Day 25 - Tuesday July 25th - Wolverhampton to Shebdon 21 miles 2 furlongs, 23 locks, 12 hours 15 minutes
Set off early today, 5.15am, as I wanted to be through the 21 before the sun got too fierce. Also I reasoned that any local scrotes would still be abed as I set off up the Shroppie. Met three boats in the flight, which helped with advance setting a few of the locks. Found a hedgehog swimming along the bank in one pound, making feeble attempts to get out. Rescued it with an offcut plank of wood, and deposited it on the towpath. It seemed to snuffle and sneeze for quite a bit before making its way into the undergrowth to recover (hopefully). Cleared the bottom of the flight at 9.15am, after one last weed hatch visit while descending the bottom lock. Turned right onto the Staffs & Worcs, and a few minutes later turned left onto the Shroppie. The Shroppie always feels like a major A-road compared to the Staffs & Worcs which is like a winding country lane. The Shroppie strides purposefully for its destination across mighty embankments and through deep cuttings. Apart from the stop lock at Autherley, there is only one lock in the first 25 miles. So it was that I arrived at Wheaton Aston lock at about 12.30pm. I had been catching glimpses of a boat nearly a mile ahead, and I thought he would have cleared the lock by the time I got there. No chance. There was a queue of four boats waiting to go down. Don't ask me where they all appeared from. Cleared the lock at 1.25pm, and stopped at Turner's for diesel (43.9p/l). Put 259 litres in, so that made it worthwhile. :-) Before I could leave, a Viking boat from Gailey with a couple of first time hirers on board, who had been behind me in the queue for the lock passed me, as did another boat which must have been moored below the lock. Chaos and mayhem ensued when the Viking boat tried to wind at the winding hole just beyond bridge 25. Main problem was that they tried to do it just after bridge 24, and got themselves wedged across the cut. I stopped in the bridge hole, another NB appeared behind me followed by a cruiser. I felt quite sorry for the first timers, you try to do something, it all goes horribly wrong, and before you know it you've got a queue of boats that you're holding up. In the end, the boat in front of me tied his bow rope to one of the stern dollies and reversing, pulled them back into line, before overtaking them. I was quite happy sitting behind them, as I knew they would wind after the next bridge, only they didn't. They kept on until Gnosall where they moored for the night. Passed Steve Haywood's Justice moored at Norbury Junction, but there was no sign of life on board. Tied up for the night at 6.15pm, just past the aqueduct that marks the start of Shebdon embankment. Showered and went to the Wharf at Shebdon for an OK mixed grill and disappointing beer. They have two guest real ales the book says, and they did, only they were Everards Tiger, which I find poor at the best of times - tonight was not the best of times! The other one was Charlie Wells Bombardier, which can be OK, but was a bit heavy considering the heat. Retired to bed after eating. Weather - Sunny Tomorrow's Forecast - Thundery Showers Terry Streeter NB Arun - Shebdon ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/WktRrD/lOaOAA/yQLSAA/ygtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
