Shiralee: Cruise 2014 # 24

Tuesday 16^th September to Wednesday 24^th September

 Wednesday 17^th September

 Yesterday morning saw us taking just two hours to reach Wheaton Aston; a trip of just five miles. After indulging in our usual cup of coffee – not that instant muck – we trotted off to the local shop for a paper.

 Later in the day, at Wifey’s instigation, we walked to the furthest mini-market possible, just to buy into the National Lottery. We don’t normally bother but, as it’s a rollover she decided to do so. You gotta be in it to win it!!!

 This morning we’ll top up with diesel at the nearby garage which, at just 70.9p per litre, is just about the cheapest on the cut. We’ll then take our time and go just a little way past Brewood and stop for the night.

 Thursday 18^th September

 Once again e didn’t win anything on the Lottery. Shame!!

 From Wheaton Aston and on to a long stretch of moorings between bridges 7 and 8, took just 2 hours over the five miles and 1 lock. We arrived when there were just 3 other boats moored there but, by the time late evening arrived the whole stretch was full.

 On the way here we spotted a pair of Kingfishers, sitting on the rim of a canal-side overflow. It’s not that unusual to see one of these delightful birds, but this is the first time we have seen two together. This is another good reason to always have a camera to hand when cruising, which we didn’t. Yet again we missed a golden opportunity.

 We’re off to Cross Green this morning, which is six miles away on the Staffs and Worcester canal. From there we can get the bus into Stafford or Wolverhampton but, since we’re meeting Alan and Chris in Stafford on Monday, we’ll possibly go to Wolverhampton. Maybe!!

 Friday 19^th September

 Well, it seems that my cancellation of payment to Avast for the Secure Line programme has been successful, because I haven’t received notification of payment. I’ll still have to look out for the renewal of Grime Fighter, but that isn’t due until next August.

 Yesterday we took a gentle cruise to Cross Green, which is a stretch of moorings a short distance from the village of Coven and, after our obligatory coffee, we sallied forth for the Daily Mail and milk.

 Just after exiting the Shroppie; through the stop-lock at Autherly Junction; we turned left onto the Staffs and Worcester canal and, about half a mile or so further on, we came to that very narrow cutting between Marsh Lane and Forster bridges. We’ve been through this cutting on several occasions and, almost always come face to face with another boat. This time we were lucky and didn’t meet anyone until we were almost through. There are a few passing places along this cutting, so it’s not usually too much of a problem.

 I had hoped to find some reference online this morning to the Scottish Referendum, but there has been nothing yet. No doubt we’ll hear all about it on the radio later.

 So far our plans for meeting up with Alan and Chris are going well, and we should be in Penkridge for this weekend and Monday. However, the weather looks set to change soon, which could throw a spanner in the works.

 Friday 20^th September

 Our six mile trip to Gailey yesterday morning, took exactly two hours. Gailey Wharf, as it is more correctly known, consists of a long stretch of long term moorings with some 48 hour moorings at the far end. It also comprises a hire boat company, water points and waste disposal. The Watling Street A5 runs across the canal at the top lock. The main point of interest though is the round, toll keeper’s watch tower, which has been a small shop containing souvenirs of canal ware and such for quite a few years now.

 From here it’s just five locks and a couple of miles to Penkridge, where we can forget about cruising for three days. We’ll be taking the bus to Stafford on Monday and will be meeting up with Alan and Chris. But first, as it’s market day, we’ll take a walk into town and do a bit of retail therapy.

 Crick:

 As you are all aware by now, we have opted to take on a permanent mooring at Crick Marina. The main reason for this was because Noel, the site manager, was unable to guarantee us a winter mooring. However, since we now have a full time mooring spot there, we intend to take full advantage of this arrangement.

 The first difference will be shorter cruises, interspersed with cottage holidays at some of our favourite destinations from past times. However, before all that can happen we’ll be carrying out some much needed paintwork repairs and, at Wifey’s suggestion, a full spring clean of the inside of the boat.

 The spring clean can be worked at throughout the winter months, but the paintwork must wait until springtime, when we hope the weather will be dry enough.

 Sunday 21^st September

 The Nicholson’s Guide to our waterways tells us that it’s five miles and five locks to Penkridge. That may be so, but by the time we had moored up here, we had passed through seven locks and more like six miles. What made this trip most uncomfortable was the drizzly rain. In fact, at one point we had a pretty strong downpour and had to raise the big brolly. Under these conditions my so-called waterproof is anything but and I soon changed to my bigger and heavier winter coat.

 Anyway, as it was Saturday we took a walk into town and paid a visit to the market, where I found a cheap waterproof; more like a Pac-a-Mac of old. I’ve shied away from these plastic things, because they tend to make my arms sweat, but this one seemed to be a wee bit more comfortable and so, at the princely sum of £7.99, I decided to for it. Sadly, although it did the job it was intended to do, it also made my arm soaking wet by the time we had returned to the boat. However, I now know that I’ll keep dry on future wet cruises, even if my arms don’t.

 From the market we stopped off at the local butcher’s and then on to the Co-op for a few bits and bobs. Then since there were no books that we needed at the charity shop, back to the boat strode we, where nothing untoward took place for the rest of the day, unless, of course, you take into account Wifey chasing a Daddy Long Legs around the boat. The trouble with these harmless critters is that they are so sneaky, because, just as soon as you miss catching them, they disappear and hide for a while. You then have to wait until they surface again before having another go at catching them.

 Monday 22^nd September

 A wee bit cooler this morning, even with the fire going, but still not cold enough to run the heater.

 We decided on a visit to The Star pub for lunchtime drinks. This must be one of the nicest pubs we’ve visited in our eight years of cruising. It’s quiet, the staff are friendly, there’s no TV and the radio is set very low. There are few pubs around the cut that can boast all those features.

 Today we’re off to Stafford, where I might indulge in one of those wax jackets we saw on our last visit. We’ll also be dining with Alan and Chris in The Bear Grill.

 Tuesday 23^rd September

 We caught the 10.13 No 76 bus to Stafford yesterday morning and arrived almost the same time as Alan and Chris; about 10.40.

 Our first port of call was an outdoor clothing store, where I once again checked out their wax jacket. First impression? Great. Just what I needed. However, as Wifey pointed out, the inner sleeve lining, which was probably nylon, would probably make me sweat too easily. So, we shelved that idea and will now wait until we can visit the big store near Rugby. Looking on the bright side, I saved myself £100.

 After wandering around town for a short while, we arrived at The Bear Grill but, for some reason that escapes me, we decided against dining there. It wasn’t the prices that put us off, but we carried on looking and  found a pub down a side street, which boasted about its excellent food; home-made and all that; so we called in there.

Now, Wifey is not one to moan about poor food; probably because she knows I’ll complain to management; so she didn’t say anything about the baked spud until we had left. Apparently it wasn’t as hot as you would expect had it been cooked while she waited. However, it certainly tasted ok and she simply put up with it. Chris also had a baked spud, but she made no mention of the fact that it wasn’t hot enough.

 Alan had the gammon steak and egg, whilst I sampled the steak and ale pie and we were more than satisfied with our meals. In fact the pie was pretty darn good; loads of meat and excellent pastry; so no complaints from me.

 After lunch Alan pointed us towards the local park, where we sat and chatted and visited the large greenhouse which, much to my surprise had no insects about. I’m still somewhat mystified by that, because I would have expected to find spiders, if nothing else. Still, what do I know about greenhouses? I’m only a man after all!!

 We arrived back at Penkridge at about 3 pm having enjoyed our final visit with Alan and Chris for this year. They’ll be going back to Germany in mid- October, then jetting off to Malta in January.

 Wednesday 24^th September

 After three days at Penkridge we were happy to move along and so, after Wifey trundled off for the paper, I prepared Shiralee for cruising. We left at about 8.30 and, with just three locks and three miles to go; with a stop at Midland Chandlery along the way; we arrived at Acton Trussel at about 11.30.

 Midland Chandlery is situated at Park Gate Lock but, having arrived there just after 9 am, we had to wait until they opened at 9.30. Sadly, not only did they not stock the paint and therefore the colour chart that we wanted, they didn’t have a spare cassette either. Also, much to their chagrin, their tills were down so they could only accept cash for purchases. This problem didn’t only apply to this particular chandlery; it affected all of the Midland Chandlery stores.

 We came away from there with only three of the items we sought, so we’ll have to wait until we reach Braunston, where we’ll put in an order for the cassette and hope they stock an eye plate too, so that we always have one in reserve.

 Acton Trussell, although quite big in area, doesn’t appear to have much going for it. It seems to be chock-a-block with modern housing but, as far as the Nicholson Guide is concerned, has no shops, just a church whose west tower dates from the 13^th century, which is topped by a spire, which was added in 1562. We suspect that it may have a shop or two, if only a newsagents and convenience store, but since we moor some way outside the village and don’t know where they may be, we ‘re not prepared to walk around the place to find them.

 Having settled in and enjoyed our coffee and read of the Mail, Sheila then grabbed a bucket of soapy water and gave the port side a good clean. Once she gets stuck in to a job of work, she becomes like a beaver and presses on with something else. In this instance she removed the stern deck cover from the top box, and gave that a good clean too. This cover runs around the stern rails and shields us from draughts when there’s a following wind. We originally had it fitted in order to keep Rusty on board when we were inside, thus preventing her from wandering along the towpath. However, since she showed no inclination to even lay on the deck whilst we were not with her, it never got used for that purpose.

 Now, we should be moving on to Great Haywood this morning, and that’s seven miles away and includes two locks. However, after all the rain we had yesterday afternoon and last night, I’m none too sure if we’ll even manage to get away from here today. Also, since we know that the Internet is not always available there; depending upon where we manage to moor up; I’ll post this now and wish you all much pleasure for the next week or so.

 Dave and Sheila