Yesterday was pretty dull actually. We had intended to go to Alrewas but it was so cold and windy and showery we had got fed up by the time we reached Fradley so we stopped. We then went to the pub and that was about it really.
Today has seen a vast improvement in the weather and it has been a really pleasant trip from Fradley to Barton Turn. We did think about stopping at Alrewas but it was still quite early when we got there. This was because we were moored last night right near the water point and had easy access to the sanitary station so we were able to fill with water etc before we even thought about leaving. And as all the locks were in our favour (makes a change!) we made short work of the 2 miles and 4 locks to Alrewas so we decided to carry on another 2 miles and 3 more locks to Barton Turn.
We have never actually moored over night at Barton Turn before. We stopped here to take George to the pub once when we first had the boat, we walked here from Branston in sub-zero temperatures once and we have been through the village on the bus to and from Lichfield.
There are moorings both above the lock, where we are now and below the lock. These ones, above the lock, are very near the A38 and are not very peaceful. The ones below the lock are a little further from the road but still not really quiet.
After mooring we walked in to the village. According to the Nicholson’s Guide (rather old) there should be a footpath from Barton Turns Lock to the village but we couldn’t find it so we went up the road. It took about 20 mins to get there and we went to the Coop, Ken went in the Post Office and I went in the hairdressers and made an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow.
Then we had a dilemma – of the 4 pubs in the village, which one should we go to? Hmm, The Red Lion looked nice but unfortunately it was closed. The Middle Bell looked ok although it incorporated an Italian Restaurant. We gave it a look and found it to be a nice pub with Tribute, a beer we like.
After The Middle Bell we went off to the Shoulder of Mutton, which looked closed. We think it was in fact open but sported a ‘Pub for Lease’ notice outside, always a bit off putting. So we went to The Three Horseshoes and had a pint of Pedigree outside in the garden.
Finally we decided, as we had to go right past it to get back to the boat, we would make it a hat trick and have one in The Barton Turns by the lock. When we got there we found Brian form Mercia propping up the bar so we had a nice catch up with him and only slightly exceeded the stated dose!
This evening Ken is doing a bit of fishing for the first time in ages. Nothing to report so far though ………..
