Fazeley to Fradley

We decided on a walk into Tamworth on this visit, the last couple of times we've past through Fazeley we hadn't ventured into the town. We walked along the river which was running fast, then under the dual carriageway bridge, murals have now been painted and it really has brightened it up, I do hope the graffiti stays away. The castle and gardens were looking lovely as usual along with the rest of the parkland and was certainly being enjoyed by a lot of people. The town itself hasn't changed although we did notice there are a good few empty units in the Anker Shopping Centre now.

As we were conveniently moored opposite the CRT office at Peel's Wharf we asked them if it was ok to arrange a delivery there, James needed some more supplies for The Pen Maker's Boat. So with the order being despatched the same day it arrived the following day, we popped across to collect it and was surprised it had been opened, apparently it was opened in error as they thought it was for some there with the same surname, even though it had our boat name straight after the surname! Never mind it was complete and saved us having to use the Post Restante service at the Post Office, which is usually very good but we have had a problem with one in the past so it puts us off using ones we haven't used before.

Whilst James was getting on with pen making I managed to get a few outside jobs done, we had a lovely sunny day on Thursday so I managed to get quite a bit done.

Thursday evening we went to our favourite Indian restaurant, Kudos, and they didn't disappoint, it was delicious but the portions were huge and believe it or not we couldn't manage it all, we came home with a 'doggy bag' - not for Dudley though.

Very flooded, on one of my evening strolls with Dudley

River Tame with a very fast flow

Yesterday our intention was an early start but it was raining and windy so we put it off for a few hours, that few hours turned into a few more and we finally headed off around 2pm in the lovely sun.

hmmm, which side to moor, do we want to stay 48 hours or 2 days - such a decision

Swans nesting

Approaching Huddlesford Junction

Leading up to Ogley Junction on the Wryley and Essington when the restoration happens

We reached Fradley just after 6pm, I had walked some of the way with Dudley then took over steering whilst James went and prepared dinner so it was ready as soon as we arrived. The moorings before the junction were full so we just tagged on the end  but it was a bit shallow at the sides, never mind we were only staying overnight.

10.5 miles and 0 locks

TOTAL 102.5 miles and 123 locks

Kingsbury Water Park to Fazeley

After the gorgeous weather on Good Friday the rest of the Easter weekend was usual Bank Holiday rain and along with it wind, another named storm, this time Katie, had hit. In between the showers we got the occasional bit of sun and did manage some nice walks around the nature reserve.

On Tuesday we moved off, passing a field of swans and then made our way through Drayton Manor Footbridge before stopping briefly for supplies at Fazeley Mill Marina. We arrived there at 1:30pm and according to their sign they are closed between 1pm and 2pm for lunch so we expected to wait, which wasn't a problem, but the lady there soon appeared and went about getting us a couple of bags of coal and gas whilst leaving us sorting the diesel. They always seem friendly and helpful whenever we have stopped there.

We were soon on our way again turning left at Fazeley Junction and onto the Coventry Canal, stopping opposite Peel's Wharf.

LJ taken from outside the CRT office at Peel's Wharf

From the towpath with Peel's Wharf behind

3 miles and 0 locks

TOTAL 92 miles and 123 locks

Catch Up

It’s been quite a while sine the last blog so time for a catch up.

Going back to when we were in Fazeley a few weeks ago, we met up with Bob and June nb Autumn Myst and had an enjoyable evening catching up over a bottle of wine and then again the following morning over coffee. Dudley had his first experience of another dog, Bob and June’s latest Guide Dog puppy Ecco who is a nine month old black lab (well 10 months old now!!). Ecco was very patient and put up with Dudley springing around her trying to play. Bob took some lovely photos of them together, here’s a link to them here.

Bob and June

Ecco and Dudley

On the Monday Dudley had his second vaccination jab and micro chip, his was very brave and didn’t make a fuss at all, even though there was quite a bit of blood from the micro chip. On Tuesday we made our way to Alvecote, we had a space booked for the floating market at Alvecote Marina with the bonus of electric hook up, so I managed to get quite a few wash loads done.

The market started on the Friday and as it was a ‘normal’ day it was fairly quite, Saturday rain stopped play early and Sunday was very windy, still not bad sales wise. Bank Holiday Monday the weather was better and people were out in force, it was a very successful day for us so well worth going. In the evening we headed over to the Samuel Barlow pub where we met up with a couple of the other traders and kept poor Matthew there until after midnight.

Alvecote Floating Market

The Samuel Barlow

We left in a few days before leaving as the weather was horrid, wet and really windy, when we finally left on Wednesday we only went back to Fazeley for a couple of days. We got a takeaway from Kudos, the Indian restaurant we have often been to when passing through, but with Dudley now and as he’s not been on his own we had  take away instead, which was excellent and James even got a free bottle of beer.

After Fazeley it was onto Fradley and right turn onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. We had intended stopping at the visitor moorings between the locks, but unfortunately they were full as it was quite late in the day by the time we arrived. We carried on down through Hunt Lock and then Common Lock stopping on a nice straight grassy section which Dudley loved as he could run around off the lead.

On Friday we left Fradley behind and dropped down through Alrewas onto the river section, there was hardly any flow and the level just reached the green section on the board so all was well. We continued on past the really noisy stretch which runs adjacent to the busy A38 and stopped at Branston Water Park. Just a little way down the canal there is a house that was selling rhubarb at its back gate which backs onto the canal, so we had a few sticks and made crumble. We had a very short stroll through the water park, but hopefully will stop here again on the way back.

Saturday we headed through Burton-upon-Trent to Willington, we managed to squeeze onto a mooring just after the pub. Sunday we set up shop to and made a few sales so it was certainly worth doing. On Monday we headed off back to Burton-upon-Trent ready for the Roving Canal Traders Floating Market over the Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend.

30 Miles and 16 locks

Total 192 Miles and 173 Locks

Rugeley to Fazeley

On Saturday we had a stroll into Rugeley to pick up a few bits and pieces from town, on the way back to LJ we saw Ian and Irene from FreeSpirit making their way into town, we stopped for a quick chat. When we got back to LJ they were moored immediately in front of us so a bit more catching up on their return from shopping before they continued on their journey. 

Bye Ian and Irene, hopefully have a proper get together later in the year

We set off just after lunch and were in a convoy with two boats in front and one behind us. it made it easy at the now roofless Armitage Tunnel, as it is so narrow and you cant see on coming boats you have to check it's all clear before proceeding, with two boats in front we could follow on. It's the first time I have actually been on the boat going through this section.

Spode House and Hawkesyard Hall

Armitage Tunnel

This was the boat behind - very narrow section

Spode Cottage is a pub

The Armitage loos ready for dispatch

And the factory where they're made

As we continued on the boat immediately in front of us stopped so when we got to Wood End Lock we didn't have to wait too long. We stopped just before Shadehouse Lock and managed to get a spot on the visitor moorings there.

Shadehouse Lock Moorings

We stayed there Sunday, it was fairly busy with boats coming and going so we stayed put and I got my sewing machine out and continued on with my current project. It was mid afternoon and about 30 boats had passed by during the course of the day (according the the lock keeper) James had put a springer on the rear rope and we were pretty secure,  LJ had barely moved as the many boats passed. Suddenly there was a loud clattering sound and we surged forward, there was a boat racing past us and the speed he was going ripped our piling hooks at the back through the piling, I went to the front to see us drifting about 2ft from the bank , I shouted out to the steerer if he had realised how fast he was going, his reply - sorry I was talking and got distracted - unbelievable. It was only when we went out to re-secure LJ to the bank that we realised the damage that was caused due to our sudden movement, a part of the piling stuck out and our fender being moved with the boat. So thank you nb Dawn Mist the person who has this weeks share has caused us damaged due to their incompetence, bloody selfishness and lack of ability to talk and control his boat at the same time.

In need of a bit of TLC

On Monday we headed down the two locks to Fradley Junction where we turned right onto the Coventry Canal. Dudley seems to be loving sitting watching whilst we are on the move, but at times it all gets too much for him. We continued onto Fazeley Junction and turned right popping into Fazeley Mill Marina before heading back to Fazeley and mooring outside Peels Wharf.

Dudkey got a little tired

Spring is finally here

I love these yellow fields

Fazeley Mill

Back at Peels Wharf for a few days

18.5 miles and 3 locks

TOTAL 162 miles and 157 locls