How to cure a headache -

Thursday, 05 November 2009 17:46

Move!

This morning we waited patiently for our Tesco delivery. We were impressed to get a text message giving a half hour delivery window, and then the driver was 3 minutes early! All was duly delivered to us via the swan doors!

However the piling work just along the bank was beginning to give me a headache - we were glad that they did not start until 10 am and then stopped for lunch at 1 pm!

So as the sun was shining we decided to escape the pounding, go up Penkridge Lock and take on water, use the sani-station and get rid of the rubbish. As we did this two other boats came up the lock. OK we were going to have to queue for the locks!

Queuing behind the River and Canals working boat at Filance Lock

This old bollard stands proud among the new wooden  "mushroom" bollards

The above mentioned bollards are a fat lot of use - wet rope does not run well around wood, the mushroom tops are not much use as the rope needs to stay at the bottom to be effective and I wonder how many years it will be until they rot off at the bottom. One of these bollards is to the right in the next photo. How many boaters use three bollards each side of a narrow lock?

In Filance Lock (37)

Leaving Penkridge behind we once again cruised in the lovely Staffordshire countryside. Otherton Marina slowed us down as we "ticked" past all the in-line boats and had a good look at the boats in the marina!

Otherton Lock is next and here the M6 joins the canal again, right alongside it and above the canal cutting. Scaffolding shrouds Otherton Lane Bridge (81) and I was amused by the attempt to protect boats - I am sure the foam would not take much of a bash!

Looking back at the bridge

Close up of the padded scaffolding

The M6 hugs the canal, although the traffic is a little slower at the moment, as there is work going on and speed cameras at regular intervals. Ha - serves them right for being in a rush! All those lorries - they might as well join them all together as they travel so close to each other. (Oh, that's a train!)

Rodbaston Lock is just a spit away from the motorway, so it is a good excuse to shout at each other even more loudly than we normally do at a lock!

Approaching Rodbaston Lock(35)

Looking back it looks tranquil until one spots the motorway sign

We had had enough for the day, so as the motorway swings away after Rodbaston we moored up not far from the top of the lock. It was good timing, as once we settled it began to rain. So here we are - brilliant internet signal (thanks to the Motorway!), a good TV signal and a slight swooshing noise that with a bit of imagination could be the sea! Ha ha!

Staffs and Worcs Canal, Penkridge to Rodbaston - 2 hours 7 minutes, 2.04 miles, 4 locks