A grand day!

 3:45 Monday evening as we were leaving Stone Top Lock to moor up  …

 … here above bridge 96a - taken as we left this morning at 10:45

Lovely split bridges with pretty ironwork abound on the locks today (the split in the footbridge allowed horse drawn boats to enter and leave the lock without being unhitched)

Bubbling water from the lock top gates

It was still very cold even in the sunshine here at Cockshutts Lock at half past two ...

A lucky shot - and he’s got a fish in his beak! …

… and he’s not swallowed it yet either!

Twyford Lock where we start to see signs of industrial ruin

And another one!

The sharp left turn into Etruria can be difficult especially with the working boats moored opposite … but no problem for Rock n Roll

Keppel ...

… and Lindsay

Bone and Flint Mill at Etruria - the junction of the Trent and Mersey and the Caldon Canals

Etruscan Bone and Flint Mill built by Jessie Shirley in 1857

The top lock of the Stoke flight of locks is deep.  Today’s 9 locks between Stone and Etrutria have taken us uphill by 95 feet.

First time I’ve noticed this board by the top lock - apparently the lock that I’m in was once covered and boats were ‘gauged’ here to assess their load and a toll was charged accordingly.

4pm and it’s nearly dark as we pass Wesport Lake.

We cruise on for another short distance and moor up at the south portal of the Harecastle Tunnel for our journey through at half past eight in the morning.

So 11 miles and 9 locks today in the winter sunshine was well worth it - a really grand day!

Our original plan for winter cruising this year was to join Ann and Chas on the Llangollen Canal, but due to our extended stay at Great Haywood (for dental treatments) and stoppages on the Llangollen early in the new year, plus an invitation to stay with our son and his family for Christmas we changed that plan.
Our hope (ice permitting) is to be able to cruise onto the Shroppie and leave R n R in Overwater Marina (below Audlum Locks) over Christmas.  We were aware of the stoppage at Nantwich until the 14th December which was fine, but tonight discovered that there is now an emergency stoppage at Church Minshall Lock on the Middlewich Branch from 3rd to the 17th.  Fortunately the lock is just after Church Minshall Marina so we should be ok for water and fuel if the ice does freeze the canal and we can leave the boat there if necessary over the festive season - all part of being a year-round continuous cruiser!

For Sale!!

No, not NB Rock ’n’ Roll  … but we no longer need our Leesan Manual Self-pumpout Kit as we no longer have a pump out system!  An essential piece of equipment if you are a continuous cruiser during the winter and may be stuck in the ice for an extended period.

£75 is what we’re asking for it (new £304!)  If you’re interested please leave a comment at the end of this post with your phone number (not for publication) and we’ll get back to you (buyer to arrange collection).

Crackling ice as we left Weston just after midday after taking our Tesco delivery

 We’ve seen a couple of boats on the move today - here at Salt Bridge

 Looking back from Aston Lock past the Marina which looks to be quite full.

We’re currently moored just below the water point/bottom lock at Stone and hopefully will be able to cruise again tomorrow, ice permitting!

Walking in Weston

 Bridge 80 at Weston on the Trent and Mersey Canal

… where the chickens roam free

… a bundle of feathers!

 Weston Village Green

 … and the village pub (pity they don’t allow dogs inside)

Glorious!

On the move again ...

… after 2 weeks at Great Haywood having lots of dental treatments and man flue a heavy cold (George) it was good to be on the move again.  The day dawned very cold, -3 at 8am and only reached +6 all day.  We needed water and fuel before leaving but as well as one boat having an engine fitted on the junction, 2 boats were already on the water points and another plus us, waiting.

So it was 12:15 before we set off properly but the amazing colours today were well worth a few pictures …

Arriving at Hoo Mill Lock …

 … and looking back at this pretty lane leading over the bridge …

 … and this was the first time we’d noticed this old steam engine on the other side of the lock.

We occasionally saw ice particles on the shallower bends of the canal …

… but we also saw some sunshine too!

Lots of colour at Wharf House just south of Weston were we’re currently moored for the weekend with a Tesco shop due on Sunday.  We’re now hoping that the next few nights aren’t so cold that the canal freezes over completely so that we will be able to move on on Monday.

The Trent in flood ...

… at Shugborough

 The stream that joins the River Trent from the left is usually a footpath

 The confluence of the River Trent (on the right looking upstream) and the River Sow (middle water); the ‘river' on the right is ornamental for the Shugborough Estate.

 The field where we usually walk Molly is now a lake

 River Trent on the left and the lake on the right

 Looking over the ‘lake’ to the Tower of Winds

 Essex Bridge built in 1550 for Queen Elizabeth I when she came to visit - now only 14 of the original 40 arches still exist.

NB Rock ’n’ Roll on the Trent and Mersey Canal just a couple of meters from the river.

Boat in the mist

It was good to meet up with Geoff again yesterday afternoon at Great Haywood on his journey to Mercia Marina to make a winter home mooring for Mags to recuperate.

We spent a lovely evening with Geoff and Simon who travelled up to Stone from London where he lives aboard his boat on the River Lee.  Simon enjoyed his day out doing ‘real’ boating on a ‘real’ canal - good to meet you Simon.

 Half eight this morning and Seyella appears out of the mist …

 Oh no, I’ve only just got out of bed - I don’t think I want to see that picture!

… and away they go into the mist heading for Rugeley to drop Simon off for his train back to London and to collect Ray who has offered to help Geoff today on his way to Fradley Junction.

Sunshine after the rain!!

On the Trent and Mersey Canal at Shugborough ...

and on the swollen River Trent ...

A lot to do ...

Where?????

A brand new working boat moored by the pig farm on the way to Great Haywood

 One of my most favourite mooring places (Shugborough Hall)

 Half past eight this morning! …

… and 1 o’clock this afternoon as the gale blew

Just over 2 weeks ago under our bed was a tank full of … well you know what!

Now it’s a super new storage place!  George has done a fantastic job.

As well as being a carpenter whilst we’ve been here at Great Haywood George has been undergoing some rather painful dentistry on both sides of his mouth which won’t be finished until the end of November, after which we will be heading north to Wales and the Llangollen - weather/ice permitting!