Back on board

It was with great sadness that we returned to Great Haywood to  continue on the next leg of our journey.  Our great friend and  brother - in - law  Steve, died on the Friday that we returned home. He had battled with cancer for six months and he and Jenny's sister, Rosie have been so strong together and we were so lucky to have spent so many happy times with them over the years.

After a week of sizzling temperatures our return on board bought much cooler and unsettled conditions. This leg was to take us from Great Haywood, south along  the Staffs and Worcs Canal to Autherley Junction where we will then proceed  northwestward up the Shropshire Union. The Shroppie will take us to Audlem, which is where we bought Hunters Moon back in 2012. We have always promised ourselves a trip back to Overwater Marina to hopefully link up with old friends.
Our old friend the wind was back as we made our way to Penkridge, which made for challenging conditions and Tomotina had to come indoors again, now laden with masses of green toms. During our absence the geraniums have started to bloom, at last, and the pepper plant has tiny baby peppers on her. Very exciting. Tomotina has been travelling back and forth with us to keep her in peak condition and we'll watered!!!

Saturday morning dawned bright  and less windy and we made good progress to Autherley Junction. Having turned right we were confronted by a boat reversing into the stop lock and wanting to reverse out of the junction!  Something neither of us had encountered before! ! The hire base just past the junction on the Shroppie cannot turn boats round so if hirer's want to go unto the Staffs and Worcs there is no alternative to reversing . Most unexpected but sorted by us reversing a little so they could pass.

Autherley Junction

We cruised a short distance along the Shroppie until we found a beautiful mooring . So far it is certainly living up to its reputation for being a beautiful stretch of canal.

Sunday brought more overcast and rainy conditions so we have had a short day and have moored a little north of the pretty village of Wheaton Aston. Once again surrounded by farmland.