Back to Tixal

We woke up to the fields covered in mist and the sun just rising above the hills. But the surprising thing was there was a frost on the roof.

We wanted to leave early as Al wanted to do some shopping in Stafford. After Del managed to get the satellite dish off as it was frozen on, we set off.

It was amazing as we dropped Derwent6 into gear.

We took a poodle up to the lock.

We had already passed a boat, but the lock was against us, so it must have been leaking bad or a boat was moored before the lock. Still, these single locks don't take long to fill anyway.

This fella had been busy over night..

We then got to Raymond meadows which again looked stunning..

And then crept up to Stafford.

We moored just the other side of the bridge here and Al took her shopping trolley and mask and then wandered down to the Aldi close by.

Full of food we crept out of Stafford and didn't see another boat till we crossed the River Stour on the aqueduct.

 

We then got to Tixal lock.

We were lucky with the mooring at Tixal wide, which is a good solar spot and we knew we could get a good satellite signal.

Del did the brasses for the rest of the day in the sunshine, but it did make it rain later for five minutes.   :-(   

On to Acton Trussell, rain stopped play!

We set off at 9.00am and Al put some washing on as we travelled.. We don't have to put on the generator anymore and run it straight off the batteries, but we do have the engine running and also fill the powder tray up with hot water to take the strain off the water heater in the washing machine..  It was a bright start to the day and it was very autumnal.

We can now see the leaves getting thicker in the canal and have to clear the prop every now and again. Just dropping in to neutral and waiting 8 seconds seems to do the trick, so none of this revving in reverse which doesn't do the engine and gearbox any good.

As we crept round Hatherton marina we did notice this apt boat name for the time of year. Also all the berries on the trees now, is it going to be a bad winter?

It was then past the chemical works where you're told not to moor.

 The trees now are just amazing to cruise through.

It was then onto Gailey where we filled with water and got rid of our rubbish.

. We even lit the fire so Al could hang her washing out to dry as we go along..  We pulled in to our first lock of the day, Gailey Lock.

This is followed by two close locks, Brick Kiln and Bogg's lock.

 Then its the mile section of cruising alongside the M6. Where are all these people going, we thought they were working from home.. We got to Otherton lock and here we were nearly rammed, but Al came to the rescue and pulled them away from us..

We then got to Penkridge but decided to go straight through...

It was very quiet through the town and loads of empty moorings as we got to the town lock.

All you can hear through here is the M6 and you go under it at Wood Bank.

  After a couple of locks (one with the closed Midland Chandlers) you get to Shutt Hill lock.

Here you have the post of the old Shutt Hill wharf which used to turn the boats into a dock..

It was then past Acton Trussell Church.

Then into the village, when it started to rain and got on the lens of the camera.

So we looked for a mooring and we knew one close by..

The rain stopped as we tied up and Tooty was out surveying the situation and ready to clear our area of mice.. 

 

Shall we, or shan't we!

 After a day of rain and just doing some odd jobs around Derwent6 we were hungry to get going again.. The forecast didn't look good and we thought we were having a bit of a lay in, but after checking the weather in bed it suddenly cleared and showed no rain.. Del was up in a flash and soon had Derwent6 ready to go.

The lock wasn't far away and we had just had another boat pass us so we had to wait as they cleared the lock.

We then made our way to Wightwick Mill lock which is walking distance.

It was then on to Compton where we stopped for the Sainsburys here.

We were just too early for the fabulous fish and chip shop with its battered chips, so had to settle for a fresh roll going along.. We then carried on through Compton Lock.

Its then the long straights as we go round the outskirts of Wolverhampton.

This is still a pretty section, although you do hear a few things hitting the prop.. As we got to the arm for Wolverhampton a working boat pulled out in front of us.

Luckily he then turned at Autherley junction and went up the Shroppie.

Its then on to the narrows where there are just a few passing places.

We were lucky enough not to meet anything today, but it does give the canal some character.

Its nice when you see the light at the end.

It was still great weather and a good move that we left this morning..

But in the distance we could see the black clouds coming in..

  So we moored up at Calf Heath.

Just as we sorted out everything the heavens opened and it didn't stop for about four hours...Someone is smiling at us.. Tooty wouldn't go out, I wonder why?