11th April '13

Still no camera lead. Will use other one for a bit - sorry Helen but your picture WILL be on the blog I promise!

I managed to knacker one of the zips yesterday while getting into the first lock - it had been left done up right to the bottom and I'd forgotten it was a good idea to open them a bit as they are just in the wrong place. John had managed to pull it up so as long as no-one tries to take it right down at least it's usable.

Why is it that sometimes I can get into a lock perfectly, not knock anything and glide in as smoothe as butter and then when there are a gang of fishermen watching it all goes to pot and the boat veers off at a strange angle, I didn't actually knock it but felt so stupid. Eyes were most definately forward at that point! Luckily it was at a funny angle and there was a bridge in the way so John didn't see! Must try harder.

The weather discovered we were out today and we decided to stop for lunch rather than have it whilst moving which meant that the last hour of crusing was a bit drizzly. Not wet and it's fine now but it meant that we decided to stop at Alrewas. What a shame, we are right outside the Indian and so it seemed rude not to have one. They really do the very best Peshwari naans I've ever had!

The journey has been made very pleasant due to the fact that the CRT (Canals and Riverways Trust, for non boaty people) have been doing a lot of work on the canal and cut down much of the overgrowth on the off side of the canal. It makes it so much easier and more pleasant when you're not being attacked by branches every time you pass another boat. I must remember to write a letter about it saying thank you.

We had a narrow escape with the mooring last night. While we were in the pub a boat went by with a load of people on the roof, obviously worse for wear, and when we wandered back to our boat we found they had moored in front of us. Deep joy. The language was ripe to say the least and all at full volume. We assume they were kicked out of the pub as a bit later, very much at dusk, they moved off. Heaven knows how they managed the lock just below us, but at least we had a peaceful night.

Just about every swan on the canal is now nesting - they sit high on their nest completely oblivious to everything around it. So serene. That is apart from the swan that tried to follow us into Barton Turns lock - Paddy went balistic! He is enjoying his freedom once again, tearing along the tow path whenever he can, I'd swear he laughs!

We haven't heard a forecast for tomorrow, but we aim to get onto the Coventy and get as far along it as possible. We only did 3 hours yesterday and slightly less today so maybe we'll do a bit more tomorrow.....we shall see. Fradley here we come.