Stafford to Rugeley

Last Friday morning we moved LJ the few hundred yards to Stafford Club, where Peter the Habourmaster saw us in. Enterprise arrived soon after we had tied up and we were on our way for a couple of days to West Wales to visit Pam and Pete.

Just arrived at Stafford Boat Club

Moored up for the weekend

Inside the marina

LJ on the canal mooring

On Saturday we headed down to Tenby and had a wander through the town ending up with a bit of lunch over looking the beach. The sun was out but there was a bit of a chilly wind but lovely in sheltered places. In the evening we went out to the local Indian restaurant and enjoyed a lovely curry.

The lovely view from Pam and Pete's

Enjoying dinner at Abduls

Sunday morning arrived and we left for a very important appointment in Tipton. Today was 'Dudley Day' and we were picking up our little 9 week old Patterdale Terrier. We then drove to Tamworth so he could have his first vaccination, this had taken some working out as the second one is due in two weeks and we needed to work out where we would be as we wouldn't have the car then. It was the a drive back to Stafford to introduce Dudley to his new home.

James and Dudley relaxing after the journey

Dudley in his man cave

On Monday I dropped the car back to a very busy Enterprise office, where I had to wait 10 or 15 minutes for a lift back to Stafford Boat Club. The manager was very apologetic, he was also on his own with phones constantly ringing and customers coming in. It was no problem waiting I'm always just grateful they offer the pick and drop back service.

Once I arrived back we said our goodbyes to Peter, the Harbourmaster and made a very short journey to the road bridge closest to town. This was Dudley's first trip and he was so tired he spent it asleep in his bed and didn't know much about it.

Tuesday was his first proper journey and although he was a little nervous was very interested in his surroundings. We stopped for a bit of lunch, which we would have normally had on the move, then continued on to Tixall Wide.

Patiently waitng, the male swan was constantly patrolling

Quick lunch stop, lovely spot just a shame it's so close to the railway

Dudley enjoying the view and sun

We stayed a couple of days at Tixall catching up with pen related work and set off on Thursday, at Great Haywood Junction we turned right onto the Trent and Mersey Canal and soon after Dudley was going through his first lock. We stopped short of Rugeley just before the aqueduct.

Spotted this at Tixall lock

In the garden at Tixall Lock

Dudley having a reassuring cuddle through his first lock

Just before the aqueduct at Rugeley

Yesterday we moved to Rugeley town visitor moorings on the doorstep of the Tesco Superstore.

Another patient swan

Rugeley visitor moorings were very quiet

Dudley is settling in really well and enjoys running up and down the boat, it will be great after he's had his second vaccination and we will be able to take him for proper walks and not just carries. 

11 miles and 3 locks

TOTAL 143.5 miles and 154 locks