Shiralee: Cruise 2013 # 6

Market Drayton to Overwater

 Friday 3^rd May

Did you spot my silly mistake at the start of the previous blog? I only spotted the double reference to the two pubs at Gnosall Heath just as I was posting. Sorry about that.

 Saturday 4^th May

On our run down to the bottom of Adderley Locks yesterday morning, quite a strong wind picked up and it’s still with us this morning. The forecast was for rain in the early hours, but that hasn’t turned up yet but, if this strong wind keeps up we won’t be going down the 11 locks to Audlem, which means we will miss the Saturday paper and therefore the TV progs.

 Our wee pooch has, as you all know, a rather weak tummy now and, at 4.45 this morning, just as I answered a call of nature, there she was just waiting to do the same. So, no going back to bed for yours truly. I suppose we should be prepared for this, what with her being almost 16 now. This equates to about 102 in human years and so, even with her rickety legs, she’s not doing badly for her age.

 Sunday 5^th May

 Yesterday morning started out very windy but, as many boaters will know, the bottom of Adderley Locks can be like wind tunnel, with just a light breeze seeming like a raging hurricane. Well, we left there at 8am and, no sooner had we rounded the left hand bend about 100 yards away, than the wind disappeared.

We thought we were in for a cushy ride but, after a couple of the 11 Audlem locks, down came the rain and it continued until we moored up between locks 11 and 12. However, the rest of the day was quite pleasant, with plenty of sunshine.

 This morning we have dense cloud cover and a cool breeze but, according to the ‘experts’ we can look forward to mid-teens temperatures. Hopefully they are right because, instead of using the Shroppie Fly; which is now under new management; we thought we’d give The Bridge a try. Although, having said that, with all draught beer at £3 a pint at the Fly, we might just investigate to see if the new people have made any changes.

 From our own visits to the Fly, we can only hope they’ve brightened it up a bit. Although, since they’ve only been running the place for a short time, they may not have had the opportunity to do so. Maybe we’ll find out today!

 This morning, rather than painting my latest pastel; a scene I photographed at Gnosall; I decided to add some colour to the back panels. Now, although the paints I’m using are fairly quick drying, I am still only able to add one colour at a time, so this could be a long process.

 Monday 6^th May (Bank Holiday)

 Yesterday, as I mentioned, we decided to give The Bridge a try. Compared to the Fly this is far more open and spacious and, despite the Fly selling all draught beers for only £3 a pint, I was perfectly happy to pay £3.09p for my Guinness.

 Later in the afternoon; about 2.30 or so; I had one of my very rare senior moments and suggested to Wifey that we make a move. So, we upped sticks, topped up with water outside the Fly; where there was much rowdiness going on; passed through another four locks and moored up just past Overwater Marina, where it’s quiet and peaceful and the boat is not sitting on a ledge.

 That’s the only problem with mooring between locks 11 and 12 at Audlem, the ledge just below the water. This means that there are times when, as the water goes down when lock 12 is emptied, so the boat drops just enough to sit on the ledge, and the boat tilts slightly. One of us then has to go outside and push the boat off the ledge.

 We’re staying at our current moorings for today, because it promises to be dry and bright and we want to get some paintwork done on the stern deck, which is looking quite patchy.

 Tuesday 7^th May

 Ordinarily I wouldn’t post such a short blog but, in this instance and because I have some info that could prove important to my fellow boaters, I will post this today.

So, if you are a boater, or you know somebody who is, please read and pass the following along.

 Our friend Sandy, who is still at Mercia while hubby is working, telephoned yesterday to tell us about a boat and its occupants. This is what she told us:-

 There is a narrow boat patrolling the canal near Mercia, at night and without lights. This boat is in camouflage colours, as are the occupants. The engine on this boat is very quiet, so nobody can hear it coming. The occupants of this boat are patrolling the canal and stealing anything they can lay their hands on. At the moment they only seem to be stealing from the top or beside the boats, but it won’t be long before they become bolder and start breaking in and stealing more valuable items.

 Do please pass this along, either by word of mouth, text, letter or email. There’s no doubt that these people will wander further along the system. It could be your turn next!

 Cheers for now and please enjoy your week, now that the Bank Holiday is over.

 Dave, Sheila and Rusty