A swan, a wolf and an expresso martini.

In the morning, not early, we are on holiday after all, off we set towards Willington, but immediately having Burton-on-Trent to get through.  I remember when we came through for only the second time in 14 years a year or two back how very pleasant Burton is.  The canal largely is though a residential area where the residents keep their gardens looking pretty, neat and tidy and nearly every one has mowed the wee bit of verge on the outside of their property to the towpath.

Then of course is the nasty section of the canal right next to the oh so busy A38, I don't like driving on it let alone boating next to it. 

We pay the ridiculously overpriced M6 Toll road at £10.50 now  and that is not even for the whole length, but enough of that world of driving when we are on holiday.

Ghastly A38 on top of the canal

But look the other way and its so attractive, but remember you can't hear the traffic.

See these prints?  This is the gunwales shore side of WaL this morning, I reckon they are either a Fox or a Lynx possibly a wolf.

Got to be a wolf 

What say you?

This building is actually called Branston Locks.  Its parallel to Branston Lock, I wonder what it is.

Horrid swan breeding.

Below, this was the only shot I could get of a hint of Burton-on-Trent's history of brewing ..... Its of empty beer barrels.  I wonder just how many microbreweries have opened in England in the last ten years?

Well I have put that question into Mr Google and it seems that by 2021 a record number to reach 2,400 start ups had opened then many got clobbered by COVID.  By January 2026 there were or even are 1,578, evidently a net loss of 137.  

Gosh aren't figures boring. 

Empty beer barrels for your delight.

Now this was my view of the rather wonderful Monks Bridge.  Been here since the early 1200's, although much of what you can see here only dates from the 1400's so pretty modern.

 

Now this view is from the other side and I wish to thank Mr Wikipedia for the kind loan.

Well Reader I have to say that the rest of the run into Willington was rather Deadly Dull.

As we came into the town it seemed full, but as we passed the service point and associated men from CART on ladders who looked to be fixing the gutters of the Elsan Point, the overflowing bins were a bit of a horrifying sight.  But just over the way was a WaL sized slot on the two day moorings.

Brilliant.

There was a bit of lolling about, I brought three books with me and I have read 1.5 of them, luxury.  The weather turned cold, cold for me that is.

We walked down to the Dragon, a large pub with several areas to eat in plus a covered but open to the elements area, that was busy as was the pub!

Table for two please....?

Have you booked? Gawd, we looked around at the packed pub, yes here we are.

I text my son-in-law Leon who is from the Midlands well south of here, asking him if I am officially in the Great North, I knew I must be as women were dressed in tee shirts and off the shoulder tops.  

No Lisa that's the Midlands!

Astonishing, I had on a coat, a vest, a top, a sleeveless jacket and a wool wrap on.

Supper was lamb shoulder steak, with mash, braised red cabbage and and  red wine gravy followed by sticky toffee pudding.

Then these;

But in case you think I overindulged, relax, mine was a decaf.

A short walk back to WaL and strangely I had warmed up.