Polesworth to Fradley Junction

Saturday 27^th, left Atherstone for Tamworth but didn’t quite make it.  On reaching Polesworth we discovered excellent moorings, concrete banks with rings and plenty of grass.  We decided to stay and visit the village and guess what? it immediately started to rain and hail. It very quickly stopped so the afternoon wasn’t wasted.  A fine ten arched bridge dated 1776 spans the river Anker and close by is the 14th century Abbey and Gatehouse. Within the Abbey ground is the mostly Norman church of St Editha.

Ten arched bridge over river Anker

Polesworth Abbey & Church

Next day we finally arrived at Tamworth. It’s a 15 minute walk to the castle so the sunny weather was most welcome.The castle is on the banks of the river Anker in beautifully planted gardens. Five minutes from the castle, the impressive 18th century town hall where Dickens once gave a reading of one of his works.

Tamworth Castle & Gardens

Tamworth Castle
 

Tamworth Town Hall

We spent a delightful couple of hours in Tamworth before casting off after lunch and chugging around 7 miles and settling down for the night at Whittington, close to Lichfield.

Friends of ours, whose home mooring, like ours is Crick, had left in their new boat nb Grand Crew, on their first long cruise to the Llangollen canal, in early April. It was a brave decision as winter was hanging on, cold days, frosty nights and some days when the canals were still suffering from ice.  Now on their way back to Crick we had arranged to meet Tony & Sue at Fradley Junction for a few drinks and then dinner at the Swan Inn. .

Arrival of Tony, Sue & Nb Grand Crew

Tomorrow we move a couple of miles into Alrewas and plan to visit the National Memorial Arboretum.