What a shame. All those lovely views..... going.

Wednesday 3rd

Fabulous sunset greeted us on our return from the Swan pub last night which made a great end to a most enjoyable evening. 

Shadehouse lock

We snuck away early....my fault because I had misread the time on our bedroom clock. Thought it said 7am but was only 6am. Already made the tea so we decided to get up and leave a bit earlier then expected. Fradley always gets busy especially this time of year and low and behold,  met another 2 boats making their way up by Middle lock even at that time of the morning.

Middle lock

 Linton Lass heading into Middle lock

Caught up with a couple of boats at Alrewas river lock and told the news by an ascending boater that another 5 boats were ahead of us and queueing at Wychner lock. Hmmm....may as well do the river section on tickover.

 at Alrewas Lock waiting our turn.

 Quite pleasant admiring the views at such a slow pace and could take time looking at the weir. A dirty great uprooted tree right in the middle of it. I'm amazed it even got through the barriers.

 Wasn't the only tree that had come down. We arrived at Wychnor lock to find only one boat waiting. Not moored on the lock landing but before the bollards and right next to a large fallen branch overhanging the river. A canoeist was coming from the lock and we assumed, wrongly as it turns out, that they had stopped to allow him some space. Then the chap holding the rope waves us past. Now we were baffled and I struggled to get by his boat and the fallen branch. Ian asked if there was a problem but the reply came back that one of his crew had an urgent phone call to make so decided to stop before the landing. All very well but why stop opposite that branch causing even more of an obstruction? Anyway they had already set the lock so in we sailed and I took another photo looking back to email C&RT about that branch.

You can see how narrow this boater has made the channel

We made it to Branston Water Park, used to be one of my favourite stopping places. I say used to be because the work that I posted about 2 years ago has started. First thing we noticed was the defra rash and coy matting along the sides.

Once those reeds grow from the matting anyone sitting on the seat will have a lovely view of the foliage!

We moored beyond the park on a 14 day mooring and went for a walk to see what was causing a  massive amount of dust filling the air beyond the bridge.

Found out why soon enough. Yes the so called regeneration of this wonderful landscape has begun! (click the link above the last two photos to also see the glorious views). Such a shame green belt land is used instead of using existing brownfield sites. I now of at least one massive site near to Sandiacre where our bungalow is. That has been derelict for years!

This almost new build to be flattened to allow an access road to the new houses. Criminal!!!!

Got asked to do a bit of babysitting for our grandsons so looks like Granny and Grandad are in for some fun few days. May well wear us out playing with a 7 and a 2 year old but at least it will keep us active.

 And seen today,