3 days on the Shroppie

With the change in the weather (April like in early February) a few days on the Shropshire Union Canal seemed like a nice idea.

Very quite on the canal, only saw one other boat on the move, but lovely clear blue sky. Spent the first night at Wheaton Aston and on the second day cruised to the winding hole at Church Eaton.

Stopped at the winding hole to have lunch at the Royal Oak, only a ten minute walk into the village. Unfortunately the pub is closed at lunch times, according to a couple I saw walking their dog it doesn't open until 4pm.

Decided instead to head back to Wheaton Aston and spend the evening in the Hartley Arms instead.

On the third day travelled back to our mooring at Wolverhampton Boat Club. Once again absolutely gorgeous weather.

Weed Hatch Fun

First excursion of the year to the weed hatch today. Twenty minutes after leaving the engine starts to judder. Quickly into neutral, where the engine sounds fine. Try forward again, still juddering, put into reverse and the juddering is worse. Nothing else for it, leave the boat drifting in the middle of the canal and open the weed hatch to find an orange bag wrapped around the prop.

Ten minutes later a builders '1 tonne' sack removed.

The water was freezing though, took twenty minutes to thaw out my hand & arm.