Smiling Shardlow

Strange things happen on a canal boat. Last evening we were asked if the boat could be used in a film that someone was making as part of a chase scene (!) A young comedian/script writer by the name of Tom Bell (never heard of him myself but his website http://www.tombell.org/ suggests he has worked with Graham Norton and written scripts for Radio 4) was making a film to use at Edinburgh Fringe. So he was running up and down the towpath and crouching behind my flowers at the front while brandishing a fake revolver. i failed to get a photo.

Went for a meal at the Clock House at Shardlow with Janet and Ivor. Ivor, a former farmer, tells me that there wont be any wheat cut for another 10 days so not likely to see a combine yet. Wheat is the prominent cereal hereabouts as it likes the soil in the East Midlands. Further west its barely predominantly so that is harvested earlier.

Set off at 1000 along the last bit of the Soar. Dominated in this area by Ratcliffe Power Station and its associated wirescape. Ratcliffe lock was a bit vicious being deep and precarious.

Radcliffe Lock-River Soar



Turning off the Soar onto the Trent



Finally off the Soar after 25 very interesting miles onto the very wide Trent at Trent Junction. Past Trent lock through Sawley lock and onto the Trent and Mersey canal.

Approaching Trent lock.



Bridge no1 on the Trent and Mersey. Boat infront is Copperkins II




Mooring at Shardlow



Moored in Shardlow at 1230. Went into Millar Marine to get a new shower drain switch. Very nice older guy behind the counter. He remarked that he was "racked with pain from arthritis" but was very helpful. Discussed what I wanted wished me well gave me a discount and thanked me for my custom (And gave me a key fob). He had another member of staff but no other customers. Suspect he will go out of business. Shower pump now works automatically as it should.

So here is the premier of my sisters poem "Odessey to Stourbridge Lion"

Chug –achug, chug achug chug to Burton

We’re on our way to Burton, leaving Severn behind

Chug achug chug, chug achug chug

We’re off to the Boat Show twenty eleven

Trent and Mersey ahead and miles of heaven

We’re off to the Boat Show - hoorah

Chug a chug chug to Burton.

A sad tale to tell

Poor Ron is lost, wandering

In his own imaginary world

Is he drowned, who knows?

Chug achug chug to Burton

Police overhead, rotor blades whirling

Boat after boat, they come a’calling

‘Have we seen him’ – no we have not

Anxious faces in dive suits, shiny and wet

Old friends join us, locks to do

Hard work for all, locks 132?

To get us to Burton, to Burton

Chug achug chug achug chug

Stourbridge Canal and then onto the Arm

No crystal now ‘cept under our keel

By Rastricks works and the crane’s old wheel

Chug achug chug to Burton

Past Round Oak Steel, now ruins and dead

And Cobbs old Engine House, Dadfords shed,

Chug achug chug

Emily and Chris, working like navvies

Gas Street Basin and ‘civilisation’ approaches.

A change of crew and off once more

Shirley Lift Bridge, pastoral views galore

Chug a chug chug to Burton

Northern Stratford now, then the Hatton twenty one

Chug a chug chug, chuga chug chug

This Stairway to Heaven leads down to the Cape

And then onto Braunston past fields full of rape

Many locks, many miles under her bows

See the brave Stourbridge Lion – see how she goes!

Through dark tunnels, all wet and dreary

Braunston and Saddington, spooky and eerie

‘eadless Annie gives us both quite a fright

Plays tricks in the darkness – thank God for the light!

Chug achug chug to Burton

Out into sunshine and finally to rest

A glass of wine to enjoy – New Zealand, one of the best