Audlem Festival of Transport

The time had come to move on from Norbury Junction but we didn't go far, just along to a pub recommended by other boaters.  Sadly the Anchor Inn did not live up to expectation and we won't be passing on the recommendation.   

During the hot weather Bess and Brinny have been having their walks during the cooler evening.  From our mooring at Goldstone we followed the towpath under one of the high bridges and into the narrow Woodseaves Cutting.  The canal has been cut through sandstone leaving craggy rock faces which are partly hidden by ivy and other vegetation.   A strip of trees cling to the cutting sides but the occasional uprooted tree shows their grip is precarious.   

High Bridge over the Woodseaves Cutting

As there is barely room to pass other boats on the Woodseaves Cutting we set off early the next day and arrived at Market Drayton in time to look round it's large street market.    That evening a working boat towing it's butty passed us, unusually both were loaded with loose coal. 

Historical pair, the butty is being towed passed us at Market Drayton

The next day we moored at Adderley Locks and some more historic boats sailed passed. Realising there must be an event somewhere Kev called out to find out where they were heading: Audlem, 2 miles further on and our next intended mooring.  It doesn't take much to persuade us to stop in one place so that's what we did.  

The boats were travelling to the Audlem Festival of Transport and a good turn out filled every available mooring.  The fly boat Saturn was open to the public and I had a look inside the tiny boatman's cabin.  It was about the size of our bedroom and would have been the living space for the family working the boat.  

Boats fill the canal at the Audlem Festival of Transport

The festival included a historic car rally on a nearby field where cars parked up surrounding a helicopter which was on display.  

The oldest cars on display with the helicopter in their midst.

As I wandered round I spotted a sign for the Wool Boat and was soon chatting to Colin and Carole, the friendly owners.  Looking through their wicker baskets of sample balls I spotted some James Brett random wool in subtle tones which I will knit up into a cardigan.   Its a good job I don't live on Saturn, there's barely enough space on Brent III for all my materials.  

On Monday morning we set off early to go down the flight of 15 Audlem Locks.  We timed it just right;  the boats leaving the festival were coming up the locks as we came down which halved the amount of work.   We continued the short distance to Coole Pilates moorings.   

Our journey from Norbury Junction to Coole Pilates.