Goslings at Cosgrove

We reached Cosgrove on Thursday 27th. Dennis and Margaret have left the boat with us again while their family are staying with them at home over the bank holiday. As we will be here for about 10 days Ian has gone back to our bungalow to collect our car. Colin and Iwona live only 5 miles away from here so they will (I hope) be pleased to see us when we turn up on their doorstep.. Colin has issues with his conservatory so no doubt Ian will be doing his good parenting bit and endeavor to fix it for him.

Who me? Of course I'm not fishing again.

Movie of President

President

We managed to get a good mooring at Stoke Breurne. The decision was made to go for a meal at the Navigation. As it was Wednesday the pub quiz was being held. On the next table were the crew of President. They also decided to partake of the quiz that evening. Well you would think that us of the older generation would be pretty good at answering the questions. Wrong!! Presidents crew came last and as we gloated at there misfortune we were informed that we had come second..........from last!! It was a really good evening only spoiled by being told it was raining good and proper. The dash back to the boats were more of a staggered walk and how none of us fell in was beyond me. We might just of well had because we were completely and utterly wet through.

Nether Heyford

Must have shade!!!!! Oh so hot, still mustn't complain. Its going to rain at the weekend so they tell us.

Rabbits

Braunston Tunnel

As we had had no rain for a considerable length of time we assumed that going through the tunnel would be relatively dry, and we were right! Little did we know that the next tunnel at Blisworth would be a different kettle of fish. It poured water at us through the roof and sides like gushing geezers. Ian had the tiller so I battened down the hatches and stayed inside. When we eventually arrived at the other end and I stuck my head out to see how he had fared I was greeted with a very very wet Ian and a few strong expletives.

Ice Breaker Laplander

Another glorious sunset

This was taken near Braunston on another really hot day.

Hot air balloon

Hillmorton turned out to be quite entertaining. This balloon rose up from just behind the farmers field.

Fox at Hillmorton top lock

In the field opposite our moorings this fox regularly patrolled the boundary fence. We stayed on the 14 day mooring for 10 days while Dennis and Margaret went home for a week. We watched calf's taking their first steps after they were born and a family of moorhen chicks visiting daily for there bread intake. The only blot on the whole stay was at the Chandlers by the bistro. We had taken our rubbish and loo to the facilities and decided that we would see what the chandlery had to offer. Our dogs Judy and Jade came with us and as normal in strange surroundings we put them on the lead. As we approached the shop we saw 2 Alsatians standing quietly by two men talking together. We kept walking toward the chandlers when out of no where came a third Alsatian who flew at our youngest dog Jade. Bare in mind Jade was on the lead and nowhere to go and the Alsatian laid into her biting her neck and grabbing hold of her tail. I have never heard a dog scream before but poor Jade let rip and I had to let go of her lead to give her a chance to escape. The owner of the Alsatian grabbed hold of it and managed to get him away from Jade. I shouted at him and said that he should keep his dog under control. Well all hell let loose and he told me in no uncertain terms to Piss of out of there and what right did I have of walking down there anyway. Well I informed him that this was the only way to the Chandlers and that I had every right to walk to the shop. The language he used was beyond mentioning and so I say to anyone who wants to go to the Chandlers at Hillmorton locks, don't bother because a more obnoxious man I have yet to meet. What if it had been someone walking with their children. Doesn't bear thinking about!!.

City Center

Lady Godiva

Margaret, me and Dennis having a welcome rest after climbing 180 steps to the top and then the same again going down (even harder) of the Cathedral clock tower. The view was spectacular.

Mooring in Coventry

We are so impressed with Coventry Basin. CCTV everwhere. It's one of the safest place to moor in the center of any town.

Heading for Coventry

On our way to Coventry I spied this fantastic metal art on one of the bridges. Just had to take a picture!

The end of the canal.

The Ashby canal society continue to extend the canal. The contractors here are digging out another 100mtrs but at £1000 a mtr the completion of this canal may take many years.

Dennis enjoying the sun. The facilities were clean enough considering we had to go across the construction site to get to the rubbish point. The small shop was opened up for us and we purchased our Ashby sticker and more books for me to read.

Snarestone

Ian and I had never ventured further then Shacklestone so we were now entering uncharted waters.
Icing entering Snarestone tunnel with us following closely behind.

Shackleton Railway

On the May bank holiday weekend we decided to take the train from Shenton to Shackelstone. Bad mistake. It was a "Thomas" weekend. Hundreds of kids everywhere. We tried to get on the train only to be told that we should have pre-booked the tickets. Luckily on the Sunday there were spaces available so we got our ride eventually. The family turned up again so we took Joshua to see his first steam train. He didn't seem perticulary interested but there again he is only 8 months!!!

In the Stocks

Ashby Canal was next on our agenda and of course we had to moor near the Bosworth Battle field. At the centre we spied these stocks. Good job there wasn't any rotten vegetables about!!