Tuesday 3rd July
Set off around 8.30am to try and make the most of travelling when it was a bit cooler. John took Dex and I steered alone for the first couple of hours.
More lovely gardens to admire along this stretch of canal
The views started to get more Industrial as we got nearer Armitage. This is the Trent and Mersey Canal.
I ran aground in a few places today. The water levels are of course much lower than usual with the lack of rain and although I am on the towpath side some places are really shallow. I kept the barge pole handy to push myself off the side.
I went across an aquaduct and saw the Plum Pudding pub on the left. One of the bikers had recommended it but sadly no time to stop!
Then I approached what seemed to be a tunnel. It is actually a wide bridge and then the chanel cuts through a narrow gap which used to be the Armitage Tunnel before it's roof was removed in 1971 to combat subsidence from coal being mined nearby. There was a sign which warned to send a crew member ahead to make sure no boats were coming the other way! Great when you are alone! Anyway luckily the boat I passed earlier had said nothing was following him so I decided to sound my horn a few times and proceed!
It was quite daunting going through on my own and very narrow.
I was glad to get out into the sunlight again The channel was still narrow with rock faces on either side.
Just after the (non) tunnel I had to pull over as another boat was coming and ran aground again!
This is Hawkesyard Hall which is now being rented out for office space. Seems a shame as it's a lovely old building. It's part of Armitage Park.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armitage_Park
Some of the boats we see are immaculate. Clearly hours spent polishing and cleaning. The fender covers on this one don't look like they have ever been used! We often see people painting their boats and touching up scratches. I like to think we are too busy enjoying ours!
Another tight bend ahead and a blind bridge - great!
Here you can see Rugeley Power Station in the background. For some reason the builders of these new houses had decided not have the back gardens facing the canal but instead to give them a great view of the cooling towers - brilliant!
I met up with John and Dex at this splendid bridge near Mossley. I was glad to see them after all my mini dramas!
We laughed at this shed, ours is much the same at home!
This kind of moorhen was making a nest on these reeds.
It was really busy as we passed through Rugeley.
One just for the Skipper or for you brother John!
Another sign told the story of another murder, this time at some steps nearby.
We then passed over the aquaduct (previous link gives information on this also)
It was lovely to come out at a wide expanse of canal with views on either side.
Another swan family!
I felt really sorry for these sheep who still had their winter coats on and had no shade or grass to speak of!
Time to enjoy more gardens
The surrounding countryside was beautiful.
Finally we came to the last lock of the day, Colwich Lock at Little Haywood.
We found a great spot to moor for the night just past the lock. As it turned out it was also near a railway line and we had freight trains going past all night! But it looked pretty anyway! 😆
Later in the evening Dex and I moved the car and walked back along the canal. Just near the towpath we found the beautiful Essex Packhorse bridge at Great Haywood.
It was an idyllic spot and Dex went and joined some others for a swim,
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