Oct 16th moored near Grendon on the Coventry canal

         216 miles, 84 locks, 2 short tunnels (twice each) and 2 lift bridges from Aston Marina

Tuesday 16th Oct - near Grendon
Gale blew up during the night and we rocked rather a lot - had to go out and loosen ropes to stop creaking and tighten the cratch covers to reduce flapping noises in the wind. decided we would stay put for the day despite bright sunshine, as it was still blowing a gale and there were waves on the   Pleasant day doing very little just chilling out.

Monday 15th Oct - near Grendon

Left Hartshill about 10am and headed for Atherstone in sunshine but with a cool breeze. Moored up near the top of the lock flight and went for a Co-op shop in Atherstone.  Had a sandwich for lunch and then made use of the services at the top lock before descending the flight of eleven locks.  Bridie was busy setting up the locks as usual.

The weather was slowly deteriorating and we had some light showers as we reached the bottom locks. Not many boats on the move today. Once through the flight we headed for same mooring near Grendon that we last used on Sept 10th.  Both quite worn after working through the locks.

Sunday 14th Oct - near Hartshill

Yesterdays rain froze on the boat overnight and we woke to a sharp frost, even had to break the ice to get into the coal box on the roof this morning.  Set off in sunshine but no warmth in it to start with.  Headed down last four miles of the Ashby canal to Marston Jctn

where we joined the Coventry canal turning right for Nuneaton and on through to Hartshill where we watered up at the old maintenance depot

now looking sadly neglected. Then on through next couple of bridges to moor up near the bend by bridge 34 as we did back in September.

Saturday 13th Oct - Hinkley
Had a busy morning moving just four miles to Hinkley. Called in at the Ashby Boat Centre just after 10am for 91 litres of fuel, a gas bottle and bag of coal. Then moved a short distance to bridge 23 for Bridie to visit the farm shop again. Not an especially bright day but we stayed dry while moving.  Unable to moor by the Trinity marina and Pub we moved on through bridge 17 and moored just before next bend. My sister and cousins arrived shortly after mooring up. Lunched on board and then set off for a walk along the Coventry Road into town. Road works in evidence and traffic much reduced so not a too unpleasant walk but after a wander up  Castle Street shops rain clouds appeared. We took shelter in the new bandstand listening to the piped music and watched the clouds pass by. Thinking we had missed the worst we set off only for it to hail on us and had to shelter again this time under some scaffolding.  Then back down the Coventry Road getting soaked in the process.  Back on the boat we did our best to dry out before tackling the sodden towpath back to the pub at the marina for an evening meal and to meet up with Jo.