Still in Penkridge

On Wednesday we popped to Penkridge Market, it is only held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It was busy with lots of stalls. We picked up a few bits and pieces including a new bed for Dudley, he had really outgrown his old one and it had gone all lumpy so time for a new one.

Dudley testing out his new bed

This is the Star Inn where we went last Sunday for our lovely roast

It was a bit like an obstacle course trying to get along the towpath back to the boat. As we tried to get round some of the fishermen just totally ignored us, whilst others where really apologetic. I felt sorry for the guy in the last photo, he was apologising and asking if we could get round OK, he also said that he couldn't believe they had put the pegs out on such a narrow part of the towpath.

This guy totally ignored us

He didn't even have enough room for his stuff

The weather has been so different from last week, although still cold we've had a lot of rain, we were really lucky last week when we were out for blacking. Yesterday there was a thunder storm right overhead, it made a hell of a noise.

This was the last of the sun today

James has been keeping busy with pen making, we are going up to Birmingham for the Roving Canal Traders Christmas Market, this year it is going to be over two weekends and also the weekdays in between, so 9 days in total, so hopefully we should have a few nice days - last year it was just for the weekend and it was a total washout weather wise, windy and rainy for the whole weekend. 

We are leading up to a very busy time of year for us as we get a lot of orders for Christmas presents so if you're looking for a unique gift for someone who 'has everything', check out The Pen Maker's Boat. We can post (as long as we're near a Post Office) and also post overseas. You can also find us on Facebook Click here.

Penkridge

We got through Filance Lock on Sunday as it was due to close yesterday for winter maintenance, it's still open, although no boats have come through. 

I spent yesterday getting the inside of the boat tidied up and clean after being out for blacking. Today I sorted out the front, we had been moored fairly close to an Ash tree and over night it had shed a lot of leaves which ended up on the front deck. James sorted out the back and got his workshop organised. I also put all the tools (scrapers, rollers, brushes, etc) that we had been using back in the roof box. So we are all back to being ship-shape.

I forgot to mention when we went through the lock near Midland Chandlers at Penkridge a kind person had left a few carrier bags of apples by the lockside for us boaters to take. What a really lovely thing to do, I guess it's the house opposite the chandlers as I spotted an apple tree in the garden.  So today I've been busy in the kitchen (oops sorry galley) and we're going to be appled out - we have apple crumble, apple turnovers and apple and sultana cake - yum yum. 

James has got back to pen making, we're heading for the Christmas Floating Market in Birmingham next month. We will slowly make our way to Autherley Junction to meet up with Halsall the fuel boat, we were still out on the slipway when Martin passed through Stafford but will be back around the junction next weekend. We need to stock up on coal before heading back into Birmingham. 

Stafford to Penkridge

We woke early this morning and double checked everything was ready for our re-launch. The winch guys arrived at around 8:30 and started getting organised putting out their signs, getting the cables organised, getting hi vis on and having a cup of tea. We were second in, so we watched as Horace was lowered down the slip way and floating again, the cables were then tied to LJs cradle and down she went.

That's Horace back floating

Here comes LJ

And she's floating again

Empty hardstanding, not for long though there were two boats waiting to go up

I am very impressed with Stafford Boat Club, it is very well run and they really do go out of their way to help.

Back on the canal looking towards the covered dock with the slipway beside it

The hardstanding is just behind the tress

It was very chilly this morning with a bit of breeze which made it bitterly cold, once back floating James had the task of reversing past all the boats moored in the arm, then we were on our way.

We needed to get through Penkridge and up Filance Lock today as it has a winter closure on it starting tomorrow. When we got to Penkridge Lock it started to rain but we continued on, then through Filance and that was it.

Our first lock was just round the corner

It's mushroom time of year

The road is very close to the canal here

And slowly past a fishing match

Round the corner and some more, that's the M6 bridge we've just gone under

Keeping an eye on passing boats, just before Penkridge Lock

And the last lock of the day in the rain

As it was around lunchtime we went off to the Star Inn in Penkridge itself, James had read somewhere they did reasonably priced food there. As it was Sunday they were serving roasts which at £5.50 we both went for that and very good it was too, all home prepared and cooked and really really nice, would definitely recommend a visit.

Yummy - this made it all worthwhile

After picking up a few bits in Sainsbury's we headed back to LJ and are now cosy for the evening in front of the fire.

5 miles and 6 locks
TOTAL 682 miles and 621 locks

Penkridge to Stafford

What a beautiful start to the day with the sun streaming through the windows. It was up and straight off for our short trip down to Stafford. Again lots of boats on the move and we conveniently met a few at the locks coming the opposite way. I'm loving the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, lovely scenery and the locks all seem to be well maintained with paddles not too difficult to raise. It was a couple of years ago we were along here going the other way, it's amazing when things start looking familiar and memories come back.

This field of swans look quite strange

Whilst waiting for a lock to fill a CRT person passed by with iPad in her hand so guess she was out sighting and logging boats. Unfortunately we weren't included in her data gathering - again!! James obtained our sightings a couple of days ago and according to them this year, as in 2015, they have us travelling a total distance of 15 miles over a maximum range of 10 miles. So we have sent an email to them. 

Moored near Stafford

4 miles and 4 locks

132.5 miles and 151 locks

Gailey to Penkridge

Today is tinged with a little sadness as it is the fifth anniversary of when our beloved Callum departed this world. Time is doing a fairly good job in healing but I still miss him terribly.

Callieboy enjoying the sea air

Today started bright and sunny and we continued on our journey down to Penkridge, there were many boats on the move both ways and we were lucky at the locks in not having to queue until the last one at Penkridge itself. We were third in the queue and by the time it was our turn there were about four more behind us. We stopped shortly afterwards and headed into the village and had a look around the market, stopping at Jaspers the bakery for a loaf of the best bread ever.

The Roundhouse at Gailey Lock

Looking back

The M6 is right next to this lock

Fishing competition, most were friendly and said hello, one even thanked us for taking it easy

James trying to avoid the leak in the lock wall

Moored at Penkridge

3.5 miles and 7 locks
TOTAL 128.5 miles and 147 locks