An abrupt change of plan

Wednesday 22^nd July; Wood End lock to nearly Shugborough

After yesterday's longish day we had some time in hand, so Dave used the early morning cool to paint the starboard side between the gunwale and the rubbing strake.  Just when we were thinking about moving a boat appeared behind us with another close behind, and then another, so we put the anchor away instead. It normally lives under the bed so it is not a trivial operation and by the time it was done the lock was clear.  I went up to empty it for us, but had to open the top gate instead as a boat was approaching.  They reported low water levels in Rugeley yesterday, the working boat Dane having got stuck under a bridge and needing to be pulled free.

Broken windows don’t stop this factory operating.  Does anyone know if it’s part of Armitage Shanks which is a little further along the canal?

Jess came with me to help spot oncoming boats at Armitage Tunnel, but there was nothing coming.  There was a little welcome shade as we walked along the narrows.

Straight through

We stopped to top up the water-tank at the end of the long-stay moorings so by the time we got to Rugeley it was nearly lunchtime and we had to go almost right through before we found space to moor.  It was still only a five-minute walk back to Tesco though, before we set off again for the Shugborough area, nicely placed for Great Haywood marina tomorrow.  I had a surprise when there was an unexpected movement in Naomi’s Landing, the garden with the mannequins – someone had been watering, or checking the costumes, I couldn't see, but the initial impression was of an afternoon party!

Surprisingly there was no queue at Colwich lock, which is often busy.  A boat was just going up ahead of us but that doesn’t count as a queue.  We found a nice mooring spot about halfway to Haywood lock, and I called the marina to confirm our time of arrival. 

Oh dear!

We haven't been receiving stoppage notices for the South Stratford as we are not going that way, and had no idea the whole canal was to close the following week.  Anglo-Welsh has boats moored at Haywood Junction on the Staffs and Worcester, not far from Great Haywood marina – I’m not sure who owns whom, but the marina now answers the phone as Anglo-Welsh.  With the A-W Wootton Wawen base within the closure, the hire boats were being transferred to Great Haywood marina and all the spare berths would be in use.  You might think we were unfairly bumped off our mooring, but having been assured there was plenty of room, and as we weren’t sure which day we would be arriving, I hadn’t formally reserved a spot.  We’ll know better next time.  But what should we do, with only a couple of days to do it?  Back to King’s Bromley, which we know nothing about?  Should we try Aston marina, only 4½ hours away, where we have been before?  Fortunately, not only was Nick in the office but yes, they had space, so Aston it will be.

Our dear departed Meg in the Trent at Essex bridge

Dave took Jess along the towpath to Essex Bridge over the Trent, where she and a labrador had a fine time playing in the river.  Apart from a slightly dodgy internet, and the narrow towpath being infested by speeding cyclists for a while, it was a good mooring.

10 miles, 2 locks, too hot