Little Haywood to Walton - on - the - hill

Wednesday 4th July!

It was a bit cooler today and we set off together just after 9am. We had a couple of locks to go through before John would leave me and take Dex for a walk and move the car.
We passed some really old cottages including this Stonemason's cottage dated 1710.

 You could really see how low the water was by looking at the marks on the canal bank.

 We soon arrived at the first lock. There was a boat in it already so we just had to wait a short time before going in.

Once we were in a couple of ladies arrived off another boat going down so they kindly helped me with the paddles. I was able to hop back on board and they opened the gates for us. It's so great getting help along the way!

 Soon we reached Great Haywood juction where the canal splits again. We were turning left onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffordshire_and_Worcestershire_Canal

We passed all the hire boats waiting in the marina. 

We soon went over the aquaduct spanning the river Trent. 

There were loads of lovely lilypads. 

The canal grew really wide and there were loads of ducks and geese. We fed some as we passed by.

In the distance we could see the 16th Century Tixall Gatehouse. It's hard to believe this is only the Gatehouse to an even more splendid Hall which sadly was demolished in 1927. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tixall_Gatehouse

 Soon we were at lock number 2 of the day, Tixall Lock. John's turn to operate it.

 I left John at this lock as he was going to walk back to the car with Dex and then move it further on. We would meet up before the 3rd lock.

 Some of the houses on this stretch were amazing. 

 Another aquaduct this time crossing over the river Sow. 

 These moorings looked lovely but not sure after last night I would want to be that close to the railway line!

 I had to laugh at this boat, I guess that's one way to advertise for a boating partner!

 Someone's got a fantastic treehouse! 

 There were lots of lovely mobile homes with great canalside gardens.

 We passed a really swish looking Marina at the Stafford Boat Club.

 It was great to see the animals drinking at the canal edge. 

 Our last lock of the day at Deptmore. Quite a deep lock but suprisingly easy to move the gates.

 Just past this lock we found a beautiful mooring spot, in the shade with a lovely view and no trains or traffic - perfect! 😎