It is the bank holiday after all!

Blooming 'eck Fradley was busy this morning. Everyone must have had the same idea, get away early. Text message from Margaret to say they were on the facilities and the time was a tad after 8.15am. Ian opened the swing bridge to let me through and I waited on the bridge landing in readiness to follow Icing up the flight. Best laid plans and all that because swing bridge was again opened and through it came another boat also wanting to go up the flight. Blast, blast and blast again. But all was not lost as I mentioned Icing was exiting the lock and we were boating together and this kind gentleman said he would let me go first. You should have seen the look his missus gave him! Anyway with the lock keepers now on duty in no time at all we were at the top.

On the swing bridge landing.

That's the gentleman in front

Pulled in to let me pass.

Icing going in

Top lock

 Armitage and the narrows where it's best to alight and check nothing was coming through. Two boats already making their way toward us so I walked to the other end to warn other boats that we were about to enter.

  
 Rugeley was also very busy and lucky to get two spaces although far apart. Did the usual shop including lots of beer and wine and a discussion was made to have a BBQ tonight. Rugeley was not the place for this so we pulled pins and made for a mooring with a wide enough towpath. By bridge 69 was perfect although no chance of getting the two boats together. Still, no hardship in toing and froing (we had volunteered the BBQ tonight) and we know we have plenty of booze so only chairs and food need to be carried.

 

Icing is three boats up, near to the bridge.

Sorry, no wildlife today! Too many boats scaring them away.