Shiralee: Cruise 2014 # 23

Saturday 6^th September to Tuesday 19^th September

 Sunday 7^th September

 After a short run and two locks yesterday morning, we’re now at Audlem, and we’re exactly where we wanted to be, just short of the water point and only a short stroll into town.

 There are three pubs here, one of which is the Bridge, a pub we’ve visited only once in the past. However, they now have a notice in their window, inviting folk singers to play on Monday evenings. This appears to be an open invitation, so there’s no guarantee as to who will turn up, so we’ll be popping in there to find out. You never know we might just stay an extra day here and enjoy two trips to the same pub.

 Sadly, the nights have grown cooler and we’ve had to relight the fire and I’m pretty sure it will stay lit for some time to come.

 Tuesday 9^th September

 We had outstayed our 48 hour welcome at our spot in Audlem, below lock 14, but we wanted to stay on another night, so we moved up another two locks. Unfortunately the stretch of moorings between locks 11 and 12 has a ledge running along under the water; quite common along the Shroppie; so we do tend to get banged about a bit, especially when boats pass by.

 Anyway, having paid a visit to The Bridge pub and discovering that they hold a Folk Night on Monday evenings, we decided to check it out, hence the move.

 We turned up just after 8 pm, at which time there were about six people there and so we joined them and watched as they sang and played various instruments. During the course of the next hour their numbers increased, until there were about nine or 10, some with instruments along with a couple of women, who simply added their voices.

 The first thing I noticed about this group was that they sang songs I had never heard before, which came as something of a surprise. In addition to that was the variety of instruments, two of which I’d never seen before either. One of which was a Hurdy Gurdy and the other a Psalter; the one played with a bow, rather than being plucked. The Psalter, in its original form, was a book or Psalms, so I can only assume that the instrument of the same name would have been used as an accompaniment.

 

Hurdy Gurdy

 

Psalter

 There were several guitars, of course and a couple of fiddles, but no ukuleles, which also came as some surprise. Apparently, this group used to meet at the nearby Shroppie Fly pub but, for whatever reason, now meet at The Bridge. From what we hear the Shroppie Fly has had many changes of management in recent times, so it may be that one of the managers didn’t particularly like folk music.

 Anyway, we had a very enjoyable hour or so in their company and left them at about 9.40, for a cup of tea and so to bed.

 Today we have 11 locks to do and will stop at the bottom of Adderly Locks.

 Wednesday 10^th September

 From Audlem we worked our way up the remaining 11 locks and three miles to the bottom of Adderley locks, a trip that took us just two hours. Once again we enjoyed a warm and calm journey.

 We’ll be in Market Drayton later this morning, where we were planning to take the bus to Hanley and meet Alan and Chris. Unfortunately they seem to have a few problems with the electrics in their flat and, along with a couple of other commitments they are unable to make it. So, instead of staying at Market Drayton for two or three days, we’ll do some shopping and move on again tomorrow morning and make our way to Gnosall for the weekend. From there we can take the bus to Stafford and meet up there instead.

 The powers-that-be are now trying to de-criminalise the avoidance of non-payment of the TV Licence. Instead they want to make this a civil offence, which leaves the ball firmly in the BBC’s court.

 To my mind there shouldn’t even be a TV Licence, because Auntie BBC has a policy of self-serving advertising; both on radio and TV; so much so that we shut off the TV sound when they come on. Unfortunately we can’t do the same for the radio, more’s the pity. So, with all that programme advertising, surely it would not make one iota of difference if they went fully commercial!!

 I may have a few more emails to deal with tomorrow morning, as I am unable to get a signal here. Funnily enough we are both able to use our mobiles, which is something that can’t be said for some of the other boaters moored here. Sheila has noticed a couple of them walking along the towpath with phones to their ears.

 Thursday 11^th September

 We didn’t realise it; probably because we tend to arrange our mooring at Market Drayton for a weekend; but their street market is really big on a Wednesday. Their Saturday market doesn’t have anywhere near the stalls that the Wednesday one does. As luck would have it, we needed to walk right up to the main street, because we needed to pick our medication up from Boot’s, otherwise we would have missed it.

 Apart from that it was pretty much an ordinary day on the good ship Shiralee.

 Friday 12^th September

 Yesterday was rather a long day for us. We headed for Shebdon Bank, eight miles and five locks away, which should have taken no more than three hours. In the event, mainly due to a very slow boater ahead of us, this trip took us four hours, so we were pretty miffed by the time we arrived. And, as we didn’t leave Market Drayton until 8.30, we arrived at 12.30.

 Even then we were lucky to find a spot to moor up at, because there was a long line of boats already there. Later on; as we found out when yet another boat arrived and squeezed in between us and the one in front; this was a gathering of some kind.

 However, the rest of the day went well and we had no disturbances from those other boaters. Not that we expected any, you understand, most boaters are pretty considerate of others, but you never know what to expect from any bunch of people when they are together.

Saturday 13^th September

 We left Shebdon Bank an hour later than usual yesterday morning; about 9am; because it was only 3 miles to go to Norbury Jinction, which would have taken only an hour of cruising.

 Upon our arrival at about 10ish, we pulled in to the first vacant spot just before the bridge, then walked over to the chandlery cum tea shop for the paper. Whilst there we found just one of those Eye Plates that we’ve been looking for since the last one was torn off when we went through Ellesmere Tunnel on the Llangollen. Since that time we’ve only had the one fender on the starboard side. Not that they do a lot of good, especially with holiday boaters, many of whom treat boating akin to dodgem car racing.

 After getting the paper and eye plate, we moved further along the canal because the spot we were at; as we know from past experience; is not a good signal area for mobile and WiFi.

 Now, this morning we’ll be leaving late again and setting off for the one mile to Gnosall Heath, where we’ll stay for the weekend and take the bus into Stafford on Monday morning. I know, we’ll be overstaying the 48 hour mooring limit here, but Sheila needs to change some items she bought at an earlier M&S, so needs must when the Devil drives, as they say.

 Sunday 14^th September

 During the summer months, as you would expect, there are plenty of hire boats around, especially during the school holidays. What always amazes me is the lack of them once the schools go back.

 There are some places that are so popular with boaters, that we sometimes struggle to find a mooring spot, and Norbury Junction is one such. But, when we arrived there yesterday morning it was almost like a ghost town, there were so few boats moored up.

 The same can be said for the moorings here at Gnosall, which has three separate mooring stretches of canal, all three of which were almost empty. I’m not complaining, you understand, just surprised.

 As usual, after we had seen a cup of coffee off, we trotted along to the local butcher. This is one of our favourites and we highly recommend him to all who pass through. He closes early on Saturdays, but unlike most butchers, opens on Mondays. He does steak and onion pies to die for and his pork pies knock spots off those from Melton Mowbray.

 So, having parted with about £17.00 at that shop, we plodded along to the local mini-market and spent a few more quids. As mini-markets go this one could do with a bit more space, but what it lacks there it more than makes up for in some of its produce. Fresh bread and rolls, cakes and buns, sausage rolls etcetera, all make this another place worth a visit.

 Today we’ll try one of the three pubs here. Not sure which one yet, that’s to be decided later. Then we’ll be off to Stafford tomorrow morning.

 Monday 15^th September

 Yesterday we decided on The Royal Oak pub, which is quite a walk away from the canal, but is the best of the three pubs in Gnossal. Besides which, I haven’t taken a decent walk for a couple of days, so I needed the exercise. Guinness there at £3.50, a little bit expensive, but still worth it for the ambience of the pub; quiet and friendly.

 Today we’re taking the bus into Stafford and will be looking out for a decent café or restaurant. We’ll be meeting Alan and Chris there early next week and we would prefer not to go to a pub, just for a change.

 Tuesday 16^th September

 I received a ‘friendly reminder’ from Avast yesterday, telling me that my Secure Line payment will be coming out of my PayPal account in seven days’ time. The curious thing about this reminder was that there was another reminder, this time in red, telling me that should I cancel this payment then I would no longer be secure online. This reminder has never appeared in previous messages and I’m wondering if they already know I’ve cancelled this payment, or do they simply ‘suspect’ after all the times I’ve contacted them about this? We shall see!!

 Now, we took the bus into Stafford yesterday morning and, whilst we were waiting at the bust stop, I texted Alan and told him I would be looking for a decent café or restaurant. He came back with, ‘try Bear Grills’. Of course, I thought he was kidding, so I replied with, ‘road kill? He then texted me again telling us where it was and, lo and behold, we found it along the main pedestrian area. However, it wasn’t called Bear Grills, but The Bear Grill. So, now you know, Bear Grills does not have a restaurant in Stafford, or anywhere else as far as we know.

 My wife doesn’t dream, or so she says. Indeed, I have no recollection of her ever telling me about one. However, yesterday morning, for the first time ever, she related a dream that she had about dogs. So, there she was, walking along the street, with a Jack Russell – not Rusty - in tow, when she was stopped by a woman and her Staffie called ‘Strawb’. Strawb was running around in circles with no lead on and the woman asked Sheila to look after it for her while she popped into the nearby café for a coffee. How strange is that? Perhaps it’s an eerie omen!!

 We’ll be moving the five miles to Wheaton Aston this morning, where we’ll be able to top up with diesel at the cheapest price on the cut.

 Cheers for now.

 Dave and Sheila