A gate anchor would have been a good idea.

 Remember my phone? And the saga of dropping it down the loo? Well, it's almost back to normal. That watermark has all but gone, and I'm confident the last bit will disappear in the next few days.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

Monday 11th

Was 6.50 am too early to get away? Probably, but it was all Toffee's fault again. Took her out before bed last night, but all she was interested in was sniffing. I knew then that she would be desperate to go this morning! Still, it did mean we got away before all those other boats. 

 

Heading toward Tatenhill lock

Don't even think about it Toffee!

The river section heading toward Alrewas, well there was a gentle flow today, although one of the boards on the approach to Wychnor lock had the river in amber. Nearing the weir, I do wish CRT would cut back those reeds because (a) it's difficult to see if another boat is coming, and (b) one has to get awfully close to those tethered weir buoys to get past. Imagine a boat heading downstream, and we met at that point. Would be a bit hairy if the flow was strong.

Alrewas lock and looking beyond to the river.

Had to have the compulsory stop at Alrewas mainly to water up before Fradley 'cos that tap at Fradley facilities…OMG….it's more like a trickle than a flow! Also, Coates the butchers have the most amazing tasting sausages and pasties, rude not to visit. That's lunch and dinner sorted, then!

Bagnall Lock

Leaving Alrewas, Bagnall lock was the next to ascend, but oh…this lock was a right pain! No matter how many times you close the bottom gates, by the time you race to lift the top gate paddles, one has opened up again. I even reversed FS back to try to keep them shut, but that didn't work either. Add on the wind which was also a hindrance and well, what Ian did next was the only course of action.  He  cracked open a top paddle a tad, then raced back to the bottom gates to get both closed. I had to stop FS from being swept back out, but it worked. What a right pain that was. One of those metal bars attached to those gates acting as an anchor would have helped. Maybe an email to CRT with this suggestion may be the answer.

Cracking a paddle

Off to Fradley, and although we did Common lock ourselves, volunteer lockkeepers were on hand to see us up Hunts and Keepers Lock. 

Before Junction lock, it was good news that a mooring was available by the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve. Toffee would love the walks here. She is developing into a proper boat dog, only leaving FS when invited to do so, and seems to love it when we are on the move. Our son and daughter-in-law may not get her back!

Fradley Pool

And wildlife, this Brimstone looked a bit bedraggled.