And again with the early starts, the only difference today was that Ken couldn’t leave without me because the first thing we had to do was the 11 locks in the Atherstone flight. 7-45am saw us entering the top lock. I was gratified to find it full meaning there was a good chance that at least the next 4 would be too as there isn’t really any where to moor between them.
Indeed the next 4 locks were set for us then we started to meet people coming towards us which would have been ok had we not been now following someone. In fact we were following 2 boats down the second of which was a single hander. He was having to get his locks ready and progress slowed somewhat. But no matter we did them all in just over 2 hours.
We just managed to get into lock 10 before the contractors started strimming the edge. They held the boat up after us so they could do it without covering them in clippings. With the locks done we turned our thoughts to visiting the sanitary station at Bradley Green Bridge. We could have gone to the one at Atherstone Top Lock but we didn’t want to stop there in case we were gazumped to the locks. A good decision as it turned out because a boat arrived just as we got in the lock.
Anyway we knew we could go to Bradley Green. We had nearly got there when a boat coming the other way pulled in. Ordinarily this wouldn’t have been a problem because there is plenty of room for 2 boats. However this boat decided to moor right in the middle taking up both spaces!
Despite the fact that I pointedly asked them how much room was behind them and could we get in they didn’t take the hint to move up so we waited opposite until they had finished then moved across.
With sanitary duties performed we carried on to Alvecote and moored opposite the marina. We went to see the chap in the office to arrange our move into the marina tomorrow and arrange for a full service while we are away. Then we went to the Samuel Barlow for a couple of Speckled Hens, very nice.
So tomorrow we are moving in to the marina and then we are going to walk to Tamworth.
