Wednesday 3rd May

Yay! We're in Polesworth where there is a fabulous butcher, an amazing greengrocers, a wonderful hardware shop, the remains of a 10th-C abbey and several takeaways. Bliss. But today we don't need to buy anything except some fresh veg.

Still, a walk into the village is in order. The sun's shining and the fire brigade are training with their high ladders.

We usually walk over the road bridge, seen below, but today we went a little further on and crossed the River Anker via a pedestrian bridge.

And here's the proof. Note, although it's sunny there is still a chill breeze.

Big mistake! We went into the butchers just to buy some bacon and came out with some lamb's liver, a chicken and steak. 

Plenty of vegetables as well but we needed them. Have to be careful not to get scurvy.

Near our mooring is a commemorative stone for the miners who worked the Pooley Pit nearby.

And now, all ready to go.

Argh! Mind the duckies!

Mother duck would keep diving to the bottom of the canal and then 14 ducklings would swim round frantically looking for her.

Another typical boat yard at Alvecote Marina.

Only 2 locks today at Glascote but quite deep with an overall drop of 13' 8". We thought it best that the captain took the boat through while I worked the locks.

Fortunately, there were other boats coming up so there was plenty of help available.

Here she comes, clean as a whistle. 

After that, just round the corner we crossed the River Tame.

And arrived at Fazeley Junction.

And just when you needed a signpost, you get two.

Many moons ago we had a splendid Sunday lunch at this waterside pub, The Three Tuns. However, since then a bit of a facelift. I wonder what it's like now.

And this is the place where we used to take on water and empty the loo. Not so now, those facilities are now round the corner and all this is now a des res area.

Stopped opposite for lunch just to bring the tone down a bit!

Had to take a snap of this particular bridge, it's the A5 again, following us all the way up from Bugbrooke.

Gosh! Even more houses going up. They're all being filled but where are all the buyers coming from? 

And at last we arrive at Hopwas where we have visited many times. Look, we've even got our own picket fence and the sun is shining. What a splendid end to a splendid day.

Funny you should say that. Just as we were tying up, a boat we had shared a couple of locks with called out 'saw you on telly last night. I worked the locks with that chap!' We'd been on Channel 5s Big Steam Adventure and had missed it. Had to watch it on Catch-up.

Fame at last!