We had a very informal BCF service in the church hall. We led a few songs acoustically, and there was a time of prayer. Several people came forward with contributions. We finished with an enthusiastic rendition of O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder.
We then moved to the church for the 11am communion service. The worship was by machine, but the songs were modern, and the arrangements were sensitive.
Many of us then went for a pub lunch at the Fazeley Inn – very good efficient service, and excellent value.
We set off promptly to avoid rain, passing several BCF boats before Fazeley Junction.
A young black dog was chasing ducks, and rushing back and forth with excitement. He was also chasing our boat. He turned too sharply and slipped on the wet grass and fell in. He was unable to get himself out because of sheet piling at the edge, so James stopped the boat and returned to haul him out by the scruff of the neck. His lady owner was very grateful.
There were some dark clouds around, but we managed to get through the two Glascote locks in the dry.
The rain started near Alvecote, and by the time we got to Polesworth we decided to stop as there was one mooring space left for us on the rings, and we knew that the bridge ahead was too low for our hood.
2 locks, 5 miles. Dep 1420 arr 1640.
Mon 30th September Polesworth to Atherstone
We made an early start to make sure that we negotiated the eleven Atherstone locks in the dry. We passed the Grendon facilities without stopping, and we started up the locks as number three in a line of four boats going up.
We saw flooded fields and the River Anker had spread onto the meadows either side, but we had lovely sunshine.
Swollen River Anker
Flooded fields
The lady on the boat behind us was interested in BCF, so we gave her a leaflet. The boat was shared ownership one called Kingfisher.
When we reached the top, we found that there had been another four boat going up in front of our four. We only met four coming down.
We used the facilities at the top. Eric Naylor spotted us while we were there, and he came for a chat. We were invited for drinks later at their home. We last saw him and Sally this year at Rickmansworth Festival on Cherie.
We moored soon after the bridge, opposite the old hat factory, and went into the village for wasp relief for Hazel. We ended up going to a doctor’s surgery, where we were looked after well as visitors, coming away with some antibiotics. We also paused at a phone shop to replace the screen protector on James’s phone. £9.99! What a profoundly stupid way of saying £10!
Later we had a meal on board before wading through huge puddles to get to Eric and Sally’s house for drinks and delightful chat. We didn’t even mention boat toilets! He told us that there is now a good sing-around in the Red Lion on the first Wednesday of the month. We may revise our itinerary and stay for it.
11 locks, 5 miles. Dep 0815 arr 1235.
Tue 1st October Atherstone
Breakfast at the Red Lion, then a quick visit to the Co-op before splashing back to the boat in yet more rain.
Atherstone in the rain
Huge puddles
Top Lock in the rain
Stephen Carter knocked on our window. We were surprised to see him as we thought he and Gwyneth were heading up to Fradley on Chyandour. They had been, but they had turned around when they heard that the Trent at Alrewas was closed due to heavy river flows. We have had a lot of rain over the last few days, and the news has pictures of floods in Leicestershire.
No boating today
Next: Staying for the singaround which is at 2pm, then trying to cruise past Nuneaton. Brinklow on Thursday, where we meet cousin Clare and Craig for a meal. Heading for Braunston by Sunday.
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