Summit on the Staffs and Worcs

1 hour 46 minutes, 4.74 miles, 0 locks

We finally left Gailey after lunch! A couple of good things delayed us!

Firstly, we heard someone say - "I know that boat, it's John and Fiona". Looking out it was Twelfth Night with Richard S and his family aboard. We exchanged greetings as they set out towards Autherley.

Then it was "It's Epiphany" as Chas and Ann passed on Moore 2 Life. We caught up with them at the lock on our way to say goodbye to JD Boats. We all had a good natter. Ann and I caught up with the news about Sue and Vic from No Problem, where they were headed: Braunston for blacking. I picked Ann's brain about Chester and John and Chas talked the shallowness of the S & W, difficult bridges, Ellesmere Port Boat Museum and NABO!

We had a long chat with Jim Matthias from JD Boats, again catching up. It was good to see him and tap into his knowledge and wisdom. He has a new boat to fit out and the share boats are doing well - only one share left on "Double Six". We said goodbye to them all and, after taking on water after lunch, we set off. It was good to be moving again!

Familiar sights soon appeared: the chemical works, Gravelly Way Farm , Four Ashes, Hatherton Junction (the other end of the Lichfield Canal and hopefully to be restored) and Marina.

Calf Heath "Misty's" restaurant is under new management and looks much smarter. The lakes were looking beautiful.





Deepmore is a nasty bridge as it is blind and is a typical S & W bridge. We had to watch our chimney and then concentrate on the stern!

Deepmore Bridge

We were glad that we did not meet this boat sooner

Moat House bridge is the site of the medievel moat that James Brindley incorporated into the canal and traces can still be seen to the west. This is reputed to be the site of the Manor of Shareshill.

Could this be part of the old moat too?

Moat House bridge

The huge Laches corner and bridge seems to have become even more of a lorry park, dwarfing the farm house. A few more of the corners this section is well known for and we moored just after Slade Heath, near the footpath to Coven. Time for Six Nations Rugby on the TV!

Well done England! Well done Ireland too!

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