The next stage of our trip took us from the Alvechurch Festival through to Crick, back up to Middlewich for the Folk and Boat Festival, then up the Shropshire Union Canal.
We followed Andy and Helen from ‘Widside Jams and Preserves‘ and ‘The Jam Butty’ to our next event at Kings Norton
We moored for the night half way down the Hatton Flight. This was our view the next day.
Sandra crossing the bridge over the Watford Staircase Lock.
Braunston Church and the north Oxford Canal
Etruria Top Lock and the junction with the Caldon Canal
Another one of those ‘must shoot’ photos on the Coventry Canal. I took a similar one here in 2009, and I’ve compared it to this – all the arms and insulators are exactly the same. I might have to check again in another 6 years to see if any have fallen off!
Idyllic rural Cheshire canal scene along the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union canal
A very busy day going up the Audlem Flight
Sandra helping a single hander through the lock
The Audlem locks are a great place for photography, especially when it’s this busy.
Just one more boat heading the other way at the Adderley Locks.
Once we’d passed through the Adderley Locks, we were up to Market Drayton where we traded with the Roving Canal Traders Association for the weekend.
In case you haven’t seen the latest copy – http://www.derbycamra.org.uk/derby-drinker/
Also try the Alexandra, Silk Mill, Flowerpot and the Five Lamps – some great ales available. The Derby Brewing Company has done a good job and brew some very good beer. The pub at the Marina has some decent beer and good pub grub too – have you tried it?
I have been in the pub here at the marina but not to eat as it’s a bit poshish for us. I think I prefer the pubs in the village. Seems like I’ve got some tasting to do when I get into Derby then. Sounds more like a pub crawl though!
Or a series of pub crawls! Seriously there are plenty to choose from. Where are you planning to spend New Year’s Eve?
Some great stuff here Barry – are you selling postcards of your photos as well as the home brew? Now remember, Derby is the UK’s real ale capital so get on the train and go into Derby and visit the Brunswick, near the station – it’s wonderful. They make their own beers and have a range of guests as well…heaven! All the best, Phil
Hi Phil, I am selling greeting cards of some of my images from the boat. You can see them on the website here … http://www.thehomebrewboat.co.uk/product-category/greeting-cards/ I am looking to do a re-run of some of them as well as a few new ones for next season, plus looking at doing a few framed enlargements.
I haven’t made it to Derby yet, but will check out the Brunswick when I do. I’m at Burton-on-Trent at the moment going for a tour og The National Brewery Museum with a few from the marina this afternoon. Sandra and I did it in 2010 so it’ll be good to see what’s different and try a sample or two. Cheers Barry