New cover fitted and we’re off down the cut again.

 Tony (Bethsaidacovers.com) arrived yesterday morning with our new cratch cover, and got stuck in to get it fitted. It wasn’t a long job, a lot of the original clips were re-used.

He’s not as grumpy as he looks…

I’m pleased with the result, just need to get the tension right on the cabin side clips.

He’d finished by around half-one, so I went shopping, we had a brew then we toddled on, down the two locks out of town. 

Down Penkridge Lock

We moored for the night above Longford Lock, then were on the move at twenty past eight this morning. Well, we were both up early, it was fine and sunny and we didn’t want to get hooked up in the queue of boats likely to be leaving Penkridge.

It wasn’t until we got to Shutt Hill Lock, our third, that we started to meet boats coming up, from that point there was a pretty well continuous stream of traffic heading south. Good for us, not so good for them. They’ll have been queues, especially at Longford with only one upper ground paddle working.

Fine morning…

Another day, another motorway. This time the M6.

Heading through Acton Trussell I spotted a familiar boat.

Liberty Bell was sold by good friends and erstwhile travelling companions Dave and Barbara last year. The new owner is taking her back to Shobnall for a repaint soon.

Our first downhill queue at Deptmore Lock.

We thought about stopping at Radford Bridge or even St. Thomas Bridge, but we were doing so well that we pushed on.

Wide reed beds narrow the channel towards Milford.

Milford Turnover Bridge where the towpath switches sides.

Over the River Sow on a stone aqueduct.

We finally pulled in just above Tixall Lock at 12:45.

Another mile and a half from here we’ll be swinging right onto the Trent and Mersey, but we’re leaving that until tomorrow.

Locks 6, miles 9¼