A blast across the bows.....

.......actually it was the stern but I thought bows sounded better J

I left my Atherstone mooring at 10am, it was breezy (again) but not too bad.

Lock 6 has a nice cottage alongside, a bridge and steps leading down between the bridge and the lock to allow you to rejoin your boat as it glides slowly out of the lock, having first shut the gates, well that’s the theory and today it went well, stepping onto the boat as it comes along to meet me is a pleasure when you time it right, frustrating if the boat is moving too slow and possibly disastrous if it’s moving too quickly, causing mild panic and much rushing around.

The weather was quite bright and calm as I passed Barry Hawkins yard.

 Leaving lock 8 the skies began to darken behind me.

This was earning it’s money this month I bet.

Having gone through the last of the Atherstone locks (11)  without seeing another moving boat at all, the wind began to build and as I was passing the residential Bradley Green moorings a boater said “You’re brave”, I didn’t think so, the wind was not too bad.

I stopped shortly after on the service point and did the usual fill and empty, things changed for the worse as I moved off.

Leaving the service point

It was just after this point things changed quite a bit, it is quite wide and open with a winding hole the wind was building steadily, trees moving as nature took control again and showed me who is boss, then while passing a moored boat a particularly vicious blast of wind sent my stern towards him, at this point, because I am passing a moored boat, I am on tickover but that had to change, so a fairly heavy application of throttle and tiller hard over to the left saw me safely clearing him, but it also told me it may be prudent to stop and moor up.

So I found a spot a little way past Grendon Dock with a view of what I assume is Bradley Green church across the fields.

Having got moored up safely the wind raged and the heavens opened and I was glad I made the decision.

Now I have been here and hour or so the sun has come out and it seems like a completely different day, but I think I’ll stay put now and see what tomorrow brings.

Tonights mooring

Total today: 2 miles : 6 locks