Atherstone to Fazeley

 Phew! A cooler start to the day with a bit of cloud cover for a change. 

And off we go down through the remaining six locks. Two of the pounds were very low, a short pound not being helped by two boats coming through the bottom lock one after the other without waiting for us to clear the top lock first. C&RT are banging on about not wasting water and yet there are folk still not looking ahead to see if anyone is working the lock ahead of them. This also means that there are two boats trying to pass in very shallow water, one of those very likely to go aground. (OK grumble over, it's a lovely day, let's get back to boating). 

I know it's vandalism but I do love some of the artwork on the bridges. 

Nice to see the old house still standing at Grendon Wharf. One of the windows has fallen off, otherwise, still standing. 

We passed our friends on Always on the Bend on the mooring at bridge 52 as we came into Polesworth. We, however, carried on to just past bridge 54 where we have stopped before. 

A quick trip to the butchers but, alas, the hardware shop that I loved has gone along with one of the cafés nearby. I suppose change is inevitable. (Also a sign of old age - I find myself saying 'I remember when ...) 

A quick lunch onboard and then off we go again. 

If you can see it through the trees, Pooley Hall is very impressive. 

Pooley Country Park which is on the site of the former and Pooley Hall Colliery. Plenty of folk enjoying the park and the delights of the café. 

We passed the site of Alvecote Priory but, again, the trees have grown and you can't see much from the canal. I remember when... ! 

Next up Alvecote Marina. The marina was fairly empty but we did wonder if many of the traditional boats were down at Braunston for the rally. 

Then along through a peaceful wooded area and then into Amington. 

Again, folk do like their gardens. We love this stretch of canal where there are long gardens and you can compare what neighbours have done to keep up with next door. 

A glimpse into Glascote Basin Boatyard before the last two locks of the day. 

Down she goes. Captain at the helm. 

Nice touch, a memorial for Keith Douce, a long time worker for BW and C&RT. 

The Tale of Leaky Lock. These last two locks are horrible and the brass plate says it all. I had to get the captain to help me shut the top gate, it just wouldn't budge. 

Over the River Tame. I looked back and I've three or four similar views in the past. 

Fazeley Junction. We've made it, now where can we moor? 

Perhaps not here. I'm sure they're nice people but we'll go a little further on.

That's better, just a gaggle of geese. 

Sat outside on the towpath until almost 10 o'clock. This is one of the first years when we've had so many meals outside. Marvelous. 

Atherstone

Our intention was to set off early today. We woke at 4, overly hot, no chance of getting back to sleep. Woke up at 7:15 having not succeeded in staying awake. 

Still, ten to nine and we're off. Not too bad. 

Oh dear, another discarded sunken boat. It looks as if anything worth taking has been taken. 

Our next place of interest is, as described in our waterways guide 2000, BW Hartshill Yard. 

I still think that BW (British Waterways) sounds better than Canal and River Trust. I know, showing my age! 

Just on the outskirts of Mancetter is this clump of vegetation jutting out into the canal. Many years ago we were informed by a local on the towpath that someone had driven a car down the field and straight into the canal. As we went past we could still make out some rusting metal but now you're not able to recognise whether it is a car or not. 

Here's the captain trying to maintain her dignity while trying not to overcook and steering all at the same time. 

As you come into Mancetter and Atherstone, many of the residents have really gone to work on their gardens. There were two, side by side, and the second one had a sign saying Posher than next door. 

Ah, another building site. But, hang on, isn't that where Wilson & Stafford's Hat Mill stood? Atherstone was once known as Hatter's Town. The Mill opened in 1828 and closed in 1999. Since then it has become derelict and suffered from structural collapse during severe storms. Hence the demolition and for permission to build new houses. 

We took on water, got rid of all the rubbish and emptied the loo before starting on the locks. Baking hot and not much shade. 

Not only was I hot and sticky but grumpy as well when the captain entered the locks without touching the sides. Not that I'm point scoring, as if I would. 

Managed 5 of the locks but then decided to stop for air-conditioned shopping and the hope of some afternoon shade from the trees opposite. 

Now for the stick that was given to me yesterday. 

When we moor we often drop a chain through the Arnco that lines much of the canal. 

You drop the chain down through the gap and then get on your knees to grope around for the end where it comes, often in the water. 

Not so with the stick. You drop the chain down and then fish around with the stick until you hook the chain and can pull it up. All without bending down. 

Pass the small loop through the larger, pull tight and tie up the boat. Simples! 

We walked up into town but first we had to go under the railway. 

Now I didn't take this photo for the low bridge but for the streetlight that was alight during the day. 

Then on to Pinocchio's Café for lunch. 

Well worth the visit. And we were offered a table with a fan! Bliss! 

Then into Tesco which was nice and cool. 

Back on the boat and the shade has come across the front of the boat and we are sitting on the towpath which is cooler than inside at the moment. Should be a tad cooler tomorrow. 

How far can we get today?

We managed to set off before half past eight this morning and the first thing we saw was a new housing development on what was the site of Parrott's Basin. That explains all the machinery noises yesterday.

Further along we passed the gardens by Charity Dock.

Some new characters together with some old favourites eg the Stig. 

Just coming up to Marston Junction, the turnoff for the Ashby Canal.

And there it is, the start of the Ashby Canal.

About half a mile before Nuneaton we recall watching this building being built. .

What we didn't see was this new housing estate going up almost opposite

Now coming into Nuneaton proper. From my point of view, Nuneaton is the Mecca of allotments. Facing onto the canal is about a mile of them. Many have tables and chairs facing the canal. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Ah, a reminder from the past. A telegraph pole made redundant by modern technology. Probably some time in the early 1900s. 

A quarter to twelve and we have found a mooring that should be shady this afternoon. 

We pulled in behind a boat called Always on a Bend. We have crossed paths with them several times and, just as I was dropping in the chains to tie up, I was presented with the above stick. I'm not going to say what it's for but I hope to demonstrate its purpose tomorrow. 

Another historic boat coming past.

And there she goes, off to Braunston. 

The shade is getting smaller by the minute and we'll soon be in the 2 hour window when the boat is in full sunlight. What should we do? Well, says the captain, we're only 0.2 of a mile from the Anchor Inn. Fancy a walk?