Around Wolverhampton

 Saturday June 19 a short cruise with Rachel

Hoorah! Daughter Rachel and lovely Golden Doodle Honeypie are popping over for a visit! From our mooring here by bridge 4, we will go to Autherley Junction and turn round, then up through the stop lock eight miles through Brewood to Wheaton Aston - at least, that’s the plan!

Early this morning, the cattle opposite loomed through the mist. John had to open the hatch and window to enjoy the view.

Once Rachel arrived, we set off for Autherley Junction, where Rachel and Liana helped the boats in front of Annie in the queue go through. John breasted up with the Napton hire boats  by the stop lock, as they don’t leave room for a lock mooring (CRT, is this right?).

John winded Annie at the junction, avoiding a flotilla of canoes from the outdoor activity centre, and returned through the lock. 

We found ourselves behind a hire boat rented by beginners, who entertained us for the rest of the morning! We helped them with advice about steering, getting off shoals and, eventually, going through Wheaton Aston Lock. In between, we enjoyed the countryside through Brewood and beyond.

John winded Annie and moored by  the winding hole, while Liana and Rachel helped the beginners through the lock.

After a good meal from the interesting menu at the  Hartley Arms pub at Wheaton Aston, we returned to Annie, chatted and played cards. John lost, while Poland held Spain to a draw at soccer.