Red Bull

Where we were moored last night the boundary between the tow path and the land beyond is marked by these large stones with two holes in them, as you can see there are black stains running down from the holes. I was informed that these stones marked the boundary of the mining land and that instead of railings they used the old winding cables which where well impregnated with black grease.

A little further on we came to another spill weir but this one, unlike the one at the bottom of the Bosley flight doesn’t have a stone walkway, maybe there was once one on top of those stones but they don’t look to be standing too straight today.

We did meet a few boats but not many, I expect some were making their way to the bottom of Bosley Locks ready for tomorrows opening.
There was a flag flying in the garden at Ramsdell Hall and I wondered if anyone could identify it?

Just before we got there this large tree had succumbed to the recent gales and snapped it trunk, I wonder if the boaters who live opposite heard it go, I would have thought it would have made quite a noise.

As we approached Hall Green we started seeing these little men attached to  things.

Then when we passed under the bridge below Hall Green Lock there was a row of them, any idea what its all about?

Passing over the Poole Aqueduct I could see a boater happily drawing the bottom paddles on lock 42 while both top gates were wide open, to far away for me to do anything. We re-joined the T&M main line at Hardings Wood junction and dropped down through Plants Lock 41 before mooring for lunch and visiting Lidl which is very handy with an entrance right onto the tow path. Once the shopping was done we carried on to Red Bull services to fill with water and then another 50 yards to moor for the night.
I am also very pleased to report that the weather has been far better today with sun all day.

Todays Journey

7 miles, 4 locks in 4 hours.

We will now be deviating from the moorings on our planed route but still covering the same ground.