Fazeley

Here I am Rune

Distance  7.4 miles 

Total 3076 Locks  161 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4541.6 miles

After a stop for lunch at Hopwas, we got to Fazeley for about 2.45pm and have even managed to moor pretty much at the location I was hoping for, opposite the old CRT place at Peel’s Wharf. The temperature for today hasn’t got any better though, it is still pretty damn cold to the degree that we have even kept the fire in throughout the day which is unheard of in April.

We’ll be here for a little while now as we have one or two things to do, starting with a blood donor session in Birmingham tomorrow but also including putting my cycle in for a bit of a service.

Streethay

Here I am Rune

Distance  11.3 miles 

Total 3076 Locks  161 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4534.2 miles

I don’t know when this winter is due to finish, but it is clearly not yet! We made good progress today of over 11 miles but it has been pretty damn cold. Initially we were going to let the fire go out during the day, but as the temperature dropped we had both the central heating going at lunchtime along with getting the fire going again. If this continues we may well need to get even more coal in and, horror of horrors, we may have to buy some kindling.

There were certainly a few more boats on the move today, but it still isn’t what could be called busy, except at some of the moorings. We had originally intended to moor by bridge 90, Fradley Bridge, but when we got there most of the moorings were taken. There was one boat length space left, but when we tried to moor there it turned out it was too shallow. Once past there it was necessary to go for just over 2 miles further on otherwise it would involve mooring alongside the main A38, not conducive to a quiet night.

Tomorrow we should easily get to Fazeley.

Rugeley

Here I am  Rune

Distance  5.5 miles 

Total 3073 Locks  161 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4522.9 miles

We decided to leave it until today (Monday) before moving on Rugeley, there is now only one more overnight stop between here and the marina at Fazeley so we’ll move on whenever we feel like it. It was still chilly today with an early fog as we set off but that eventually cleared and,as we moored for lunch here in Rugeley, the rain has set in. Surprisingly few boats on the move today, although it did get busy on the sanitary station whilst we were filling/emptying with 5 boats queued to use the services.

Where we are moored now is the section of canal (Brindley Bank) where the murder victim, Christine Collins, was found in 1839 having been killed by a canal boat crew who were later hung for their crime.

Tixall

Here I am Rune

Distance  4 miles 

Total 3071 Locks  161 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4517.4 miles

Just a short trip today to take us onto Tixall wide, an interesting mooring with quite a lot of bird life around (I hope that the Canada Geese aren’t going to make a noise all night!).

Our next move (either tomorrow or Monday) will take us to Rugeley.