There are good fishermen and then there was this one!

 BBQ last night was a riot. Good company, plenty of booze and yummy food. The cooking was a tad later than hoped because Dennis's BBQ refused to get hot. Adding a few sausages on the grill eventually dripped enough fat to get the thing going. 

Ooo, we had a late start today, t'was nearer 9 am before we got underway. Beautiful misty morning to get up to and with the promise of warm sunshine later.

At Colwich lock, we had the usual wait. Why is it that certain locks always have boats queuing? I can guarantee Colwich lock is one of them. I don't think we have ever turned up without another boat being there!  

Colwich lock bottom

And the top

 Work on the railway bridge. I believe the rust is going to be shotblasted and then the steel work will be painted a shade of British Racing Green

Free Spirit, hardly a  unique boat name and we have only encountared a few. We met another at Great Hayward. Shouted to them that they had great taste in names. Didn't get a photo, wish I had really because the couple onboard said they read my blog. Thank you both and lovely to have had a brief encounter. 

We stopped at Anglo Welsh facilities for water before heading off to Hoo Mill lock

Icing at the waterpoint at Great Hayward..

Junction of the Staffs and Worc. Anglo Welsh hire fleet nearly all out.

Weston lock and I was determined to wield that windlass again. Got to build up those muscles ready for Heartbreak Hill! Actually called the Cheshire flight it has 26 locks in 6.75 miles hence Heartbreak Hill! Weston lock was easy to do, hardly muscle building at all.

Ian at the helm again.

 At Sandon lock and a fisherman on the bank. Not on the lock landing but only just off of it. One boat was waiting to ascend, we turned up on FS and Icing was a short way behind. He was most disgruntled when I pulled in next to him for Ian to alight and instead of moving the rod safely out of the way, swung it high into the air leaving line and maggot dangling on the hook right next to Ian. It's a wonder that fisherman didn't catch hold of him, now wouldn't that have been a fisherman's tale!  Anyway, the first boat went into the lock allowing me to move FS forward. Dennis also moved Icing but did that fisherman get off his backside to allow Dennis to pass? No he did not! Dennis was heaving on the centre rope and had to go right to the waters edge to get by, he didn't even move his feet out of the way. What an ignorant b*stard!

Today has been a day to see Kingfishers. Must have seen 5 or 6 flying in the distance..

I also saw a Heron. Nothing unusual about that but according to Ian it was eating a mouse! Unfortunately I didn't get the photo of that but I got the thing going down it's gullet!

We had hoped to reach the top of Stone flight but time was getting on and what with another queue at Aston lock, it was agreed that those locks would be done tomorrow. So now moored somewhere between Aston and Star lock.

And plenty of wildlife,