A rapid stop and getting stuck

 9th Jan

So yesterday, early evening, storm Goretti arrived bringing torrential rain.  Instead of the expected high winds, only a moderate breeze was present. 8 pm, the rain had turned to heavy snow. By the time we went to bed, the world outside was white, took a quick photo before getting my head down 

Heavy snow

Fully expecting a winter wonderland once we woke, a tad disappointed, then, to find the snow rapidly thawing. I suppose it's a blessing really because we were desperate to make a break for it and head toward Fradley and decision was made to give it a go.

Very thin slushy ice had formed where CRT had broken it yesterday, and the very short journey to the Junction to the water tap was easy. No problem filling the tank today, water was running freely and 15 minutes later, set off toward Fradley.

CRT didn't get very far

 The high hopes of an easy journey were soon dispelled though, because, although we tried to follow the channel CRT had made, the ice which formed overnight was thicker than we expected. Yes, every now, and then we came to clear water, but the majority of the time was slow-going. 

At least we are now through Sutton Road bridge, where the stoppage starts on the 19th

 

Just after Huddlesford, another boat was met. Spirits soared that now we could get a move on, but that again was short-lived when he said he had only come from Streethay.

 

Huddlesford

Wonderful, a clear channel to follow.

Thick ice going into Streethay

At Bridge 89, I came to a rapid halt. Ian was below and heard the boat go into reverse. The reason? A massive branch across the canal.

Hmmm... there was no easy way to get Ian off, no cladding, just an uneven bank, but the closer I could get the better. In doing so FS got stuck but at least it was close enough for Ian to jump off. Luckily the branch had snapped clean off and with some effort Ian managed to haul it toward the bank, leaving enough space for me to get past. But first I had to get FS unstuck.  Ian with our trusty pole to the rescue.

 

By now the cold was starting to get to us, and we took it in turns to steer while the other went in for a warm. Never have we been so happy to see the outskirts of Fradley and our initial fears of nowhere to moor were unfounded. So we stopped before the swing bridge and now keeping fingers crossed that tomorrow we can make Alrewas.

And seen on route

Fieldfare