Entering Tixall Wide.

We were up early and soon on the way having packed the Land Rover (well mostly) the night before.  We had an easy run down to the marina, possibly due to the early start.

We arrived at the marina and were loaded and under way very quickly.  Our first objective was to head down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal to Stourport on Severn.  This required a hard right turn off the Trent and Mersey and soon we were entering Tixall Wide.

Tixall Wide is an interesting piece of the canal as it is more like a small lake than the canal.  The canal was built like this as the land owner at the time, based in the now not existing Tixall House did not want his view compromised by a canal.  The wide has now a reputation for being a good habitat for Kingfishers (which unfortunately weren't around).  Sadly the view across to Shugborough Hall is also shrouded by tree.