Locks - like Clapham Junction in the rush hour!

Tuesday, 17 March 2009 17:36

We left Tixall very early (8am!) this morning as we had arranged to be at Milford for Staffordshire Canopies to repair our cratch cover. The cover had a couple of small tears in it  - wear and tear!

Tixall lock

It is such a shame to see the lock cottage empty. We remember this lock as very pretty and well looked after. (Epiphany in Tixall lock  ) A house a little further along was once a small bungalow. It now has a swimming pool, golf greens and an ornamental pond in the extensive grounds:

Whose house is this?

After a successful stop at Milford, which is very close to the railway line, (click for a 125 train on the railway line ) we carried on. By this time we were beginning to see a few boats moving. The canal does a huge loop from Baswich to Radford, passing some very attractive gardens created by the static home owners near Saint Thomas' bridge. We were now travelling almost due South on our way North!

Bridge 99, Meadow bridge, had something under the water so not only is it a classic Staffs and Worcs narrow bridge ( Walton bridge) it is also one to be  wary of and stop the prop! As a result I was off balance when I took the next photo!

Slightly blurred Meadow bridge (99)

Radford bridge (98) is a complete lash up

BW has tried to prevent the bridge being hit by boats. It is now very difficult to negotiate, particularly if you meet a boat coming the other way on a blind corner as we did. (looking back ) It has already been damaged and some of the metal is sticking out.

After Radford the countryside opens up and the River Sow valley leads to deep Deptmore lock (42). As usual the cottage here looks dilapidated with a burgeoning garden. But at least the cottage is still lived in.

Around Acton Trussell one becomes aware of the roar of the M6 which is now never very far away. The large bridge before Shut Hill lock hides the lock and the only remains of a small wharf - an iron post used to swing boats into the dock.

Here we met a boat coming down and so had to hang back. The next lock came fairly soon. Park Gate lock is the home of Teddesley Boatyard and Midland Chandlers. I was amazed by the size of this delivery lorry and hoped that the bridge was well reinforced!

Lorry leaving Midland Chandlers

There are a few moorings above the lock and we took advantage of one whilst visiting the chandlers to stock up on oil, filters, boat shampoo and a chimney cap! The sun yesterday (21 degrees on Tixall Wide) made us look forward to leaving the fire to go out and taking the chimney down!

As we came out of the shop we met Les from Nb Valerie going in. We have been "boat hopping" each other for days now and passed him just before Deptmore! A boat was coming up the lock and we set off after them.

Now things became really busy - a boat queue formed for Longford lock, right by the M6! I would rather be in a boat queue than one on the motorway. We waited for the boat in front to go in. A boat arrived just as we left to go in and the crew came up to help me. Everyone was making for Penkridge!

Very soon we arrived at Penkridge. nb Adderbury (Ownerships) was waiting for the lock so we decided to moor up just before The Boat. The Boat is a very familiar hostelry as we always met up with our fellow share owners there for lunch before our meetings in Penkridge.

Penkridge is the new "Clapham Junction in the rush hour". Boats queued for the lock, boats came down the lock, and we just sorted ourselves out and let them get on with it! Les caught up with us and went through just as John went to the shop and chemist in the town.

I have a blood test booked tomorrow morning at the GP here. Then we will set off for Gailey where we hope there is lots of post waiting for us!

I leave you with a cheeky photo!

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