North again: Day 17

We had a relaxed start to the day, as we’d decided we’d get the bus to Lichfield to have a look round.  We walked into Alrewas to get the 0948, and the route goes through Fradley village before joining the A38 past Streethay Wharf, and then into Lichfield.  We’ve only previously seen the three spires of Lichfield Cathedral in the distance from the canal, like on this occasion in 2013, so we walked through town for a closer look.  The building has a very elaborate front.

Inside was a bit chaotic because there were school activities going on, but we managed to have a quick walk round.  We were offered a tour of the main tower, but at £18 each and lasting an hour and a half, we declined.

The area all round the cathedral is lovely, and the town centre was also much bigger than we were expecting.  We went for tea and coffee in a cafe owned by the auctioneer, Richard Winterton, who’s often on Bargain Hunt.  They often do valuation days there, as the auction centre is a bit out of town.  We then had another walk around before making our way back to the bus station, and getting the slightly delayed 1210.

Back in Alrewas we got some little quiches for tonight’s dinner from the butcher, and went back to the boat.  We had lunch, then decided to set off on a short journey to Fradley Junction.  When we got to the first lock we were surprised to find someone going up ahead; they must have come off the moorings, because they hadn’t come past us while we were on the boat.  We then followed them up each of the locks, and had a boat behind us too.  There was one short, light shower — but then the rain started quite heavily.  The only photo I took was going into Keeper’s Lock, the final one of the day.

The boat ahead had moored up on the end of the moorings and there wasn’t room for us too, but there were a couple of gaps up ahead, one of which I was confident we’d fit into.  We did, but the rings are poorly spaced for us (aren’t they always, no matter what length boat you have?), but we eventually got tied up, with at least an inch between us and the boat in front.

Since we moored up, the rain has stopped and I have made a crumble with the rhubarb we bought from by the lock yesterday.

Then the fuel boat, Bargus, came down the lock and the boat ahead of us stopped her for some coal.  Then more customers emerged from the permanent moorings opposite.

2 miles, 4 locks.  (110 miles, 72 locks)