The morning dawned a bit cold, misty and damp. Madam was keen to visit the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust reserve, while your scribe had some CD reviews to catch up on, so she went off on her own. Had a great time, it would seem. Fell in with an elderly local gentleman enthusiast cum photographer who was there most days, and gave her a personal guided tour. Although actual wildlife spotted was fairly small, she found it fascinating – kingfisher nest sites, vole burrows, and all sorts of local history. Apparently we have to visit again on the way home.

After lunch, the weather was picking up, so we decided to head up past the Shugborough Estate to Great Heywood, then divert down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal mile or so to moor in Tixall Wide, a favourite spot. It’s only a short run (3 miles and 2 locks), and just after the junction we spotted the first Kingfisher of the cruise. Mind you, Tixall is renowned for Kingfishers, it would seem. And even though it was late afternoon, there was plenty of room to moor up, the sun was coming out, there were plenty of birds around including some Cygnets, and a pleasant post-dinner stroll made the trials of yesterday seem a long time ago.