Sept 18th
Fish and chips, there is none better than that at Michaels Fish and Chips in Handsacre. Rugeley to Handsacre was but 4 miles, so not far. We left slightly later than planned, got talking to another boater and not sure how but got talking about Anglo Welsh and our other boat Merlin. Well, imagine our surprise when the chap asked first where our boat was based and then the name. As soon as we mentioned Merlin, he suddenly stretched out his hand to shake ours, told us his name was Steve and in 2016 was acting manager at the Bunbury yard. It was open day and Merlin was one of the show boats on display. We were there and he remembered showing us around. Click HERE to see the post.
So we chatted for a good hour, during that time about 6 boats came past, all heading in our direction. Eventually we got underway, pulled out soon after yet another boat had come past and crept through the very full Rugeley town moorings. We were left far behind, obviously that boater doesn't know what tickover means! We did see him again, in the distance he could be seen entering Armitage Tunnel.
Now, Armitage tunnel is not strictly a tunnel now, although it used to be. It has no roof, this was removed due to damaged and subsidence from a nearby coal mine in the 70s. The passage through is narrow, and only a single narrow boat can pass through in any direction. To check it was clear before proceeding, one must make sure nothing was coming the other way. Even though I could make out the stern of that boat, I held back. A lady in red could be seen walking purposefully toward us. My instinct was right, two boats were waiting at the other end to make the passage through.
Eventually our turn came, two more boats were queuing behind, gosh today was busy! We made it to Handsacre a tad before midday. Only one boat moored, a far cry from a few days ago when it was wall-to-wall boats! After lunch, the bucket and sponge came out. While Ian washed the top and starboard side, I followed him with the leather. FS looked so much better after a wash.
We might stop at Fradley tomorrow, we estimate about a 90-minute cruise. A lot depends on mooring availability after Junction Lock.
And seen on FS, not sure what was happening, a mating perhaps?
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