Rugeley was surprisingly quiet with very few boats moored to the south of Tesco. We set off at quarter to ten on a rather chilly morning, but things did warm up mid morning. On On the north side of town you pass Naomi’s Landing, always something to make you smile.
The next stretch of canal runs parallel to the railway, I think they must be on strike again as all we have seen is one goods train on a separate line crossing the canal.
At Colwich Lock there was a boat going up and another waiting. On the waiting boat when it was their turn both the occupants stayed on the boat, Diana closed the gates for them and a boater coming down filled the lock, the crew did get off and open a the gate but didn’t even take a windlass to drop a paddle. We were behind them again at Haywood Lock but held back to let them start locking up. At that point Diana went up and the lady apologised saying she had helped previous boats there were lots of people up there with windlasses but they just stood there and didn’t do anything.
At Haywood junction we turned left, looking back at the junction I spotted this notice. Note the Elsan Disposal is the marinas, not CRT.
We were followed along the Staffs and Worcester canal by a private boat and a work flat working on the towpath, although the towpath at Tixall Wide is closed for refurbishment there were as many boats as normal moored along there and people were still walking it. As we crossed Tixall Wide the private boat was rapidly catching me and looked to be getting ready to overtake, so I wound it on a bit. When we slowed at the far side the lad on the boat behind asked if they could come by as they needed to be at Stratford on Saturday, so I eased off, pulled to the side and waved them through. I don’t think he has the slightest hope in getting there. They are also resurfacing the towpath above Tixall storing their materials at Tixall Wharf.
Our original plan was to moor by the Stafford Link but decided to go on a bit and moor opposite the Stafford Boat club. On this stretch we noticed that the hedge behind the towpath had been cut in several patches, could this be to see the wild life on the marshes or the fishermen to put their poles.
Another point for fellow boaters to note is that Stafford Boat club no longer encourage people to wind in the club basin entrance.
Today’s Journey
11 miles, 3 locks in 5 hours
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