Tuesday 28th August 2018



Had a late start today and it was only the dog waking us at 8:50. Those grandkids are tiring.

After breakfast we walked up to B&Qs which is just a ½ mile or so away. We have decided to tile the bulkhead above the hob as grease and oil often splatters there, especially after frying. Also we are going to put added security measures on the front and back doors.

Harvey was so funny. We were up in the night a fair bit with him being sick and baulking, so I suppose he was as tired as us. When we got to B&Qs they didn’t allow dogs so we put him in one of their trolleys. He was quite happy being trundled about and then went fast asleep. Neither of us thought to take a photo, but it would have been a good ‘un.

After dropping the bits and pieces off in the boat we went to find the town centre, it was a long, long way away.













                                   Burton-upon-Trent Town Hall

                                       Fascinating architecture







We had both been looking forward to visiting Burton-upon-Trent but both found it uninspiring. 

The next part of the diary comments on the population demographics of Burton-upon-Trent, but to be politically correct, I cannot include it in the blog ...............…. 

Whatever happened to our freedom of speech if I cannot put this in our blog?



It was fascinating to see just how close the Coors brewery factory was to the actual town centre; it was virtually in it. When we walked around yesterday, the place smelt of malted barley. Today it was smelling of pickles.

We were going to do a tour of the Marston’s Brewery but they didn’t allow dogs, obviously. We had done numerous brewery tours anyway so it wasn’t the end of the world, but we would have liked to have done the tour anyway.











                      The Marstons Brewery

            above the surrounding rooftops





 We managed to pay our cheques into a NatWest and Santander bank and then called into a supermarket on the way back. We bought far too much and then had to carry it back over a mile. We have to get this sorted. While it is undoubtedly keeping us fit, our arms are gradually stretching to the floor.

Back at the boat we decided to move on. The mooring was under trees and was quite dark, and we had had enough of Burton-upon-Trent. Within 50 yards we were on a part of the canal system that we had never been on before. Up until this point, apart from the River Weaver, we had been on all the waterways we had so far covered, so new territory and new horizons. 




Although we only moved to the other side of the town, it was like entering a different world seeming so much more rural. Emerging from the northern end of Burton, our guide book showed open ground on one side and works on the other. Today there are no works, but housing on both sides of the canal.

We moored just beyond bridge 29A where there was shown to be a pub. The place turned out to be a Hungry Horse and the bitter was sour. How can they serve a sour pint in the home of British brewing?

We spoke to Martin and Michelle tonight. They are visiting on Thursday when we plan to be in Willington. Looking forward to seeing them.



Day Total: 1 lock; 2 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 1.4

Overall Total: 176 locks; 344 miles; 15 tunnels; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 196.7








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