A new canal - the Trent and Mersey

Thursday, 12 March 2009 18:53

On Wednesday we left Whittington and travelled the last few miles of the Coventry Canal before turning onto the Trent and Mersey at Fradley Junction.

There is a sunken boat  just after Whittington but British Waterways have put up warning signs - I wonder how soon it will be removed, Patrol Notice included!

One day boaters will be able to turn left here at Huddlesford Junction

For the moment it is used as moorings

The Lichfield and Hatherton canals (Wyrley and Essington or Lichfield canal at Huddlesford) will one day link through to the Staffs and Worcs canal at Hatherton. Many obstacles have been overcome and the restoration continues with sterling efforts from the Restoration Trust and very public support from "Poirot" or David Suchet as he is known to boaters! The project is a very worthwhile cause to champion, as completion is a reality and will add to boating options and pleasure.

Streethay Basin and Wharf is a boating centre providing moorings, repairs, chandlery and other boating needs. However, as always when we pass it is always too busy to call in - nowhere to moor. But this time we were sad to see Nb Valerie and Les moored at the Wharf. Les' hot water tank had split and he was hoping Streethay could help. We really hope it is sorted by now.

Soon after this the canal begins its approach to Fradley Junction

Another boating mecca, it is well known for "The Mucky Duck" (aka The Swan pub), the number of boats moored at the junction and the fact that it is the middle of a flight of locks! On a busy day it can seem like chaos!

Fradley Junction

The swing bridge there - curiously named Trent and Mersey swing bridge by BW (can anyone confirm or refute the name?) - is easy to open and we then turned left onto the Trent and Mersey canal, towards Middle lock (18). Two more locks follow - Shade House lock and then about three quarters of a mile later, after a peaceful wooded section, Wood End lock.

The pound and bridge at the tail of Shade House Lock

The canal continues through pleasant countryside, passing Kings Bromley Wharf which looked even more dilapidated than I remember.

Kings Bromley Wharf

It is closely followed by the large Kings Bromley Marina which we saw being developed over the years we cruised this area on Twelfth Night.

We entered the village of Handsacre - a small village that merges with Armitage. We found a mooring just before bridge 58 and spent a while trying to get a decent internet signal. No such luck, so I gave up and relaxed with a book!

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