20-04-09, 08:38 PM
Starting from Wolseley Bridge Nr. Rugeley on the Trent and Mersey Canal proceed northwards to the first lock. A sturdy picnic table makes a good place to stop for a morning cuppa.
From here continue to the lock at Great Haywood where a simple portage of 50 metres takes you on to the River Trent where the is an old bridge and small weir to test some basic skills. for me this place is always to include a long lunch before proceeding down stream a, very picturesque place to stop shaded by the towering trees if need be. If relief is required be careful of the nettles!
The River stretch takes you passed Shuborough Hall and borders the Estate for vertually all of the return journey. This part of the day offers a wide raonge of flora and fauna with King fishers, Herons, sparrow Hawk (seen today), and most other water foul with the odd visiting breed of duck not normally found oin these parts. THe woodland and waters edge today offered a profusion of colour and the Blues bells are starting to show through.
Exit is under the Bridge into the garden centre car park where there appears to be no issues with the centre. However I never complete a trip without calling in for a Cafe latte and piece of cake. Over the road on the river side is an ale house of good repute where a hot bowl of soup and pint always goes down well.
This trip can take from two and a half hours to the 6 hours it took today in glorious sunshine. for me I use this a a solo paddle but thoroughly enjoy the company of colleagues. Some times at the weekend there is a narrow boat shop morred at Great Haywood selling welcomed ice creams
Often known as a dirty river I still enjoy watching the fish swim along the borttom of the river and the salmon parr swimming in the warm shallows. Perhaps we noe have 'see through' dirt!
The start and finish is all but at the junction of the A513 and A51 from Stone in Staffordshire. Twenty minutes from Junction 14, M6
My day to day was excellent in the hot sun with great pleasantries passed with the narrow boaters. They are polite here
Sean
From here continue to the lock at Great Haywood where a simple portage of 50 metres takes you on to the River Trent where the is an old bridge and small weir to test some basic skills. for me this place is always to include a long lunch before proceeding down stream a, very picturesque place to stop shaded by the towering trees if need be. If relief is required be careful of the nettles!
The River stretch takes you passed Shuborough Hall and borders the Estate for vertually all of the return journey. This part of the day offers a wide raonge of flora and fauna with King fishers, Herons, sparrow Hawk (seen today), and most other water foul with the odd visiting breed of duck not normally found oin these parts. THe woodland and waters edge today offered a profusion of colour and the Blues bells are starting to show through.
Exit is under the Bridge into the garden centre car park where there appears to be no issues with the centre. However I never complete a trip without calling in for a Cafe latte and piece of cake. Over the road on the river side is an ale house of good repute where a hot bowl of soup and pint always goes down well.
This trip can take from two and a half hours to the 6 hours it took today in glorious sunshine. for me I use this a a solo paddle but thoroughly enjoy the company of colleagues. Some times at the weekend there is a narrow boat shop morred at Great Haywood selling welcomed ice creams
Often known as a dirty river I still enjoy watching the fish swim along the borttom of the river and the salmon parr swimming in the warm shallows. Perhaps we noe have 'see through' dirt!
The start and finish is all but at the junction of the A513 and A51 from Stone in Staffordshire. Twenty minutes from Junction 14, M6
My day to day was excellent in the hot sun with great pleasantries passed with the narrow boaters. They are polite here
Sean
.