Rugeley to Fradley Junction

Rugeley is an historic market town, with the young River Trent and of course the Trent & Mersey canal running through. 

Rugeley, or Rudgeley was once a mining town, and is still recovering from the closure of the mines in the area.

Waterworks/market building

Old Penny Bank

The huge cooling towers of the Rugeley coal-fired power station dominates the skyline as you journey through.

The canal passes along the edge of the town of Armitage, a name you'll recognise from your bathroom china. 

 There were stacks of toilet pans and cisterns in the yard behind the large factory.

The bridges are very close to the bottom of the locks in some cases along here, at first I was puzzled by the alcove in this bridge, with wooden lintel over the top, but when I opened the gate I was why.  

Now the balance beam has been made with a bend in it, but I guess the original was just a shorter version and the alcove allowed the end of the beam to fit round.

 Down at Fradley, it was busy with moored boats, but not many people around. Well it was a cold Monday morning.

In the car park of  The Swan, I spotted this van advertising the pub in an original way, complete with portholes and chimney.
We made the turn onto the Coventry Canal and stopped at Streethay.

Sunday & Monday
12 miles, 3 locks, 1 bridge