The Stafford Riverway Link

 Friday 19th to Sunday 21st August 2022 at Great Haywood

M went home on Friday morning with Mel and Kyron, who very kindly picked her up in their car and drove her home from door to door. We had such a great day with them yesterday, even if things did not go as planned! But it was great fun and we hope that they will join us again next year.

In the meantime, R and MM set off towards Baswich where he moored up for the night close to Aldi so that he could acquire a "few bits" (note from M - it was probably all chocolate!) (note from R - not all, but some!).

On Saturday, R continued on towards Great Haywood and on the way he passed the Stafford Riverway Link. This is a project to restore the link from the Staffs & Worcs Canal to the centre of Stafford via the River Sow. As MM went past, it was clear that a lot of work has been done in the past year.

From the air, it is clear that the basin between the Staffs & Worcs Canal and the lock down to the River Sow is almost complete. Work continues to line the bottom of the basin.

Eventually, the lock will take the link down to the River Sow, which can be made navigable again into a terminus basin next to Queensway Bridge in Stafford. It is so very pleasing and encouraging to see such progress in a restoration movement and, when complete, it will bring much needed trade and visitors to Stafford.

As R continued, he passed Lucas' favourite garden ornament, a full sized train!

R moored MM at Great Haywood overnight in order to wait for M to return on Sunday. Despite the knock-on effects of the previous day's railway strike, she arrived in good time at 1pm. In the afternoon, our friends Mel and Peter dropped in for a visit, it was lovely to see them and to have a catch up.

As M had not had any lunch, we all went to the Great Haywood Canalside Cafe for an early supper. The cafe has an outstanding display of agapanthus in its border.

3 Days: 7 miles, 2 locks and 3.2 hours.

Trip: 383 miles, 236 locks and 210.4 hours.