Despite the persistent drizzle we set off at 0825 this morning, past Great Haywood and the Shugborough estate, past Salt, Weston and Aston Marina . . some five locks and some 5 hours chugging until we reach Stone.
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This is Essex bridge. Enabling the Anston family to take their carriage directly to church.
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It was not the best of weathers …
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Past Haywood junction and the entrance to the Staffs & Worcs canal …
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Some wonderful bridges . . on this wide and serene Trent & Mersey canal
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The sun started to shine and Viv had a go at a lock – just 7 wide and our boat is 6 feet 10 inches – so not much to spare . .
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And lo, in without a bump! Bravo!
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Another lock and Viv’s “man” is on hand to operate the lock (Aston lock)
And then it was Stone. We moored up as soon as we could – a method that works, as sometimes you keep going and find there are no further moorings!
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We wandered around the town – successfully collecting our mail from the post office – it worked! And ended up in the CAMRA local pub of the year, the Swan
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Loadsa real ales to sample – we only had halves but promised to go back later tonight – I took an albeit wobbly photo of this unusual beer
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Then we wobbled back to the boat, past an unusual mosaic (note the electrical insulators on the feet)
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With several weeks in hand we may spend a few days here and no, not just residing in the Swan!