Fly in the ointment

Thursday 3rd

To think its only been a couple of months since passing this way and the new Mancetter Marina has come on in leaps and bounds. More pontoons added, so I'm guessing it will soon be ready to receive boats.

Plenty of spaces above Atherstone locks, we chose one opposite the old factory. Derelict now and most of the window panes were smashed and looked to be a most unsavoury place to stop, but we have never yet had any problems on this mooring. 

This knee of mine, a right B and I worried walking on it would cause more problems. It had to be okay today because an arrangement had been made to meet with our Son-in-Laws parents at the Kings Head. Near to lock 5, a towpath walk down the flight was necessary. Plenty of painkillers taken and the knee seemed to hold up okay. So after contacting Kev and Gunda for a time to meet, 1pm was mentioned. The Kings Head website stated opening hours to be 12pm to 11pm so perfect to have a spot of lunch too. Tried phoning to book a table, no reply. Tried again 10 minutes later, still no reply! Never mind lets hope when we get there they can find us a table. But....and here was the fly in the ointment...Kev and Gunda turned up at the same time as us, about 12.45pm only to find the place was shut! On a board in front of the door was the opening times and blooming typical, Thursdays opening was for 2.30pm onwards. Why couldn't that have been mentioned on the Kings Head website and if someone could have answered the phone, we would also have found that out! And we weren't the only ones. I reckon half a dozen families turned up between 1.00 and 2 pm only to be disappointed! Anyway, we found a table by the front door to wait and sat nattering for 90 minutes until the doors finally opened. Oh, and we did get a table even though we hadn't booked, in one of the new huts overlooking the canal.

 This morning, (Friday 4th) and before setting off, it was a walk to Aldi for a quick shop. Got back by 10am and away at 10.15 heading for the top lock. C&RT volunteers ready and waiting to start us down and I noticed a blackboard with 'boats up' and boats down'. One chalk mark to show a descending boat, so I said "We must be number two" "Nop" said he. "You're our first of the day". 

Gosh, we were lucky as at nearly every lock in the flight had a boat ascending. Only two had to be turned around by Ian. 

 Between lock 5 and 6 there is a long length of 48 hour visitor moorings. Hardly a boat to be seen and sometimes I do wish we had second sight. Could have come down the flight yesterday and had a much shorter walk to the pub and shops. Anyway approaching lock 6, I noticed loads of branches lying on the towpath side. To the left of that on the opposite bank, a large stump. All I can say is thank goodness this tree came down by the lock landing 'cos if it had been along the moorings, and knowing how busy this section usually is, there could have been a severely squished boat. 

By Midday, we had finished the flight and stopped on the visitor moorings. Got lunch out of the way and then yes, lets go fishing!  Hmm, after nearly two hours of not even a bite I have come to the conclusion that me and fishing do not go hand in hand. Decision made. Once all the bait is gone I may well give up on the sport!

And todays wildlife,