On the Trent & Mersey

We spent Sunday moored near Tamworth and did a bit of shopping including a couple of new tunnel lights, our old one was a bit feeble. We thought about staying longer as I wanted to go to Spellbound Beads in Lichfield. However, either by accident or cruelty Gwynie was injured on Sunday evening. She was having difficulty moving, her tail was droopy and she was obviously in pain. I suspect she has been injured either lower back or upper tail. Even though she seemed a bit better on Monday morning I didn't want to stay where there might be someone around who would deliberately injure a cat.

We moved the short distance to Hopwas and I was able to get a bus from there to Lichfield on Tuesday morning. While I was out Chris, who we bought Merlin from, came past and had a quick visit with Ray. Gwynie has improved greatly but is still moving awkwardly. At least she doesn't seem in pain any more and she cuddled up to Ray in bed last night, purring like mad.

This morning we pulled pins and headed for Fradley Junction, en route we spotted this very unusual 'haystack'.

I'm not sure whether it is art or just a bored farmer! We also spotted two kingfishers, it isn't very often we see one but two is a rarity.

When we reached Fradley it was fairly moored up as usual so we decided to carry on round the junction onto the Trent & Mersey. We moored after the fourth lock before we reached Alrewas.


Monday and today's journeys 11 miles, 4 locks and 1 swing bridge


So far this year we have travelled 708.8 miles, 574 locks,  50 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 27 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1910.5 miles, 1660 locks, 106 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 67 tunnels