Gailey

Thursday morning at Tixall Wide was gloomy and there was mist over the water, however the weather improved as the day progressed.

Misty at Tixall Wide

We stopped at Midland Chandlers for supplies (oil) and lunch. The staff were busy stacking shelves for their “bumper” sale on Friday. Another narrow boat Albert arrived and moored up behind us they were planning to buy a cooker. We had a good discussion about boat names and how to restore some of their paintwork which had been varnished and was now unfortunately crazed masking some fine signwriting.

Staffs & Worcester Turnover Bridge near Milford

Deptmore Lock

Interesting vegetation at Acton Trussell

Penkridge was busy. We paused for water and Maggie walked into the town for supplies and reported what a good stopping off point it was.

Penkridge Lock

We saw a kingfisher along the noisy stretch by the M6. It got quite close and at one point it flew right over the cabin roof. Although I had my camera to hand there was no chance of getting a good shot.

Sunset at Brick Kiln Lock

We moored up just below Gailey Lock and I carried out an engine oil change. The sunset made our view of the lock spectacular. I was going to make a post that evening but unfortunately I couldn’t get a good enough mobile internet signal.

Autumn Back of the Map Cruise

Some retrospective posting since we have had problems with connectivity and also timing.

We left Aston Marina on Wednesday, October 1st, to take Albert back home to Yardley Gobion. We have enjoyed our six months summer mooring. Leaving just after lunch, we got to Tixall Wide (where else) in good time. Our timing was especially good since, although we left in sunshine, it soon clouded over and rained just as we closed our hatches. Passing by us in the rain, and mooring up just behind us was the very pink (or should it be cerise) “Thursday’s Child” owned by Brian Holmes who writes for Narrowboat World.

Thursday's Child at Tixall Wide

The “Back of the Map” is a reference to the Dudley and Stourbridge Canals – obviously we are not going straight home. It was what they were referred to by working boatmen.

Stoke Bruerne Village at War

We visited the annual Village at War Event at Stoke Bruerne today. Lots of crowds a and plenty of re-enactors dressed the part. Working boats Nuffield and Raymond were moving up and down the locks and Sculptor, the Canal Museum's boat was also on the move.

"Walking-out" with a bobby - 1940s style

We met up with Norman Mitchell who used to more at Kingfisher Marina and had a chat. Norman was doing the commentary. He is well versed at commentating after doing the same for many years at Braunston.

Nuffield & Raymond descending Stoke Bruerne Locks

Sculptor approaching her mooring

The trip boat Charley was suitable dressed-up as a warship and the crew dressed as sailors. I liked the bit of plastic plumbing acting as a periscope.

Trip boat Charley disguised as HMS Charley

The Cheese Boat is usually found around Stoke Bruerne. They entered the spirit of the event by suggesting that their products were illicit!

Black-market Cheese Boat

Bob Nightingale, the blacksmith who operates from the forge by the tunnel portal without the benefit of mains electricity, suggested that this is because of hostilities! 

Blacksmith at Blisworth Tunnel Southern Portal

Motor Ling

NB Ling was at Stoke on behalf of the Chesterfield Canal Trust laden with bags of sand and looking very smart with gleaming brass and paintwork. We recently saw her moored up at Shugborough. 

Return to Aston Marina

NB Narrow Minded at Aston Lock

On Monday we had a good trip in sunny weather from Barlaston to Aston, arriving at lunchtime. The Meadford and Stone Locks were mostly set in our favour but there was a small queue at Aston where we again met the canoeist from Northampton. He had spent the night camping by the lock. His first reaction was "it's been like this since 7:30 - busy, busy".

Just above the lock was a boat with 17 padlocks and window covers; it also sported a very precarious motor-bike rack with a large "Fragile" sign and a very tall frame above the cruiser stern. The stern fender is under the rack - I wonder how that is supposed to work. The boat is called Narrow Minded - hmm!

We washed and packed up the boat  and returned home. Great short trip. For our first time down the Caldon we had rain. For this our second time it was cloudy and we had occasional sun. For the next time - who knows? We will certainly have to try to get to Leek.

Wedgwood, Barlaston

On Sunday morning after the mist cleared we left Milton for Etruria. It was warm and sunny and a pleasant trip  all round.

Ivy Road Lift Bridge out of action

We had heard rumours that the lift bridge at Ivy Road in Hanley was out of action (boater's pub talk). It was indeed not operating with the road cordoned off and the mechanism locked open. We wondered if this was planned maintenance or a failure. Either way, boaters were not inconvenienced.

A lonely Emma Bridgewater Mug

(and the skip where it will meet its demise!)

Kiddies fire-engine on the lock cill, Bedford Street Staircase

(Some child will be disappointed)

We got to Etruria for lunch and moored up at the same spot as our outward trip. The trip down to Barlaston (Wedgwood) was in glorious sunshine. We moored up just after Bridge ? and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine. 

Cows taking water in late afternoon sunshine, Barlaston

After about an hour NB Blue Roan suddenly arrived after their Leek trip - we might have been able to include Leek in our travels after all. We enjoyed another convivial evening with them - this time aboard their boat. We managed to convince them to use Aston Marina to hand over their boat to the next partner in their 1/4 time share. We think the promise of good food did it!