Catch-up

It's been far too hot to write a blog! I know that's not a good excuse but it has been very hot and we have just crashed out at the end of the day.

Anyway, when we last spoke we were in Huddlesford. Huddlesford is a strange place, there's nothing there, except for the pub and perhaps a couple of houses. I suppose that it was the junction that gave it some importance. 

Now these houses, according to another guide book of ours, are built in the Dutch style facing the canal. And I suppose, thinking about it, many of the houses we pass do have wonderful back gardens on the canal side. 

We skirted around Whittington again, picking out the various places we had walked past the day before.

Now through Hopwas, the Red Lion on our right.

The Tame Otter on our left.

We carried on to Fazeley Junction where we had to divert down the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal to empty the toilet and take on water. These facilities used to be at Peel's Wharf on the mainline but have been moved to Fazeley Mill Marina.

Now returning to the junction past one of the old mills.

The junction has always had pictures of birds but we need to check if these are new.

The Robin's definitely been there for some time.

This is the lock cottage at Glascote locks. Such a pretty display.

This is Amington and a couple of photos of the bars at the bottom of the gardens. This one's the Bar-Gin.

And next door, the Stagger Inn.

Got to Polesworth for our overnight stop and the next morning popped into the town for supplies.

To get to the Co-op we cut through the Abbey grounds. This is the gatehouse to the abbey.

And looking at it from the road side. A noticeboard informed us that the small tunnel was to protect the gatekeeper from attack. 

After setting off again we passed this field of poppies. The red has been lost a bit but the effect was stunning.

At Grendon Dock the poor old house at the end has been falling down for years. But it's still there!

Brigid took the boat through Atherstone locks and here she is approaching lock No. 7. Only 4 more to go.

There are many canal bridges with these bits of metalwork on them. I think it may have been something to do with water but I'm only guessing really.

Top lock and look, no volunteers. We've never seen that before.

We stopped for the night about a mile further on at Mancetter, one of our favourite mooring places.

Aha, for once I have a picture of the Alpacas. Luckily they were in the lower field this time.

Stopped at Hartshill Yard to take on water.

Well, for us, we've used a fair amount of water having put the washing machine through its paces. 

We had a short wait while another boat finished filling up their tank. They have just started on a two year cruise which may extend to longer.

Brigid took this photo while I wasn't looking.

An old notice about weight of traffic.

We've never noticed the roof on this building before. The end of the house is circular, the roof is circular, as is the guttering.

And here we are, back at Hawkesbury Junction for the night.