Meeting up with Rufford.

 Saturday 23rd September 2023 in Gnosall.

A bright start to the morning as we set off down to Norbury Junction to meet up with Jenni, Will and Ed on their share boat nb "Rufford" which they have for the next week.

From the canal embankment there is a clear view of the Wrekin in the distance standing high above the surrounding plain.

This is the historic "Knighton" site that used to be one of Cadbury's main facilities for making chocolate crumb; all the ingredients and finished product were carried by canal boats. The wharf is now unused, looking quite derelict in fact, and the factory behind now makes Bird's Custard!

Grub Street Cutting's famous "double" bridge with its long since redundant telegraph pole is an iconic image. It looks so bizarre!

Soon after midday we arrived at Norbury, moored up and went to the excellent cafe for coffee (R) and a plate of chips (M). The junction is very picturesque; once the former Shrewsbury Canal joined here on the right of the photo.

Rufford is based here and Jenni, Will and Ed were due to pick her up this afternoon. As Will has had a slight accident, they were pleased and relieved that we will be travelling with them and can help out if necessary.

They arrived mid-afternoon and we helped to unload the car and to load the boat with all the necessities of life for a week. It's astonishing how much "stuff" you need to bring on a shared boat, as all your personal items have to be taken off at the end of allocated time; for example, this includes all bedding and towels.

We agreed to head south and as we left Norbury together, we passed our friend Angela on her boat that moors here.

Gnosall is not far down the canal and we arrived after only an hour or so. We know Gnosall well and are very fond of the town.

We moored up MM temporarily to fill up with water and then moved to moor up for the night behind Rufford; she is just visible through the bridge hole.

It was great to see Jenni, Will and Ed again and catch up with them. We look forward very much to spending the next few days together.

Today: 10 miles 0 locks and 3.7 hours.

Trip: 258 miles, 116 locks and 141.7 hours.