Well, we made it to the site, eventually! We left Hopwas about 1000 hrs on Friday and had an uneventful cruise to Fradley passing just 21 boats in the 3 hours it took us to get there. Then our problems started, because of the number of boats it took us over 2 hours to cruise through the 3 locks. After that it was a bit easier. We reached Colwich Lock about 7 p. m. and there was no queue whatsover. It was nice to see a couple of hot air ballons floating in the evening air in the Colwich area. It was then onto Shugborough Hall to moor up for the night.
Next morning we decided on an early start, up and away by 0630 a.m. BUT, we were not the first boat to move, another one passed us just as we were about to set off and as we reached the junction at Great Haywood another turned onto the Staffs and Worcs in front of. That was to be the pattern for most of the day, one or two boats in front of us at every lock. Add the weather, sunshine very early, a lot of rain later, a dry spell and then more rain - what a day. BUT, that was the least of the problems. Between Shutt Hill Lock and Otherton Lock there were literally hundreds of fishermen practising for a forthcoming fishing competition.
BE WARNED, on Saturday 16th August between 1100 hrs and 1600 hrs there is a National Angling Competition being held on this stretch of the Staffs and Worcs Canal. I can also vouch for the fact that not all of them will welcome boaters!!
We finally arrived at the Festival Site just before 6 p.m. after eleven and a half hours cruising. Over the last 2 days we have cruised more than we would normally cruise in a week. Those were the days!!
Watch this space for updates on the growth of the Festival Site.
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