It rained yesterday afternoon and we thought the visit with the family may not happen because of it. After all with nowhere to shelter it would have been madness to come. FS is off-limits to everyone except ourselves at the moment although if the loo was needed of course we would have allowed that. But we got the phone call to say they were on their way and just hoped the rain would stop before they arrived.
We needn't have worried because Kevin had packed his fishing shelter and fishing umbrella (what a star) so if the rain did start again at least they could stay dry. As it turned out, and apart from a very short shower, the rest of the afternoon and early evening stayed fine. Fabulous to see them all in the flesh so to speak but such a shame that no hugs were allowed.
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| Kev had a fishing permit for Burton Mutual waters and watching him fish, I was itching to have a go too. |
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We should see them again at Shackerstone on the Ashby Canal in 10 days or so and we do need to as Kevin had left his extendable pole for his landing net on the roof. Ian has also ordered new bearings for the water pump as it's making a hell of a noise when it runs and the package will be going to their address. Realy hope the thing doesn't pack up before we next see them.
This morning was the early start I mentioned yesterday. Away by 8am and moored up by 10.30am. Yep, an epic cruise of 5 miles and 4 locks!
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| First lock on leaving Branston Water park. Tatenhill lock. |
A BBQ had been mentioned and Alrewas (in our opinion) has one of the best butchers on the system. A short river section had to be negotiated to get there and for the first time in all the years of travelling this canal had to cruise it in on a 'proceed with caution' warning.
There was definitely more of a flow than normal, at 1600 revs I reckoned I was getting a little under 3mph. On those revs, it should have been nearer 4.5mph. Anyway, the water was certainly flowing over the weir and the left turn onto the lock approach had the flow trying to push me toward the far bank. I don't think I would like to try this section of the River Trent even on amber boards. As it was the gauge at Alrewas lock showed it still to be in the green, hmmm not sure if that was right!
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| Alrewas lock |
Couldn't believe how empty the place was especially as friends of Jenn and Jim who live nearby mentioned there were few spaces to be had yesterday. We stopped just before the water point with good width of grass to be able to sit out of harm's way for the BBQ tonight. Looking forward to that but I'm wondering how much drink we will get through before we retire to bed. Drinking a glass of water before going to bed is a good way to stop a hangover...well it works for me anyway.
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| Plenty of space to be had. |
This was on a wall of a house
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| My sentiments exactly! |
And wildlife today
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| Mayfly |
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| Look at the length of those antennae! |
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