Sept 10th moored near Grendon on Coventry Canal

         38.5 miles and 10 locks from Aston Marina

Monday 10th Sept

Well the warm dry spell looks to be over the started grey with a threat of rain which took a while to actually
start.  After several light showers it got heavier about lunch time.  The afternoon dried up but there was a
blustery wind and continuing threat of rain.  We moved off about 10:30 and only cruised about a mile into
Polesworth before stopping for a short explore and Co-op shopping trip.  Polesworth has a few plus points
the Abbey Gatehouse being the major one but it is let down by all the 1960's buildings with flat roofs and the
boarded up windows (even on the old school which is a historic gem).  Once back on board moved off again but only as far as Grendon or just short of.  Decided weather not conducive to an enjoyable climb up Atherstone flight of locks.  But then it might not be all week reading the paper, high winds and storms are forecast again.   I camped here in my school days with Robert Johnston to do some trainspotting and seem to remember our church vicar (Rev Houghton) moved here in the 60's.  Later this afternoon we walked the dogs up the towpath past Grendon dry dock to the services at Bradley Green.  Walked along the lane towards Sheepy Magna  and Sheepy Parva (B5000) as far as the lane to Grendon Church.  It wasn't worth the effort of braving the oncoming traffic as the church was all locked up - even the main gate.  Sign of the times, beware there is a thief about, trouble is we are made to feel unwelcome even daring to visit. Returned via Grendon Road towards Polesworth as far as the dry dock and back along the towpath.

Managed all this without getting wet which was a relief. Especially as the heavens opened not long after we got back.

Sunday 9th Sept

Set off from Hopwas just after 10.  The local farmer here is rather anti social, not only having a very load
bird scarer going off at regular intervals (sends Mac in a lather hurtling back to the boat) but he has also
built a competitor for the great wall of China with his straw bales across two fields, even partially
castellated!  I'll bet his neighbours really love him!

Had a very pleasant cruise through Fazeley and into Tamworth in bright sunshine. It was as warm a day as any this summer. Just had a brief stop at BW regional offices before the Junction to empty the loo and dispose of our rubbish.  No problems or waiting to go up the two locks at Glascote and decide to carry on for a while with the weather so nice (had originally considered mooring to visit Tamworth).  Eventually moored just beyond Alvecote Bridge over which a traction engine passed, just after we passed underneath and we were too late to get camera out. Took dogs a walk along towpath and round Alvecote pools and then after a cup of tea sitting out on the towpath I got the port side of boat washed down and half polished.

Saturday 8th Sept - To Hopwas on the Coventry Canal

We didn't really think ahead too far (it being Saturday and sunny) but set off for Fradley Jctn about 10:00.  Another beautiful sunny day and three boats passed going in same direction as we unmoored the boat.  When we finally arrived at Woodend lock we had to hover mid channel as boats seemed to be everywhere. We were about six boats down in the queue and there wasn't room for more than two boats to get on the lock landing at a time.  So the morning slipped by and it was well after 1:30 when we finally got through the third lock and turned right onto the Coventry canal. After negotiating the swing bridge and waiting for a boat to exit the water point I got into difficulty trying to get my stern off the canal bottom on the wrong side. Didn't help that some bright spark was moored up having lunch on the water point although he did come to help with the rope! Once we had watered up (and without delay) we moved on, we had lunch on the move!

Cruised on, past Streethay, Huddlesford and Whittington eventually mooring at Hopwas just beyond the Tame Otter public house where we met Lynne, Audrey and Barry some years ago.  After a brief dog walk we repaired to the Red Lion to sit and enjoy our refreshment by the side of the canal.  Early evening and a boat and the butty Ilford

appeared and moored in front of us with the butty behind us.