Skipper in Training

Another early start this morning saw us cast off a little before 9. Just a few minutes later we were crossing the Brindley Bank Aqueduct. On a long straight section Edward had a go at the tiller, under the very close supervision of the skipper.

Just one lock this morning, and our first up hill, before we moored just south of Great Haywood. We walked across the unusual Essex Bridge over the river Trent towards Shugborough Hall, getting there just after opening time at 11am.

Shugborough Hall, now a National Trust property, was built in 1693 by William Anson and remained in the ownership of the Anson family until 1960 when upon the death of his father the 5th Earl of Lichfield, Thomas Anson, donated the house to the NT in lieu of death duties.

Returning to the boat for lunch we were a bit perturbed to find 4 boats queuing for the next lock - potentially a wait of about an hour. Thankfully during lunch no further boats passed us and so we simply had to wait for a boat on the way down. We topped up with water at the junction with the Staffs & Worcs Canal, which was much quieter than when we passed on Bank Holiday Monday.

A further 3 locks followed before we pulled up for the night just short of the village of Burston.Read more