Great Haywood to Stone

Moving on to Stone

The junction with the Staffs and Worcs.  Last time we were here we were on catch up crazy!!!

Yet more dredging going on...

and back filling the bank.

Ollie has slowed down this cruise, he will be twelve in September.

Bridge 82 . Built of brick and stone for the benefit of Sandon's gentry, it echos the high aesthetic values of the 18th century.

Aston Lock ( 26 of 77)

and we are half way to Preston Brook

The former Joules Brewery, Stone.

Newcastle Road Lock and we manage to find a mooring space just above it.

We had a lovely surprise at Star Lock on the way into Stone - who should be wandering along but Joy and Hannah with baby Harry.  No photo I am afraid- too busy gossiping, cooing over Harry and locking!!!

10 miles and 8 locks in 5 1/2 hours.

Rugely to Great Haywood

Time to stock up on Olllie and Hoobe food and with a choice of canal side Tesco and Morrisons everyone is happy.

The canal takes a sharp  left here....

and we head for the bank - oh the joys of being deep drafted on a shallow bend!!!

Sokai glides round no problem!!!!

We meander through lovely countryside , the course of the River Trent never far away.

Very soon we see Shugborough Hall in the distance and we arrive at Great Haywood.

Wednesday brings the parting of the ways.  Dave and Beryl are taking a left onto the Staffs and Worcs to meet their son and do a spot of bottom blacking at Norbury Junction.  We have been travelling together since the beginning of June.  Thanks guys we have shared locks, info ( Ollie is now on Dr Johns dogfood and we are brave enough to have the washing machine going while cruising),  several meals and boozy evenings. We will miss you.  Hopefully we will meet up again in the future.

We go off to explore the village of Great Haywood

and savour one of the finest examples of a packhorse bridge imaginable.

We spend the rest of the day at Shrugborogh Hall and Historic Estate.

Georgian Farm and Mill

Gardens and Monuments

This one is the Tower of Winds which was used as a gambling den in days gone by.

Alrewas to Rugely - Full circle

Sunshine all the way = Trev polishing his mushrooms and this side of the boat. Let's hope it is still shinning when we get to moor on the opposite side of the bank to complete the job!!!

On Saturday we visited The National Memorial Arboretum. Such a special place.  It is a living tribute that will forever acknowledge the personal sacrifices made by the armed forces and civil services.

Set in 150 acres, the Arboretum is filled with interesting and unusual features.

Shot at Dawn - during World War 1 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were shot at dawn for desertion or cowardice.  Many of them were sentenced after a short trial at which no real opportunity for defence was allowed.  Today, it is recognised that several of them were under age when they volunteered and that many were suffering from shell shock or post traumatic stress disorder.

Since its creation, some 50,000 trees have been planted there and almost 300 dedicated memorials established on the site.

Leaving Alrewas

a altogether picturesque village

with church bells ringing on Sunday.

Bagnall Lock - the first of eight for today.

Approaching the flight of five locks at Fradley Junction

One of the volunteer's tell me it is the fourth busiest junction in the country.

A gongoozelers paradise

And so full circle. We branched off down the Coventry Canal on the 14th May- we have completed the Leicester Ring - it wasn't in the plan for 2014 but it was enjoyable!!!!

Middle Lock (4th in the flight) has a collapsed cill so water gushed in even when the paddles are down.  Trev keeps well back in the lock and the paddles are raised slowly.

We meander through open country until  Armitage is reached.

The A513 crosses the canal on a new bridge where the short,130 yards long, Armitage Tunnel used to run before its roof was removed in 1971 to combat the subsidence effects of coal being mined nearby.

I walked on in front to check the coast was clear and warn on coming traffic we were coming through!!

Unsure who this chappie is watching over some long term moorers!!!

10 miles, 8 locks in 5 1/4 hours.

Burton to Alrewas

First lock of the day and we are in a queue.

Duck Trev!!!

Getting the feeling a M6 moment is developing.....

coming down....

going up......heyho it's a nice day!!!

We are seeing a few of these tiny narrow brick bridges with a taller arch and lacking in towpath.

This is one of the quieter stretches between Barton turn and Wychnor, the busy A38 never far away.

Before Alrewas lock the canal actually joins the River Trent.

Alrewas Lock

Our resting place for the weekend.