Our second day

Well first evening done and dusted but what an evening it was! Meal in Jack Mytton was delicious, great atmosphere in the pub with several more boaters to have a chinwag turning up later. We staggered back to the boat two very tired but happy people and by 10pm had departed for bed. I couldn’t believe how quiet it was. The occasional hoot from an owl to disturb the peace but apart from that nothing. Sheer bliss! That is until 3 am when we suddenly became aware of the boat banging into the side. Ian leapt out of bed expecting to see bodies about but not a sole was to be seen so we can only assume the wind had picked up and was blowing the boat onto the side. Unfortunately we couldn’t get back to sleep with the boat bouncing like that so Ian grabbed his coat and trousers and went outside to tighten the ropes. Peace was once again restored and before we knew it was 8 am. We awoke to the sound of heavy rain drumming on the roof but weren’t to bothered as we weren’t due to go down Frankton locks until midday and as it was only an hour cruise from Jack Mytton we decided to wait until the weather improved. Sure enough by the time we set off the wind had dropped and the rain had eased and we arrived for our passage down by 11.30am. The lock keeper turned up dead on 12pm and before we knew it we were on our way again, apparently the only boat booked down for today. As it was gone 1pm by the time we left the last lock we stopped at the Western Branch to water up and then decided to pull forward onto the 48hour mooring for the rest of the day. By now the sun had put in an appearance and so we put on our walking boots and set of along the towpath with Jade to see what lay ahead for tomorrow.

Start of the Montgomery

Staircase

Search and rescue training

This came out of nowhere and the lockie told us the search and rescue choppers train around these parts.

Unlocking top lock

Weston Junction

More search and rescue training. It flew over us continually for hours.

lovely end to another perfect day.