8th Sept. '12

We're out! It took a while but we are now officially cruising! Having left about 10am we went to get fuel and empty the cassette and altough that in itself didn't take too long, there was such a queue to get fuel that we had to go out of the marina and moor up just outside so that John could walk around and pay! Anyone who knows the marina knows that this is not a 2 minute job. So then we get to Willington and John has to get a paper and do the lottery (plus stock up on fresh milk) so we stop again - miraculously right outside the Dragon, so not much time was lost there, but suffice it to say that we finally left Willington at about 11.30. So much for a good start.

Here we are - proof that it IS possible to moor outside the Dragon!

From the photo you can see that it's been a lovely day today. Really a perfect day as far as weather is concerned. A slight breeze but sun all the way. Now at 7.00pm it's getting chilly, but who cares now?

I actually caught some sun today, which is more than I've done since the Carribean in May.

There were lots of boats out, no doubt due to the lovely weather and the end of the school holidays. We had to queue as there were 4 boats in front of us at Dallow Lane but luckily there were an equal amount coming down so it was easy.

We lunched at Shobnal and then continued. No other boats in sight at Branston Lock and it was set for us, then again nothing at Tattenhill, although it needed emptying, then at Barton Turns a boat was coming out, but suddenly from out of the water-point moorings came a boat that was obviously next in line so we missed the lock and had to empty it again.

By that time it was almost 5 and so we called it a day. We are just past the Barton Marina so in the morning we have a clear run to Wychnor and the river Trent, and Alrewas. We are going to turn at Fradley down the Coventry as Katie (daughter no. 2) is hoping to visit us next weekend as long as we can moor close to a station. This might be interesting, but we'll do what we can. Anyone out there in the know, can you suggest where we might aim for? We are heading for Birmingham and then up to the Llangoglen if that helps, and are not travelling too fast.

A good connection today - hopefully this will continue!