We decided to take a slight detour today and rather than continue along the Trent and Mersey canal, on our way to Wales, we took a left turn at the Junction in Great Haywood and moored up at Tixal Wide.
This section of the canal network was constructed in 1771. There was a reason it was made so wide at this point. The land was owned by a gentleman named Thomas Clifford, who was the fourth son of The 3rd Baron Clifford of Chudleigh. Now Thomas Clifford would only allow the canal to pass through his property if it was made extremely wide to look more like a lake than a canal. This way it wouldn’t ruin his view.
I mean we can’t be having these peasants transporting goods through here making the place look a mess now can we?
I guess to him in that day it was the equivalent to someone building a motorway through your property today. And we all know we wouldn't want that to happen to us now would we?
I must say it was a little odd having so much space around Badger the Narrowboat as we are normally traveling along very narrow canals. Looking forward to the sunrise tomorrow as well ( please be nice weather) as I can see it being quite beautiful here.
