It never rains but it pours

Just as we were setting off on Sunday, around the corner came the fuel boat.

Husband stearing the tug which is the fuel boat.

And wife being towed behind on the butty which is also a gift shop.

A strange life, being separated for most of the working day. At least Brigid and I are together chatting away on the back of the boat.

Next up, a steam driven boat. Lovely smell of Welsh steam coal as they went past.

A last look at the Anchor Inn where we had lunch the day before.

And even further on, the Cheese Boat. We usually stop and buy some Black Bomber cheese but not this time.

We stopped for the night at Ansty and had roast pork for supper. We got the crackling just right this time, all nice and crunchy.

Monday and we continued onwards. Every now and again you see these cast iron bridges at the side of the canal. The original canal used to twist and turn but was later straightened and these bridges are all that remain of the original route.

Brigid took an artistic picture looking back at Stretton Stop, the base for Rose Narrowboats.

Now then, famous last words (from me, of course) we'll be all right, that cloud will miss us. Miss us, by heck, it was chucking it down 5 minutes later with thunder and lightning, the works. I even stopped under a railway bridge to let the worst of it go over.

It was worth it because my reward was a fish & chips lunch in Newbold.

The only downside was that we moored in a muddy spot and the captain skidded all over the place and ended up in the shower before the fish & chips.

As we walked to the High Street we admired this bit of thatching that was going on.

After lunch, moved on to Rugby for the night. The big question is, do I get supper tonight after the fish & chips?