Day 81 - Fradley Junction to Hopwas

Saturday 22nd August

8.5 miles, 2 locks



A warm, sunny morning

A beautiful hot sunny morning we actually had breakfast outside! Decided to enjoy the sunshine in our deckchairs on the towpath.














Moored at Fradley Junction












After lunch cruised down to Fradley Junction making a right turn onto the Birmingham and Faizely canal. As we passed Rhiannon was preparing to leave too heading home to Derby?

Weather deteriorated and we were soon cruising in the rain which got worse and thunder and lightening began. We quickly moored in Whittington but soon moved on as the railway was literally adjacent and there was a very noisy aviary opposite. We had a very slow boat in front which did pull over and let us pass then two boats behind us who sped past as we attempted to moor.

We moored for a second time in the middle of nowhere but again moved on. The rain had stopped and the smell of silage was unbearable. I blamed Paul's feet at first but even they are not that bad!

Moored for the third time at Hopwas. Had a very nice meal in the Tame Otter.

Day 82 - Hopwas to Curdworth

Sunday 23rd August

10 miles, 11 locks



Sue negotiates the Curdworth flight

Heading for Curdworth today. Had a text from Rachael, she and Anna paid us a visit. Met us at the Dog and Doublet and came into the boat for lunch. Went up one lock and then the rain started. Rachael didn't have a coat and neither did Anna so they went with one of mine and my brolly. Good job they went when they did as the rain became torrential. We were soaked by the time we moored at Curdworth. Had to shower and change everything immediately.







Visitors arrive












Lunch with Anna



Anna's first lock

Just got settled when we had a text from Pete saying that he couldn't do the Middle Earth festival due to illness. That unsettled us so off to the pub we went!

Day 83 - Curdworth to Catherine de Barnes

Monday 24th August

15 miles, 14 locks

Up early as we have to get through Birmingham today, not taking the usual route. Going to avoid Birmingham centre by going up Camp Hill locks onto the Grand Union.

In all 15 miles and 14 locks not very pleasant. Canal very oily - made us stop and check we weren't leaking. NB Vanessa followed us up and then overtook getting the empty locks while Paul checked the oil and diesel. Vanessa skipper said they use that canal a lot and it is always oily.

Moored at Catherine de Barnes in the rain not as wet as yesterday though.

Wandered to the Boat for a drink before dinner. Fast asleep when woken by a hire boat mooring in front of us a 10 past 11!

Day 84 - Catherine de Barnes to Kingswood Junction

Tuesday 25th August

7 miles, 5 locks



Water Gypsy at Knowle Hall Wharf

Dry morning set off to Knowle Hall Wharf to see Ian who will hopefully fix our bow thruster. He wasn't there and we waited about an hour. He soon got it fixed.

As we pulled away from the boat yard to go down Knowle locks I said it would be good if Vanessa appeared behind us and can you believe it she did. We were down the locks in no time. It is much easier when you double up. Very breezy and soon it was drizzling.





Moored on the cut at Kingswood Junction. Dark and wet afternoon. Stopped raining so strolled to the Navigation. Got a couple of coffee dates planned for the next couple of days.

Day 85 - Kingswood Junction to Warings Green

Wednesday 26th August

5 miles, 19 locks

Trip total:  472 miles, 279 locks

Waited at Kingswood Junction for visitors Rachael, Ross, Jane, Alan and Anna. Did the first 6 locks of Lapworth flight before stopping for lunch.

The flight was clear after lunch and we did the next 11 locks in record time of 55 minutes. Captain Anna sitting up front in her buggy with cap on!

Easy cruise back to moorings where we were greeted by Di and King John. Drove Ross back to collect his car and they left to go home for a barbeque.






































































































We visited the Bluebell, nothing's changed there. We had a Chinese delivered. Tomorrow we weigh!