Penkridge Market

There was no lie-in for us yesterday and we were at Penkridge Market by 10.30. If you haven't already been it's definitely worth a visit just to see the poultry and produce auction.

There were lots of cages of birds, everything from tiny quail to large turkeys, even some mallard!

There were crates and crates of quail, hen & duck eggs for eating and plenty of live eggs for hatching too. After the poultry sale there was a general produce auction selling bin bags of windfall apples, allotment flowers etc. etc.

We didn't buy anything from the auction, I was under strict orders to keep my hands in my pockets, but we did stock up on fruit and veg. It was unbelievably cheap. A lot of the non-food stall holders were complaining that there was still no money about and nobody was buying anything. One stall selling coats had Trespass waterproof ski jackets at real knock-down prices and I got myself a nice bargain. Earlier in the year I bought some new waterproof pants which I stowed away in a safe place till winter.....so safe that I now can't remember where I put them so later today I need to raid the cupboards under the beds.  If I don't blog for a few days you'll know I've been sucked into the black hole that lurks down there.

After lunch we set off again on our journey.

It was a bit windy but very bright and sunny and we enjoyed a pleasant afternoon cruise through Gailey to moor in the middle of nowhere just before Coven.

Breakfast the lazy way

Last night we moored at Weeping Cross and yet again the rain over night was torrential. It was still a bit grim this morning so we decided to do something we've never done before and went to the pub for breakfast.  It was one of those Crown Carvery pubs where you can get a roast dinner for £3.79. They also do an "all you can eat" breakfast for £3.99 and while it was a bit like a transport caff nosh-up it wasn't too bad really. We won't be rushing to find another one though. By the time we left at 11.30 they had already stocked the hotplates with roast joints and an assortment of veggies was being kept warm under the heat lamps. I would imagine that by the time they opened for lunch at 12.00 it must have been a bit shrivelled up.

We set off straight after breakfast and Roger finally decided I was fit enough to work a lock - my first this year.

He only let me do the one lock but there are plenty more due in the next few days so hopefully we'll get back into the routine of sharing locking & steering. I find it quite boring steering all the time, I'd rather be up at the lock gates having a gossip with anyone who's waiting.

There's no place like gnome..............

The rain stopped and the sun came out just as we arrived at Penkridge so we moored below the lock and went into the village to stretch our legs and do a bit of shopping. We're going to the famous market tomorrow.

This is the Old Gaol

complete with stocks.

Penkridge is mostly full of modern houses but this old one was quite beautiful. It looks like it must have been thatched originally.

Penkridge

Yesterday we nipped up to Wheaton Aston to fill up with cheap diesel from Turner's Garage. At 76.9p a litre it was 9p a litre cheaper than Oxley Marine and the saving on a full tank paid for a cylinder of gas.

We then retraced our path back up the Shroppie and turned onto the Staffs & Worcester Canal to moor at Calf Heath for the night.

The embankment beside the Shroppie is quite steep in places and mostly made from sandy soil.  There are so many huge overgrown trees that it's no wonder they have frequent land slips.  This section of embankment looks like it's having problems as there's been a half-hearted attempt at shoring it up with concrete blocks and sand bags.

When we'd set off from Wheaton Aston it was nice and sunny but that soon changed. I'd volunteered to steer again so Roger could play his guitar but by the time we got to Autherley Junction the rain was torrential and I was soaked.  My waterproofs are now so old that they leak and no amount of re-proofing works. It looks like I'll have to bite the bullet and buy new ones. Even my boots leaked and I looked like a drowned rat.  Needless to say that today, when it was his turn to steer, it's been gloriously sunny. I suppose that's what you call "Sod's Law".

At Gailey Lock we crossed over with the coal boat so took advantage and stocked up a bit.

The building beside the lock is covered with Virginia Creeper which looked quite spectacular in the sun.

This is the old Toll Keeper's Watch House on the opposite side of Gailey Lock. It's now a tourist shop.

Gailey Lock takes the canal down below the busy A5. This road is reputed to have more speed cameras along it's length than any other road in the country and having travelled up and down it many times in the past I've certainly seen plenty of them.

Another busy route that we regularly travelled was the M6 which passes noisily right beside Rodbaston Lock.

We're now moored in peace and quiet and sunshine just below Penkridge Lock.