Stafford link.

I had a walk into Stafford from Tixall Wide, a good walk of four miles, all of which is along towpaths and footpaths right into Stafford town, terminating at the 24 hour Asda supermarket.

As you turn off the canal at Baswich you walk along a long gone branch that linked the Stafford and Worcester canal with Stafford town centre between 1816 and 1920. This link consisted of a basin, aqueduct into a lock down onto the river Sow.

Foot path along the River Sow

Restoration of the link is under way, so far the basin has been excavated, brick walls are being repaired and the lock house foundations  uncovered. 

Footbridge used to span the realigned river Penk

Snaps below are from The Stafford Riverway link web site

Roving bridge  entrance  to the basin from canal 

Lock cottage, pig sty in foreground.

Ordinance survey map 1880 showing link between canal and river Sow 

Western Hall

From our mooring today we can see the imposing Elizabethan edifice that is Western Hall, it looks fabulous lit up after dark. 

Roly and I decided or were coerced into treating our lady's to an afternoon tea at the Hall. This meant the shorts and sandals I've been wearing all year would have to be changed for trousers and shoes - in my case, this would be jeans and trainers.  

Western Hall

The sandwiches were many and varied but so small - not the doorstep slices of bread with a good wedge of cheese that I might make myself - I like the crusts left on too. The cakes were heavenly so were the scones with cream and jam. We accepted the offer of more sandwiches, later we returned to the boat with boxes of cakes that couldn't be finished. A very different and enjoyable afternoon.

Yeovil

Our daughter and boyfriend came for a visit in between a weekend at the Download festival and a week in Malta.  Steve kindly provided dinner in the Greyhound Inn.

Before Nikita left for the airport she treated us to a meal in Bar No 26, a fathers day treat for me. Very welcome for us pensioners to have meals provided.

We had a trip to Yeovil to visit my outlaw, we took her with us to the Prince of Wales at Ham Hill to meet a friend we first met in Mojacar, Roly and Bev drove up from Wales to surprise Gordy.

Gordy, Roly, Bev, Sue & Betty.

Back on the boat we gave FL a wash and brush up, the fridge was restocked, then we were on our way out of the marina for a half hour cruise down to Burston, the bankside chairs were out for a drink with Roly & Bev before getting ready to be frustrated by the latest England performance at a tournament. It starts in half hour ..here we go.

Stone

Moved down to Tixall Wide, it's more like stopping in a lake than a canal. Weather has been kind since we left Birmingham and the forecast is for it to continue.

The following morning we were pleasantly surprised to find the Haywood Junction water point empty. An enjoyable cruise up to Aston followed. We moored above Aston Lock where we have stayed all week.

A social week with meals at Shimla Palace and in the marina bistro and an odd drink or two in a couple of Stones hostelries with friends.

Stone Festival has been on during the week with various activities during the evenings culminating in a parade of floats through the town on Saturday.

Yesterday evening two hot air balloons  drifted up from the marina grounds