Fradley Junction to Bridge 69, near Wolseley, April 10th 2012

Approaching Fradley Junction

Due to a dreadful weather forecast (which actually turned out to be right), we stayed put yesterday and watched a lot of boaters get wet. Very, very wet! It was an awful day, typical weather for Easter Monday! However, the weather this morning was a complete contrast to that of yesterday – bright blue skies and sunshine which made the whole canalscape around the junction look sparkling.

Middle Lock, Fradley

We were up bright and early this morning as we know how hectic the junction area can get later in the day and we wanted to get away to avoid the queues. As a result we were away at 7.35 and through the swing bridge and round the junction and soon heading for Middle Lock (which is actually the fourth or second of the flight of 5 depending on which direction you are coming from)

We were fortunate to have a boat waiting at the top of Shade House Lock and were soon away through the trees of Fradley and Ravenshaw Woods and through Wood Lock which had a badly leaking top gate paddle.

It was then a most pleasant cruise through the woods and fields, past King’s Bromley Wharf with its gently decaying former dairy building and into the joined up villages of Handsacre and Armitage. The former is quite pleasant to pass through; indeed we have moored there overnight a couple of times, the latter a bit grim.

WC's everywhere

It’s not necessarily Armitage’s fault as the canal does squeeze past the northern edge of the village, hemmed in by the river, railway, sewage works and the huge and still fully functioning toilet factory that is Armitage Shanks! Loos, loos and yet more loos fill the large storage yard. It almost makes you feel that you need to spend a penny.

It is a bit of a relief to get through this section and approach Armitage or Plum Pudding Tunnel. It is a bit of a misnomer to call it a tunnel as the roof of the original narrow bore through the sandstone ridge was removed in 1971. However the road that originally passed over the top of the tunnel has subsequently been improved and widened and, passing at an oblique angle across the canal, forms a “new tunnel”.

Armitage or Plum Pudding Tunnel

It is still very narrow and it is always best to get a member of crew off in advance to ensure the way is clear before signalling that all’s clear. Elaine performed admirably as always.   

     

The large ornate building on the offside is the former Hawkyard Priory, now an events and functions venue. It was built after a member of the Spode family (who lived at Spode House, someway behind the Priory) got religion and donated the land for the priory. You get the chance to take a good look at the Gothic styled buildings as there is a long line of moored boats here.

Hawkesyard Hall

We had thought about stopping at the waterpoint just beyond these moorings, but felt we had enough to last until we got to Great Haywood. Just as well, as a boat emerged from the bridge just beyond to pull in for water and we know from experience how slow that tap is.

Rugeley Power Station had been a feature of the horizon for some time, and again appeared, dominating the northern bank. At least it seemed to, but with the canal winding around a bit; it actually takes some time before you can actually say you are passing it!

We wanted to stop at Rugeley for shopping, but were dismayed to be told by a passing boater that the moorings were full and Rugeley was busy. However, after passing beneath the railway line we managed to find a space just big enough to the south of Bridge 66 to pull in and tie up.

The lady was right. Rugeley was bedlam, especially Morrison’s. However we gamely fought our way round and returned to the canal and the boat to recover.

Under way again we found ourselves in a procession of boats heading toward Great Haywood and being passed by a procession of boats going towards Fradley. The channel through Rugeley is not the widest, and, with all the moored boats, it all made things a bit fraught at times. One boat we passed was also called ‘Patience’ and lo and behold, one of the moored boats also sported our name.

The canal takes its time to shake off Rugeley’s residential suburbs, house and back gardens lining one side of the canal whilst the other bank falls away to the river.

Eventually you realise when Brindley (the canal’s engineer) had gathered up the courage to cross the river as there is a sharp right hand bend and the canal strides across the Trent on Brindley Bank Aqueduct. It is not a vast structure and it is not particularly high above the river, but Brindley didn’t really do aqueducts, and those that he did build are low slung heavy looking affairs.

Mooring near bridge 69

The canal now returns to a north westerly direction as it starts to run under the northern flank of Cannock Chase. We have stopped here several times before near the pig farm, but with glorious views all around. We tied up with lovely blue skies and bright sunshine around us. It has been good to be cruising again.