Stone to Great Haywood

10.5miles, 9 locks, 6hrs 20mins.

A pleasant days run, until we got to Sandon Lock and the ground paddle wouldn’t shut any more than this.

Jo phoned C&RT and within 2 minutes of her call a C&RT truck pulled up, now that is what I call service! The man struggled for a few minutes to clear the obstruction.

But eventually we were able to close the paddle and proceed on our journey. Although he had shifted whatever it was from the paddle, he still had to get it out, or it was going to be sucked back in again, hope he managed it without too much more effort. We are now moored with a view across Shugborough Estate.

Keith.

Rugeley to Stone.

14.8miles, 10 locks, 7hrs 35mins.

Well the threatened rain was no where in sight when we woke up, and prepared to set off, keeping fingers crossed. Autumn colours are coming to the trees.

Ilford moored near Shugborough Hall.

Shugborough Hall.

We passed Roger Fuller on Ibex at Weston, heading to Shugborough to collect Ilford.

Georgian style house on the approach into Stone.

The Stone Food & Drink Festival, which has started today and is on all weekend.

The willow trees at Whitebridge Estate have had a much needed trim.

Keith.

Grendon Dock to Rugeley

25.48miles, 5 locks, 9hrs 50mins.

With yesterday’s run going so well we pressed on today. Sun rising as we set off.

Greyhound moored at Polesworth.

Pooley Country Park.

Samuel Barlow at Alvecote.

Fazeley junction. One day I will go down the Birmingham & Fazeley, the last time was in 1972!

Coton & Hopwas Social Club.

The marker stone where the two sections of the Coventry Canal which were built by the Trent & Mersey and the Birmingham & Fazeley meet in Whittington.

Huddlesford junction.

Still no work going on at this new marina, I hope no one made or even paid for a reservation.

Streethay Wharf.

The Swan at Fradley junction.

I had intended to stop at King’s Bromley, but we had plenty of time so we carried on to Rugeley, which meant less to do tomorrow, especially as the weather forecast wasn’t good for Friday, Keith.

Newbold to Grendon Dock.

23.27miles, 12 locks, 10hrs 25mins.

A long day for us, 10 hours 25 minutes, but a good 23 miles and 12 locks covered. Narrow boat and train.

Boat Inn Cottage.

Stretton-under-Fosse.

Coventry in the distance.

Reconstruction of the Elephant & Castle is proceeding nicely.

Sutton Stop.

The Greyhound, Hawkesbury.

Pump house, Hawkesbury junction.

The Navigation is also coming along nicely.

Rainbow over Atherstone.

Atherstone flight.

Double rainbow over Atherstone.

Sunset on Virgin Trains, or is it?

Keith.

Norton Junction to Fall’s Bridge, Newbold

16.65miles, 9 locks, 6hrs 20mins.

A dull and cold start this morning, and we were soon approaching the eastern portal of Braunston tunnel.

The remnants of the landslide at the western portal has all but disappeared.

Braunston top lock.

We caught up with Nick Wolfe on Aldgate.

However, Nick was unloading at the Admiral Nelson, so our journey together was short lived.

The works at Bridge No.80 had come on leaps and bounds since last month. The footings were complete and work on the actual bridge has started.

Likewise with Bridge No.79

At least there is a bit more headroom at No.79!

Battersea was moored below Hillmorton locks, we haven’t seen her for quite a while. It was also great that the paired locks at Hillmorton are all functional again, we overtook a boat at the locks! They were already going down through the top lock when we got there, I pulled out of the middle lock ahead of them.

Some of the artwork on one of the bridges through Rugby.

Keith.