09-19 Shugborough on Trent & Mersey Canal

Friday 18th September: Day started very misty, saw boats even using tunnel lights to approach lock landing!  Set off about 10:30am by which time the sun had appeared. Cruised to Rugeley with steady stream of boats going the other way and we managed to meet most of them in groups at bridge holes!  Found a new Tesco store at bridge 66 where we do not have to cross any roads to get to it! Final stock up for last few days until we pack up at the marina.  Moved on towards Shugborough and it rained on us before Colwich although it did not come to much.  Managed to moor facing the hall and took the dogs over the old pack horse bridge for a walk by the park.

Saturday 19th September:  A lovely sunny day once the early morning mist cleared and we went into the estate

and walked through the Arboretum with the dogs, reading all the new notice boards that have been erected about the herd of long horn cattle

that have been resident for about 250 years.
Spent the afternoon chilling out in the boat reading etc a final restful day before we start cleaning and packing chores.Then as evening approached and it cooled down watched a hot air balloon (reg G-GIVE) being inflated

and setting off over Great Haywood.