Hello SonAll Aboard

Well as you can see Richard arrived safely on Wednesday. At the moment we are moored at Tixal Wide for 2 nights before going into Great Haywood Marina tomorrow. Ready to pick up hire car, then off to Plymouth via Lorraine and family in Medmenham
So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Phew can't believe it's been a whole week since I last wrote here. Not much to say really as until Friday we were just retracing from the week before. Was busy washing shopping etc. We are making our way towards Great Hayward. Today was interesting. We worked one lock then were told the next pound was empty. So we moored and looked over the bridge and sure enough the water the other side of the lock was down about 4 foot. So we went into Penkridge for a look around. By the time we had done that and had lunch CRT had let some water through and whilst the water was still low there was enough for us to go through.
Richard arrives on Wednesday, not seen him since January so really looking forward to seeing him. We all then pay Lorraine and family a visit before heading down to Plymouth for Christmas. Not long now. So may not be back on here until the New Year. So just in case we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Moored at Swindon - no not that one, the one in Staffordshire

At Bratch Locks - see Paul can smile I'm still learning to take selfies!

Took the picture above on Friday. Bratch lock are very unusual. Not quite a staircase of 3 as there is a very short pound between 2 of them. However this isn't big enough to take a boat and you have to work them together. Behind us is the old toll house. Friday and Saturday night we spent in the same spot. However in between we had filled up with water,worked three locks, turned, worked up the same three locks before mooring again. But we did have a good signal for Strictly, so all was good.
Didn't go far yesterday as just ahead of our mooring a tree had fallen across the Canal. Paul rang Canal & River Trust and we were surprised when they said they would send someone. Being Sunday we didn't expect to get moving the same day. Well 2 guys turned up and not only did they manage to move the tree we now have some of it for the fire.
Once all was finished we did move on a short way to Swindon. In the end we haven't moved on today. I have been writing Christmas Cards and the sun is topping up the solar panels. But mainly I think it's because Paul spotted the fish and chip shop for dinner tonight.

Change of plans!

Who knew we had a plan, but it would seem that it is better not to! We won't be making our way to the Ashby Canal after all. Due to the winter stoppages which ever way we look to go there is a closure. With Richard flying into East Midlands Hinckley was a very good place for us to be! So now we are trying to find plan B.

Having lunch in The Oddfellow, need I say more!

At the moment we are on the Stafford and Worcester Canal moored at a place called Compton. We have been to the launderette and now having lunch in the pub. When we got here we realised that we visited in 2013, probably with the washing! But at that time we were heading north. This time it is south, but we may be back again in a few days time.