I spent morning looking after the boat while the crew went into Stone for supplies and photos. After lunch we trundled on down and stopped for the night on a delightful stretch of canal at moo mill lock. Drinks on the tow path.
Monday 5 July. 2 miles, 1 lock.
A few domestics loading water, and clearing out the waste before mooring up at Great Haywood ST18 0ST. Spent the afternoon at Shugborough Hall & Park. Until recently the home of Lord. Lichfield. A big house and grounds. They also displayed some of Lord Lichfields photograph. Nice work. That evening Margaret Mitchell & Jim Taylor from Rotary joined us for a chat before they went off searching for some accommodation for the night.
Tuesday 6 July. 10 miles, 2 locks.
Had a wondered around Great Haywood taking photos, picking strawberries & Raspberries. Talked to a broker at the marina and headed off after lunch. Went into Rugeley and had a quick tea before heading on for a late stop just before Kings Bromley Wharf, not far from Fradley Junction the busiest junction on the network.
Wednesday 7th 2 1/2 miles 1 lock.
We had been told to time our run through Fradley junction at other than mid morning or mid afternoon. We had that about right as we approached the top lock the last in the cue was just going in. Then it all went wrong. Easing over to the side of the canal to let the crew off I put the boat into reverse to slow down. It went faster so I went back to neutral. Not looking good at this point so into revers again and we went faster towards the lock. It this point it dawned on me that something was wrong. this was confirmed as the crew gets agitated and leap of a speeding (2 mph) ship. all ropes try slowing her down and after hitting the lock approaches we finally stop the boat and I notice that it is still in gear. Back on the boat, kill the engine & take a deep breath. That was the end of our travels for the day. Gear box cable broken so it never did go into revers or neutral. Talked to the owner who travelled for 2 1/2 hours to come and fit a new cable. All's well now.
The reference to the bell is:
There is a bell in the cabin and we asked Dave & lynn what it was for. It is to let you know when you hit something hard Well it rang today.
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