Chilly ain't it

Now, what can I say about today, not a lot really as not a lot has happened. Last night though it was bl**dy cold and even an extra blanket on the bed didnt warm me or the feet so I welcomed the hot water bottle in the name of Ian! Not a happy chappie having to sleep with an iceberg. 😐  It was no surprise, therefore, to see a hard frost outside this morning and the temperature at -3.

 It was still a chilly -2 when we set off, me huddled on the stern and steering FS, freezing my socks off while Ian was warming himself by striding off to set the first lock of the day. In fact, only one more to do after this lock in the 8 miles of cruising we did today. We stopped for an hour at Burton for a shop at Morrisons and by the time we made it back to FS, the frost was gone and the temperature had started to rise. Dallow lane lock was the last of the single locks we would do this year. From now on, and right up to Langley Mill, it's all doubles.

Branston lock

Dallow Lane lock

 Debated whether to stop at Willington. We used the facilities but for a further 30 minutes of travel, we could be at Stenson and ready to lock down Stenson Lock first thing in the morning. And it means I get an extra 20 minutes in bed which at this time of year is very welcome. Quite surprised to see nearly all the moorings full though. Willington was almost empty so we assumed Stenson moorings would be too. Luckily we managed to stop just before the lock as the thought of locking down when all I wanted was to go below and get warm would not have been welcome.

Stenson

 We are hoping to reach Sawley tomorrow as we rather fancy stopping at Dave's micro pub by Sawley lock on Saturday. Hopefully, we will also meet up with Roger and Pat NB The Cat's Whiskers who are at present in Mercia Marina.

And seen on route,

Fieldfare