Live Boating

 Saturday 6^th May – Coronation Day

Barlaston to Weston

Our minimalist coronation bunting.

We started off in the dry, but by 10.00, it was raining and that continued for most of the day.  We made our way to the Meaford Locks of which there are four.  Then onwards to Stone. We did three of the Stone locks and then stopped for fuel at Stone Wharf.

After refuelling, we went down Stone Bottom Lock. From now on, the locks come one at a time, well spaced out. We did Aston Lock and stopped for lunch. After lunch, it was about an hour's journey to Sandon Lock and another hour until we moored for the night at Weston.

We watched the Coronation Service on iPlayer and then went for a meal at the Saracen’s Head.

Today’s miles and locks – 10.50 miles   10 locks    

Total miles and locks – 257.75 miles       170 locks

 

Sunday 7^th May

Weston to Fradley

Unlike yesterday, today dawned sunny and the sunshine continued all day. The cold wind had dropped and we had a lovely warm day.

We only had five locks to do today. First was Weston Lock, then about an hour later came Hoo Mill Lock.

Staffs & Worcs Canal

 We passed the turning leading to the Staffs and Worcs Canal and soon reached Haywood Lock where we met the first queue of the day. We were fifth in line following boats which had come out of a nearby marina. With plenty of people to help, it wasn’t too long before all the boats were safely down the lock and we were on our way again. This lock is very near to the Shugborough Estate.

Shugborough Estate

Opposite Shugborough, bluebells in the wood.

There were only two boats waiting at Colwich which was the next lock. They were both small boats hired just for the day by families celebrating the coronation, all new to boating. We helped them on their way, went down the lock ourselves and after a while, stopped for lunch. We decided that as the weather was so good, and the forecast for tomorrow is for rain, we would do some extra miles today.

We stopped briefly at Rugeley to do a little shopping and then carried on to Woodend Lock, some four hours after the previous one.  Time to stop and moor up for the night, just above Shade House Lock which will be the first one for tomorrow.

Today’s miles and locks – 15.50 miles   5 locks    

Total miles and locks – 273.25 miles       175 locks