Had to resort to plan C

Such a quiet mooring here and even the train sounds in the distance were hardly heard, although I did here the rumble of one on the tracks about 4 am. This was not what woke me, nor was it Ian snoring or even me having to use the bathroom, no it was a very faint intermittent drumming sound which I first thought to be coming from the inverter. It was annoying in its irregularity, one of those noises that you think has suddenly disappeared but then off it goes again. I lay for what seemed like hours, in fact it was only about 15 minutes and somewhere in Ian's subconsciousness he must have heard it too. He got up to investigate. Turned out not to be the inverter but our satellite receiver pulsating. Who forgot to turn it off last night? Blaming each other didn't help one bit! Anyway once the power went off it stopped, but unfortunately, now already awake, our brains did not. Kettle went on at 5.15 am, I started Wordle but the brain wouldn't function so played my fishing game instead!

There was no point in leaving early, the hope was to get to Hinckley and find a mooring near to Trinity Marina and we wanted the overnighters to have set off leaving mooring spots free. Our friends Chris and Sue were due to travel down from Carlisle in their motorhome, stop at Manchester tonight and see us tomorrow. The plan then was to go for a meal at the Trinity Brewers Fayre Pub. It was well past 9 am when we untied, but just before we left, Ian had a rummage down the weed hatch. Yesterday something was picked up around the prop after my sudden reverse. There had been a loud 'chink chink' sound since which stayed with us all the way until we moored.

  I was at the helm again because Ian was down below making a loaf. At breakfast, it was discovered, much to his horror (and mine) the bread of only a few days had the beginnings of a fur coat. Must be the humidity in the boat and the fact it was wrapped in a plastic bag. Egg and bacon were on the menu which wouldn't have been the same without a nice bit of toast. I had to defrost my white loaf saved purely for fish bait! Anyway once underway the going was slow. Water levels down by only a couple of inches but enough for us to pull a wash if we attempted to go above 1000mph. I rather liked the slowness of our speed, the Ashby is a pretty canal, very rural with plenty of variety. 

By 11.30 the A5 bridge came into view. In the past, stopping just before had never been a problem. No cladding or rings to tie too so it would be pins only. But try as we might, the nearest we got to the bank was about 3 ft. Blast..now what. So through the bridge we went in the hopes of finding a free spot. Not a cats in hells chance although I did spy what looked to be a good gap further up. Turns out there were 'no mooring' signs because it was opposite the marina entrance! Right, find plan B.

First we called in for diesel at Trinity Marina. At 99p litre this was the cheapest around these parts. Loo emptied and rubbish got rid of at the same time and plan B came into force.

All the moorings by the pub are now private. The chances of them getting passing trade is now very slim!

 

Stoke Golding had three pubs. They were all about 5 minute walk from the canal, so that would do, we thought. Another hours cruise saw us moored opposite Ashby Boat Company. 

 

First job, find the pubs. Up the hill toward the centre, gosh it had me puffing a bit! We found the George and Dragon, car park looked large enough for the motorhome so that would do nicely. But...and there is always a but...food was served between midday and 2,30pm only, no evening service at all!. Okay try the Three Horseshoes. That was closed! Only one more pub to try, the White Swan, oh no that too was shut and had been since Covid. Resignation set in....what to do? Chris was most understanding when we phoned and another plan unfolded. Still come to us, spend the afternoon and then he would drive us all to The Dog and Hedgehog in Dadlington for the meal. Finally a result!

Ian had a play with the Snipe satellite. Took the thing off the roof, removed all the screws he could see but the thing refused to come apart! Not wanting to force it, all screws put back and replaced back on the roof. For once my 'man that can', couldn't although saying that, he powered it up, pressed the right buttons and it worked perfectly!

And wildlife

It's just a pigeon but what made me smile was the single stick it was perched on.