The Taft to Rugeley

Mon 7^th September

The Taft to Shugborough

After we had stowed all our equipment, we set off, and it was by now late morning. No one was around when we passed the Taft so we had no one to wave at. Ferrous was still there, but with no one on board. Edwin had been given a lift by car to Shugborough Hall.

 Ferrous at the Taft

When we reached Colwich Lock, there was a boat already in the lock, coming down. Apart from that we had the lock all to ourselves.  We gave a wave to the guy who always seems to be around here. He looks like Father Christmas with a yellow high viz jacket.

Colwich Lock

Giant Rhubarb - an invasive plant from Chile

We moored between Colwich Lock and Haywood Lock, with a pleasant mooring overlooking the farmland of Shugborough.

Edwin came walking past on the way back to the Taft from Shugborough Hall.

1 lock, 2 miles

Tue 8^th September

Shugborough to Tixall Wide

There was an early mist to greet us this morning

Misty morning at Shugborough

Shugborough Estate in the mist

We set off and travelled half a mile up to the visitor moorings (rings) to visit the shop in Great Haywood for a few provisions. It is very well stocked for a small shop.

Then we had our only lock of the day – Haywood Lock.  This lock is very awkward to cross. There is no footbridge, and the lower gates are very high. When the gates are closed, there is a step up (or down), but when the gates are open, this step is not accessible and getting up and down is not easy.  If you walk across the top gate, there is a large greasy cogwheel sticking out into your path, which can make a mess of your clothes.

We used the facilities at Anglo Welsh – dustbins, a tap, and a hole in the ground. Thankfully they no longer seem to charge to use the hole. Then we left the Trent and Mersey and entered the Staffs and Worcs at Great Haywood Junction.

Great Haywood

We found a mooring at Tixall Wide, which had a fairly low edge, but it was on a slight curve.  There was a guy on Dragonfly 9 painting his boat sides further along, and he had some room fore and aft. He said he was just about to turn round, and he would bring his boat back in a bit further along to make room for us.  How helpful!  We moved along after 30 minutes or so.

We discovered that Edwin on Ferrous was also here, just briefly for lunch, as he was on his way to the Black Country Festival. He had passed us while we were shopping. Also here was Vic Mortimer, on a cruiser called Connie’s Gift. He was spending his time fishing.

Our first job was to wash the port side, removing muddy cat paw marks etc.  Then we had to sand it, especially where we had scratches and scrapes, which were gaining rust. Then we had to wash it all again and allow it to dry before applying the first coat of raddle black.  This was the paint left over from when the boat was new, and the covering was very poor.  We left it overnight to dry.

James put two crayfish traps out to test the water and see if there were any crayfish.

1 lock, 1 mile

Wed 9^th September

Tixall Wide

In the traps in the morning we discovered a solitary crayfish.  This was a surprise to Vic and us, as we had not heard of anyone catching them here.

James applied a second coat of raddle black to the port side. This gave better covering, but it was getting very sticky towards the end. He added the remains of the Owatrol we had, but there was not as much in the can as we thought.  We were running out of the raddle black and had no more Owatrol.

We discovered that Andy and Sue on Springwater were moored at Great Haywood and were due to come past on their way to the Wolverhampton 21.   They stopped for tea and a chat. They had not been in time for the event at the Taft, as they had been up on the Pennines.

Andy and Sue

We turned the boat round to do the starboard side.

Moored at Tixall Wide

Evening sun

Inspired by this morning’s find, James put four crayfish traps out.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 crayfish

Thu 10^th September

Tixall Wide

There were two crayfish in the traps this morning.

We washed down the starboard side, and sanded it. We have a Black and Decker Mouse, which works off the inverter without having to run the engine. It is ideal for these kinds of jobs.  It does make a bit of noise, but the boat neighbours either side were OK with it.

Then we washed it down again, and allowed it dry, before applying some paint we had bought in Braunston during our car hire weekend.  This was called Hempel Multicoat, which is primer, undercoat and topcoat all in one.  It went on very well, but we used 70% of the tin.

The starboard side looks much better than the port side. If we had some Owatrol we could have either done a second coat, or applied a coat to the port side.  So we need more paint, and some of the fabulous Owatrol, to apply another coat to each side.  It will have to wait until another time.

James went to talk about paint to the man on Resolution.

Meanwhile, Hazel had walked back to Great Haywood and visited the farm shop, returning with some milk, vegetables, and a steak pie, which we consumed for supper.

James put the crayfish traps out again.  It was a beautiful evening.

Evening ducks

Mac from Dragonfly 9 came round for drinks.

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 crayfish

Fri 11^th September

Tixall Wide to Shugborough

We had another beautiful misty morning.  We have had fantastic boat painting weather, completely dry except for dew in the morning.

 

Morning mist at Tixall Wide

Crayfish traps still out

Sadly there were no crayfish this morning. The paintwork from yesterday was nicely hard and we were very pleased with the finish.

Newly painted gunwales

Mac from Dragonfly 9 had finished his painting, and he set off towards Great Haywood.

Mac on Dragonfly 9

We followed eventually, saying farewell to Vic, who was still fishing.

Out through the bridge at Great Haywood, we reversed up to the facilities, where another boat was just leaving.  Again we used the tap, the hole in the ground, and the bins

Then we went down through Haywood Lock, where there was a short queue.

Haywood Lock

Moored on the rings below, and went to visit Shugborough Hall. We first crossed over the historic packhorse bridge called Essex Bridge. Just upstream the rivers Sow and Trent merge. 

Essex Bridge

Sow and Trent merging

A couple in shades at Shugborough Hall

We had a guided tour of the ground floor first, and then lunch in the cafe, followed by the servant’s quarters and Patrick Lichfield’s private apartments.  After a short stroll round to the riverside gardens, we caught a bus to the farm and mill. The tea shop there closes at 3.30pm, just before tea time!

The dining room

The dining room ceiling

The library

Shugborough Hall

We walked back to the boat, and moved on half a mile to the mooring by the Shugborough fields. 

James cooked and prepared the three crayfish, and put them in the freezer. We need a few more to make a meal, so we put four crayfish traps out again.

1 lock, 1 mile

Sat 12^th September

Shugborough to Rugeley.

There was heavy rain in the small hours making a noise on the roof.  James woke early, and pulled the traps from the centre of the canal into the edge to avoid boat propellers, and went back to bed.  When he finally got up there were four crayfish in the traps. 

We had a cooked breakfast today. There was a heavy rain shower mid morning, as forecast, and we set off after that.  There were lock queues at Colwich (as usual) both ways.

Colwich Lock

There was no one in sight at the Taft.  Amy Em was moored there.

We stopped at the fuel barge by Taft Bridge, as the diesel price was 60p per litre. We bought 130 litres plus a 6kg gas bottle and six eggs.

The boat with the yappy dog and the one with the nosey cat were still moored opposite.

We moved on into Rugeley and moored by the nearest bridge to Aldi, on mooring rings.  The rings were exactly level with our bows and stern, so that when a boat went past we surged backwards and forwards.  We used both centre lines to put springs on.

Hazel went shopping and got her mended glasses back from Specsavers (£20 – not bad) and the vacuum bags we had ordered from Wilko. 

There was a school football match opposite the boat, with lots of shouting and chanting going on.

Crayfish traps out once again.

Hugo met a local cat, so there was some brief caterwauling.

1 lock, 4 miles, 4 crayfish

Sun 13^th September

Rugeley

We had 5 crayfish in the traps this morning.  A beautiful sunny day.

We walked to Victory Church, where we went earlier in the year. Pastor Will was speaking this time – a powerful preacher.  The worship was good and up to date. There was a song we need to learn – Worthy is the Lamb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsiDukXIeVY

 

Victory Church counting down to the start

Worship band with Pastor Will

The song we need to learn

Following a recommendation, we walked half a mile to the Stag’s Leap pub for lunch, which was very pleasant.  We then went to Aldi where we bought a fair bit, and then back to the boat.

James put the crayfish traps out again

No boating, 5 crayfish

Next week: heading for the Huddlesford Heritage Gathering next weekend.

The Taft weekend

Fri 4^th September

Rugeley to the Taft

We had an early start from the moorings at Rugeley. Still no sign of John and Jan on Jubilee as we went slowly past.  There were quite a few boats moving. We had seen about five before 9am.

We arrived at Taft Bridge and found a mooring nose on to Ichthus.  Essence was also there.  There was a black and white cat from another boat, and it had been going on board everyone else’s boat and eating other cat’s food. It was called Simba.

We loaded up our two trolleys with PA equipment and walked to the Taft, where we helped with setting up the marquee.  Lots of people trying to find numbers on poles and connect them together.

The pole dance

Peter supervising

Achieved

Then we put out tables and chairs, and set up the PA system.

We went back to the boat for lunch and a snooze. We found Simba sitting on the worktop (Hugo never does!), with Hugo’s plate licked clean (Hugo never does!). She was summarily evicted. We put down some more food for Hugo and placed it in the bedroom, the furthest from the cat flap.

When we returned to the Taft for the social in the evening, as set out in the BCF Word, we discovered that there had been tea laid on at 4pm, and many people had returned to boats or caravans for their evening meal.  Julie had apparently sent out an email, but we had not received ours.

Finding ourselves on our own, we started running through a few songs that we don’t do very often.  Alan Dilnot joined us on bongos, and then a few others emerged from boats or caravans and gathered for a very impromptu concert.

It was quite chilly and damp, so we returned to the boat and put the Webasto heating on for a while before going to bed.  We had to chase the other cat away again.

0 locks, 2 miles.

Sat 5^th September

The Taft

Coffee and chat in the morning, meeting some people who had come for the day. Alan and Geraldine had also arrived in their motor home.

Then the excellent barbecue lunch laid on by Peter and Julie. 

There was a lot of chatting during the afternoon while team games were going on. 

 Putting the world to rights

Don Celia Geraldine Alan David

We also took the opportunity to set up the PA system in preparation for the evening entertainment. David Bull had brought another two mic stands and a mic, so we could get four mics in a row.

Jan was MC this time and we started off as a foursome with “Low Bridge”, and “Well, Jesus was a man..” Alan Dilnot joined us on bongos. There were various acts after that. Monologues, poems, songs, jokes, stories.  We finished off the evening with “Miles and Miles of Poly”, “Oh When the Saints”, and “Pick a Bale of Cotton”.  It was all great fun.

Back at the boat, the black and white cat was again hanging around.  When we were on board, she started pulling the cat flap about every thirty seconds, which was most annoying.  We decided to deal decisively with the situation.  We set the flap on the “in only” setting.  It was quiet for half an hour, and then the cat crept in, probably thinking we had gone to bed, and hoping for more food.  Hugo was sitting on the dinette watching.  James walked towards the intruder, who tried to escape but couldn’t open the cat flap.  After throwing two cups of water over the cat at close range, James opened the door and our invader ran off into the night.  We don’t think she came back.

No boating today

Sun 6^th September

The Taft

We were up fairly early and got the PA ready in the marquee for the service at 10am.  As it was all traditional hymns, we left it to David Bull on his keyboard. It was a good time, led very well by Martin Oram.

  

Martin Oram

Singing at the Taft

More singing at the Taft

This was followed by a bring and share lunch, and, as usual, everyone brought more than was needed.  There was a lot more chatting and catching up.

Geraldine Alan Shadow

In the evening only a few were left, in a typical boaters circle in the marquee.

No boating today

Mon 7^th September

The Taft to Shugborough

 Morning reflections at Taft Bridge 69

Those that were left assembled again at 9am for an informal time of prayer and worship.  We led the music, and decided not to use the PA system, to avoid any feeling of “us and them”.  Many people took part in the prayers.

We packed up the PA system and loaded it all onto Amethyst, as David and Sue were heading back towards our boat. After all the farewells, we joined them on board, and when we came into the side by Gabriel, we offloaded everything and stowed it away. Amethyst carried on, and we made our own preparations to leave.

PA gear and instruments on Amethyst

Other boats also left, including Tony and Pat on Paws 4 Thought, whom we had met briefly on the Stratford Canal earlier. It had been good to meet them properly over the weekend.  

Paws 4 Thought

It had been an excellent weekend, but sadly this is the last time at this venue. Neither Peter nor Julie are in great health, and an event like this takes its toll.  So now we are on the lookout for an alternative place to hold a summer event. It will be a hard act to follow.

The rest of the day will be on the next blog, “The Taft to Rugeley”.  This will include boat painting at Tixall Wide, catching crayfish, a visit to Shugborough Hall, and shopping and church in Rugeley.

Hopwas to the Taft

Tue 1^st September

Hopwas to King’s Orchard Marina

Summer is officially over!

We walked back to the Tame Otter car park to pick up the car, and drove to Tamworth to return it to Enterprise.  No extra charge for having slightly less fuel than when we started.  This was good, as last time we returned the car with far more petrol than when we started.  We had the lift back to Hopwas as arranged, and returned to the boat.

We set off soon after, at 1050, and cruised slowly up the Coventry Canal. It seemed shallow, and we occasionally gave a reverse thrust to clear the prop.

We noticed that the Hademore badgers had been very active, with fresh earth spilling down from their setts.

At Whittington we stopped to clear the prop, but found nothing on it. We must be just stirring the sludge at the bottom of the canal.  James went back to tie up a small narrowboat which was loose at the bows. There seemed to be no mooring pin to hold it. He found a steel rod in the stern, so used that, but it wasn’t very satisfactory.

As we passed Huddlesford Junction we looked for someone to speak to about the festival here in two weeks time, but there was no-one about.

As rain was forecast, and clouds were gathering, we decided to moor near bridge 84, Just before King’s Orchard Marina. It was a pleasant mooring, but quite noisy from the A38. Hugo was happy, and spent a lot of time in the bushes, as there were no dogs.

Hugo enjoying the towpath

A lot of boats went past, including David Ward on Trimstone.

James went for a short exploration to pick some flowers. He found a planning notice in the field opposite regarding HS2, which will pass through here.

We found details of the boat gathering at Huddlesford, and printed off an application form.  It needed to be sent to the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, and not the Lichfield Cruising Club, so we would need to post it.

0 locks, 4 miles.

Wed 2^nd October

King’s Orchard Marina to Fradley Junction

While taking the pram hood down this morning, James trod on a mouse head!  Hugo had spent a lot of time out in the bushes and this was the result.  Athough we have been keeping a tally of his mouse catches, there must be many more that we don’t know about.

Half a mile up the canal, opposite Streethay Wharf, we found Trimstone and invited David Ward for a meal this evening. We continued past the very noisy section alongside the A34.  There always seems to be a boat or two moored along here. Perhaps they are deaf.

We were hoping to pause at bridge 90, in order to visit the shop in Fradley Village, buy something for tonight’s meal, and post the boat entry form.  Sadly the moorings were all taken, and it looked too narrow to breast up.

We carried on to the moorings just before Fradley Junction, and found a place using a mooring ring and the piling.  Rings are seldom spaced frequently enough.

Hazel took the rubbish down to the bins, one lock down on the Trent and Mersey.  We will do the same with the cassettes tomorrow.

James went for a walk back to Fradley village, about a mile and a half.  He posted the form, but the shop did not have any fresh meat of any description.  A few vegetables, some cold meats, and some tins were on offer, but this was not what we wanted. The owner very kindly offered to drive me to the co-op, as he was going to a place next door anyway.

The Co-op was on the other side of the canal, in a new housing area, built since our Nicholson Guide was produced. Armed with some suitable purchases, he returned to the canal at bridge 90a, which is also new. There is a scramble down a steep embankment to get from the road to the canal.

One the way back he stopped to photograph a butterfly and pick a few more flowers, and foolishly left the umbrella there by the towpath, a mile from the boat.

Small copper butterfly

Sunshine and woods

Back at the boat there was a heavy shower for about 15 minutes.   A few minutes later a man walked past with the umbrella, which he had used, as he been caught out in the rain. He said he felt it had been provided by God!

It was quite chilly, so we cleaned the Morso Squirrel stove and lit a fire, the first of the autumn.

First fire of the season

David came on board for a meal

0 locks, 4 miles, 1 mouse

Thu 3^rd September

Fradley to Rugeley

Today’s wild flowers

David said that his water heater had not worked, so he was going to return to Streethay Wharf to get it fixed.

David Ward with Trimstone

We took another cassette and some more rubbish down to the sanitary station, and then set off through the little swing bridge, turning left onto the Trent and Mersey.

Fradley Junction

There was the usual queue of boats waiting for the locks, and a volunteer on each lock. The couple on the boat two in front of us just sat on their boat while everyone else did all the work! The ones immediately in front of us and immediately behind were all helping and there was some good natured banter going on. 

The boat behind was Solace, a shared ownership boat.  The guy on board was the only original member of the consortium, and he was wanting to buy a boat to live on.  He had seen Maranatha for sale and was asking questions about it.

The house at Shade House Lock still had a “for sale” board, but one of the volunteers said it had just been sold.

Shadehouse Lock

Trent and Mersey milepost

The boat immediately in front moored up above the lock, and we were therefore behind the two people that had stayed on their boat. There were no volunteers at Wood End Lock, so they had to get off and work some paddles.

A little further on we met BCF boat Hope coming towards us. No opportunity to chat.

On through Handsacre, and Armitage.

Armitage Shanks factory

  loos

At Armitage Tunnel, we had to wait for a boat to come through, and then we stopped at the water point to fill the tank. It took 25 minutes as we were nearly empty.

Armitage Tunnel

As we approached Rugeley a chap on a white cruiser saw our BCF logo and shouted out that he was also going to the “BFC” do. Not sure who he is. No doubt we will meet him properly this weekend.

We moored up and visited Specsavers, to see if they can fix Hazel’s glasses. Then Wilko, Aldi, and Tesco.

We saw Edwin go past on Ferrous.  Jubilee was also there, with no-one aboard.  We had planned to move on, but by the time we had finished all the shopping it was getting late so we decided to stay.

There was another brief visit to Tesco for some kidney beans later.

3 locks, 7 miles, 1 swing bridge.

Next: a short journey to the Taft for a weekend to celebrate 20 years of BCF

Car hire weekend from Hopwas

Fri 28^th August

Hopwas

 

 The Social Club at Hopwas, scene of last night’s folk club.

An unusual wooden cruiser moored at Hopwas

We had two motorbikes along the towpath, going very fast.  Hugo dashed out from the bushes at the noise and missed the front wheel by inches.

Then he was chased by two spaniels, who were totally out of control. The poor cat was having a bad day!

We went to the Tame Otter car park as planned to meet the representative from Enterprise. James had great difficulty fitting into the car, so it was just as well that we had requested a group B car.

At the office we were given a local street map, printed off the internet. We had been unable to get online to get the Ordnance Survey map of the area, so we drove around Tamworth to get orientated.

We visited Sainsbury’s in Ventura Park for a few essentials, before parking in a multi-storey in the old part of town.  A pub called The Vaults was having a cider festival, so we tried one of their large selection, and had a basket meal. They were all the rage in the 70’s.

Cider Festival

Wasp excluder

We visited Tamworth Castle, which we found fascinating. It is the second largest motte and bailey in the country (after Windsor Castle) and it has medieval buildings within the walls, and an approach on a causeway wall

Tamworth Castle motte and bailey

Tamworth Castle inner area

Tamworth Castle causeway

Causeway and castle

Finding the way back to Hopwas was a bit of a challenge, but after one false start, going the wrong way on the A51, we turned round and returned to the Tame Otter car park.  This appears to be a public car park adjacent to the Tame Otter.

Our hired car

Awesome Wonder had arrived.  This is the third time we have seen him this year. We still don’t know his name.

No boating today

Sat 29^th August

Hopwas

No internet again this morning, so we couldn’t get the maps we wanted for High Wycombe. Thankfully we have a small road atlas which helps us plan our routes but it does not provide the detail.

We set the feeder for Hugo, and set off, sadly forgetting James’s phone, therefore no photos today or tomorrow. We drove first to Braunston, as we wanted to buy some paint.  Midland Chandlers had no black raddle paint. This was a surprise as they had quite a range of paints.

We had lunch at the Boat House, watching boats go past, before finding our way to Wharf House Narrowboats where we bought some Hempel paint that is primer, undercoat and top coat all in one. It’ll do.

Down towards the M40 via the A5 to Daventry and the A361, where we were stuck behind a tractor and hay cart. When they finally turned off, we had a mile with no hold-up, and then we were behind a horsebox.

We managed to find our B&B after taking a wrong turn and asking the way.

In the evening we went to Alan and Geraldine’s golden wedding party in a local village hall.  Peter and Lin were there, as well as Margaret and Rex, plus a couple called Andy and Jane Slater, who are folk music enthusiasts and live in Oxenhope. We may call in to see them if we do the Leeds and Liverpool next year.

Back to the B&B where we met the landlady, Fran.

The place was immaculately kept – very clean, with everything you need. The only problem was that the bed was too soft, and James had an uncomfortable night, being used to a harder mattress. He has slept on railway platforms in India in the past.

No boating today

Sun 30^th August

Boat and Hugo at Hopwas, James and Hazel in High Wycombe. 

Continental breakfast at our B&B, then we drove about half a mile to our lunch party at Alan and Geraldine’s. Once again, a great time.  We chatted mostly to Andy and Jane, the people we met last night.

We avoided motorways and chose a scenic drive back, visiting Long Crendon Courthouse on the way.  This is a medieval building in a delightful small village.

Long Crendon Courthouse

We had panned to take the A43 to the A5, but this was horrendously busy – maybe a Silverstone event?  We crossed over and used the A361 again, finding ourselves once more behind a horsebox!

On arrival back at Hopwas we made our way to the boat just as it started to rain. Hugo was happy to see us.

No boating today

Mon 31^st August

Hopwas

Very wet this morning

Highlight of the day: shopping at Ventura Park.  The place was packed out.  Finding a parking place was a challenge.  M&S plus “lunch” at KFC, a new experience for us.  Why don’t they put the menu where you can read it before you get to the order point?

A pair of shoes for James, then stocking up at Sainsbury’s before driving back to the boat.  Thankfully it had just stopped raining when we needed to walk from the Tame Otter car park to the boat.  It started again later.

Another motorbike went very fast along the towpath!

No boating today.

Very behind with this blog. After the car hire weekend we had a great weekend at the Taft to celebrate 20 years of BCF, then painting the boat sides at Tixall Wide, then heading for a boat festival at Huddlesford on 18^th/19^th/20^th Sept. Details soon.