Shiralee: Cruise 2014 # 9

Saturday 31^st May to Sunday 8^th June

 Sunday 1^st June

 Yesterday morning, after topping up with diesel, which totalled over £120, we made our way towards Gnosall Heath, where we hope to take the bus into Telford on Monday. But, since there’s a limit of 48 hours mooring there, we stopped off about a mile short of the town. We’ve been all alone here for all of yesterday and last night. It’s a beautiful spot, the sun was shining; and still is; so I managed to get a bit of rooftop painting done. A lovely day was had by both of us.

 This morning we’ll go on to Gnosall, take a walk into town for the paper, get some more painting done and chill out at the local watering hole at lunchtime. It looks like being another great day. So, why the heck are we even considering buying a park home? Dunno!!

 Our friends back at Keckys’s Farm in Sawbridgeworth put themselves down for a council flat a couple of years ago, but they did so because Bill had some issues with his heart, so we can’t blame them for that. But we do wonder if they’ve now been allocated one yet. We’re not quite ready for the knackers’ yard, so we’ll keep on boating, at least for another year or two.

 Monday 2^nd June

 We had to sit around until about 09.30 yesterday, so as to give other boaters time to leave Gnosall and leave a space for us. This trip only took us ½ an hour, but we still had to pull in behind a line of about six boats. It seems that everybody just loves Gnosall!

 At lunchtime we strolled down to The Royal Oak pub, which is in Gnosall proper, as opposed to the moorings, which are at Gnosall Heath. All boaters just call it Gnosall.

 Later in the afternoon out came the green paint and I finally got to paint over the grey undercoat patches on the port side of the roof. We now have to find a suitable spot; preferably near a winding-hole; where we can paint the whole roof. Alternatively, we could get the port side done tomorrow when we get to Norbury Junction; where we do just the port side; then wait until we’re through Market Drayton, where we’ll be able to do the starboard side. Yeah, I know, all a bit confusing, but I know what I mean.

 This morning we’ll be taking the bus into Telford, where I’m hoping to find a box for our other aerial. This is a small, stubby in-car TV aerial which, according to boaters who have one, is much better than the normal TV aerial. The proof, as they say, is in the final result. I’m looking for a suitable box, so as to protect it from the weather. I have seen quite a few just attached to a pole without protection of any kind, but I’m reluctant to do that.

 Wednesday 4^th June

 We took the bus into Telford on Monday morning and, after touring the whole of the county, arrived an hour after setting off.

 From the bus station it is but a short walk to the main shopping area, but goodness knows how a visitor find his/her way to the other parts of the town centre as there’s so much building and road-works going on, it’s impossible to know. We wandered around for about an hour, missed the bus back by just a minute or so, and had to sit around for another half hour for the return trip. Maybe we'll go again on our way back from wherever we end up this year.

 Yesterday we paid a visit to the butcher’s shop in Gnosall before trundling through to Norbury Junction, where we discovered that the canal to which the junction refers – the Shrewsbury and Newport canal – is being restored. It runs from Norbury to Shrewsbury, a distance of 24 miles. There’s only one problem with this, under the bridge that takes this canal onwards, there are loads of boats moored on both sides of the canal. There’s also a Dry Dock standing across the canal. Obviously the local boatyard has taken advantage of the dereliction and set up shop there, so they’ll probably have to relocate.

 Today, weather permitting, we go on to Shebdon Wharf and spend the rest of the day there.

 Thursday 5^th June

 Yesterday morning whilst enjoying breakfast, I asked Wifey if there was a dentist in Market Drayton, as we should be there by Friday and my loose tooth was really giving me gyp. Would you believe it, no sooner had she confirmed the existence of that local butcher, than the tooth came out and rattled around inside my mouth? Hmm, another £30/40 saved, Marvellous!!

 Soon after that happy event we disposed of rubbish and topped up with water. After which we headed off, in a light drizzle, to Shebdon Wharf where, judging by the signpost attached to the bridge, the local pub is now defunct. Well, the poster had been scrubbed over with black paint, so we drew the obvious conclusion. However, it’s possible that local morons had vandalised the thing, but we won’t know for sure because it’s the wrong time of the week for us to go boozing.

 Friday 6^th June              

 Shebdon Wharf is not quite the place for spending more than one night, so we left there at about 08.30 and made our way to Goldstone Wharf, about four miles away. Goldstone does at least have a pub but, as it was only Thursday, it would not figure in our ‘things to do’ list.

 As is my normal practice when arriving at moorings, I switched the mobile on and then remembered that there’s no signal here. No matter, we’re only staying for one night and then on to Market Drayton, where we’ll probably stay until Monday morning, despite it being only 48 hour moorings.

 Of course, I’d also forgotten that we don’t get a WiFi signal either, so we’re totally incommunicado for a whole day and night. However, since we so rarely receive any phone calls whilst cruising, this is no problem.

 Normally, my early mornings consist of catching up with emails and then watching and listening to my Ukulele course, but the first bit is out and it’s far too early to be plonking away on the uke, which I leave until Wifey has her cuppa. Sadly the maid is away on holiday at present; gone home to Italy I think; so I’ll have to carry out that chore myself. Don’t you just hate being interrupted when you’re in full flow?

 Just as I was getting into full flow on this blog, my wireless mouse has packed up again. This is getting to be a flaming nuisance so I’ll be looking for a new one when we get to Market Drayton. Meanwhile I’ve had to re-install the one with a tail.

 There, wouldn’t you know it, I’ve just removed the batteries from the wireless mouse, rubbed them between my hands and the darn thing is working again. I can’t believe the batteries have run down already, they’re those long-lasting ones for heaven’s sake!!

 Ah well, get out those ukulele discs and at least do something useful.

 Saturday 7^th June

 Yesterday we took about two hours to cover the five locks and four miles to Market Drayton, where we will stay until Monday morning. After our coffee we walked into town for a bit of shopping. A bit of shopping!! A trolley load and a bag full! Wifey wants to go again on Sunday morning, this time to Morrison’s, which is just about as far as you can walk in this town without leaving it.

 I had 33 emails this morning; no Internet yesterday; most of which were junk. For some strange reason, best known to themselves, people keep trying to give me money. The amounts vary, some a couple of hundred dollars, others in the thousands. It has been said countless times before, especially where money-making opportunities are concerned, ‘if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is’. So, I don’t answer them, but I do make a new rule for each one by simply asking Outlook to always bin them. I still get them though and they are all from different people. What a bore!

 And…… just as I wrote that last sentence, the words jumped a few lines up the page and the wireless mouse went dead again. Infuriating. Gotta buy a new one, but first I’ll try new batteries again, but I doubt if that will make a difference.

 Sunday 8^th June

 We walked into town again yesterday and got back before the rain came, and boy, did it rain? It thundered down, to the extent that, even though we’re on a canal our ropes tightened up. They still had some slack in them, but the water certainly rose a bit.

 We’re staying here at Market Drayton today, just so we don’t miss our lunchtime treat at the local watering hole. We’re also doing some more shopping, this time at Morrison’s. This is because we’re now back on the Hairy Bikers diet book and we need to get stuff for this week. We’ve been on it for the past week but, if I’m honest about it, I haven’t lost anything.

 Here’s a useless piece of info for all Brits,  courtesy of my pal Alan Oxley, who resides in that country, it’s a public holiday in Germany on Monday.

 Take care and enjoy your week.

 Dave and Sheila