Hopwas Woods

Tonight we are moored up close by Hopwas Woods looking out over the valley of the River Tame. Today the weather was an improvement over yesterday's with good periods of sunshine. The wind was fresh and waiting at locks required a bit more effort.
Autumn Colours at Woodend Lock, Trent & Mersey Canal

We left our mooring near Rugley and had a quiet journey through the town. We didn't meet another boat moving until we reached the narrows just after the "toilet" factory (Armitage Shanks). We caught up with two other boats just short of Woodend Lock. The boat immediately in front of us was powered by a Lister JP2 and we managed to have an in depth discussion of propeller design whilst waiting for the lock because their boat appeared to be "over-propped" despite just having a new prop fitted as specified by Crowther. At Shed House Lock we met Sue and Vic on No Problem coming up the flight and on leaving the sane lock we met Maffi  - three bloggers at one lock at the same time!
NB Dove at Fradley

Fradley Junction in Autumn Sunshine
We turned off the T&M at Fradley Junction and headed down the Coventry Canal (and the bit of the Birmingham & Fazeley which it incorporates) but paused at Streethay Wharf to buy some engine oil. In setting sunlight we made it to just before Hopwas Wood. A good days autumn boating.

Asparagus Crop near Hademore 

Wind Turbine and Setting Sun, near Hopwas