Cliff wood Br 11 on the T & M to Alrewas

What a day yesterday. 19 miles and 8 locks. We thought if we set of early enough ( 8 am ) we would be moored at a reasonable time in the afternoon. We couldn't have been more wrong. Swarkstone and Stenson locks no problem, but when we got to Dallows we couldn't believe our eyes. 10 boats waiting to go up and none coming down. Just over an hour later we eventually locked up. With some trepidation we realised that this could be the start of a very long day. I suppose we could thank our lucky stars that some of the boats in front stopped for various reasons and thinned the pack down, but by the time we arrived at Alrewas it was getting on for 6 pm. Then we had to find a mooring, not just for us , but for the other 5 boats in our party. It was no mean feat to achieve this but literally with not even an inch to spare for most of the boats and with some 'words' to other boaters who had left huge gaps either side, ( just enough that no other boats could get in) we managed it.