Piglets and puppies.Cant get cuter then that.

Friday nights sunset at Shadehouse lock

Leaving Shadehouse lock on Saturday. 8am and not a soul about.

We did have a quiet and peaceful night on Saturday moored at the top of Tixal Lock. No phone or internet to be had and one would have thought that in this day and age you would at least get a phone signal and some sort of internet connection but no, not an inkling. TV was okay so at least we didn't have to sit and stare at each other Anyway, now let's see......what happened Saturday? Ah yes........

Arrived on the Staff and Worc mid afternoon. We had hoped to make Deptmore lock near Stafford boat club but a combination of very slow boats, (which wouldn't let us pass) stopping for diesel at Taff Wharf ( well it would be silly not to as the price was only 65p a Litre) and the chance meeting of James and Debbie (nb Lois Jane)  and their gorgeous puppy  Dudley at Rugley all stopped us from reaching our goal. Not that I minded meeting Dudley 'cause he is the cutest , adorable woofit I have seen in a long time. My doggie fix was complete when James let me have a cuddle but now..... oh dear I want another dog even more!  Didn't really get to stop and chat for too long but very much hoping we will meet somewhere down south.  No doubt Dudley will be one big puppy by then and I may get to have another fix by taking him for a walk. 

At tickover for mile upon mile.

Taff Wharf

And to keep us amused while taking on diesel this chocolate lab fascinated by the piglets.

The cute one is Dudley!

So having said our farewells we left Rugley and had a really good run to Great Hayward. All the locks were with us and the turn onto the Staffs & Worc was a doddle even with the wind blowing across the T&M. Tixal wide was almost devoid of boats, very unusual for a Saturday afternoon and we decided against stopping wanting to at least get another lock under our belt. Tixal lock is another problematic lock with one bottom gate refusing to stay shut. I did have to sit back to keep them closed and I also noticed that the hand rail over the gate was covered in beware tape. Not a problem for most who walk round to close gates, but for some, like Ian, who will jump across the gap after closing one gate, the railing is the first thing to grab hold of. This one is completely rusted away and consequently sheared off at the bottom.  How long will this one take to fix??? 

Stepping from one gate to another

We stopped just above the lock so Ian could check the new batteries and, so I didn't get in his way, went fishing. Caught the biggest Perch to date and then the most unusual fish. Almost out of the Jurassic era!

Ruff

Sunday.

Latish start as we only had to go as far as Midland Chandlers by Teddersly Boat Club.  Gave me time to have tea and toast in bed but we were still away before 9am. Again not a boat on the move to be seen and without that chilly wind it was a pleasure to be out and about. Near to Stafford boat club we came across a new signpost. It is to do with the new Stafford Riverway Link to re-open the river and canal waterway linking the town and the Staff and Worc Canal. Stafford was originally connected to the canal at Baswich in 1816 to transport coal, but the link was closed in 1929. Hopefully this waterway will be finished in our cruising lifetime. 

Deptmore lock was with us having had a boat exit just before we turned up. A few minutes earlier and the gates could have been left open. Seems we just cant get our timings right, but wait.... our timing was spot on at Parkgate lock. Shame the hire boat exiting closed the gate in front of us.

We have stopped at the Chandlers ready to collect our battery tomorrow morning. They're not open on a Sunday but don't mind stopping early. Might be a good film on TV this afternoon so going to chill out and relax.

Wildlife on route.