What a great recycling idea

Friday 18th

 Not looking good, is it? Appears the country may be on the cards to lock down again. In a way this has made us feel we made the right decision to go back to Langley Mill.  It may also scupper us helping Colin to move, but that depends on the solicitors getting their arse in gear before it happens and fix that property chain problem.

For once a leisurely breakfast this morning, boiled eggs and toast, a real luxury from bolting down a bowl of cereal. Hardly a boat on the move and those we did see was typically met at bridges. Then a sod's law moment. Having stopped for diesel at Armada paying 84pltr, the diesel boat Auriga came through the bridge hole towards us in Hartshill. Could have saved ourselves 4p ltr (last of the big spenders us) and helped keep the trades on the cut.

Took roughly three hours to reach Atherstone and a discussion was had on route whether we go down the flight or stop at the top and descend tomorrow. It all depended on queues. A busy flight at the best of times but these days with the staycationers all taking canal holidays instead of going abroad, its gone silly. With it being the Friday change over day at most hire bases, we hoped to be lucky and have the flight to ourselves. On approach the only boats seen were those moored so hopes were raised. Once through the bridge 'ole we would be committed to going down the first 5 locks so with dismay we saw one boat across the cut and another already in the lock waiting to descend. Oh well, in for a penny....but then, that boat across the cut was just winding and the descending boat, with help from the volunteers, was already down and heading towards the next lock. Taking the empty lock was a boat going up and thus, one up, one down, the same scenario as on the 14th, was had on every lock right to the bottom. I did have quite a wait at lock 6. This lock had been preset by an enthusiastic crew member. Only trouble with that was lock 7 was still empty and awaiting that boat. Wasting water is a big no no in our book so we had a good 20-minute wait before it was my turn to descend.

 

By now we had been on the go for well over 6 hours. That was enough for one day so started looking for a suitable mooring. Plenty about but so many had large Oak trees hanging over. Not that we worried about falling branches. No, more like those acorns being loosened from their cups in the breeze bombarding the cabin top.

 

Wow, what were those beautiful shiny objects on this boats cabin top.

 

On closer inspection its all made from cans, ring pulls and bottle tops. How amazing is that?

And what some people put in their gardens,

I would rather have this.

 

And wildlife. Flying lessons.