3.4 miles & 5 locks in 2hrs 25mins.
Another short trip today. Two hire boats who came up the Knowle locks this morning had managed to drain one of the pounds on the Knowle flight of locks, but it did expose the remains of one of the old narrow locks, which is normally hidden.
Black Buoy Inn looks nice.
Now moored opposite the The Navigation, Lapworth.
Keith.
We walked into Knowle, Stephen Goldsbrough Boatbuilders at Knowle Hall Wharf on the other side of the canal bridge.
The Church of St. John the Baptist, St. Lawrence and St. Anne.
Chester House, now used as the library.
The Knot Garden behind Chester House.
The Toby Carvery where we had lunch washed down with a pint each of Doombar.
On our way back we popped inside the church and looked around the graveyard.
Keith.
2.85 miles no locks in 1hr 30mins
Very short hop today to above Knowle locks, had to reverse back from Kenilworth Road Bridge No.71 quite a long way before it was deep enough to moor up.
Keith.
We had a lovely roast dinner in The Boat Inn, Catherine de Barnes, we each started with a pint of Silhill Gold Star from the local Silhill Brewery, which is just the other side of the canal, and very nice it was too. Jo had the turkey and I had the pork, and to finish off Jo had the millionaire’s cheese cake and I had the ultimate sticky toffee pudding, which was the best one I have ever had, and I have had a few!
Keith.
16.4 miles & 14 locks in 7hrs 40mins
An early start this morning in the fog, which soon cleared. New territory today for Hadar, Jo and I, turning into the Saltley branch at Salford junction under Spaghetti junction.
Garrison locks on the Saltley branch.
Turned south at Bordesley junction onto the Grand Union canal and up Camp Hill locks.
Sampson Road depot at the top of Camp Hill locks.
The Ackers.
Moored at Catherine de Barnes for the weekend.
Keith.
4hrs 30mins, 7.5miles, 11 locks
Set off this morning and at Fazeley junction turned to head up the Birmingham & Fazeley canal towards Birmingham.
We had two volunteer lock keepers help at some of the Curdworth locks.
Moored outside the Cuttle Bridge Inn at Wiggins Hill Bridge, near Curdworth.
Keith.
7hrs 10mins, 17.6miles, 3 locks
Popped into Aldi for a food shop before setting off, very quite in the supermarket at 8:00am. Another good run today. Lots of boats travelling north, now moored near the winding hole before Bonehill road bridge, near Fazeley.
Keith.
6hrs 55mins, 14.6miles, 10 locks
We said our goodbyes to Stone this morning, having spent a great weekend there with many friends. A good run today, if a bit windy, now moored before Bridge No.67, Rugeley.
Keith.
Incredible! Approaching Stone this morning and all the visitor moorings below Star Lock were full, that is until we got to between the winding hole and the water-point and no one was there, amazing!
Keith.
Moored just before Lower Burston Bridge No.85, just after Sandon Lock. Definitely on the colder side of cool this morning, but at a nice countryside mooring makes up for the weather.
Keith.
Yesterday and today we set up shop and did some trading. Jo’s card are proving very popular, which is great news. She can now think about expanding the business. Yesterday was dull but dry, but today was a much nicer day with lots of sunshine, and many towpath walkers.
Keith.
Very dull day today, short but pleasant jaunt. Now moored between Great Haywood lock and the junction, where we will be for the weekend trading. Set up a small stall this afternoon, and Jo sold some cards, which seem to be very popular, which is great news.
Keith.
Definitely into Autumn today. Jo cooking liver and onions for dinner tonight.
We briefly stopped at Tan Yard Bridge No.66, Rugeley, for Jo to get some UHT milk which we can't get at Aldi.
Then we carried on to just around the corner from Bridge No.67, where we have moored for the night, and have done a food shop at Aldi.
Keith.
Duller this morning, but at least no rain. Managed to get the first/last mooring at Fradley junction. Amazing really as we never seem to find a mooring here.
Keith.
Another excellent day weather-wise. Stopped at Glascote above the locks, alongside the new Co-op in what was the Anchor Inn, and walked into Tamworth for a bit of shopping.
Tamworth Castle.
Had a breakfast/lunch at the Phoenix, which was very nice, and will eat there again next time we visit.
Now moored at Tamhorn Farm Bridge between Hopwas and Whittington.
Keith.
Rain has stopped play early today at Hartshill Yard, seeing as we are not in any hurry, and we don't usually move at weekends anyway, so no point in getting wet just for the sake of it.
Keith.
