.Seems the Jameison are never far from Police presence

Last night mooring was in a lovely rural spot, very tranquil and peaceful. Ian and I had sat down to have dinner when we heard what we thought were stones being thrown at a tin can. Turned out it was two guys on the boat behind Vixen with air rifles shooting at cans in the water. Having been invited on board Icing later in the evening, it was then that Ian noticed two Coppers by the side of the lads boat. Not sure what was said but the police stayed for quite a while and I had wandered if they may confiscate the rifles. Ian reckons not as no gun licence is needed for this type of gun. Our only concern was if the lads on the boat thought it was one of us that had snitched on them! We kept well out of it as the last thing we wanted was another trip to the police station to give statements!

Having had an uneventful night in spite of the worry that those men might have thought it  us boaters that had informed the police an retaliated, Ian, Dennis and Dave had an early morning towpath chat and agreed that the destination for tonight would be Curdsworth top lock. A distance of about 14 miles and 11 locks. Estimated time was about 3ish this afternoon a good time to stop. So onwards to Fazeley Junction for a facilities stop. On route we came face to face with a dog. Nothing out of the ordinary, you may think, unless you happened to notice the dog in the canal and heading directly for us. We knocked FS out of gear and coasted past and then realised two young girls, no older the about 7 or 8, were on the towpath and in charge of the dog. No adult to be seen! I called out to them and tried to explain the dangers of the dog meeting a boat but I don't think it registered as they made no attempt to retrieve it, even with Icing approaching. Thank goodness Dennis saw it in time to make evasive maneuvers.

 Our three boats made good time, doing about 3 mph, and the miles sped by. The estimated time of 3ish seemed well in reach until....... we met this boat!

 
For nie on 3 miles we stayed on tick over. Thats two days on a trot we have endured slow boaters but at least the one yesterday pulled over. Now I have nothing against people going at their own pace but surely if you know a boat behind is considerably faster then courtesy says to let them pass. Not this one! They kept looking behind and even when I gestured that we wanted to pass, completely ignored us. So at Fazeley facilities we pulled over, very thankful that we could at least give them a head start before meeting with them again. As it turns out they must have continued along the Coventry canal 'cause we never saw hide nor hair of them after that.

Anymore rubbish? At Fazeley facilities

On the wall by Fazeley Junction

 So after we had all filled with water, emptied loo's and got rid of rubbish we turned R onto the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. First locks and only locks of the day were the Curdworth 11.Vixen and Icing managed to stay together and so helped each other through the locks. Somehow we got seperated and managed to get a boat in between us and the others, so we were now on our own. But the chap on the other boat was a true gentleman and lifted every paddle for us. It wasn't until we moored up that Margaret told us she had lifted a paddle for him, so I suppose he felt he should do the same for us. Half way up Ian stubbed his toe on the lockside brickwork. Anyone who has ever done that knows how painful it is and while jumping about in pain managed to tread on his other foot. I found it all highly amusing but he didnt quite see the funny side. Glad I was already out of the lock otherwise I may have found myself having an early bath! The final lock was at Curdsworth Top. Here we found Vixen and Icing already moored and room for us in front. The rain had started so it was get moored quickly and onto Icing for a welcome cup of tea.

These two photos are being sent to C&RT in our utter disgust (again) of the overgrown foliage along this flight. The trees and bushes need cutting back as trying to enter the locks without scratching ones paintwork took some doing.

No way could I get into the lock straight.

A couple of stowaways hitching a ride on FS.

On our Buckby cans

And on our roof.