Saturday 16th June Last night after mooring, the rain did reduce and the lightening stopped and I felt more comfortable about erecting the ariel. Very good TV picture and 2 corries enjoyed with spag bol, cooked in the slow cooker during the day, spiced up with Reggie Reggie sauce. Today we left at 9.30am in overcast and dry weather. The Shroppie is a lovely canal and it's understandable why people rave about it. We pass some cows showing a great interest in a JCB type digger. They are sniffing it all over. Perhaps they think it is some sort of animal? Lots of bridges and narrow sections, woodlands and fabulous views. Lots of wildlife too, including a Mink. Under bridge 39, the one with the telegraph pole set in it. Something tells me this is now listed?. Through Norbury Junction, which boasted wireless internet access available, and onto Gnosall. We have not seen a boat up until now. Bridge 33 is also a short tunnel and the canal narrows and gets shallow. As we exit it starts to rain and we spy 2 boats coming and one is a big working boat. We stop, so does he and runs aground in the process. While he is sorting himself out, we are invited through, with the traditional wave of the hand. Slowly, very slowly we slide past. Next boat kindly puts himself in the trees, to give us safe passage, what a nice chap. Through Church Eaton and onto Wheaton Aston. We intend to get diesel here, cause it's 41.5ppl. Problem, they close at 2pm on a Saturday. We arrive at 3pm. My own fault I should have phoned ahead and checked opening times. Have only got a quarter tank left, so will try the boatyard at Brewood tomorrow. Anyway, bit of a result at the BW dunnydump, water and rubbish station, 100 yards further on. Some kind sole had left credits on the pumpout machine, so we had it free :-). I wonder into the village to pick up a paper at the local store. There are now lots of boats around and we have to wait for the lock. No worries, it's now fine and sunny.Once through we try two places to moor and can't get in closer than 3 foot. Eventually we moor just below bridge 15. Within seconds of tying the last rope, the rain comes down and the thunder starts. 15 or so minutes later it stops and there is a rainbow. As I write this Wendy is cooking the T bone steak we bought in Audlem. Smells gorgeous. I have put the ariel up, great TV picture. Another fabulous day. Fathers Day tomorrow. Wonder what that will bring?
Regards Andrew & Wendy from The Cut
