The promised Wednesday evening thunder, sort of, materialised. The rain had impressively large drops. And we had one roll of thunder. I think it was very localised and I was moored right on the edge of the storm. Apparently, Middlewich had flash floods. By Thursday, the need for services was becoming more urgent. Especially water. Even…
A Secret Bunker Under the Sun
I thought for a while last night, that we were going to get our first real sunset. The location was right, with unimpeded views to the west with some clouds to make it interesting and colourful. Unfortunately, some clouds turned into too many. There was some colour but no real sunset. Perhaps, it will try…
Adderley and Audlem Marathon
Supposedly it was going to be hot and there were going to be thunderstorms this afternoon. So far the thunder hasn’t materialised but the heat did. I got an early start to what was promising to be a bit of a marathon. Today was really all about locks. First, another set of 5 at Adderley…
Beetlejuice – shouting at midnight
I have no problem with people who want to cruise at night. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t, even though some, with a more grumpy disposition than me, would frown on it. If you are going to do it, you just have to be mindful of your fellow boaters. This is especially true if you do…
Trouser Failure Monday
Today was Tyrley Locks, heat and trouser failure. We got an early start because it felt like it was going to be hot later. I would have preferred doing the Tyrley Flight before the hottest part of the day. Yeah, well that didn’t work out quite the way I planned. Teach me to nod off…
Back Gardens
I spent this weekend with Heather visiting parents, both mine and hers. Despite all the other distractions, Sam the roof dog still needs exercise, so I explored their back gardens. Right now, you’re thinking “That doesn’t sound like much exercise!”. Back garden can have a somewhat broader meaning. This morning I walked around Heather’s mum and…
Straight but not Narrow
It is so long since I have been on the Shroppie, I forgot how straight and not narrow it is. This canal really doesn’t care about the details of the landscape, it just pushes its way through. Embankments alternate with cuttings, and today there was even a tunnel. I think the only straighter thoroughfare could…
Contrasts
Today was about canal contrasts. It is remarkable how much changed in the 60 or so years between the completion of the Staffs and Worcester and the Shropshire Union. First job this morning was to get through the last lock in the Gailey flight, Gailey Top Lock. There is an interestingly ornate tower next to…
The Big Decision
I slept on it. And I still hadn’t decided. I went for a walk up to Tixall Lock with Sam, on the way back, I decided to go via Stoke and the Caldon. Then I changed my mind to go down the Staffs and Worcester and up the Shropppie. Then changed it back. Then I…
I’ve been here before
Starting yesterday and even stronger today, you can’t really call it deja vu, but I’ve been here before. I definitely haven’t had to consult the map much. The Coventry from Tamworth going north and the stretch of the T&M from Fradley Junction to Stoke on Trent is very familiar territory. In fact, the section of the…