Pubs, friends and good to be back out.

It's good to be back out and so far so good as far as the stern gear work is concerned. We've made some good progress, making the most of some decent cruising weather.

We left Mercia on Thursday morning having filled up with diesel and headed towards Burton. Every little noise from the engine bay was analysed closely and this will take a while to be put to the back of our minds. Bridge 36 always appears too small to fit through, even though we know we will.

We made it up to Fradley for the evening as we had a arranged a meeting in The Swan. We'd hoped to moor below Junction Lock, but it was full, so we went through the lock and surprisingly found the mooring at the junction to be free. Known locally as 'Posers Point' we reversed onto the space and had prime viewing of all things going on at this busy location.

We enjoyed a good meal in The Swan with our friends and old 'neighbours' at Kings Bromley, Howard & Sue. It was great to catch up with them again.

We left Fradley just before 9am on Friday before the traffic really got moving. The house next to Shadehouse Lock is still for sale, as it has been on and off for years.

Wood End lock is one of our favourites and one we have passed through countless times. Happily, now safe from the proposed route of HS2. 

We soon passed the entrance to our old home at Kings Bromley. It's early days, but we feel we miss our time here.

On through Plum Pudding tunnel where this strange statue stands guard.

We eventually moored below Great Haywood overlooking Shugborough Hall. Jasper loves it here as he can go swimming in the shallow River Trent adjacent to the packhorse bridge. We enjoyed a lovely meal at the Clifford Arms (as we always do). Well one has to support the local economy and the food here is cracking value and always a good choice of real ale. 

We sat out the rain on Saturday morning and left about 11am. Turning left at the junction to join the Staffs & Worcs and soon crossing Tixall Wide.

The gatehouse looked splendid and you can actually stay here. Built in around 1580 by Sir Walter Aston, it has survived the house it once served. If you fancy it, check out availability here

The water through Stafford was very shallow and in need of dredging, especially under some of the bridges. Stafford Boat Club always looks neat and tidy and is very dependent on member participation. Apparently there is currently a three year waiting list to get in. 

We followed the route of the M6 up into Penkridge. We decided to carry on through as it never really appeals as a place to stop and we ended up below Boggs Lock for the night. Despite the close proximity of the motorway, we really didn't notice it at all once we'd settled down.