Yesterday we had a shorter travelling day and did just 4 miles and 5 locks from Wombourne to Compton. We moored on the 48 hour moorings near the cafe. When we arrived we were the only ones on the moorings but were joined later by a couple of other boats. We were glad to have a shorter day because Ken’s chest is still really bad and I have a hacking cough now as well. We sound like a couple of escapees from the consumption ward!
Things were made easier for us by the fact that when we got to the first lock a boat was just coming out of it so we could go straight in. This was a chap on his own and we could go straight in the next two locks as well because he had left them both open. Lucky for us. Then at the penultimate lock a boat was just coming out and as they had just done the one before we didn’t have to get any locks ready at all!
We went to Sainsbury’s for a few things then we went to The Swan. The local lunchtime crowd in there were really entertaining. One chap, who had just retired, came in and had 6 pints in the time it took us to have two! In fact they were nearly all retired, except the 75 year old, Irish, funeral director (who was tighter than a water snake’s jock strap according to one of his ‘mates’) and most walked with sticks for various reasons. The banter was hilarious and we really enjoyed listening to them.
Later on we went and got some fish and chips from Pep’s Plaice and just like last time the chips were bright orange! Apparently they put some sort of batter on them to keep them crisp. They look a bit strange but are very good, as was the haddock.
Today we have come 6 miles and just 2 locks from Compton on the Staffs and Worcester canal to Brewood on the Shroppie. We are moored, as we always do when we come here, between bridges 7 and 8. Same as yesterday there was a boat coming out of the first lock when we got there so we could go straight in. The only other lock today was the stop lock at Autherley Junction which is tiny so it was another easy day lock wise.
It is a 35 min walk from the moorings to the village and is a nice walk except for the really muddy bit in the cutting where the mud is ankle deep. However we still managed to get to the pub! Unfortunately it has changed hands since last year and they don’t sell Cock a Hoop any more which we were looking forward to.
Tomorrow we are going to Wheaton Aston.
