Monday 19th August 2013

A trip into Market Drayton to buy The Times and to finalise the crossword iin the Library before we sent it in. We had thought about getting a pump-out here but the facility seems to be closed. We'll have more success at Norbury Junction as I have already phoned to check! We filled with water-one of the slowest taps we have come across, and set off about 1pm.

The Tyrley flights were all set in our favour but there were still very strong streams of water coming down the by-ways. One lady-boater ended up in the trees while her friends on the bank helpfully shouted "We did warn you!" Very useful to hear when you are struggling to get away from the trees.

Woodseaves  Cutting is 100ft. deep in places and has two enormous arches. A very damp place and I doubt whether it ever dries out.

We passed an old Cadbury Wharf which had an adjoining factory to process the milk from the hinterland of the Shropshire Union Canal. It was mixed with cocoa and sugar to make raw chocolate which returned by boat to Bourneville for refining. The factory, now owned by Premier Foods, makes dried products.

We are now moored outside the Anchor Inn near High Offley. The book describes it as a genuine boaters pub because the front door faces the canal. It is supposed to sell Wadworth's 6X which is no treat for Graham as it is brewed in Devizes but we shall visit for a look around.