Stone

We went to sleep last night listening to the owls we woke this morning to the ducks against the hull, once it was light the geese were calling and then something walked down the roof. It was quite a nice morning, a bit overcast and we decided to set off about quarter to ten, I went out, put the tiller on, took the cover off the exhaust and then went in an started the engine, turning the key not only started the engine but it also started the rain, thankfully there wasn’t much. We made our way to Gt.Haywood lock where a boat was coming down and another was waiting to go up, Diana lent a hand and we followed them up, by the time we were ready to leave a boat arrived from above so no gates to close. We had planned to take water at the junction but there were two boats there already so a quick rubbish dump and off to Hoo Mill Lock, I didn’t see any HS2 activity, it’s supposed to cross just north of Gt Haywood marina. What we did see at the lock was 4 lambs enjoying a stroll along the towpath, they all found their way back through the fence to their mums. 

There was quite a bit of boat activity as far a Hoo Mill Lock but after that very little until we reached Aston lock then we met 5 boats between there and Stone, there has been a steady flow since.
There is a Swans nest at Weston again but if its the same Cob he has quietened down a lot and doesn't attack every passing boat. We caught up with a boat before we reached Western Lock who was traveling quite slowly, he told me he draws 32” and he got well stuck on the silt trying to get from the lock moorings into Western lock.
Wesaw our first Goslings of the year swimming along with mum and dad.

I didn’t realise until today that Aston lock is half way along the Trent and Mersey canal, 46 miles each way.

We waited for one boat to come down and then another at the top who told Diana that Stone was busy and he wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t long before I met the next boat just as I entered the bridge, a blast on the horn had him stop, but the captain on the bows had a different idea to the captain on the stern which side I should pass, as he pivoted towards the towpath to me it was obvious, the side where there was room.
At Stone all the moorings along the piling below Star lock were full except two, one immediately before the winding hole and one under the foot bridge. Mooring under bridges is a no no for me if possible,  for some people crossing the temptation is just too great .

Today’s Journey

5 locks, 10 miles in 5 hours