The weather forecasters were right because it rained all morning and we stayed warm and dry aboard the boat, but by noon brave souls were starting to leave the mooring above Haywood Lock so we thought we should make a move too. We motored up to the water point where I filled our tank while Joy crossed over the road to the Farm Shop returning with veg and cake :0)
Jobs accomplished, we reversed to make the turn onto the Staffs & Worcs Canal, past the Anglo Welsh hire boat base and on through Tixall Wide, by this time the drizzle had stopped but it was by no means warm!
We reached the old junction with the Stafford Branch, which it is hoped will be restored one day as The Stafford Riverway Link, and paused for a bit to escape more rain.
It was then on through Acton Trussell and a couple more locks to pause at Midland Chandlers and purchase some more fenders as my brilliant idea to fit quick release clips caused the loss of one already, so it’s back to stainless steel shackles to attach them.
Another boater tipped us off that there were moorings available just before Penkridge Lock and by 6:15 pm we were moored in exactly the spot recommended, alongside this magnificent carving.
nb wrens-nest 