Fradley to Wolseley

Spent a lovely sunny weekend in Fradley and met up with Pip and Rog (nb Windsong), who we will be cruising with for the next month or so. The weather is still holding and we had a pleasant cruise through to Wolseley in the sunshine, stopping off for a quick shop at Rugeley. It was good to notice all the cutting back that has been done along the way, especially through the Plum Pudding cutting.

Pip, Rog, Ian and Cassie outside the Swan at Fradley

Breakfast on the towpath above Shade House Lock, Fradley

Woodend Lock

Plum Pudding Cutting, Armitage

Alrewas to Fradley

Had an early start this morning, the frost was still on the ground but the sun was shining, promising a beautiful day. We were trying to time it right for a mooring at Fradley to await the arrival of Pip and Rog (nb Windsong). Luckily there was a space opposite the cafe, in the sunshine, which will do very nicely for the weekend.

Entering Common Lock

About to leave Common lock, another wonderful day

Approaching Fradley

To remind us of a lovely Spring day

Branston to Alrewas

Woke up to a grey, damp morning which didn’t really clear all day. Not too far to travel today, we planned to meet up with friends Paul and Lindsey (nb Teapot) at Alrewas. After one of their infamous dog walks in the afternoon, we spent a lovely evening in the George & Dragon. The following day we said goodbye as we planned to stay at Alrewas a few days to get to Fradley for the weekend to meet up with Pip and Rog (nb Windsong). The sun has just appeared and as we are on the opposite tow path I have no excuse not to clean the other side of the boat.

Alrewas Lock

Shiny boat. Newly painted Teapot

Lindsey, Paul, Maisie, Rosa and Skye

Willington to Branston

Woke up to a misty morning, which took a long time to clear and stayed cloudy for the rest of the day. Luckily it wasn’t too cold as we made our way to Branston, stopping off at Shobnall marina to pick up a can of diesel for the stove.

An old Georgian Wharf house at Egginton

Waiting for Dallow Lane Lock, Burton on Trent

Dallow Lane lock

Shobnall Marina

Branston lock

Weston to Willington

What a wonderful day to be doing what we are doing. We left Weston in warm sunshine which soon thawed the overnight frost and got warmer as the day went on.  Took on water above Swarkestone lock, then came Stenson lock which was the same as usual, bottom gates not opening fully and the top gates leaking badly. Onto Willington where we had another quick stop, this time to empty the loo and moored just outside opposite the gravel pit lake.

One side nice and clean

Just as we rounded the bend, we thought we would be going no further today

but there was just enough room to get by

Moored, enjoying the late afternoon sun

Kegworth to Weston

We have set off this year to explore the northern waterways and said goodbye to our moorings in Kegworth until the end of August. The sun was shining and we thought the wind had dropped compared to the day before, but the Trent was still blustery. It is a very nice feeling to be moored out in the countryside, just above Weston lock, although tomorrow is to be spent cleaning and polishing one side of the boat. Not many photos, as it was only last week that we covered Kegworth to Shardlow.

Goodbye Kegworth

 

Sawley Lock

Weston Lock

Kegworth – Shardlow – Kegworth

Despite the cold it was wonderful to be out cruising. We set off last Thursday just ahead of the river Soar going into flood. The aim being to get to the Clock Warehouse on Saturday to celebrate my 50th birthday. Little did we know that we would still be there a week later. Luckily we managed to return to Kegworth today to be ready to collect my sister from Wales tomorrow ahead of our daughters’ wedding on Saturday.

Ratcliffe Lock

Redhill Flood lock

Shardlow