We had moored overnight opposite a cottage that is being renovated complete with a new thatched roof. Christine was awoken by the sounds from the thatchers as they started work before 7!
Mike had some urgent emails to attend to so Christine walked to the Co-Op for a paper and also discovered the butcher's shop (the only other food shop as far as we could see) She also took a look at the church, alongside the canal. It was closed as they are preparing for a village flower event over the weekend.
As we were leaving we spoke briefly to one of the workers on the cottage (the other was the master thatcher) and learnt that they have now finished and have only the clearing up to do. It has taken about four weeks but they saved two weeks because the old roof had already been removed before they started.
The day was generally overcast - although there were a few light rain showers they quickly passed over. The promised sunshine rarely made an appearance.
At the first lock we could see that the renovation of the cottage has now almost been completed - we first saw the work some years ago when the old external plaster was being hacked off very slowly. The site still has more work going on.
Several locks along the next stretch have recently been fitted with holding bars as a result of many complaints that the gates would not stay shut while the boat crews walked from one end to the other. The design shows signs of being rushed and done on the cheap. In this case the means of attachment is clearly not up to the job and is almost broken away.
Before long we arrived at the start of the five locks through Fradley - three before the junction and two above. This is a notoriously busy place in the summer although previously we have come through later in the year when it is remarkably quiet. There was delay as we queued above the junction and some boats seemed to lack a little in the patience department.
One person seems to think that the current debate about a new type of ratchet pawl for paddle mechanisms is a waste of time. Whilst we are not over keen on what is an awkward solution making lock operation more difficult, her argument was that she can continue to leave her windlass on the spindle (as she had just done) as it never comes loose - after all she has engaged the catch! Alas, it is those who do leave the windlass on who are injured and then complain who drive this potentially unnecessary change. Surely the money could be better spent elsewhere, even allowing for our risk averse culture. (Rant over!)
Two locks up and we paused at the wharf to use the full range of services. This took a little while as the tap was rather slow.
At the next lock - unfortunately the photo does not show the issue - the holding bar catches on the bridge abutment and at one point it looked as if we were going to be well and truly stuck. However a bit of proper boater treatment (aka a heavy hand and boot!) released it and we could proceed.
Above the junction a short queue had built up. Although a single volunteer lock keeper was in attendance at this lock (there should have been four but the others have not turned up - one has a good reason as he was involved in a car accident a week or so ago and is still recovering). However, there was really not much that he could do to speed things along as there was steady flow in each direction so locks were generally turned as quickly they can be, with waiting boaters helping to expedite operations. This lady we saw again later in the afternoon - they moor on the Lee and Stort so we exchanged experiences about cruising through London.
We looked up some of the wild flowers in our reference books and began to realise how easily we confused various similar types - not all of the white headed flowers are cow parsley, despite our tendency to lump them all under this name! Although we made a start on distinguishing them out photographic efforts improved not at all! Although we did know that they come from the Umbelliferae family we did not know that this is the same as carrots! Indeed, one variety in our book is called wild carrot - not that we spotted any.
All of the bridges along the section have been arrow marked with a pink fluorescent spray. It appears to have been an organised event - were they given permission for this? If so, why? On the other hand, is CRT going to seek compensation from the graffiti painters to remove it from what are often listed structures. Unless they are lucky there is a serious risk of permanent damage.
Why was it necessary to mark a tree in a place where there was no option but to keep going along the towpath. Although the final marking was even more extensive at least we did not have to look at any more!
We left the countryside and entered Handsacre and Armitage - home of the eponymous manufacturer of sanitary ware. It is usually obligatory to show (as we have done in the past) large stacks of goods waiting to be shipped out. However either demand or production control has improved there were far fewer to be seen today.
The above banner amused us - OK, strange sense of humour - but authentic Italian plum pudding? we passed the pub a little later.
Armitage Tunnel is very short, not really more than a wide bridge, but needs careful navigation as there is along narrow approach on the other side. A sign advises sending a crew member ahead to check that the way is clear and then to stop boats entering. We had no problem but several boats arrived just as we cleared the narrows.
Just beyond the tunnel is Spode House or Hawkesyard Hall - both names appear on signs. There are only a few quick glimpses with most of the views obscured by trees. A later internet search revealed that Hawkesyard was the earlier name but when the estate was bought by Josiah Spode in the mid-nineteenth century he renamed it after himself. It later became a Dominican monastery but by 1999 it had fallen into a state of disrepair an was boarded up. It was then bought by the Wharton family who have restored and developed the estate as a conference and events centre. In the process they decided to revert to the older name.
Nearby was this chap - not sure quite what it represents but it looks impressive!
We passed quickly then into the outskirts of Rugeley where the power station cooling towers continue to dominate the town. There are now far fewer of these along the Trent compared with the time when we first took to the canals and in some places it was possible to count up to six!
We stopped on the visitor mooring alongside Bridge 66 for a little shopping. When we came here two years ago we found the town's shops a little disappointing so this time we popped to the large new Tesco which was being built at that time - we did not need anything other than basic items.
Afterwards we decided not to go far so that we could pick up a paper in the morning (our plan only took us just the other side of the town anyway). So we moved forward into the sunshine only to discover that the 7 day mooring has not been dredged in some time. It took quite a while to moor and even so we needed to deploy the gangplank.
9.7 miles - 8 locks
When we were on the Wey last autumn, some of the NT staff were washing off arrows painted for a running event. They said they'd been assured the paint was a special sort which would wash off in the rain -- but it hadn't, they were annoyed, and we're having to do it with a bucket and a scrubbing brush.
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