Wharf Inn Goldstone.

Birthday girl got a cup of tea brought to her in bed, the same as every other day aboard FL. I have told her she is to put her feet up and not do any lock wheeling today "I will do it all"..... the 17 mile lock free pound will help. A celebratory fruit smoothie was whizzed up in the galley, Sue had while listening to happy birthday chorus's from friends left on her Viber App.

A bit of a glitch when Sue realised I had left the cassette behind at Tyrley's elsan point. I held FL to the bank while Sue trudged back down a soggy towpath to collect the vessel... not the best start to a cosy put your feet up birthday cruise that I had in mind for her. A half hour later we are on our way again, it's grey and overcast without wind or rain as we continued through Woodseaves atmospheric narrow cutting, parts of which were dug by hand out of the solid rock, trees cling precariously to the steep cliff-like walls, two high bridges appear to be holding the cliffs apart.

We moored at Goldstone just after the cutting opposite the Wharf Inn a cruise of a mile and a half. I can recommend the pub good ale good food and large portions to boot.

High Bridge.(57)

The Wharf Tavern