Day 8 Sunday 28 September - The Great Boat Chase!

Pasturefields Saltmarsh to Barlaston

Yesterday I'd mentioned that we were trying to get to Western to meet up with John & Josie in the pub but we'd not quite managed to get there so today our aim was to reach Barlaston to meet them in another pub....is there a bit of the theme here!

We set off just after 10, the sun was shining & it was really warm...not what you would expect for the end of September!  Looking around we've been surprised by the number of berries on the trees & bushes; isn't this meant to mean we're in for a cold winter?

Bushes loaded with berries

This area was home to several wealthy families back in the 18 century & after passing through the single lock at Weston-on-Trent we passed under this bridge. 

Bridge 82 "Salt Bridge" T&M canal

As there were not that many exciting things on this stretch of the canal I thought I'd show you some pictures of locks as the canal passes through 2 flights of 4 locks in the town of Stone.

Lock 26 of the T&M at Aston-by-Stone

As you approach a lock the gates should all be shut.  If you're lucky the lock will be in your favour with the water level the same as the level you are currently on, as it was with this lock so you can just open the gates & drive the boat in.  Once the boat is in the locks we shut the gates behind us.  



Locks often have different set-ups with which paddles need opening & this lock had a ground paddle which I opened first & the there is a gate paddle which allows water in very fast so I opened this slowly to ensure the boat didn't get moved about too much.  Whilst I'm letting the water in Stuart is controlling the movement of the boat with the engine to stop it hitting again the gates at either end.

Lock 27 of the T&M at Stone....outside a pub with plenty of Gongoozlers!

Visit Wikipedia to find out about Gongoozlers

Once the water levels are equal you can wind the paddles back down & open the gate to allow the boat out.  If you're lucky there's another boat waiting to come straight in & you need not shut the gate but if not you just close the gate & continue on your way.

Along the course of the T&M canal there are mileposts to show your progress.  Below is the milepost by Aston Lock 26 which is the halfway point of this canal.

As we were passing through Stone approaching a lock we spotted a green boat ahead with a familiar figure at the tiller & realised it was Josie, we'd finally caught them!  John had gone ahead to prepare the lock so I hopped off Eos & went to help him & we followed them through the last 4 locks of the day & into Barleston where we moored next to them before having a guided tour of their new boat.  After a barbecue tea we walked back along the canal to the pub for a very enjoyable evening.

Wildlife we've seen today

The swan family we're very keen on our bread this morning

Buzzard

Heron

 Today we travelled for about 5.5 hours through 11 locks