Tue, 3 Aug 2010 10 ¼ miles 4 locks
Over the course of several days we made our way to Middlewich, where we have been before when doing the Four Counties Ring.

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Sun, 15 Aug 2010 44 miles 31 locks 1 tunnel
Over the course of a couple of weeks we did Middlewich, Nantwich, Audlum, Market Drayton, Norbury Junction, where we topped up with water and did the washing at the launderette. And on into Wheaton Aston, where we met up with Lez and Ray again.
Caught up on all the gossip.

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Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11 miles 2 locks
After a lot of juggling around at the garage to get all three boats topped up with diesel we set off. Down to the junction at Autherley and hang a left onto the Staffs and Worcs and up to Coven where we found the sugar plum tree last year.
Unfortunately they are not ready yet, but it's still a good place to moor up.

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Thu, 19 Aug 2010 4½ miles
On to Gailey where we spent the weekend. Martin entertained us to an evening meal and a chat, as usual we managed to put the world to rights between us.

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Fri, 20 Aug 2010 2 ¼ miles 5 locks
On to Penkridge for the inevitable shopping stop, there is quite a nice market there on Wednesdays, including a livestock auction of poultry. Didn't get very much due to lack of ready cash.

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Sat, 21 Aug 2010 3 ¼ miles 5 locks
To Acton Trussel where we moored up opposite the hotel and conference centre. They were hosting a double wedding and everyone looked absolutely gorgeous in their suits and gowns and, for a change, the weather was really rather good. It was entertaining to watch.

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Sat, 28 Aug 2010 5½ miles 2 locks
Birthday day today, Kath starts life all over again.
Cruised along to Tixall Wide, a good place to have a barbie and spread out on the tow path to enjoy the good weather, a convivial evening and pleasant company.

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Mon, 30 Aug 2010 5½ miles 2 locks
Left early afternoon. Sad to go and leave Kath and crew, but I have a mission to complete.
Kathy wants to stay fairly close to Wheaton Aston for the winter and as I have done virtually all the navigations in this area I feel I must get some new miles and locks under my belt.
Cruised along to Great Haywood, turned right and through two locks to Rugeley to do some shopping for essentials. Arrived too late tonight but I can always do the shopping first thing in the morning.

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Tue, 31 Aug 2010 7 miles 3 locks 1 swing bridge
Up early, shopping to tide me over for a few days and off towards Fradley.
D'fer was a bit morose and I had to keep him on his lead when at locks to stop him running off to look for Destiny and crew.
I was approaching the junction at Fradley when Ellie waved furiously at me from the shop and told me to stop off to see her.
Turned the junction, through the little swing bridge and moored up. Walked back and had a natter with Ellie, she's working at the shop and the boat yard while she is waiting for her boat to be built. She said that she would pop in for a chat on her way back to her boat after work, so I returned to Almyne and put the ladder in the canal so that D'fer could have a swim - keeps his mind off other things.
Ellie turned up about six and we had a long chat, what has happened in her life over the past year and what has happened in my life over the past year.
She is no longer with Matt but has a new fella, who is 'absolutely wonderful'.
Won't go into details but she seems very happy now.