YOU'RE SURE ITS NOT WINTER​???

 

The shirt says it all

The weather has taken a definite turn for the worse. After a night on the pontoons we decided to headed for Shardlow for the night, we waited for the wind to die down, as it was gusting at about 40mph and to let the rain to pass through. Luckily for me there were only 3 locks to do, the first one was manned by lockees, yippee, the second was a flood lock and open, double yippee, but I had to jump off and do the last one which took us onto the Trent and Mersey at Derwent Mouth. The rain just about held off as we moored up outside the New Inn at Shardlow. This is a pub we have been in on numerous occasions, they usually have a decent dark on for the Captain, and the food served is very good. Of course we had to have a pint, Titanic Plum Porter for the Captain and Amstel for me.

https://www.thenewinnshardlowpub.co.uk/

The temperature dropped significantly the next day, and just as we set off the rain started. The first lock was not far, and as I jumped off the rain felt like ice cold needles on my skin, not a pleasant feeling at all. With the lock done I disappeared below and cleaned the whole of the boat, leaving the poor Captain to the inclement weather, I also did a load of washing but had no chance of getting it dry. The decision was taken to put the fire in, both for our comfort and for the drying of the clothes, unheard of this early, we usually hold out until at least October.

I had 3 more locks ahead but the rain had stopped, and although it didn’t get any warmer, at least I didn’t get wet doing them. We moored for the night at Swarkestone, just above the lock, and before the water point. The nearest pub was the Crewe and Harper, a short walk across the fields on a public footpath. We managed to dodge the showers and had a couple of pints in there.

https://www.creweharpurpub.co.uk/

After filling with water and getting rid of some rubbish we headed to Willington. Just before we set off NB Augustus passed us so we were hopeful of sharing the one and only lock of the day with them, these double locks are much easier when you share with another boat, and its also good water management, something we found out a lot about on the Erewash.

We did indeed join them in Stenson lock, and found out they were also stopping at Willington for the night. The moorings in Willington can get very busy, as the village has a railway station, a Coop, other shops, a chippy and 3 pubs. And its only a short walk for the moorings.

When we reached the beginning of the mooring, we could see them starting to pull in near the Dragon pub, and the Captain assured me there was room for us too. In fact there was room for 3 boats as long as nobody left git gaps. It appeared that, until I challenged the Captain of Augustus, he was intending on doing just this. I pointed out that he would be better mooring up close to us, therefore leaving room for a boat (should it arrive) to moor in front of him. This he did, although I am not sure how well he took my suggestion.

We walked into the village as we needed a few bits from the Coop, and of course we had to have a pint. We decided to give The Green Man a try, no darks on but a good pint of John Smiths, so the Captain was happy. As he was getting the drinks I heard my name mentioned and looked over to see Lesley and Nigel off NB Orkney. We had first met them in the Angel Ale House in Atherstone, and then on the Ashby canal, its was great to see them, and we spent a lovely hour or so chatting and catching up.

When we parted company we decided to give the Dragon a try, hoping that Tuffer’s Old by Boots brewery would be on, but it was not to be, however the Captain was very happy with another pint of Titanic Plum Porter.

Only a short hop to Burton upon Trent next day, and out first narrow lock for quite sometime at Darrow Lane. We found good moorings near were the hire car was being delivered. No pub tonight though.

The hire car was delivered right on time (thanks Enterprise car hire), and we were able to use it to run some errands and do some much needed shopping. After a quiet afternoon we headed out for a pint, (of course). Firstly The Weighbridge is a tiny micropub next to Lidl. Railway Porter for the Captain and Two:20 Lager by Titanic for me.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Weighbridge-Inn-Burton-100057584283863/

As you know we like to sniff out new micropubs to visit, and the Captain using all his detective skills found one to try not far from the Weighbridge. Outwoods Brewing, it is located in the railway arches, and the brewery and tap room are side by side. So we took a poddle and weren’t disappointed. There was a good range of beers on from Outwoods (obviously brewed on the premise) and Thornbridge brewery, which is based near Bakewell in the Peak District. The Captain tried the Nitro Stout and I had Czech Mates lager, both from Thornbridge. So good we stayed for another pint.

https://www.facebook.com/OutwoodsBrewCo

We had a long day next day, travelling all the way to Chorley (by car) and back for the Captains granddaughter Olive’s christening. It was a lovely day and great to catch up with all the family.

Grandad Pete and Olive

We set off from Burton and headed for Alrewas, 7miles and 5 single locks away. The weather was lovely for a change. At the first lock we encountered a bit of a queue, so I headed off to help, and discovered the boat in front of us NB Fledermaus (German for flying bat) was a single handing lady, and of course we had to help out were ever we could. I walked between locks getting some much needed exercise, which also meant I could have the lock set and ready for her when she arrived, so no messing about. As we locked up the last lock for the day, the Captain walked up to see what the moorings were like, he managed to find us a great spot but it was a little to short, but the very helpful Captain on NB Wild Cherry offered to move up so we could fit in, and we did.

Alrewas has 3 pubs, and we decided to head to our favourite The George and Dragon, but nothing on to tickle the Captains taste buds, so just a pint of lager. Then we moved on to The William IV, still nothing on in here for the Captain, but we decided to stay. As we were ordering our drinks, the lady who we had helped out came over and thanked us for all our help and offered to buy us a pint, this then turned into a bit of a session. We discovered her name was Phillipa and she had only had her boat a short time, but was an experienced boater.

Our time of the Trent and Mersey was coming to an end, and after 5 locks and a couple of miles we joined the Coventry canal at Fradley Junction.

We saw Phillipa again, she was helping a friend through the locks at Fradley, so we got to say a proper farewell and hope to see her again.

We are heading home to Swan Lane in time for my daughter in-laws 30^th birthday at the end of September, and it will probably be the end of our cruise for this year, but we will see.

29 miles, 19 locks, 1 river and 2 canals.