Parkgate Lock to Wheaton Aston

On Monday we returned to Penkridge where we stopped for a couple of days and Kev turned his attention to the new hob.  Unfortunately we needed a longer copper pipe so out came the bike and Kev cycled the short distance back to Midland Chandlers.  He then fitted the new hob which is a vast improvement on the old one. 

The new hob, the big ring on the right makes short work of boiling the kettle

It was half term and there were plenty of boats on the move as we retraced our route south. After descending Gailey Lock we were in a long pound all the way to Autherley Junction.

Gailey Lock is on the left under the bridge with the towpath arch to the right.  The round tower is an interesting landmark on the canal as it used to be a toll house.

It's the season for mushrooms and toadstools and at Calf Heath we spotted some bright redcap toadstools.

A bright redcap toadstool emerging at the side of the canal

On Friday we arrived at Autherley Junction and initially moored up close to Morrisons so we could go for a big shop.  Then we moved onto the visitor moorings but not for long.  Geoff & Chris on Geordie Spirit sent a text; they were 3 miles ahead on the Shropshire Union.  It didn't take us long to join them on the moorings at bridge 8.  It was good to catch up and we all stayed put until Tuesday. 

  

The view of the moorings as we return from our walk

One of my afternoon walks took us into Brewood, a large village with several shops.  One of the houses was all decked up for Halloween.

A spooky house in Brewood

At its southern end the Shropshire Union consists of a series of embankments and cuts with very few locks; its also very rural and pretty in autumn.

Autumn colours on one of the embankments

On Tuesday we were ready to move on but didn't go far before we spotted some large logs in the undergrowth.  Geoff & Kev soon had their chainsaws out and neatly sliced the logs into discs for stowing on board.  With our bows slightly lower in the water we continued to an open spot near the Stretton Aqueduct.  Once moored up we were all busy splitting logs and stacking them on our front decks.

Stretton Aqueduct crossing the A5

The next day we sailed into Wheaton Aston where we stopped at Turners Garage for diesel.  Geoff & Chris sailed on, heading for Market Drayton.  After fueling up we stopped on the visitor moorings and walked into the village for some shopping which included free-range eggs from the hens we'd seen in a field next to the canal.


Our journey from Parkgate Lock to Wheaton Aston