Away towards Stourport

12th & 13th January

The night before last was wet and windy (I guess if I was around forty years younger, I'd say "well wild" but that thought never crossed my mind), and we woke early, Sheila having announced the night before that she wanted to make an early start. The thought that the weather was due to improve as the morning went on led to a change of plan, and we hung about on the mooring until nine, when I started the engine.

At 9.30 we pushed across to the water point; the engine having run for a bit and got warmed up, we were able to run a washload whilst waiting for the slow Fradley tap to fill the tank.

By ten we were all set, and headed off up the flight. Jacqui off Timewarp had come past walking the dog whilst we were watering, and had told us that all the locks were with us, and this did indeed prove to be the case. I don't think anyone had used them for a couple of days, and they'd all drained down. The result was an easy run to Kings Bromley, where we moored a bit beyond the entrance to the marina as usual.

The weather was still quite gusty, but much, much milder. We had a quiet afternoon and evening. The new fender is progressing; it's the first time I've attempted a vee shape, and working in the crux of the vee is quite challenging. As usual, I'm not entirely satisfied with how it's turning out, but no doubt subsequent attempts will improve.

It was very pleasant to feel that we were on our way again on a decently long trip, and to be moored in a really rural spot. The only disturbances to our dozing over books (or Readers, really) in the evening were bird related. They must have seriously deaf pigeons around KB, because the local gas powered birdscarers are the loudest we've ever heard.

More tranquilly*, we heard a female tawny owl giving of her best woo-hoo as we were nearly ready for our pit: marvellous.

Today we managed the prompt start, having decided to come all the way through to Great Haywood in one day, rather than splitting the journey at Wolseley as usual. There is a risk of frost overnight, just for tonight, and we want to be sure of getting at least as far as Acton Trussell by Friday night, so that Graeme can collect Sheila on Saturday.

It was mostly a very fine day's boating, still mild; after a bit the sun broke through, and it was downright glorious. We got to Rugeley before eleven, and found very few boats there. In fact, on arrival, there was only the pair of short Peggy O'Neill boats on the moorings, shopping like ourselves. Another one or two came through and stopped briefly, but you can tell that the only boats on the move at the moment are regular continuous cruisers, all of whom regard Rugeley as a day time stop only.

By the time we'd shopped and put stuff away, it was gone half eleven, so we decided to hang about and eat an early lunch before finishing the day's boating. Another two hours got us to Great Haywood. There are a few more boats about here, but once more there was no problem finding a mooring.

(Actually, No Problem's at Willington at the moment, but you know what I mean).

We've had another quiet afternoon of it, and will probably stop here tomorrow, before watering, and getting a pump out and diesel from Anglo Welsh on Thursday.



*I'm not sure about this construction, but I am sure that "tranquillier" is a comparative too far.