Bl**dy annoyed!

For goodness sake....right in it and bow rope as well. What am I talking about? Dog sh*t that's what!  I really can't believe a boater with dogs wouldn't pick up after them knowing what it is like to step in it, walk it through the boat, have ropes covered in it and consequently ones hands as a result. So, rightly or wrongly, I'm assuming it must be the local dog walkers! We had to change the rope as even dunking it in the canal didn't remove the stuff. As for my shoes, they were dunked as well! Goodness knows how I'm going to get the rope clean!

Anyway, thats my rant over with. So we have made it to Fazeley although at one point I despaired ever getting there. Did all of the Athersone flight (11 locks) in one hour fifty minutes. Far cry from when we only managed 6 in one hour forty last week. It was one up and one down on all of the locks. That doesn't happen very often.

Still piling at the top of Atherstone flight and almost blocking the bridge 'ole

We had to contend with a long line of moored boats which reduced the channel width at Polesworth and sod's law says it's always at a bend when one meets oncoming boats. Also, we hadn't realised that the Alvecote festival was on so it was shades of yesterday when it was a tight squeeze to get by the breasted boats.  Loved the line of historic boats though and judging by the amount that has passed us since leaving Alvecote, the line is set to get longer. We spied a familiar boat. Nb Lois Jane with Debbie and James although only Debbie was onboard. Very brief chat with each other but looking forward to a longer one next year when they come to the ECP&DA rally.

Lois Jane

 That leads me nicely to Glascote locks. Horrendously busy both top and bottom (more at the bottom with all those boats heading for the festival) Took the best part of an hour to do two locks! I see a new plaque is now pinned to the fence, a replacement for the notice that has been there for years.

Gone 3 pm it was before we arrived at the junction. Then it was turn right onto the Birmingham Fazeley Canal, stop on the facilities, which, incidentally, does not have any rubbish bins anymore and the valve handle to the water point is broken so Ian had to make use of his mole grips before we could fill the tank. But good news....at least the elsan is in working order!

On schedule to get to Fradley tomorrow as planned but I expect another early start is on the cards.

On route,

Thrown from the bridge by a toe rag that can't be bothered to take it to the tip. They can drive it here though!!!

And today's wildlife,