13th. We descended the Atherstone Flight. After seeing no one as we headed towards the top, when we arrived it was busy, but there were volunteers at the first couple of locks which helped thin everyone out.
We managed to get down in just over 2 hours, which is pretty good since there was a boat ahead and not that many coming up so we had to wait for them to fill and they tend to do this quite slowly, but they empty fast to help compensate!
Some rather cute alpacas we saw on the way to the locks. That in fact was the only photo I took that day. The weather was overcast and rain had been threatened but it stayed dry for us. We filled with water just beyond the bottom of the locks and John emptied the cassette and then we simply pootled over to the tow path side and battened down the hatches as the forecast was awful. No blog as I had poor reception.
14th. We didn't move all day as the rain was constant and it didn't seem worth moving, so we stayed put and watched DVD's. No blog as there was nothing to say unless you want a review of the DVD's?
15th. The weather had improved and although it was very windy and quite cold, we headed out and came to the Glascote Locks, there's only 2 of them and the first one was open for us and a boat was emerging. As it went past we realised it was Martin Ludgate, of Canal Boat fame and also known for setting quizzes for the IWA boat shows.
The second lock wasn't as obliging but once we'd done that it was straight on to Fazeley Junction.
For those of you who haven't been through Fazeley lately, they've really tidied up all the old boarded up buildings and it's quite smart there now. This is looking towards the Coventry Canal going up to Fradley with the Birmingham and Fazeley canal on the left.
They've also painted these on the building between the Coventry and the B&F arms which help brighten up the area somewhat.
We moored just before Balls Bridge at Hopwas and there was no blog because I was busy with the book! and there just wasn't time. Here I am now though and bringing you up to date.
Today. Fradley Junction was manic, even for a sunny August Sunday. We arrived and I had to moor on the side of the junction as there was no room in front of the lock even though lots of boats seemed to be going the other way and several came and turned. I had to wait for 3 boats to go down and 3 to come up before it was my turn. I was (am) immensely proud of myself as I turned the boat from the direction is was in as above to the one it was in as below with no problems at all and in fact got complimented for my helmsmanship, by the boat I breasted up against.
I know that many boaters wouldn't think twice about this but for me it felt like a big deal.
Luckily there were some volunteers on the locks which helped speed everyone through
One of the lowest bridges you have to go under coming out of a lock on the T&M. It's nice to be nearly home. Tonight we are moored at Alrewas and surprise, surprise we're going to have an Indian take-away. Then tomorrow we'll be heading back to the marina and home.
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