Only a day and a bit here.. and time to move on as were getting close to a full tank, and we will need it emptying.
I have a few hours this morning to move the boat, and an early start helps.. so were off to get to Great Haywood junction where the Anglo Welsh Boat Base is – that we can get a pump out done and the diesel tank topped off..
This fella announced our departure.. 😉
And.. I’ve seen this one before.. on the Trent a few weeks ago!
Over the Brindley Bank Aqueduct.. with a bit of history for you :
The murder of Christina Collins
On 15 June, 1839, Christina Collins began her journey as a passenger on a freight-carrying narrowboat from Liverpool to London to meet up with her husband who was already there looking for work – she never arrived.
Her body was found in the canal at Brindley Bank Aqueduct, near Rugeley, and it was determined that she had been raped and murdered. Two of the crew of the narrowboat with whom she had shared her journey were later convicted of her murder.
The story was used by the author of the Inspector Morse novels, Colin Dexter, in ‘The Wench is Dead’.
The steps at the aqueduct are known locally as “The Bloody Steps” as it was here that Christina Collins’ body was carried after being found in the canal to the Talbot Inn. Some said that her blood had dripped on the steps and stained them – and refused to be washed away, giving rise to the local legend of the ‘Bloody Steps’.
After being convicted of her murder – nearly 10,000 people attended the hanging of the two boat men, James Owen & George Thomas (with the broad sheet of the day depicting the mobile gallows being wheeled out into place for the spectacle)
Nowadays, the original steps are long gone, having been replaced with concrete over brick – but the area is still said to be haunted with paranormal investigators and physics alike still attending the location (I’m just glad Anna was asleep after a long night working on “Annexy” stuff – or we may have ended up stopping for a while whilst she had a chat with Christina).
An archive photo of the steps as they were along with a more recent photo..
Christina was buried at St. Augustine’s Church, Rugeley.
The graveyard has been flattened and laid as a lawn – with all the head stones re-located around the perimeter of the site – apart from a single solitary headstone.. which still remains to mark the final resting place of Christina Collins..
( Now.. as its a working day.. I couldn’t get the photos myself.. so images have been borrowed from https://www.sutton-coldfield.net/morse.html and other google image searches )
More information can be found at : https://www.lifedeathprizes.com/real-life-crime/christina-collins-canal-boat-killing-staffordshire-57239
A quick stop off at Brindley Bank Aqueduct for a doggie pee break (as they did not get chance to go out before we left ).. and onward past some very open fields and hillsides..
Some of which the’re getting ready for planting.. ( no planes.. but boat, trains and automobiles..)
On through Bishton.. and a name that’s familiar 🙂 ( ’bout time it was on a boat! )
Through Colwich Lock and onto Haywood junction.. a very busy spot! We were going to get a tank of water here also.. but with 3 on the water point.. and 2 breasted up waiting.. I think we can wait until tomorrow!
But.. were full of diesel and the toilet tanks empty.. Left turn at the junction.. towards Wolverhampton and onto the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal and find a spot for tonight..