A bridge within a bridge.

 We keep doing it…taking what the weather app on the phone said as gospel. It's either that or Ian read it wrong this morning because he was convinced rain would arrive by 11 am. "If we leave now we should be moored at Hopwas before it gets to us" he said. Well, how wrong can a person be!!! 

Got underway then by 8 ish, pulled onto the facilities where Ian did the worst best job of the day, to empty the cassettes. Two to do this time, well we had sat at Branston for the weekend so stood to reason more than one would be filled. Anyway, while he did that, I got rid of the rubbish and then, blimey, a huge rat almost ran over my foot. Gave me quite a shock, I can tell you, and I'm not one for usually worrying over rodents. Spiders yes, terrified of them but rats and mice, no. There were even those rat bait box traps along the perimeter… a great lot of use they seemed to be! 

We were the first boat up junction lock, the volunteer lockie had only just arrived and very welcome he was too.  Had a bit of rain as we locked up, but nothing really to write home about. 

 I did the left turn onto the Coventry canal, Ian opened the small pedestrian bridge and the windlass was stored away. No more locking for today not until the two at Glascote, and that will be tomorrow.

Decided to take Toffee for a walk, so stepped off FS at bridge 90. One sees things in a different light when on foot, especially at Bell Bridge 89, the 'bridge within a bridge.'  It was a traditionally an arched canal bridge until the A38 was widened to make it into dual carriageway, which meant a bridge extension had to be built. On FS and entering the dim light it's not that clear but on foot and with a flash, it can be seen, including the join.

Walking through the bridge, and it was as if the side we had just come from had different weather to this side. It was tipping it down as I exited...and I had stupidly said I would carry on with the walk. Even Toffee wanted to get back on board. So much for it staying dry until 11 am today!

I think trying to pump out the water on this boat, failed.

She wanted to get back on board.

Rape fields in bloom. Hay fever tablets at the ready!

Aurica  still trading on the Coventry.

 The rain got heavier, Ian got wetter, I mentioned stopping for lunch, which was enthusiastically received as he shook the drips from his hat. By 1.30pm the rain had almost stopped, so we got underway to make for Hopwas. Never got there, though, as a lovely rural mooring came into view opposite open countryside. That would do nicely for today. 

Had settled down for an afternoon of sorting photos when suddenly Pip and Mick (nb Oleanna) came past. Well, I shot up and stuck my head out of the cratch cover. Mick reversed back, and we greeted like we had only seen each other yesterday. I felt very ashamed when Mick told me they had passed us at Fradley and I had completely ignored him. Oh, dear...too engrossed in a TV program, no doubt. And to make matters worse, they said they were moored above Junction lock on the Coventry Canal and through the swing bridge. I tried to rack my brains why I didn't clock they were there, and the only explanation was I had gone down below after the turn to put the kettle on. Anyway, it was great to catch up, although reading each other's blogs does give some inclination of where and what they and us had been up to.

 And wildlife today.