To work on the boat - or cruise?

pretty canal on the way to Rugeley

Handsacre

Having decided the boat needed working on we headed to the marina. I found the fridge had been left shut after our last visit and it had gone mouldy, so I had to clean it thoroughly before I could use it. 

The Captain checked if there was any water in the diesel and topped up the gearbox oil. He faffed about doing boaty jobs and we spent the night in the marina.

is there a boatcoming?

Looking at the weather the Captain decided most of the work could be put off until the autumn so he filled up with diesel and cast off for a short cruise. 

We enjoyed the cruise through to Rugeley even though we have done this stretch many times now. It is pretty and there is always something to see. There were a lot more boats around but for once we didn’t meet them in the narrowest sections.

The Plum Pudding pub

We moored in Rugeley where we bought more food and beer and set off again after consuming some of them. It was surprising how swiftly the ducks and cygnets had grown in a couple of weeks. 

Rugeley is just around the corner...

Although it was busy there was only one boat waiting to use Colwich lock. Sometimes there is three or four and a long wait. Great Hayward was even better with no queue and one boat descending as we arrived at the bottom. 

We turned onto the Staffs and Worcester canal and found it surprisingly quiet considering it is the high season. 

The Captain was delighted with how well our boat went and decided that it must have been due to the work he had done. Sadly I didn’t notice any difference but at least he’s happy. We moored after Tixall lock on a peaceful stretch of water.

...and so is its power station