Wednesday 22 September 2010

Willington – Weston – Kegworth

Homeward stretch on familiar territory, although we went to the Coopers Arms at Weston for the first time and was very impressed. We were going to stretch it out another day, but as the weather was so nice and we were so close we decided to press on back to Kegworth.

002 Heading towards Weston

006

Weston Lock

008

Aston Lock

012

Not quite ready for a shower

016

Lockgate Stoves, Shardlow

018

A lovely calm day on the River Trent

022

Back in our home mooring at Kegworth

Total lock count: 629 locks

Total miles: approx 825 miles

This may be the last blog until we head north in March 2011. Many thanks for all the comments from friends and family, it has been an amazing time out and we have enjoyed sharing it through the blog. Also thanks to the company and friendships of Pip & Rog (nb Windsong), Lindsay & Paul (nb Teapot), Joan & Duncan (Alarch Wen), Jo & Paul (nb Repent at Leisure) who we have cruised along with, shared plenty of laughs, food and drink !! 

Happy Cruising, Karen & Ian – nb Serenity

Sunday 19 September 2010

Fradley – Alrewas – Branston – Willington

Said goodbye to mum and dad as they got a taxi to take them back to Armitage. It was also great to see Paul and Lindsay (nb Teapot) whilst we were at Fradley. We set off from Fradley in lovely sunshine to Alrewas, getting there in plenty of time to visit the butchers. Left Alrewas, another sunny morning, to moor the night at Branston, where Claire and Jason came over for an evening meal at the Bridge. We are now moored at Willington, it seems we are fast approaching the end of our epic journey.

006Taking on water at Alrewas

008 

The river section towards Wychnor

010

The weir barrier

016

Approaching Tattenhill Lock

 019

The Bridge, Branston

Thursday 16 September 2010

Wolseley – Armitage – Fradley

Left Wolseley to make a dash to Armitage before the rain. Mum and dad were joining us later for a meal at the Plum Pudding, which was excellent value as we were treated to entertainment and a cookery demonstration. Waited for the rain to stop before setting off for Fradley the following day.

008 Moorings at Wolseley, looking towards Rugeley

003

Former site of Armitage Tunnel

006

010

Moored outside the Plum Pudding, Armitage

002

019

Approaching Fradley junction

021

Full circle, last here in March !!

Tuesday 14 September 2010

Tixall Wide – Gt Haywood – Wolseley

Just a short cruise to Great Haywood, stopping at the junction for water, loos and gas. Moored just above the lock and went to the Clifford Arms for the first time, food and service very good (portions were huge). Set off the next day missing the showers again and mooring at Wolseley just in time.

002 Haywood Junction

004

Essex Bridge, a packhorse bridge leading to Shugborough Hall

005

Looking back at Haywood Junction, always a queue at the water point

007

Moored at Great Haywood

008

Ornate cast iron bridge

009

waterside vegetation

014

Looking back at Colwich Lock

Sunday 12 September 2010

Acton Trussell to Tixall Wide

Left Acton Trussell for a short cruise to Tixall Wide, passing through the outskirts of Stafford. Luckily we managed to moor before the weather turned very windy.

002Approaching Deptmore Lock

005 

Meadow Bridge No.99

007

Tixall Lock

008

A feel of Autumn approaching

009

A favourite spot, moored at Tixall Wide

010

Moored for the night opposite the Elizabethan Tixall Gatehouse

Saturday 11 September 2010

Gailey – Penkridge – Acton Trussell

A short cruise from Gailey, found moorings at Penkridge and had a walk into the village. We have passed through on many occasions but never stopped. Enjoyed a lovely meal at the Littleton Arms with Paul and Jo, it was certainly worth the little walk to get there. Left Penkridge cruising past a national fishing match, then into total mayhem as we came across an orienteering event. It is not often we feel sorry for fisherman, but mountain bikes were racing on the towpath and canoes were zig zagging on the water.

008Leaving Penkridge, approaching Longford Lock

015

Canoes coming from all directions

016

Moored near Acton Trussell

019

Thursday 9 September 2010

Coven to Gailey

A short run today from Coven to Gailey, now back on familiar waters. At Gailey it made a change to gongoozle at the lock as we sat and enjoyed an ice cream.

001Reflection from our mooring at Coven

005 

Gailey roundhouse, originally a toll clerks office now a canal shop

009

Charlie waiting patiently for the last of the ice cream

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Brewood to Coven

Having spent a pleasant evening in Brewood we turned around and headed back on course. Stopping for water just before Autherley Junction. Then passing through the narrows of ‘Pendeford Rockin’ and mooring overnight at Coven outside the Fox & Anchor.

001 Leaving Brewood behind

008

Passing under the ornate balustraded Avenue Bridge leading to Chillington Hall

011

Heading back towards home (spot the heron)

012

Entering Pendeford Rockin

016

Glad we didn’t meet anyone coming in the opposite direction

Tuesday 7 September 2010

Bratch Locks to Brewood

Left Bratch in lovely sunshine enjoying the open countryside, but didn’t manage to miss a heavy shower early afternoon. We decided as we were so close and looking for somewhere nice to moor and eat that we would detour onto the Shropshire Union canal and stop at Brewood.

002 Awbridge Lock

004

No health and safety in those days

010

Approaching Compton

011

The former Great Western Railway, now a public footpath

015

Just passing Aldersley Junction

018

Autherley Junction, only a small detour up the Shroppie