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.