I was wholly into holiday mode by now and had no problem vegging out for 2 days. It also helped to rest my muscles before facing the run up the Staffs and Worcester to Penkridge with all those locks. We left the Shroppie with some regret - I will definitely return and highly recommend it as a cruising destination.
We cruised for about 6 hours and stopped at Gailey Wharf for the night. This is situated at the top of the lock flight running into Penkridge and is a lovely mooring; lots of rings and a good little shop, as well as water and rubbish disposal. However it is close to the motorway (M6) which chased us from here, all the way past Penkridge, roaring and snarling as if threatened in some way by this alternative and so much more civilised water road.
I think the locks had shrunk since we last passed through as they didn't seem half as scary on our return descent. It was harder work though as I didn't meet another boat for the first 4 which meant setting the locks myself and closing all the gates after me. This means balancing 'Don't Panic' in the tail of the lock, climbing back up to close both gates and then slipping my way back down to the boat, hoping she hadn't taken off up the canal without me!
The weather on the Staffs and Worcester took a turn for the worse and it was a very soggy dog and crew that tied up after a long day, past Penkridge. I was going to stop in the town but then remembered that England were playing in the World Cup that night and so thought discretion was probably the better part of valour and instead tied up uncomfortably close to the M6. I didn't mind though because I knew the next day I would be back at Tixall Wide and this time we were stopping for 2 days!
The mooring angel was with us again as I found a prime mooring site waiting for us at Tixall Wide, overlooking the gatehouse and a family of herons. (Pictures to follow) We had some lovely neighbours of both the human and canine variety. Bonny also learnt to swim as the Trent River flows alongside the canal here and as the hot sun had returned, we both took a dip and I held her as she experienced being out of her depth for the first time. She swam well but doesn't really enjoy it. She loves the water but likes to feel the land beneath her feet.
We moved the next day just round the corner onto the Trent and Mersey as there was much needed shade overlooking Shugborough Hall. We were joined there by Graham and Jan and their boat Huff n Puff, as well as Bonny's boyfriend, Bernie the Westie. They live on our mooring at Fradley and it was lovely to see them.
As we moved off towards Rugeley, I was a little sad to know this was the last leg of our voyage. I had been worried that I would so love cruising that it would make me dissatisfied with our home at Fradley, but actually although it had been great being out and about, I was also looking forward to being back at a mooring that was mine and was there waiting for me.
We spent our last night at Kings Bromley, before pumping out, filling with water and diesal at the marina, and then skipping down the Fradley lock flight - so easy after some of the big locks we had encountered. Bonny was getting very excited and looked rather concerned as we cruised straight past our mooring. But in order to be facing the right way for our next pump out / diesal, we needed to travel to Alrewas in order to turn round and finally after 18 blissful days, tie up at our home mooring. Bonny celebrated by running the entire length of the mooring barking hysterically, just to let everybody know she was home!
Since returning, I have been planning our next cruise, but I am in the happy situation that I love being out cruising but I also love our mooring and so, as they say, it's all good!
Thank you for showing such an interest in our travels - I shall be posting the last lot of photos from our cruise soon.
We saw these strange beasts near Norbury Junction. They look like a cross between ducks and geese and are the colour of turkeys!! If anyone can identify them, please let me know!
