Onto the Trent & Mersey

12.5 miles, 3 locks, 1 swingbridge and 2 canals

The food at The Plough Inn was excellent and good value. We started the morning after a lie in and without needing breakfast! This top end of the Coventry Canal is surprisingly nice, winding and a bit overgrown. The sun shone and it was a lovely start to a bank holiday weekend. Fradley junction, where the Coventry ends at a T junction with the Trent and Mersey, was busy with confusing mooring. We managed to dump our rubbish but not empty the elsan or get to the café for a late (and now needed) breakfast.

Fradley Junction 

We turned left and found ourselves in the middle of a lock flight, going up and with queues. We saw this turtle sunning itself on a stick.

As we went through the villages of Handsacre and Armitage we passed this huge factory, still in operation and wondered what it made. When we passed the yard with piles of toilet bowls and cisterns all became clear: Armitage Shanks!

There were decent moorings by bridge 66 in Rugely but we were too late for the shops and the captain went on despite faint protests from the crew. New housing estates on the eastern side of the canal failed to completely conceal the power station beyond.

As we left the town, an aqueduct took us over the river Trent and to come 48 hour moorings where we finally stopped. After Scooby had a much needed walk, it was a sit in the evening sun with a beer.

Tomorrow we aim for Great Haywood where the man is coming to clean our fuel and tank on Monday. Shugborough Hall is nearby, so plenty to do while we wait.