Tuesday 9th August to Friday 26th August
Thursday 11th August
Yesterday we cruised the five miles to Wheaton Aston and, because we
couldn’t see as far as beyond the pub bridge, we were obliged to moor up just
after the previous bridge. This line of moorings is overshadowed by trees, on
the towpath side, and by houses on the other side, thus making it rather dim.
However, we later spotted another space, just a few yards further along, and we
moved along there, simply because a little more light shines through.
The weather still hasn’t improved much, even though the forecaster had
predicted elevated temperatures, into the high 20s and even 30 degrees plus.
This morning, for example, is quite windy and overcast and I still had to put
the heating on when I got up.
Today we’ll stay here, walk to the shops for the paper and then enjoy
our usual cup of coffee. Later today I’ll have another go at Teresa’s cartoon
portrait.
Friday 12th August
After spending time with the cartoon portrait, I suddenly realised that
I had been doing something wrong. So, rather than carry on and make a complete
hash of it, I’ve decided to start again from scratch.
Yesterday was an OK day as far as the weather goes. Unfortunately, the
same can’t be said for a certain fellow boater. There seems to be some
misunderstanding regarding the period of time allowed for the running of
engines. In order to allow boaters ample time to charge batteries, the powers
that be have set a limit of between 8 am and 8 pm, for this task.
We bend over backwards to ensure that we don’t antagonise nearby
boaters, and don’t start up until well after 8 am; unless we’re moving on; and
always run the engine no later than 7 pm. OK so far?
Now, the boater behind us seems to be resident of the house opposite,
where a new pontoon was being built. They finished about 7.30 pm and he decided
to take the opportunity to move his boat across. What we didn’t expect, was for
him to then leave his engine running until 10 pm, which is when we like to
retire to bed. It took a heck of a lot of hollering to grab his attention, and
it didn’t help that his house is on a hill. Eventually he came down and, after
much mumbling and cussing, turned the engine off. He wasn’t content with that
though. Oh no. He then claimed that engine running is allowed until 10 pm.
Some people!!
Anyway, this morning we left early and pulled in to the garage for
diesel. Yes, garage. The local garage owner has had red diesel available to
boaters for some time now. He has a hose that reaches down to a jetty below the
garage and we boaters simply pull alongside and top up. Simple. What’s more,
he’s the cheapest on the cut at the current price of £0.519p per litre. Eat
your hearts out folks.
After leaving the garage we headed along a-ways to the water-point,
topped up with water, disposed of rubbish and then made our way to Brewood,
where we did a bit of shopping at the excellent butcher’s and baker’s. After
that, and only because the moorings at Brewood are so dim and dismal, we made
our way to bridge 8, about 2 miles further on.
Tomorrow we will go down just one lock at Autherley Junction, turn left
onto the Staffs and Worc canal, pass through the narrow cut and stop at Cross
Green, where we’ll take a walk into Coven for the paper.
Monday 15th August
It’s the middle of August; supposedly summer; and yet it’s still pretty
chilly in the morning and I’m still turning the heater on before I get up.
Still, at least it’s dry and there’s no sign of clouds in the sky.
Yesterday went the same way as most Sundays. We strolled down to the
village of Coven for the paper, returned to the boat for a coffee and read the
paper and did our puzzles. Well, actually, we attempted to do our puzzles.
At lunchtime, of course, we poodles on down to the local pub and sat outside
with our drinks, our snacks and our pooch, Alex. He likes his beer and snacks
too, although I do have to restrict his beer consumption to the occasional lick
of foam off my finger.
Today we’ll be off to Gailey but, instead of mooring up at Gailey itself,
we’ll stop short and moor up in the open. Gailey moorings are rather dark and
dismal, with trees on both sides of the canal and, since we won’t have a paper
to buy; cos we will buy one here before we leave; we prefer to be where it’s
more open. On Tuesday morning, we’ll continue into Gailey, top up with water
and dispose of rubbish. After which we’ll make our way to Penkridge, where it
will be Market Day and where I’ll be looking for a frame for Teresa’s Cartoon
Portrait.
The Cartoon Portrait for Teresa, will be in pastels, something I’ve not
done before. As a consequence of it being my first pastel, I’ve already made a
few cock-ups and have had to start again. This was supposed to be a birthday
present, but that day is long gone.
Wednesday 17th August
Well, we made it to Penkridge without problems and, as luck would have
it, we found a mooring spot above the final lock. This area is much more open
than the stretch of moorings below that lock.
W first enjoyed a coffee and then walked into town for some shopping. A
visit to the Butchers was a must. Today is market day, so we’ll be taking a
wander around that this morning. Hopefully I’ll find that frame I want,
otherwise I’ll have to wait until we hit a bigger town with a Wilkinson’s.
It looks like being another scorcher today, so we’ll make the most of
it. I’ve been complaining long enough about the bad weather, so I’m certainly
not going to moan about this fine stuff.
Thursday 18th August
Well, it was a really warm and sunny day, here at Penkridge. Sadly, I
didn’t find a frame for the Cartoon Portrait, so I guess I’ll have to wait
until we visit Stafford again.
Today we’ll be off to Acton Trussell, which is a mooring area way
outside the village and really peaceful.
Friday 19th August
Our trip to Acton Trussell involved four locks and 3½ miles, taking us
almost two hours. But, that was OK, and we soon settled in for a coffee. The
rest of the day was bright and sunny but, having been warned of rain to come,
we weren’t too surprised when it came down this morning. We were hopeful that
it would stop and we could move on but, as from midday today, it’s still
persisting. So, for the rest of the day we’ll be staying put. Tomorrow, with
luck and no rain, we’ll move along to Weeping Cross, where we’ll probably catch
the bus into Stafford.
Unfortunately, we are not very fond of the pub at Weeping Cross,
because the last time we tried it we were expected to line up, just as you
would in a Post Office or Bank. We’ve given it a miss ever since. So, if we’re
to get a drink on Sunday, we’ll have to get ourselves to Great Haywood. This
assumes good weather. It’s not that we don’t cruise in the rain, because we
sometimes do. But we do try to avoid heavy rain and strong winds, which make
for a very unpleasant journey. We’ll just have to see.
Monday 22nd August
Apart from the persistent rain, the weekend went well. We didn’t bother
with the bus to Stafford while we were at Weeping Cross. Instead, we walked
down to the Trading Estate and called in at Hobby Craft, where I managed to
purchase a frame for Teresa’s Cartoon Portrait.
Today we’re hoping to get to Weston. The skies seem to be brightening
up, although we do still have fairly strong winds. But, as the wind will be at
our backs, we’ll manage OK.
Wednesday 24th August
Yesterday was the warmest day that we’ve enjoyed so far this summer. In
fact, it was bordering on the uncomfortable. Apart from shopping at Morrison’s,
we didn’t do very much.
Today, at some time this morning, we’ll be meeting up with Alan and
Chris. Stone is one of only a few places at which this is possible. No doubt
we’ll enjoy a pub lunch and plenty of chat.
We’re on five day moorings here, so I don’t suppose we’ll leave here
until Friday morning, stopping at Weston and then on to Great Haywood for the
weekend. After that, well, it’s just a matter of making our minds up as to
where we go from there.
Thursday 25th August
Yesterday was great. Alan and Chris arrived at about 11 am and walked
with us to the boat, where we had coffee and a chat, as usual. We then took a
walk into town and had lunch at Wetherspoons; me for the All Day Brunch which,
naughty me, also included chips. After lunch, back to the boat for more coffee
and more chat. At about half past three we sent them packing to the bus stop.
Well, we just don’t have room for overnight couples to stay.
Today, after some rain, it’s now bright and sunny. Whether it will stay
that way, remains to be seen. But, if so, then we might just make our way back
towards Great Haywood. Whatever happens, we have decided to spend the rest of
this summer cruising the Llangollen.
Friday 26th August
I have to say, I’m thoroughly disappointed with our summer so far.
Apart from the odd one or two days of sunshine, it’s been mostly rain this
year. A case in point would be yesterday when, after a bright start; which saw
us walking up to the chandlery, and then the town; we had lots of rain later in
the day. Last night, at around the time Wifey takes Alex out for his final ‘business
venture’, it absolutely thundered down.
This morning we have a clear sky and it must have been pretty chilly
outside, because our windows were steamed up. It is supposed to stay bright and
warm today, which gives us an opportunity to turn around and head back to
Weston. And then, tomorrow morning, with all being well weather-wise, we’ll
head back to Great Haywood and round to Tixall Wide, where we’ll spend the
weekend.
So, first thing this morning, after breakfast, of course, we’ll pop
across to the town for the paper and more bread. There’s a really good baker’s
there, from whom we bought a great, multi-seeded loaf that was all burnt and
crusty on top. Hopefully we’ll get another one today.
Meanwhile, I’m gradually wading through Teresa’s Cartoon Portrait.
However, as she wants it in colour, I’m undecided as to which medium to use. I
have my pastels, of course, but I also have water-colour paint blocks and some
rather good, waxy coloured pencils. According to the blurb on the tin, these
can be mixed and built up, so I’m keen to give them a try. I will, of course,
post a copy when I’m done. Which should be in my next post – I hope!
Now, with five pages done and a reasonably strong Internet signal here
at Stone, I’ll attempt to post this blog.
Cheerio for now and have a great weekend.
Dave, Sheila and Alex.
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