Well we didn't get very much further on Monday as unbeknown to me Paul had arranged to meet up with Ruth and Ann at Rugeley. They had traveled up from Plymouth to surprise me on my birthday. Well I was definitely surprised and it was lovely to have help in celebrating my birthday on Tuesday.  We cruised to Tixall Wide, a favourite place of mine. We spent Tuesday night there returning to Rugeley on Wednesday so they could return home.  At the moment we are in Hereford for the weekend at the reunion of the squadron that Paul joined the RAF with. Falcon is back at Great Hayward in marina and we have a hire car for the weekend. Was hoping to add a picture, but the technology doesn't seem to be working at the moment. So catch you later.

Toilets at Armitage - where else would they be!

Passing the toilets at Armitage - there used to be more!

Well we didn’t make it Fradley on Wednesday as we went to Kings Orchard Marina for gas and a pump out.  Also to do some laundry.  There was a problem with the tumble dryer so it wasn’t finished until about 5 so we ended up spending the night in the marina.  In the evening we were invited to join an impromptu get together with some of the moorers.  Bring a glass was the invite, but we did take a bottle too!  There were about 16 of us sat around, a lovely evening and very unexpected.  We headed out of there on Thursday morning and got as far as the junction, but we spent another night and didn’t actually turn out on to the Trent and Mersey until Friday.  Today we have cruised through Armitage and we are now at Rugeley, arrived here at about 2.  The bridge behind us has Morrisons on one side and Tesco on the other.  Not far away is Aldi, so I see some shopping happening tomorrow before we head out. 

Kingfisher and Robin

Just passing through Fazely Junction - spot the birdies!

We arrived at Polesworth on Thursday, walking into the village for lunch.  We remembered it once we got there, its is very pretty with a Tythe Barn and other really old buildings.  We ended up staying there until Sunday.  Dave and Joan who live in Leicester (Dave is a flying buddy of Paul’s, they used to live in Plymouth) came to lunch on Saturday and brought our mail with them.  Thank you both.   Sunday we arrived at Tamworth in time for a late lunch.  It was as well we hadn’t planned to go any further as it poured with rain in the afternoon.We finally left Tamworth after lunch today.  Been shopping in Asda and Sainsbury’s so well stocked up now!  It has been a beautiful day today, sat here now with the doors open listening to the birds singing.  Bliss.  We have travelled about 6 miles, with no locks and are moored near a little village called Whittington.  Tomorrow should see us join the Trent and Mersey Canal at Fradley Junction.  

First ducklings this year

Paul spotted these this morning. The first we have seen this year. A very pretty mum with eight little ones. We had been moored at Atherstone for a couple of nights but left today after lunch. Took about three hours to work down the 11 locks to the bottom, stopping for the night just after the last lock. Next stop Polesworth

Happy Easter

Springwood Haven very good chandlery by bridge 27 on the Coventry

We stayed here while Paul fitted the tank on their wharf.
They sell nice ice cream too.

Well we did make it to Coventry on the bus.  Twice in fact.  Once from Ansty and the second time from Hawkesbury Junction.  Got some fabric which I hope will make covers for our chairs.  Not tried upholstery before so will see how it goes.  Also we had a visit from Dave (Pickton, we know many Dave’s) who brought us our mail from home.  So we now have our new licence displayed in the window.  CRT have said it is on their computer database so as long as we have paid there shouldn’t be a problem.  But as we travel around we note the boats with expired licences, sometimes by years, so we don’t want to be included ‘in the same boat’ with them!!

Tuesday we arrived at Nuneaton.  We have visited the town before, it is a bit of a step from the canal, but worth the effort.  It is quite a big town and we found a few shops we missed on our last visit which was in April 2013.  A bit later in the month though.  In the end we spent 4 nights there, only moving on this afternoon.  We have only travelled a couple of miles when we stopped to visit a chandlery.  We needed a new expansion tank for our water system.  Paul fitted it whilst we were still on their wharf so if he needed any more bits we were in the right place.  It was so peaceful there with just the sound of birdsong that all we have done since is move across the canal to the towpath and are staying for the night.  It really does feel like spring today.  So here’s wishing you all a Happy Easter.  See you next time.