One way to Llangollen - Calf Heath to Gnosall Heath

31st Match 2007
Calf Heath to Gnosall Heath
Staffs & Worcester and Shropshire Union Canals



18 Miles
2 Locks
7 Hours


Index of posts in this series:
1. - Calf Heath to Gnosall - this post
2. - Gnosall to Audlem
3. - Audlem to Egg Bridge
4. - Egg Bridge to Chester
5. - Egg Bridge to Wrenbury
6. - Wrenbury to Prees Arm
7. - Prees to Chirk
8. - Chirk to Llangolen

This was the first long trip in Wand'ring Bark and we decided to do a one way journey to Llangollen, taking in Chester along the way, 108 miles and 59 Locks. The Whateley boys were lined up to do the return leg.

A fine spring day on a familiar route. The trip got off to a good start with an overnight mooring next to the Navigation Inn. Whilst we had a drink in the pub during the evening, we elected for fish and chips to eat, checking out the shop marked on the map.

One downside of Pearsons Guides is their lack of precision when you get away from the cut. It turned out to be a good mile to the chip shop, at the far end of the village. Whilst the fish and chips were good, they cooled during the return walk. Next time I will use the bike!

Brewood and back

10th and 11th March 2007
Calf Heath to Brewood
Staffs & Worcester and Shropshire Union Canals

18 Miles
2 Locks
2 Days

Another weekend on our own!

With the children again with friends we decided to go a little further for this, the first trip of the 2007 season.

We cruised out to Brewood under a clear blue sky with the aim of mooring at the Brewood Visitor Moorings. Unfortunately, all the moorings were taken by long term boaters, who had clearly been there for the winter. We therefore turned at Countrywide Cruisers and and moored just north of bridge 14. We had planned a trip to the Bridge Inn but the towpath was terribly muddy so we gave up, cracking open a couple of cans of Boddingtons and settling down to an evening of DVD's.

It blew a gale overnight, but we were OK, protected by the cutting. The weather then settled in and we made a our way back in driving wind, rain and snow - yuk!