Sandon, Trent & Mersey – Monday 24 September 2012
On Saturday at about 9 the hire boat in front of us moved to finish her run at the yard above the lock, so Les and I moved ‘Ice Breaker’ into the empty slot.  Then I went off to have a look round town and do necessary shopping, not much but all essential.  In the afternoon we changed places so that Chris and Les could get a decent TV signal – they were blocked by some trees and in the evening we went to the Olives, an Italian restaurant.  The food was good, the service prompt and they had a live singer.  At the next table were 12 females all dressed in 20’s ‘flapper’ style with feather boas (when they left the staff had to clear up what looked like the remains of a chicken fight from the number of feathers).  We then went back to ‘Eleventh Heaven’ and watched how the song ‘Sing’ was made for the Queen’s Jubilee Concert.

Sunday Les and I went off to the Methodist Church in time for the published service but the building was closed.  There was a notice giving details of another service in a school but we didn’t know where it was so we went to the local parish church instead.  It should have been a family service as published but turned out to be a communion celebration.  The church is very ‘high’ with the ringing of bells at different parts of the service.  Afterwards we met Stephen and Jayne (Dolce far Niente) and all went to the Crown and Anchor pub for a Sunday Roast.  Excellent food with large portions.  The rest of the day was a ‘chill-out’ on our own boats.

Today we decided that we would try to get to Rugeley [6 locks, 13 miles] even though the forecast is for really bad weather, and as we both needed to fill water tanks started at 08:45 through Star Lock then onto the waterpoint.  Once both boats filled we moved off in heavy rain with windy gusts.  By 12:00 we had got to the Sandon lock [2 locks and 4 miles] and didn’t want to go further so we have moored and will continue tomorrow.  Tonight I’ve been invited to a meal on ‘Eleventh Heaven’.