04-28 Stop over at Hopwas on the Coventry canal

Monday 27th April: sunny with a chilly wind.  We had intended to spend the day at Shugborough but given it was dry and not unreasonable cruising weather we decided to press on,  leaving our
Great Haywood mooring about 10am.  Not many boats moored here today about three in all and we have  known it to to be nose to tail for over half a mile.   Steady progress towards Rugeley
with a stop for water at Armitage where I managed to trip and fall on the concrete edge, narrowly avoiding an early morning dip.  Luckily no permanent damage done other than a sore hand and
wrist.  We continued on along the T&M as far as Fradley.  With help from volunteers at the locks (they were pleased to see us as we were the first boat down for over three hours) we
approached the Junction where we turned right onto the Coventry Canal as far as Huddlesford (the old junction with the Lichfield canal).  By this time the wind was starting to pick up and we
felt decidedly worn and had an early night.

Tuesday 28th April: A very cold blustery wind this morning when I took the dogs for a walk back to the new Kings Orchard marina from Huddlesford junction where we moored overnight. We
decided not to rush off and watched a procession of boats going past with crews kitted up for arctic conditions.   After a lazy morning we adjourned to the Plough for lunch (which was excellent)
and some liquid refreshment! Walking back to the boat we decided on a short afternoon cruise as far as Hopwas to replenish the batteries since the wind was now definitely warmer than this
morning and the cloud had to some extent cleared.   Despite warnings from a boat just mooring up about the blustery wind we had no problems and in fact enjoyed our one and a half hour cruise,
mooring up just short of the first bridge in Hopwas.  Once moored went for a short exploratory walk through the village and as far as the last bridge by the boat yard then returned via the
towpath, pausing for refreshment at the Thame Otter sitting outside in very pleasant sunshine but still enough of a breeze as to be thankful for the coats we had with us.

04-26 At Stone on the T&M

Friday 24th of April: was a little cooler but still dry and with sunny periods.  We set off from Barlaston about 10am heading for Stone down the Meaford and Stone Locks.  No queues at Meaford just one boat ahead and volunteers on hand to help out at the bottom two locks. Trickled past a boat market opposite the boatyard above lock 30 then disaster as we were ready to leave the lock our Morse cable snapped and I had no control over the engine revs so coasted out and moored on the lock landing.  Called out RCR and waited for assistance ably given if somewhat slow in arriving.  Turns out a bad case of chinese whispers had sent him to the chandlery in Stone by lock 29 and he had been given my old work mobile number rather than the one I gave when I called!  However problem sorted in time to descend lock 29 use the services to fill water etc and make the chandlery to top up diesel and buy some more coal all before 5pm.  On down lock 28 and moored just above the Star Inn.  By now having missed out lunch we were hungry and decided on a pub meal only to be thwarted as they had a notice saying "cash only machine out of action".  Being slightly low on cash we crossed to other side of the lock to La Bella Napoli and spent more on an excellent three course meal.

Saturday 25th April:  was a different day with blustery heavy showers on and off during the day.  We stayed put and went out on two shopping trips during the day managing to stay reasonably dry on both occasions.  Took a dog walk back up the towpath past the chandlery and lock 30 to the boat market in the afternoon again managing to stay dry. Two more problems today first we ran out of gas and had to switch over to the second bottle (below lock 28 and a bit too far to carry a new one from chandlery) then our smoke alarm packed up bleating constantly every 45 seconds just to let us know and despite trying to follow instructions on disarming it I only managed to break off the switch!  Luckily I have a spare and installed that.

Today we left Stone still windy but sun shining through the clouds and a little warmer.  Watered up below the Star Inn and descended Aston lock turning into Aston Marina for a brief stopover.  Mid turn the wind caught Bridie's hat and it landed in the canal. So our entrance was delayed while I retrieved it with the boat hook! We then moored on a visitor pontoon to go and get a new gas bottle (£27+ !!! Our first bottles on P.O. back in 2005 were about £11).  Bridie also had a quick shop in the Farm shop managing to get one of their Steak and Cut Throat ale pies.   Off we then cruised along the T&M through Great Haywood without stopping at the Junction as we often do then descending the lock by the pack horse bridge to Shugborough estate and mooring just below and by the side of the River Trent.   Once settled we took the dogs across the bridge and walked past the Hall a bit too late to venture into the park which had officially closed at 5pm.  An Antique fair in the grounds had just finished and we had to keep getting out of the way of cars and vans exiting the site so soon gave up and returned to the boat ready for an evening meal.

04-23 Barlaston on the T&M

Moored at Barlaston about 4pm today after six hours cruising in ideal conditions,  lots of sun, blue sky and a gentle cool breeze.  In fact that has been the pattern since Monday morning, aren't we the lucky ones!   Six hours cruising with 9 locks and a lift bridge behind us today.   Rather slow services at Etruria having waited for two boats to take on water first but on the plus side we had six eager volunteers helping us through the next two locks.

Have been on P.O. since Sunday when we took over from our eldest at The Hollybush at Denford on the Caldon canal. after he had been out for a week with friends.   We cuised to Leek on Monday having turned after a quick shop and using services at Endon.  Had a delay waiting for work boats to clear the channel for us.

We walked into Leek on Tuesday for a bit more shopping and a lunch at The Roebuck.  Then had a late afternoon cruise back to Hazlehurst Junction.

Wednesday pottered on through  Stockton Brook and moored up just after Engine lock from where we started today's cruise.