Evidence
Great Haywood Junction - sharp left and under the bridge
Colourful boats moored on the Staffs & Worcs
A mile after the turn the canal opens out into 'Tixall Wide' a magical stretch of water bordered by reeds and trees. This was, apparently, an artificially constructed lake made to preserve the view from Tixall House of which the gatehouse is the only surviving part.
Entering Tixall Wide
View of the Tixall Gatehouse
Droll!
Leaving Tixall Lock and its very attractive cottage
'Pleasant abode'
One of the distinctive bridge plates
We're going Wolverhampton way
Graceful curves - another bridge on the S&W
Catnap waiting to ascend a lock, with paddle boarders. Denis had to be careful opening the paddles to empty the lock, to avoid sending a rush of water towards them.
Sequence of entering a lock to ascend: first, check no boats in lock and open
bottom gates
Second, steer boat into lock entrance
...and slowly
... slowly
...up to top gates
When boat is safely inside, close bottom gates
Passing Baswich and Weeping Cross, we found a peaceful mooring for the night just north of the village of Acton Trussell, handy for trains into Nottingham for Jan tomorrow.
Pink campion
Monday 8 July, Catnap stayed in her mooring. Denis did chores.
On Tuesday 9 July through Acton Trussell towards our next stop at the small town of Penkridge. On our way through Acton two things jumped out at us; the verges on the towpath side were full of wildflowers...
and in gardens backing onto the canal were effigies like Sheryl's Scarecrow below. We later found out they're part of the annual Scarecrow Competition.
Not sure if Bill & Ben are competing
Teddesley Boat Yard on the outskirts of Penkridge
Mooring for the night by the Cross Keys pub, Penkridge
No comments:
Post a Comment