Utter chaos

Today we said goodbye to Shackerstone leaving the moorings for those coming to attend the festival. It's been a good few days meeting up with friends and just chilling out.
We never did get beyond Shackerstone, too many boats all heading in that direction made us decide to wind and head back.

Took roughly 7 hours to get back to the Coventry canal and all was going swimmingly until we reached the boat yard at Nuneaton again. More problems trying to get past those boats. We had followed a boat through the bridge when suddenly he started to reverse and then pulled over almost blocking the canal.  Coming toward him was another boat closely followed by a hire boat. The hire boat also pulled over and behind him... Jules Fuels diesel boat. Well, chaos reigned as the hirer waved Jules past which meant Ian's reversing skills had to come into play as he reversed FS back through the bridge. Eventually, we all got sorted but that wasn't the end to the troubles.

In the distance a boat across the canal. Nothing for it but to gently sidle up to her and with me pushing against her hull with the pole, get her back to the bank. Then a trip boat appeared. Good grief we were having some fun today! Anyway, to cut a long story short, Ian jumped off  FS grabbed the centre rope and just in time before the trip boat came tearing past. Somehow the cladding pin had sprung off but not sure how that could have happened unless it wasn't through the piling properly. So with boat safely secured we carried on and moored by Springwood Haven Marina. Another longish day in store tomorrow having 13 locks and 12 miles to do before reaching Fazeley Junction.

Mind that window.....

 Seen on route,

And today's wildlife,

Not a donkey but possibly a Mule?

/

Flatcoat retrievers. Beautiful dogs and I want one!