To one of our favourite places - 28th and 29th April 2019

Sunday 28th April 2019
Gailey to Penkridge
2.5 miles, 5 locks

A bit of a nothing sort of day.  The weather was chilly, but we were at least dry.  There were a few boats around, but mostly the locks were against us.

 We passed through Rodbaston Lock today which must be one of the noisiest on the canal system as it is right beside the M6.

The M6 is very close to the canal for quite a long time - definitely not a place to stop.

The other notable feature of this stretch is windmills

We made it to Penkridge just in time for lunch

and next door but one to us is a boat that the Cleddau crew will recognise

We met them a few times in 2014 - they had been trying to get onto the Nene to cross the Wash, but were foiled by flooding.  I think they gave up in the end and went the long way round to Lincoln.

After lunch we walked to the Co-op which is quite sizable, but the choice we felt was limited.

Monday 29th April 2019
Penkridge to Tixall Wide
9.25 miles, 6 locks

The day dawned bright and sunny and was, for the most part, pleasantly warm.  Having filled and emptied as required we entered the first lock of the day - note we have blue sky again.

By the time we arrived at the second lock we were behind a single-hander who I helped down the lock. He had an rather lovely dog called Meg - he said she was a 'Sprollie' - Spaniel/Collie cross

There is still no escaping the M6 along here

As we approached the third lock - Park Gate lock there was a boat coming up.  To our surprise it was Richard and Ruth with their fuel boat and butty.

It was agreed that Richard would top up our diesel tank and provide us with a bag of coal,

whilst I helped Ruth drop the lock so she could haul the butty in.

Safely up, tied to Mountbatten and they were on their way.  Jaq if you see this, Ruth said to say hello and sent her best wishes.

We then dropped down the lock to find three boats waiting to come up.  We tied up briefly for Chris to visit Midland Chandlers.

Patience is rewarded and you do eventually escape the M6 and find yourself in open country once more

We continued on managing some great timing at locks

but not such good timing at others, however this was the last of the day, so no problem with a short delay.

 I took a photo of this amazing tree house in 2016, but I don't think

the train was there then.  Some lucky youngsters to have all this to play with.

 This is a seriously large property with expansive grounds and

a swimming pool tucked away behind the hedge

 We enter the final lock - Tixall with its rather lovely lock cottage

Just the one gosling for this pair

Finally just around the bend is

Tixall Wide

This cob tried to dissuade us from mooring as

his other half is just across the other side of the wide

 but moor we did

having winded, so we had this view from the side hatch

 Perfect.

I hope this bodes well for tomorrow