Oct 12th moored at Stoke Golding on the Ashby canal

         196 miles, 73 locks, 2 short tunnels (twice each) and 2 lift bridges from Aston Marina

Friday 12th Oct - Stoke Golding

Day started rather bright and sunny with a cool breeze and we decided to move the boat forward onto the water point before breakfast as it was vacant and then moved forward onto the 24hr mooring in front of the cafe car park.  After breakfast wed decided to redo last nights walk to be able to see the views in rather better conditions and take some photo's

although we came back through Ambion Woods rather than down the muddy towpath. 

Then a short hop today down two miles to Stoke Golding.  This time we moored on the 48hr mooring by the layby on the lane to Dadlington. Went for a circuit to visit local shop and post office and the back via the Ashby boating Centre and towpath.  About 5pm we walked round to John and Sue's new house for dinner.

Rather taken with the property which has excellent views (including canal) and put in an offer which wasn't accepted!

Thursday 11th Oct - Sutton Cheney

Moved on today six miles down the Ashby to the offside 48hr mooring on the decking at Sutton Cheney.  It was a rather grey day although it appeared to be brightening as we watered up at Bosworth Wharf.   However shortly after we moored the heavens opened and we spent the afternoon watching the rain come down.  It did stop about 5pm and we went for a circuit through Ambion Woods to Bosworth field down to Shenton Station

and along the railway track bed to the canal and back down a rather muddy towpath.
 
Wednesday 10th Oct - Congerstone

We got up rather later this morning it is so lovely and peaceful here and it was nearly 10am before first boat movements started.  The cormorant was back fishing around and under the boat this morning.

 I took our rubbish to the bins

and noted that the Ashby Canal Association portacabin was open and returned with Bridie to purchase a few items in aid of their funds including a canal picture.   We moved off just after the hire boat "Sutton" turned and returned southwards without stopping. Not long after passing through the tunnel 

we caught up with it going rather slowly

and were soon caught up ourselves by another boat. Before Shakerstone we both found enough room to pass and he reckoned he was unable to exceed 2.6 mph according to his GPS.  We had been following on tickover and having to coast at times!

We moored up at Shackerstone and went to visit the Battlefield railway station and Victorian Refreshment rooms for lunch.

Went in on the access track to the Railway Station house but returned using the railways road exit, which uses the Ashby & Nuneaton Joint railway track bed.   We were lucky someone arriving by car opened the gates as we were locked in.  Circuited the village and returned to PO, quickly moving on to Congerstone near bridge 49 for the night.  Took dogs for a another curcuit this time to see Congerstone. Not much to see though there is a pub, but it wasn't open. Very quiet and not much traffic for a change.