This is the blog of Norwyn & Sheila aboard their narrowboat Shell Bell.
It was raining as we pulled away this morning. Our first stop was the boatyard a few hundred yards ahead, we needed to top the diesel tank up and whilst there we bought some kindling. It continued to rain as we made our way to the first of what would be twenty locks today. By the time we reached Adderley top lock it had stopped raining and the sun was making a welcome appearance. Sheila took the opportunity to top up our meat supplies at the very good farm shop at the top lock. It didn’t take too long to clear the five locks in this flight. The sun continued to shine as we headed for the fifteen locks at Audlem. It took over two and a half hours to clear these fifteen locks and we moored about a quarter of a mile past the bottom lock. The mooring has a great view across the valley. We had a lovely evening in glorious sunshine just enjoying the view.
Today 7 miles 20 locks
Adderley Lock side stall leading to a very good farm shop
View from our overnight mooring at Audlem
The weather dominated today. We set off in pleasant sunshine and after a short while we passed through a very unusual bridge. It has a telegraph pole built into the arch. After around an hour the dark clouds came, the temperature dropped and then a hail storm was followed by heavy rain. This set the trend for the rest of the day, we even had thunder whilst we were doing the flight of five locks at Tyrley. We passed a boat with a Butty (unpowered boat being towed) which had to be bow hauled through the locks by her crew. We moored at Market Drayton around 14:30 and went into the town for some shopping. Back on the boat the weather improved and Norwyn did a spot fishing. He caught some roach and a gudgeon.
Today 11.5 miles 5 locks.
Bridge with telegraph pole built in
the butty being bow hauled through the locks
what a pleasant surprise this morning, bright sunshine- the grey skies had gone. Today was not going to be a busy day but a gentle trundle along this lovely canal (the shroppie) that’s canal speak. Setting off this morning we were soon in the narrow cutting with a boat coming the other way. The skipper kindly waved me through while he held station in a passing place. The boat was NB Marmite Braidbar 127. Once past we continued until we came to the one lock we would have to do today. There was no queue so it was straight in. Once clear of the lock we made our way to Gnosall where we stopped for lunch. After lunch we walked into the village and shopped at the butchers. Whilst moored for lunch a quite rare Mandarin duck was swimming near Shell Bell. Leaving Gnosall we headed off for Norbury junction where we would moor for the night, we arrived around 4pm and the sun was still shining.
Today 12 miles 1 lock 1 tunnel
Chillington bridge
Mandarin duck
The weather forecast today was for rain and by jingo they got it right. It was raining when we set off this morning around 09:15 and it didn’t stop all day. We used the supermarket app on the Iphone to find a Morrison’s and moored up near wolverhampton. Sheila went off to collect some shopping whilst I dried off in the boat. It was only about half a mile to the supermarket so it didn’t take Sheila long and we were soon on our way again. At Autherley junction we turned onto the shropshire union canal- another canal we have not been on. Once through the stop lock we pulled onto the water point to top up the tank. Then it was off once more on what looks like a lovely canal. We decided to moor around 14:30 between bridge 7 and 8 just south of Brewood.
Today 10 miles 1 lock
waiting at the stop lock Autherley junction
It was very misty and wet when we set off this morning. The first of the ten locks we would do today was only around a quarter of a mile away. There were several boats on the move today so it was nice at the locks- plenty of help available. The weather improved after lunch, although not bright it was at least dry. Passing through Penkeridge we came across a fishing match of about a dozen anglers. As I thanked each and everyone of them for reeling in or moving their roach poles I never had one response except for the odd grunt. As an angler myself I understand their frustrations but ‘hey’, the canal is for boats as well. We moored up for the day around 15:30 at Gailey, where there is a round,toll keeper’s watch tower which is now used as a canal shop.
Today 8 miles 10 locks
Toll keepers watch tower
Approaching one of the ten locks
When set of from Rugeley around 10am this morning, it was raining although not hard. We had a steady run down to Great Haywood junction where we moored on the water point to top the tank and empty the loo tank at the elsan point. By the time we had finished boats were waiting to moor for water so captain Norwyn backed Shell Bell off the mooring and we turned left onto new territory- the staffs and worcester canal. We soon came upon the Tixel wide (extra wide piece of canal like a lake) where we stopped for lunch. After lunch we made steady progress and have moored for the night opposite the Stafford Boat club, the bonus being that on the marshes near the boat a rare bird a CRANE is feeding.
Today 12 miles 3 locks
Follow that sign
Lunch at Tixel wide
view from our overnight mooring
There was a sharp frost overnight and the grass was white, but the sun was shinning first thing as we left our moorings at Alrewas. The first lock was not far and we were soon through and making our way to Fradley Junction. We made good progress through the first three locks but joined a queue at locks number four and five. Once we were through the five locks we had a clear run and stopped to say a quick hello to Bob and Adele who were working on their boat at woods end lock. We arrived in Rugeley around 4pm and after a cuppa we went shopping at Morrisons which is close to bridge 66.
Today 9 miles and 8 locks
What a difference a day makes. We rose this morning to a bright but cold morning with light winds and no rain or snow. After getting everything sorted we at last backed off the marina pontoon mooring around 10:00. It was good to be on the move again. It was steady progress over the familiar route to Burton, it all seemed rather quiet but then we arrived at Branston common lock and found ourselves number seven in the queue to go through. Part of the reason for the backlog was the slow filling of the lock as one paddle was out of action. We used the wait to have some lunch and a well earned cuppa and once through we made steady progress again and arrived in Alrewas around 4pm and found good moorings just beyond bridge 48. Friends Bob and Adele called round to see us and have a cuppa. It’s always nice to catch up.
a very busy Branston common lock
Today 11 miles 6 locks
Wow what a day, we woke this morning to howling wind and SNOW. We had planned to set off on our travels today but the weather had other ideas. With no improvement in the weather by lunchtime we decided to stay put in the marina for one more day, so fingers crossed we can set sail tomorrow. The day has been spent just relaxing on the boat. We did get out for a walk around 5pm and to be honest it was quite chilly,but at least we are warm on the boat with the central heating and the stove.
we woke to snow this morning
We set off from Suffolk around 10am and made good time. The roads were quiet and the rain held off. We arrived at the Marina around 13:15. It was a busy afternoon unpacking and getting the boat ready for our departure tomorrow. Norwyn went to the shop and bought a bag of coal and a replacement 13kg gas bottle. The weather turned very wet this afternoon but by early evening it was very pleasant, the wind dropped and it stopped raining so we went for a walk down to the village and back. The weather forecast for the next few days is not brilliant with talk of snow tomorrow, but we will make the best of it.
