Our own TT race

Wednesday.
After having had a lovely day watching the Olympics and slowly watching the moorings start to fill,

the peace and quiet was shattered that evening when, at around 7 pm, a motorbike appeared. Then for the next 1/2 hour we had bike after bike roar past, all heading for the Swan pub. All went quiet for a while until they all came roaring past us on the way back. Peace was restored just before we went to bed, thank goodness, and apart from the baaing from the sheep opposite we had a very restful night.

.
 So, another early start on Thursday. Got up at 6.15am away at 6.30. We sailed through Fradely, meeting another early starter at Hunts lock. We had hoped all the locks would be with us after that but at Common  lock the bottom gates were open and the paddles left up. Never did find out who had left the lock like that but, as a boat was moored on the landing with no sign of any movement,we thought they may have set it for themselves last night ready for this morning and then gone to bed. Good job the the top gates didnt leak.We would have had to walk the boat through on a dry canal bed.

Gates left open and paddles up!

Alrewas was full to capacity. Never had I seen it so full. There was even a boat moored on the water point. Luckily we had already water up at Fradely otherwise the owners of the boa would have had a rude awakening by us climbing across their stern.. Finally arrived at Branston water park after 3 hours cruising and moored near the water park entrence. There was just enough gap for the satalite to pick up the Olympics channels and even though it was very windy, the branches never interfered with the signal.

Flood Debris on the river at Alrewas

Jade enjoying a swim at Branston.

Friday.
 This morning we were again on our way by 6.30am. I was amazed by the amount of boats moored at the park. Had they all stopped for the Olympics? We stopped at Burton to go shopping at Morrisons, only to discover it didn't open until 8am. We could have had an extra hour in bed!!!

No moorings at the park.

A boaters view. No chance in seeing if another boat was coming

Branston Lock

And yet another obscured view!

 
Next stop, Willington. Had a great run in until about 1 1/2 miles from Willington, we met a boat chugging along on tick over. He knew we were behind him but refused to let us pass. All I wanted to do was get to watch the Heptathlon starting at 10am. Instead we arrived long after 11am and managed to grab the last mooring available right by the road bridge. ( the boat in front having grabbed the best one by the facilities.) No wonder he didn't want to let us past!

Tomorrow Christine comes to take us to Swadlincote. Its our Grandson Josh's birthday party so I don't expect to do another post until Sunday.