At Cooper Mill lock we found a pair of Narrowboat Trust boats negotiating the severely restricted access/exit. This was carried out with the minimum of fuss with superb helm control. Very humbling.

Further along, saw this dozing cygnet which quickly returned to its slumbers after my disturbing photography.

The weir after Black Jack’s lock looked good in the sunlight with the dark water and white foam but I’ve yet to find the right angle for this shot.

On our return to South Harefield we heard the sound of galloping horses and saw this amazing sight of them drinking from the canal – No Red Indians in sight though.

We decided to take things very easily for this first trip as, although being a fairly experienced narrowboat crew (thanks to kind and generous friends) , each boat is different and all take some getting used to.

We planned to cruise from our current base in Etruria down the Trent & Mersey through the Staffs & Worcs and then on to the Shroppie up to Market Drayton . Here we would wind and then return.

Luckily for us departure day was clear and fine so loading was less of a trauma. After a discussion with the local “Ownerships” support manager going over the various technical, maintainance and safety points we set off for our first cruise. We wanted to get out of Stoke for our first night and got as far as Trentham lock, mooring just before.

We walked back to bridge 106 and had supper in the Trentham Inn, a Toby Grill, which was very pleasant and good value.

After a fairly leisurely start we tavelled through Stone, stopping for a stroll through the town and lunch in the famous Star Inn. Stone is a very pleasant town with a large range of useful shops. That night we moored near Burston after bridge 85.

Another leisurely start and a slow cruise down for Sunday lunch at Weston in the Wool Pack on the village green – Very pleasant meal.

Carried out a nice tidy right turn at Great Heywood Junction and slowly cruised past Tixall Wide. Absolutely no chance of a mooring with live aboards and continuous cruisers nose to tail all along this stretch. Moored for the evening before Deptmore Lock.

Carried on down the Staffs & Worcs but had forgotten the “Narrows” at Wolverhampton. Luckily this proved to be fairly relaxed, passing one boat before we entered the cutting. Managed a very professional turn into the Shroppie at Autherly – Luckily for me, no wind and no oncoming or passing boats. Moored overnight at Brewood and had supper at the Navigation – Absolutely terrible meal. I had rabbit pie which consisted of 3 pieces of meat with paxo stuffing encased in concrete shortcrust pastry. I understand that they are “between chefs” so quality may improve in the future but be warned.The Bridge Inn was better on the return, with good honest well cooked pub food.

Continued on through the typical long straight stretches of the Shroppie with very attractive rural views. The weather was very kind, the Autumn sunshine adding to our cruising pleasure.

Stopped at Norbury Junction for a pump out and diesel top up. Just as friendly a boatyard as I remembered from previous trips, but now with restaurant facilities. Went through High Bridge and was pleased to see the old telephone pole is now straightened and supported.

Cruised on to Market Drayton, winding just before the Adderly Flight. Spent a day here as heavy rain made cruising a bit of a pain. A lot of work has been carried out at Tyrley flight with tree clearance making it a little more open and light. However I remember how it was a unique experience locking through a dark forest tunnel prior to the improvements.

We then began our return, stopping off at the Wegwood visitors centre which we had yet to visit over many years cruising the Shroppie. Good value and very interesting factory tour. We were also planning to stop at the Bone & Flint Mill Museum on our return but found they were closed Thursdays and Fridays unlike the advice in my Nicholson guide – Hey Ho.

A final view of the canal and the statue of the famous canal builder James Brindley, God bless ‘im.

This is the blog of nb Willoughby and one of her crew. She is part of the “Ownerships” scheme and we share her with 11 other “owners”.

Unlike other narrowboat blogs from continuous cruisers and “Live Aboards” we only have 3 weeks cruising a year but we also enjoy walking the canals and waterways in our area. We plan to record these trips as well, including photographs of this unique environment.

For your enjoyment a recent photograph of some horses drinking from the Grand Union near Denham.