Friday 6th July
Angela and Laila (my stepdaughter and Granddaughter) were joining us this evening and staying on board for the weekend so we arranged to meet them at the Anchor pub which was our destination for today. I set off alone and John moved the car and walked Dex back along the towpath.
There was a long straight stretch of canal which had no mooring signs. It was near a chemical factory so I can only guess they were afraid of leaks! It felt quite odd here anyway so I was glad not to be stopping here.
Soon I was out into open countryside again.
Another boat was following behind.
I loved the sign on this boat!
I passed a Marina at Hatherton. Just after this the canal turns sharply right under a bridge however the route does also appear to carry on straight ahead. I hadn't checked the map book but quickly looking at it now I realised a bit too late that I needed to turn sharp right. The route ahead went through 2 locks and then stopped. It was the old Hatherton branch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatherton_Canal
I managed to turn and the boat that had been following behind overtook me on the inside. I didn't mind at all. Another boat was coming so I needed to complete the turn quickly.
Further up I saw a little white duck on the towpath.
Soon after I saw John and Dex so needed to pull over and pick them up.
The side of the canal was concrete but I managed to get in.
However there must have been a concrete ledge under the water and we got stuck fast. It took 20 mins of revving the engine trying to go forwards and backwards and also levering the boat with the barge pole before we were finally free, phew! You can imagine how happy Mr Brookes was!
Up ahead were a group of children canoeists having a lesson.
It was so funny as they saluted us and shouted aye aye skipper as we went past. I didn't get a photo unfortunately!
This was a very unusual looking boat.
We found a good mooring at Cross Green in the shade near the pub and Laila and Angela were soon settled on board.
We went to the Anchor pub for dinner.
It was so weird as there were two boats moored nearby, one called Angela and one called Layla!
Afterwards Laila enjoyed feeding the ducks much to Dex's disgust 😀
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