Stop–start day

Less than four miles today, but we broke it up with two stops. The first was merely 50 yards behind us, to fill up from the diesel boat moored alongside the pig farm.

Taft Wharf
That done we set off to Rugeley, in bright but breezy conditions.

Looking back towards Cannock Chase

The Chase was a Royal Forest in the 14th Century. The right to hunt there was strictly controlled, under penalty of death. Today it’s managed by the local council with input from a variety of environmental groups. It’s crossed by paths; foot, mountain bike and bridle, and has several memorials within it’s boundaries.

The River Trent is crossed an an aqueduct just west of Rugeley.
It’ll stay to the north of the canal now until the two combine for a short distance below Alrewas.

We moored for a short while just before Bridge 67, while I went into town, then, after a bite to eat (there’s a Gregg’s in the town centre), we pushed on again.

The regular visitor moorings either side of Bridge 66 were empty, very unusual, even at this time of year. I guess the stoppage at Colwich is putting people off coming this far up.

Leaving Rugeley, Towers Plaza with the power station beyond

There was an aerial power line survey in progress; we’d seen the helicopter in the distance, but it crossed overhead as we passed the Ash Tree pub.

We pulled in just beyond the A513 road bridge. In the morning we’ve a Tesco delivery due, across the way near the water point.
I don’t think we’ll be going so far afterwards, the forecast is pretty grim.

Locks 0, miles 3¾