Friday 20th May 2022
The sun decided that it wasn’t going to shine today – possibly because Graham had his shorts on. On the up side, the Fradley lockies were there in force and we were helped through both Middle and Shadehouse locks.
The rhododendrons, so beloved of Victorian gardeners, are lovely on this section of canal.They certainly grow some unusual crops in the fields around here.
As we approached Wood End lock, having cruised past the (temporary) worst of the destruction of countryside – that is HS2, we noticed that all the offside moorings below and above the lock are no deserted and the lock cottage garden looks sadly un-cared for. There is evidence that they have planted lots of new trees but also evidence that trees that were previously in the centre of the wood have been flattened by the weather since HS2 carved a route through the middle. Hopefully, in 20 years or so, it will all look glorious again.
We continued on through Armitage, the ‘tunnel’ and on to Rugeley where we stopped for essential supplies. As we left there, the blue skies came out but were accompanied by clouds and wind. Past the Taft, through Little Haywood and onto Great Heywood where we not only spotted a locked up nb Autaky with Brian busy in the foredeck of another boat 3 down the moorings. Graham managed to get a good picture of Shugborough house.
We continued straight on along the T&M and through Hoo Mill lock. As we passed a disappointed fisherman and Graham chatted about his day – finishing with ‘at least it isn’t raining’. About five minutes later it started raining and so we pulled over near Shirleywich and moored for the night.
G&B
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