We filled the diesel tank today. It cost about £131 ($171), which seems like a lot, but the last time we filled it was May 26th near Leeds, so that means we are spending about £3.45 ($4.50) a day in fuel. In fact our fuel costs are cheaper than the cost of traveling by train to the same places. We also stopped for groceries at Gnosall Heath, a fact which I mention only because it is pronounced NO-zull.

The Shroppie continues its path of cuttings and embankments, with a single lock thrown in for variety. Our last cutting of the day was enhanced by a kingfisher who keep zooming ahead of the boat, perching, and then zooming ahead of us again. Kingfishers definitely zoom. Pigeons flutter, ducks plummet, geese engage in long range reconnaissance missions, but kingfishers zoom in a highly purposeful way. They have kingfishery business to deal with at high speed. They know they have the baddest threads, but have better things to do than to show them off.

We moored up in Brewood (pronounced BROOD), which we had explored last year, so I don’t need to tell you about Speedwell Castle again. We did take a walk around the church this time.

They obviously have a problem with the undead in this part of Staffordshire, as this grave has been fitted with an iron cage to prevent zombie escapes.

We loved this cottage garden, sandwiched in a narrow passage next to a Tudor building.

Finally got a good enough Internet connection to watch Saturday’s Doctor Who, so that’s what we are doing this evening.