4th September. I arrived here, Aston Marina just south of Stone, on Thursday last week and have been busy with painting ever since. I am thinking of making this my home Marina for the coming winter. It is very new and offering discounted fees to attract boats. It has a Bistro and a well stocked Farm Stall with fresh veg and a butchery counter and lots of deli items. The grounds are well laid out and the shower, loo and sanitary facilities are good and clean. A general view heads this page and more pictures feature below.
- Evening, with diners in the cedar huts by the Bistro
9th September. It was good to get out on the cut again today after so long in the Marina. A nice four hour, nine mile and three lock cruise down to Tixal Wide. It really is one of the nicest spots on the canal system. Picked a load of blackberries and will make jam tomorrow.
12th September. Following a lovely couple of days at Tixal Wide I cruised the nine milkes and four locks to Penkridge in quite a fresh breeze. Moored up below the lock as it was rather windy to attempt to turn in the winding hole above the lock. Stocked up with provissions and did some cooking in preparation for Sally and Andrew’s arrival on the 14th.
14th September. Went through the lock, turned, took on water and emptied the loo bucket (just joking – about it being a bucket that is!) went back through the lock and moored up to wait for my guests. Walked into town and met them coming off the train which was just as well as they had left my phone number behind. Set off as soon as we got back to the boat as I wanted to moor up in the Tixal Wide again this evening and take them to Shrugborough Hall tomorrow. The trip took longer than expect as there was a Willoe tree down that was blocking the canal. The British Waterways men (Boys in Blue) arrived from the opposite side at the same time as we did so once we had fed them tea (no jokes about British workmen now!) They used the prow of my boat as platform from which to clear branches away so that we could pass through.
We eventually got to the Tixal Lock where Andrew and Sally posed for the obligatory photo!
15th September. We crossed the delightful Essex Bridge and spent the day at Shruborough Hall, home of the Earls of Litchfield.
Tixal rewarded our visit as it always does with Hot Air Baloons and Canaletto sun sets over the Gate House.
16th September. Since Andrew really enjoys working the locks we decided to cruise to beyond the top lock in Stone, turn in the winding hole and moor up for the night, returning through the last five locks to the Marina in the morning.
19th September. Closed the boat up for the winter and left the Marina with a twinge of sadness to head down South in readyness for my departure for Cape Town on the 21st. Just to rub it in a rainbow framed the view from my boat as I left.
capetocarpe 
Hi Sandy:
Winter is still with us here in CT! Good thing too as we badly need the rain. What a magnificent photo of the Heron. You are clearly having a marvellous time and we are envious!
Love, Jan and John
Hi Sandy – brilliant photos, well done!
I’m looking forward to your return as I’ve developed a strong interest in what you are doing. That’s not making jam, it’s in buying a canal boat and spending a few months each year ” on the cut”. I have loads of questions to ask. Enjoy the last of your cruising
Foresters Bob
Hi Sandy,
Looks like you had a great cruise this summer!
Nice blog, great images – look forward to following you in SA over the winter.
We wish you a safe and speedy return to England in good health in 2012.
Graham, Jean & Jack
Back in Cape Town to a colourful flora spring. Enjoying catching up with friends, hiking the mountain and riding the trails. .keep well and hope we can get together next UK summer.