Breakfast, a Missing Bottom and a Rescued Football.

 Monday 25th April 2022 in Stoke-on-Trent

Early morning moored right next to M&S, it could hardly have been closer!

With M&S that close, we couldn't resist breakfast! Contrary to how it may appear, we seldom eat out and, when we do, it is usually breakfast.

Right next to the mooring is a mile post which confirms that yesterday we only travelled just one mile!

The first lock in Stone is Star Lock, named after the pub next to it, which displays these plaques to underline its historic past.

The third lock in Stone is unusual in that it has a separate tunnel for the horses.

"Ovaltine" used to run a fleet of narrowboats to carry raw materials to its factories and finished products to its customers. Lovely to see occasional reminders of the old working boats. M was an "Ovaltinie" when she was about ten years old and still has her Ovaltine mug!

Welcome to Stoke-on-Trent!

The waterways never fail to surprise. Who would have thought this leafy green corridor is less than a mile from the centre of one of England's big industrial cities?

On the way into Stoke-on-Trent is the premises of Jones and Shufflebottom Limited, although a few yards further on, he seems to have lost his bottom!

These two  bottle kilns were restored in 2008 as part of a residential development, which was built on the site of one of the large old pottery factories. MM is moored up behind.

We like this mooring next to the two bottle kilns. On the far side of the canal is Hanley Cemetery, so it is by definition always very quiet!

As we approached this mooring, two lads were playing football on the towpath and the ball ended up in the middle of the canal. R used MM's bow to nudge the ball back to the lads as he moored up. The lads were amused and very grateful!

Today: 9 miles, 11 locks and 4.7 hours.

Trip: 10 miles, 12 locks and 6.0 hours.

An End - but a New Beginning.

 Sunday 24th April 2022 in Stone, Staffordshire.

We met up with Mel and Peter for a final farewell (and a huge hug) before both boats set off togther at 10:00am.

MM came through the marina bridge first, and "Inkling" pulled out to follow us.

Since we had led Inkling into the marina on the day that Mel and Peter arrived at Aston for the first time, we decided that it would be appropriate for us to lead them out as they left for the last time.

Sandra, the Assistant Marina Manager, had come down to the exit to photograph us and wave us both off. M felt very emotional. Although we will certainly meet up again with Mel and Peter, it is the last time that we shall see "Inkling" with them on board. The end of an era.

Leaving the marina to go north, one is confronted almost immediately by Aston Lock, which is Lock 26 on the Trent & Mersey Canal - after which the restaurant, No.26 at Aston Marina, is named. 

As we approached the lock, another boat was coming out so we were able to cruise right in. There was yet another boat waiting to come down and their crew did the lock for us, so M didn't even have to get off MM. A great way to do the first of 109 locks on our way to Skipton!

Next to the lock is a milepost that shows that this lock is exactly half way along the 98 miles of the Trent & Mersey Canal.

At this time of year the swans tend to be incubating their eggs sitting on their nests and we saw two nests within a few hundred yards. Both swans were fast asleep with their beaks tucked under their wings.

The plan was to cruise all the way to Stone, all of one mile away, where we moored up outside M&S next to the canal in order to buy a "few bits" to stock up our cupboards for the cruise ahead. This photograh was taken just yards from MM so, for once, it was not too far to carry everything!

We took the opportunity to have "brunch" in the M&S cafe.

This was the lovely mooring just below Star Lock and next to M&S. It was a quiet and very attractive spot. 

We also walked into the centre of Stone. It is such a pleasant town with a pedestrianised High Street, only real shops (no big "chains") and very quiet on this Sunday afternoon

Today 1 mile, 1 lock and 1.3 hours.

Back to Many Meetings!

Saturday 23rd April 2022 in Aston Marina.

Our 2022 Summer Cruise started with a visit to the Brew Box at Aynho Wharf for a coffee and bacon butty on our way up to Aston Marina. We started as we mean to continue!

Mel and Peter, our last year's travelling companions on nb "Inkling", were already at the marina waiting for us. 

Tomorrow, the four of us will set off together but, at the marina exit, they will turn south and we shall turn north. Their boat "Inkling" is going down to Pyrford Marina on the River Wey to be sold. They have been boating for many years (Inkling is their second boat) but they are now ready to move on to other things. In a way, it is the end of an era but we fully understand their reasons.

The four of us decided to have a "last hurrah" in one of the beautiful glass pods that Aston Marina had imaginatively installed on the quayside during the pandemic. It was marvellous!  Although the sun was shining, there was a strong and very cold east wind but inside the pod we were warm and sheltered. The food was first class! What a super evening it was!

A lovely sunset saw us back on MM and off to bed for the first night of this year's cruise.

 Tomorrow shall we shall set off together but sadly go in opposite directions.

The Final Day of a Wonderful Year!

 Thursday 4th November 2021 back at Aston Marina.

Today, the last day of our summer cruise, began with a clear blue sky as the sun rose.

The first order of the day was to move MM to the water point and fill up with water, so her tank will be full over the winter. Then we moored up again in time to walk over the bridge to the Canalside Café, which opened at 9:00am.

R was their first customer and he was greeted cheerfully by the staff.

We had arranged to meet Bridgett and Peter at the café for breakfast. As ever, we had a super time together, put the world to rights and laughed a lot! The breakfast was exceptionally good and very welcome on such a cold day.

MM looked beautiful in the early morning sunshine as we  walked back from the café. All around was a carpet of copper coloured leaves from the overhanging beech trees. Lovely.

R got MM ready to leave on the final leg of our 2021 cruise. Eight miles and three locks to Aston!

Three hours later, we passed through Sandon Lock, the last lock on our travels this year.

The final mile post, just one mile to go. 

This year we have hardly seen any Kingfishers, but today we saw no less then five at various points along our route. Five is the most we have ever seen in one day.

The sun stayed out all day, but it was very cold and we were so happy to turn into Aston Marina entrance with Lock No. 26 in the distance. The legendary restaurant at the marina is named after this lock.

We had to wait a while to get on the service bay so that R could fill MM up with diesel. It is always better to leave the tank nearly full as it reduces the amount of condensation that can build up in the tank over the winter. There was quite a strong wind which made backing into our space "interesting" but MM slid in very sweetly. (note from M - it was all down to the skill of the skipper!).

This is the first time that we have cruised into November and it is clear that most of the narrowboats that moor in the Marina have come back for the winter already.

We watched the sun set over Aston Church. Tonight we will treat ourselves to dinner at the No. 26 Restaurant here in the marina.

Tommorow morning, we will take the train back home.

It has been a fantastic year filled with wonderful people and great cruising, starting with Mel and Peter on the way down to the River Wey, all the lovely people who came to visit while we were around Guildford, Richie on the Thames, the many boaters that we met, and - very importantly - Simon, Matt and Tasha who did such a brilliant job repainting MM. 

Next year we plan to go north to Skipton starting at the beginning of May. In the meantime, we send love to everyone, keep safe and see you next year. (to M's astonishment, another moorer just wished us a good Christmas!!!).

Today: 8 miles, 3 locks and 4.9 hours.

This Year: 590 miles, 290 locks and 290.8 hours.

Since MM was launched ten years ago: 4,829 miles, 2,985 locks and 3,253.8 hours.

Great Haywood and the Temptation of the Canalside Café

Wednesday 3rd November 2021 at Great Haywood.

After the rain last night, which forced M to bring the washing in, we wanted to get to Great Haywood quickly as sun was forecast and M was keen to have the maximum time for the washing to dry.

Unfortunately that meant leaving in the rain, which persisted all the way to Great Haywood. So R got wet again. Fortunately, as we arrived at Great Haywood, so did the sun - M put out the washing and then treated R (and herself) to second breakfast at the Canalside Café. Brilliant!

After breakfast, we walked down to the Post Office in Great Haywood and back via Little Haywood Lock. The railway bridge framed the village street.

"Essex Bridge" was built in the sixteenth century across the River Trent. A romantic legend says that it was built by the Earl of Essex to allow Queen Elizabeth I to visit him without getting her feet wet crossing the ford. Slightly more substantial than putting your cloak over a puddle?

Just above the bridge is the confluence of the River Sow, on the left, and the Trent on the right. It was here that there used to be a ford before the bridge was built.

The famous and much photographed finger post at the junction of the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

We had moored up just next to the junction and, after visiting the Canalside Café (yet again but this time for tea and cake!), we watched the sun set. It gets dark so early that it feels like it is late in the evening but it is actually still very early.  Confusing!

Today: 4 miles, 2 locks and 2.4 hours.

Trip: 582 miles, 287 locks and 285.9 hours.

Fradley, Rugeley and Vanishing Cooling Towers.

 Tuesday 2nd November 2021 at Brindley Bank.

Another early morning sighting of the rapidly waning moon.

Approaching Fradley Junction, M opened the swing bridge as MM drew near.

Fradley Junction and the historic Swan Pub, better known to the old boat people  as the "Dirty Duck".

We were lucky that a boat was coming down Fradley Middle Lock, so we were able to go straight in.

The canal above Fradley Top Lock ("Shade House") is beautiful, with mature oak woodland on both sides stretching into the distance.

At least, it used to be. Now, half way along, the woodland has been destroyed on both sides to make way for a certain white elephant railway line.

Wood End Lock has always been a favourite and the teapots next to the top gates are always a talking point. Unfortunately, that railway line will run parallel to the canal right behind this beautiful isolated haven.

This Cotoneaster was so colourful in the sunshine. The autumn colours this year have been spectacular.

M decided to walk this part of the canal. It was here in the spring five years ago that M got up before dawn to sit and listen to the dawn chorus. The birds may have been quiet today, but it is still very beautiful.

This kingfisher played "tag" with us, then sat on the fence and watched us go past. Unfortunately the sun was behind him, so all we got was his silhouette.

We often have photographed these houses in Rugeley that look as if they have huge chimneys. The chimneys actually belonged to Rugeley Power station in the background. We photographed them in May as we passed - but since then, the cooling towers have been demolished.

Now you see them, now you don't!

We moored up on Brindley Bank just north of Rugeley and put the washing out on the line, but no sooner had M finished pegging it all out, when the rain started, so it all came in again. Bother!

Today: 12 miles, 3 locks and 5.6 hours.

Trip: 578 miles, 285 locks and 283.5 hours.