Tiny boat.....

.....and an Alpaca.

This morning was blooming chilly when I woke up, I had lit the stove yesterday afternoon but it was too warm once the chill was gone off the boat so I let it go out overnight, that's the problem with this time of year, too keep it running or not is a difficult decision.

After two days flat on my back in bed I had decided today I would put on the back support and head off to see how it felt back in action.

I'd negotiated a 10 bag discount for smokeless fuel from Springwood Haven marina (£13.25 down to £11.25) and told them I would be along in a day or two (once my back was more settled) for the coal, gas and diesel, so off I went at 9am and was pleased to see no other boats on the service area. I called in the shop then met the chap to load me up, I was a little upset to find they only had one bag of coal, how daft, they never said they were low or I would have paid for it to be put aside for me! The upshot of my disappointment was I only bought the gas (which I really needed) and the one bag of coal, (which I might really need), I left the diesel and will do what I normally do and buy from the fuel boat later!

Anyway it was obviously no strain on my back so I set off for the Atherstone locks.
Just before Hartshill this little chap was moored up.

I don't know why but the tiny ones are always fascinating, I must get a look
inside one someday.

Then it was through bridge 31 to reveal Harhill Yard.

By now the sun was out and it was a lovely time to be cruising along, it was quite busy, I passed several boats along the way.

And the I spotted an Alpaca, they are not that rare but this one was quite cute.

The canal winds it way along for the next mile or so before arriving at the first of the Atherstone flight of locks, 11 in all (1-11) dropping you down 80' overall. But first I needed to fill the water tank and empty the cassettes and rubbish.

I had a slight hold up as I waited to allow a chap to reverse back past 2 other boats to change his mooring position and as I approached there was a boat in the first lock.

On the service point

The service point is a little awkward, by the lock and forming a winding hole as well, but it was clear so I moved onto it and did the necessary. the tap was awfully slow, while there two boats came up through the lock and two went down, and just after I had moved off a boat appeared wanting to wind (turn around) so timing was good, he'd have struggled with me on the service point.

And then it was off down the first lock, a volounteer was on duty so a good start, no need to do much just wind up one paddle then back on the tiller.

On the tiller waiting for the water to exit.

The volounteer walked along and worked me through the second lock as well.

From then on it was all smooth going, meeting boats coming up at each of the next three locks made easy work of it once again, I was soon tying up on the visitors moorings so that I can nip to the shops tomorrow.
Current mooring:

Totals Today: 4.5miles : 5 locks