Saturday 16th March Day 238
What a glorious day as we wake up to blue skies. There is still a nip in the air but once that sun is out it’s wonderful! We decide to go back to visit the Priory. I’ve already explained why and I’m so glad we did. Not only was it a lovely morning walk as we also had the delight of listening to a woodpecker in the trees – how lucky to have seen and heard that, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t messed up the filming ((Don’t try and justify it Peachy!))
Back at the boat it’s 9am and we untie the ropes and off we go. We have the intention of stopping at the services and then possibly two locks but we get chatting to a couple on another boat we met yesterday and they advised it’s best to go through 6 locks as there are mooring near a pub and all the shops in Atherstone. They also said that once they moored in a small pound ((This is the area between two locks)) and someone must have left a paddle open and the water had all but drained in the morning so good advice.
I enjoy getting back into doing the locks and as usual, end up doing 2 of them twice as when I rock up there are some solo boaters and it’s a lot harder on your own as you have to climb up the ladder in the locks, so I always offer to do them. Also, the couple behind us have been shutting the gates for us so everyone is doing their bit and it’s nice to have a bit of a natter as we do them. We realise afterwards that one of the boaters is a chap we met at Beeston – he was the first boat we had moored alongside when we were waiting to use the water point and facilities ((Lucky him!))
Locks done and very pleasant day it is to cruise and we remark on we are now doing what we were talking about last year and cruising into Spring and seeing the buds and greenery appearing. We just get the covers up as it’s starts raining ((You’re so jammy!)) then we have lunch and I sneak off for a well-deserved power nap – it’s really nice to have a nap because I’m physically tired rather than being ill for a change. There is nothing better than slipping in the bedroom for a nap in the afternoon.
Nap level achieved we then wander into Atherstone which is a lovely place, lots of nice shops and the smell of takeaways tempting us but we have a quick nosey as it’s nearly 5.30pm so most of the shops are shut or shutting. We then nip to Aldi for essentials ((Wine and beer!)) before back to the boat to chill and watch tv. Day done. Until tomorrow. x
Miles 6 locks 6
C.L. Peache 