Friday 21st August to Monday 7th September
Saturday 22nd August
Yesterday morning we made our way to Fradley Junction, which takes us
from the Coventry canal to the Trent and Mersey canal. Later in the day we took
Alex for a walk around the Wildlife Park and then sat outside the shop and
enjoyed an ice cream. After that it was simply a case of chilling out for the
rest of the day.
This morning, after disposing of rubbish and topping up with water,
we’ll make our way to Handsacre, where we’ll stop for the weekend.
Tuesday 25th August
Saturday and Sunday were spent at Handsacre and we managed to enjoy the
sunshine with our drinks at the local pub.
Monday morning saw us meandering our way to the Pig Farm, which is just
a few miles from Great Haywood. After spending the night there, we topped up
with diesel from the diesel barge, which lies alongside the farm, and we
finally made it to Great Haywood by about 10.30 am.
We’ll stay here today and tomorrow, and then we’ll move on to Weston.
After that it’s just a few more miles to Stone, where we’ll stay until Monday
morning. In between times we’ll be meeting up with Alan and Chris Oxley on and
will probably enjoy a pub lunch with them.
I had a pleasant surprise this morning, in the form of an email from a
lady in Crick, asking me to do a Cartoon Portrait for her Father-in-Law’s
upcoming 65th birthday. At least my ad in the local Post Office
seems to be attracting attention.
Friday 28th August
On Wednesday we stayed at Great Haywood and did some shopping at the
excellent Farm Shop. Their sausage rolls and scotch eggs are to die for, as are
their pork pies.
Yesterday saw us arriving at Weston by about 10.30, where we almost had
a bow-to-bow crash with another boat coming towards us. At the time we were about
to move over to our left and moor up. Unfortunately the other boater chose that
moment to come round the bend, so we were crossing paths. All was well in the
end, but it was pretty close.
I have almost finished the Cartoon Portrait for Susie, but I’m waiting
for her to reply to my email asking what she would like as a birthday message.
Once that’s done I can add the message and email the final cartoon to her.
Today we’ll be moving on to Stone, where we’ll stay until Monday.
Monday 31st August
Saturday was a pretty good day, all things considered. The weather
stayed fine for our trip to Stone and, after our usual cup of coffee, we sat
and waited for a text from Alan. We only sat for a short while and then walked
over to the town, did a bit of shopping, then sat at the bus stop to await the
arrival of Alan and Chris.
Alan reads mostly factual books, which range from autobiographies,
through factual adventures and on to crooks and maths. I think you’ll agree
that that’s a pretty eclectic mix. Sheila and I read mainly novels and the
occasional biography. However, since we were running somewhat short of reading
material, Alans shopping trolley full of books was most welcome, although some
of them had to be stored in the bedroom cupboard until needed.
Later in the day we all repaired to the Weatherspoon’s pub for lunch,
then back to the boat coffee and a chat, after which we walked them to the bus
stop and said cheerio, until next year.
Yesterday was a relaxation day, but only after more shopping, this time
at Morrison’s, because we hope to leave here today, except that it’s now coming
down in bucket loads.
Tuesday 1st September
It rained all day yesterday and it looks set to do so again today.
Unfortunately we really do need to get back to Great Haywood and we also need
to top up with water. So, whatever the weather, we have to get moving today.
Wednesday 2nd September
We set off from Stone yesterday morning at about 8 am and, after
reversing back to the water point, we topped up and made the six miles to
Weston by 11 am. Along the way we met other boaters coming through the locks,
one of which told Sheila that the little shop in Weston was now closed. So, no
Daily Mail for that day.
As the boat was still pretty wet from all that rain yesterday and
overnight, no painting could be done. In fact we haven’t managed any painting
for a week.
For the rest of the day, apart from taking Alex for his walks, we
chilled out until it came time to run the engine again at 5 pm. Which is when I
got something of a nasty surprise, it wouldn’t start. You know that noise you
get when trying to start the car, the one that’s a click and nothing else?
Well, that’s what I got. Obviously we now have a Starter Motor problem. Still,
I persevered with it and the engine finally started. Phew! That was close.
This morning we should be going on to Great Haywood but, if we have a
problem starting the engine again, we’ll have to call out River and Canal
Rescue (RCR), with whom we have an account. Whereas they won’t come out for
domestic issues; such as problems with power or appliances; this is very much
up their street. Hopefully it won’t be necessary, because we are running short
of coal, and we still haven’t had our heating sorted out.
Watch this space.
Thursday 3rd September
Well, we were lucky, the engine started first time and we made it
safely to Great Haywood. We had been hoping to be able to pull in to the water
point when we arrived, but all the spaces were full up. However, as luck would
have it, the coal and diesel barge was among them, so we pulled alongside and
bought three bags of coal, after which we found a mooring spot just past the junction.
The engine also started yesterday evening, so we’re hoping it was just
a wee Gremlin at work.
We’ll be staying here for today and will pay another visit to the farm
shop. We’ll move along a few miles to the pig farm tomorrow morning.
Friday 4th September
After walk to the local shop for the Mail, milk and crumpets, we set
off for the pig farm at about 08.45. Being only three miles and two locks away,
we should have made it by 10.15, or so. However, as is sometimes the case and
because we had left later than normal, we came upon a backlog of boats waiting
to go down the second of those two locks. To make matters worse, there was also
a boat and butty waiting to come up. In the event we arrived at the pig farm
11.15.
Other than the delay going through that lock, we arrived in good fettle
and settled in for our coffee and biscuits; in this case well deserved.
Saturday 5th September
When we arrived at the pig farm yesterday morning, we were met with a
whole line of boats, all members of the Boaters Christian Fellowship. These
people have a meeting here every year; possibly more than once per year; and we
happened along at the wrong time. However, we did manage to find a mooring
spot, so we were pretty lucky.
This morning started out with a fine drizzly rain, this is just about
the worst possible weather for cruising, if you discount heavy rain and snow of
course. But, it’s now almost 07.30 and the sky seems to be clearing, so we
should be OK for our run to Rugeley for shopping and then on to Handsacre for
the weekend.
Monday 7th September
We were lucky with the weather again yesterday and were able to spend a
pleasant hour in the pub garden. Other than that we simply chilled out for the
day.
This morning the weather is supposed to be warm and dry although,
looking at the bright red sky earlier, I’m not too sure. Hopefully we’ll be
able to make our way to Fradley Junction.
And, on that note I’ll wish you a very good week.
Dave, Sheila and Alex.
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