On to Penkridge and the Black Pig

 We left at 7.15am and pushed off into this vast expanse of water here at Tixall.

We crept past the line of boats which almost seemed to go down to our first lock and the Tixall gatehouse on our right.

At Tixall lock we already had a boat behind us, and a boat waiting to come down, so it could be a busy day.

  Things started to trigger our memories as we turned each bend heading to Baswich and to Radford bank where there is now a nice Aldi to stock up if required..

We love these bridges, where the horses could change towpaths to the other side of the canal without disconnecting the ropes pulling the boats.

We have always liked Acton Trussell where people keep their gardens in prestige condition.

We did like Bill and Ben here..

It was then on towards Shutt Hill lock with its tricky kink in the bridge as you enter it, just part of the fun.

Then onto Parkgate lock where the Midland chandlers is now closed, such a shame.. 

We passed the mobile homes into Penkridge and got to the lock.

This lock had an acorn tree above us and the wind had picked up and was bombarding us with the little blighters. It did appear busy here with boats just leaving their moorings. At the next lock called Filance we had to queue for the first time this year, with two boats in front of us..

We got to the top and waiting for us was Mark on nb Mochyn Du (Welsh for "Black Pig"). It was great to see him and we had some catching up to do, so the pub was in order..