Talk about a mixed bunch!

Handsacre mooring

The plan was to reach Fradley by lunchtime. With any luck the weekend warriors (those boaters that only come out to play at the weekend) will have started on their way back to base. So we didnt leave Hardsacre until after 10am. Breakfast was very light because bellies were still full after the mountain of fish and chips eaten last night. Excellent food and the fish and chip shop right by the canal to boot!

So just before we up and left, an Anglo Welsh hire boat came past with 8 very happy ladies on board. We gave them a cheery greeting and ten minutes later set off. Literally within minutes we had caught them up! Tickover for this particular boat was -1 mph. We had to keep knocking FS out of gear 'cause we were in danger of hitting them right up the proverbial. Anyway with a convoy of boats building up behind us it was agreed that I would be the one to go up front and ask very nicely if we could all go past. They were very agreeable and, after a bit of advice as to which way to point the tiller to get into the side, one by one we all sidled past.

Hands in the air with relief.

From then on we made good time to Fradley. On the approach to Woodend lock 2 other boats were waiting and one already descending, so knew we had a wait on our hands. Turns out the boats in front were from Stoke boat club and also on their way to Blackboy.

Waiting at Woodend lock

One very smokey engine. Margaret had to get onto the bridge quick before she was asphyxiated.

 Fradley was the normal chaotic self especially with the gongoozlers watching every move. Both Icing and FS's loo's needed emptying and the only available spot was on the 24 hour mooring right by the junction. The water points through the swing bridge were all occupied, as were the moorings all along the first part of the Coventry canal. So we did the biz first and as Icing came round the corner we pulled off to allow Dennis to do the same.

Then it was onwards to bridge 90 on the Coventry Canal at Fradley village and found a length of mooring suitable for all the three boats. I know, I know.... we are but two at the moment but Dave and Heather on their new boat Vixen ( old boat was Bracken) was due to join us within a couple of hours. And sure enough, just after a particular heavy downpour, they appeared under the bridge.  So the BIF's used to be Bracken, Icing and Freespirit are now the VIF's.

Vixen livery is exactly the same as Brackens. Apparently it took them long enough to decide on Bracken's paintwork and so decided to keep it the same.

Good bit of rope throwing by Heather

 And now for the mixed bunch. So I ask the question. If the duck is mated by numerous Drakes does her eggs contain all of their genes?

Huge Carp basking in the shallows

Swan and Cygnets enjoying the leftover fish and chips.