An early start back to base

Our final day of this trip started early... very early in fact. At 12.35 AM, we were woken by nb Emu (an old working boat in South Midlands livery) firing up its engine and leaving Polesworth. It had moored up at about 9.30pm, double breasted behind us and the crew scurried off to the pub, but it was a total surprise to be woken at this unearthly hour. I love the sound of traditional engines... I really do, but maybe not on this occasion. It had to pass a line of about 8 boats and then we heard it chugging off into the darkness (it didn't have a tunnel light) for some time.

We left our moorings ourselves at a pretty unsociable time (7.20am) and began the journey back to Kings Bromley. Soon after leaving I was lucky enough to see a kingfisher perched on a branch just above the water with its breakfast secured in its beak. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera to hand, but a lovely sight to start the day.

We passed nb Emu moored outside the Samuel Barlow pub at Alvecote. I was tempted to give it a blast of the horn as we passed, but there were plenty of other moored boats in the vicinity, so we passed quietly on tickover... much to Louises disgust.

We got straight through Glascote locks and then moored just beyond Fazeley and enjoyed a good cooked breakfast. Lots of boats moving in both directions and many with their flags proudly blowing in the wind.

We had a really nice run up towards Fradley and Jasper seems to have really taken to this boating lark and has become quite content to sit and watch the world go by from inside the lifebuoy on the roof, much to the amusement of walkers and boaters alike. Not bad for a 4 month old dog !!

Fradley was its normal busy self for a bank holiday, but we got through without too much of a hold up and also noted that the swallow chicks in the nest at Wood End Lock had fledged whilst we'd been out on our travels. We finally got back to base late afternoon. We have had a lovely break, the highlight undoubtedly being the Coldplay concert, but the boating has been terrific too...  and only 25 days until we're off again.

The good old British weather.

Exactly a week ago we were moored up in Polesworth in glorious sunshine. Today we have again moored there and seen nothing but rain

An early sighting this morning was of our neighbours at Kings Bromley, Reg & Trudy on nb Greylag. They are making a temporary move to Trinity Marina for a month or so to assist with travelling for Trudy. They passed us in the pouring rain ascending Atherstone locks at about 8.15am. Far too early for us I'm afraid, especially on a Sunday. 

We finally made a move about 11am, only because we needed to do a few miles to help with getting back to base. The rain and wind were not pleasant, but after a couple of hours we arrived in Polesworth and were lucky to get the only available spot as another boat was just leaving. 

We got the heating on and settled down with a glass of wine to watch the Jubilee Pageant which was a fabulous spectacle despite the corresponding weather in London. It was good to see the 40 or so narrowboats within the masses of boats, but would have preferred to have seen more of them. The whole event showed why Britain is great. 

Unfortunately the weather seems to be having an adverse effect on the Crick Boat Show too with reports of tiny crowds. Let's hope it picks up for everyone tomorrow.

Huddlesford to Polesworth

The Coventry was more like the M25 this morning. Another glorious warm morning greeted us along with a string of boats in either direction. Everyone must be moving before it gets too hot. We had a bacon sandwich before finally getting a lull in traffic and we headed off towards Fazeley. Whittington was particularly busy with both moving and moored boats, but we had a pleasant journey down to the services at Fazeley office where we stopped briefly. 

On to the two Glascote Locks which fill so slowly, but not much boat traffic now. The pubs above Fazeley were certainly doing a roaring trade as we passed. Pooley Hall looked splendid just above the canal a you approach Polesworth - the former home of Edwin Starr. Now we can't get the song 'Contact' out of our heads!!

Moored at Polesworth

Polesworth is quite busy but we have a lovely spot on the first mooring. We had a bit of time to wash the boat down as it was covered in dust from the marina and apply our new CaRT licence numbers. We are now enjoying a glass of wine whilst sat in the cratch - what a lovely day

Our new CaRT vinyl decals... very smart !!