Stage Two

We left Atherstone on Sunday morming.

This one obviously enjoys my Waitrose Fruit and Fibre

But first watched mum visiting the offspring. Apparently they're  inside for doing Coots Bank

A Pair of Thrushes feasting on Hopwas Blackberries

Peter (or Vodka Pete as he is known nowadays) has joined us till the 19th We. continued on the Coventry Canal, overnighting at Hopwas to join the Trent and Mersey Canal at Fradly Junction where we had a pleasant evening in the Swan. Mooring was a challenge as everybody likes Fradley  but we managed to get the last spot after bouncing off a few rocks.

Peter takes the local waters

Hopwas is unusual in that it has two busy pubs one each side of the canal. Both were ok but we dined on board. I did a chicken in red wine which was well received but to be honest after a days boating most people will eat a scabby horse. After dinner Roy and Peter tried some Vodka which Roy hadbeen given by his Polish Lodger. The results are apparent

before the vodka

 

after the vodka

Leaving Fradley we turned onto the Trent and Mersey canal where there was a bit of a jam at the first lock.And we met Weston Lady heading home sfter their trip to Llangollen. Paul, Carole and Steve all in fine form. Unfortunately I was on the bank trying to hold onto Independence and forgot to take any worthwhile photos but it was good to see them.

A couple of lock volunteers-or so a passing boater thought, much to the chagrin of Annie and Peter.

After Fradley we headed through Armitage and Rugely where we intended to stop and shop. I got a little confused and stopped in Armitage (home of Armitage Shanks) thinking there was  a shop there. We discovered an overgrown path there which allegedly led to "the facilities" There werent any so Roy set about doing CART's job clearing the mooring and I gazed at the glazed pile of thunderboxes.

Up to Great Heywood where we turned left onto the Staffs and Worcs canal. Our Plan was to Barbecue on Tixall Wide, travel as far as Penkridge and overnight ther returning to Tixall Wide for another barbecue before rejoining the Trent and Mersey.The weather chopped and changed a bit but the run to and from Penkridge was good and we water/looed and took on freah meat and victuals and had two very good barbecues at Tixall Wide

Here comes Panther

Independence enters Tixall Wide

Tixall Barbecue

and a scrambled egg and smoked salmon breakfast!( Yes we have moved since the previous night!)

As part of the barbecue entertainment Annie practised her "Launching Technique" by diving out of Panther's engine room doors. Fortunately it was land-side but very entertaining.

On Friday we set off for Stone travelling north on the Tent and Mersey canal-a pleasant journey of five hours. I took six because I managed to twist my center rope round my prop (prat!) but Roy came to the rescue with hacksaw and foul language.

Adrian joined us at Stone where we had a v good meal at the Star, lockside,.