardens and an amazing animal carving bench.
We then passed a sunken boat, this time we really think it is one of those Caraboats, it was certainly sticking out along way into the canal.
We decided to stop just before Great Haywood at Tixall. George was absolutely knackered and decided to do his impression of a lion in the long grass.
Monday we had a slightly longer day as we wanted to get to Fradley Junction and we needed to stop for water and have a shopping trip to Tesco.
The canal is certainly getting busier, we have not had to really queue for any locks but we haven't had to turn any of them as there is a pretty constant flow of traffic.
We passed Shugborough Hall again, we have pretty much seen it in all seasons now.
George is certainly a pro at the locks now and regular gets comments to the effect, but touch wood he has not fallen in since the Llangollen so let's hope it stays that way for the rest of the journey.
It was lovely seeing the stretch of canal that we used to walk George on when we were moored at Kings Bromley in full bloom.
We are off to the cafe that we saw Graham Taylor in for breakfast, tomorrow morning. Then we are hoping to sort out both of our cars and get me my new running shoes, my foot has improved enough for me to start running again, I can't wait, I think I might be more excited about running than a new car - how sad is that? To any runners out there make sure you stretch properly and change your trainers regularly, I would not wish Plantar Fascitis on any one, it is the runners curse. I am still not 100% right but hopefully ok enough to start running again, will soon find out - I need to get fit for the Great North Run.
( M 700.5, L 596 )
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