Covering week-end 7th and 8th May
Hello people, it's raining today so what better time to update the blog and the voyages of Bracken.
I had a guest for the week-end. Sharon, (formerly referred to as 'Beth' in much earlier posts), came down from Sheffield for the week-end so we decided to venture further afield and give Bracken its' first real long voyage since the engine was replaced.
We decided to make our way to a place called Tixall Wide on the Staffs and Worcestershire canal which is a very popular picturesque area where the canal opens up into a large lake and is only accessible by boat. I had never been there before but had been told it is a beautiful area to moor up and chill out. At a distance of approx 12 miles and with two locks to go through, it would take us around 5 hours to get there so we decided to leave first thing Saturday morning in the hope that we would find a good mooring spot at the 'Wide' before every one else arrived looking for an overnight mooring spot.
Sharon arrived Friday eve, so we were up and ready for the off first thing Saturday, I'd already topped the water tank up, unplugged the shore power, switched on the inverter for the fridge/freezer so at 0830 we were off.
The route took us North West along the Trent and Mersey canal through Armitage and Rugeley to the first lock at Colwich which is approx 9 miles from Kings Bromley marina. Then through Little Haywood to the lock at Great Haywood which is immediately followed by Great Haywood junction where we turned left onto the Staffs and Worcestershire canal and then on to Tixall Wide.
We moored up at Tixall at around 13.30 so it did take us 5 hours. We were so lucky at the two locks, Colwich and Great Haywood, as both times we approached as someone was leaving the lock so it was already in our favour.Also there were other boaters who gave Sharon a hand with the lock gates and paddles as it was some years since she had operated them.
Moored up, we had some lunch and got the deck chairs out on the towpath and proceeded to just chill.
 |
| There were many boats moored further on we were lucky finding this spot. |
 |
| Taken not long after mooring up, you can see the beginning of the 'wide' further on. |
 |
| And a couple of hours later........!! |
 |
| Around 7 am Sunday morning, stunningly beautiful morning. |
 |
| A couple of Grebes foraging in the reeds. |
We left Tixall around 10 am to start the journey home as Sharon needed to get back to Sheffield as she had work on Monday
I've taken numerous pictures on the way back to Kings Bromley just give give readers a taste of canal travel on a beautiful hot sunny day. Some of the views show just how stunningly beautiful the countryside is.
So not too much chat from me, now enjoy the views.
 |
| Trade boats, selling nick nacks, dog toys, canal ware stuff. |
 |
| Good job we cant lip read from a photo, but she managed to keep Bracken in a fairly straight line whilst i took the picture. |
 |
| Bracken is in Colwich lock, and Sharon was somewhat weary. |
 |
| A view from the canal across part of Cannock Chase. |
 |
| Bridge number 70, Kings Bromley is just past bridge 55 so we had a good way to go yet. |
 |
| Canal runs next to river Trent, later on we cross the river Trent on an aqueduct. |
 |
| Approaching aqueduct over river Trent |
 |
| We've come through Rugely and we're approaching the Narrows at Armitage. This is a statue of a n elderly man in a nightshirt holding a lamp or torch. |
 |
| Entering the narrows, this is where you hope there's no boat coming towards you! |
 |
| Armitage Shanks factory, they make bathroom furniture. (otherwise known as bogs) |
 |
| Bridge 55 so the Marina is not much further ahead. |
Moored up back in the marina it was great to have a sit and relax on the green area in the shade of some trees. Graham and Jaqi popped in to see Sharon before she left to go back to Sheffield as they'd not seen her for a while, and later Jenny also popped in for a chat.
What an excellent week-end. The weather was brilliant, it was nice spending time with Sharon as we don't see each other very often. Good to see you stronger and more independent Gal!
Bracken performed faultlessly. I was so pleased with the way the engine ran and responded, it never missed a beat and I am now so confident in the engine I would be happy taking it anywhere.
I'll have to plan another trip soon.
Bfn people.
