Another use for the watertap

Such a change in the weather. After yesterdays rain today was a good day to leave Fradley and head for Rugely. First though, it was a push across the canal to the water point. Ian emptied loo and we debated whether to fill the tanks. This water point it's so slow we could find ourselves still here hours later!!! So we abandoned the idea and, with Junction lock gate left open after a boat had departed, Dennis thought he may as well make use of it, took the initiative and set of before us. This spurred us on to untie ropes and we tucked in behind Icing before another boat came along.

Busy Fradley

 The route to Hawkshard Hall where we had decided to water up, was very pleasant. The Rhododendrons lining the offside were a mass of colour. It was a pretty good trip until we met a hire boat at Handsacre. Then the going was slow especially along the Armitage tunnel section. The chap on the hire boat read the sign about sending a crew member ahead, dispatched the wife to see if anything was coming, tied up and waited. And we waited and waited. Finally she returns and said yes it was all clear. So off he went with us closely following behind.  Its a wonder that in the time she took to walk back another boat hadn't already entered from the other end. Very lucky indeed!

When we finally made it to the water point a queue of 4 boats were already there. So instead of a quick fill and off to Rugley it took nearly an hour before it was finally our turn. With Dennis having watered up before us, we sent him off to find a mooring suitable for two boats. Not an easy task in this popular spot. With this in mind our tanks were not full when we left.

Icing had already left when I took this photo

It was while we had the hose attached that the lady in the red boat decided the dog needed a bath. She stopped our flow to fill her bucket before smiling and saying "I hope you don't mind" Bit late if we did, thought I, but I did see the funny side especially as that poor dog tried desperately to get away.

Dog was still being rinsed after they attached their hose.

Both of us breathed a sigh of relieve when we found Icing moored after bridge 65a and room behind for us. Within an hour of us arriving, every mooring was taken.

After lunch it was off to do a bit of retail therepy. Rugely is quite a good shopping area. If you like your superstores you will be delighted with a choice of Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi and all within easy walking distance of the canal. Having returned to FS, unloaded the mountain of shopping, stowed it all away, out came the rod for a hour of fishing before cooking dinner. Caught only two fish, both a Perch and this last one took me a merry dance across the canal.