Day 27 we had a slow start as we had hoped to get a minor repair made on our cratch cover (too many close encounters with locks) but after waiting an hour we cut our loses and moved on. The canal was very quiet, as apparently there were some important things happening on tv. Despite this we managed to go back up the Audlem flight of 15 locks quickly as all the locks were already set for us or we met people coming the other way, in fact we only saw a couple of boats going the same way as us even when we stopped for lunch. It was getting quite hot by the end of the day and J was particularly so after working the last 10 locks so we were happy to find the house at the top selling ice cream – sometimes it has to be done.

This was the same mooring as we used on the way down but the difference was really noticeable particularly the temperature but also the leaf coverage, making for a beautiful location. Entertainment provided by one ducking who kept swimming backwards, it looked really funny.

Day 28 saw us woken early by a boat at 0645, we assumed it was the boat moored behind us, but it proved not to be so must have come up at least two locks, they must have set off really early. Had a good run through the Adderley locks, spotting the first yellow flag of the year and buying a homemade pork pie for lunch on the way; very nice it was too.

 

 

So far we have managed to buy a number of foodstuffs from farm shops, mainly eggs and cakes but now pork pies, we try to keep some change for honesty boxes. D had an easy run through Tyrley locks, even the notorious lock four, which J had to do a power exit from on the way down, was quiescent. J had help from a young lad, was a bit concerned about child labour but his mother and grandfather were with him. Today was the big bird  – little bird day. Big birds in the form of herons and a huge number of buzzards; little birds in the form of the ubiquitous ducklings and moorhen chicks. D also saw our first bat as we got ready for bed.

Day 29 we had an early stop at Bethsaida cratch cover place to get fix done, which was done free of charge. A primarily cruising day with very little going the same way as us but quite a bit coming the other way. This was OK until we found a couple of trees pretty much blocking the cut, particularly the first one where the boat coming the other way didn’t slow down, we went slightly aground after they hit us. We stopped and tried trimming the branches, this activity curtailed by the arrival of a day boat. We also had to buy some fuel for the first time – probably the biggest fuel bill ever (£170!). Ran aground again later in a narrow, shallow bit when trying to give another boat enough room, we must have tilted at least 10 degrees before we levelled out again. Saw our first cygnets today and D saw a kingfisher.

After just over four weeks we have completed 500 lock miles, 267 miles and 233 locks!

Last minute addition, evening entertainment provided by badgers on opposite bank and bats!