Curdworth and Tamworth

Wednesday August 12th

We set off just after 10 o'clock - generally feeling much better but still less energetic than usual! Immediately we passed through the last of the Minworth locks and within the hour arrived at the top of the Curdworth flight.

Through the flight we were in the middle of several boats going down, with only the occasional boat coming up to help 'turn' the locks. However, the boat in front and the one behind were quite friendly and everyone helped each other. Neverthless, it did take just three hours to clear the flight.

Immediately below the lock we took a short - and very late - lunch break, also giving Mike time to complete the repair to the bathroom washbasin. Hopefully it will now last out the season although it is not very beautiful! It really needs some professional joinery work to replace the worktop.

Onwards as we really needed to get close to Atherstone, not only for our schedule but also to make a good meeting point with Joanna and Alice - the latter will be staying on board for the rest of the trip, we expect. The unusual castle-like design of a footbridge (replacing an earlier conventional swing bridge) is close to the entrace to Drayton Manor Theme Park.We passed through Fazeley Junction with its impressive canal architecture.

After pasing over the River Tame, a little later we arrived at the two Glascote locks. A group of four teenagers were 'hanging out' at the upper lock. It would have been easy to be suspicious but we felt that it was better to involve them - at least you know where they are! In fact they were really interested and took amazing delight at being able to work the paddles!

Gradually urban surroundings gave way to countryside, although both railway and motorway run nearby. We wanted to reach Bradley Green in order to service the elsan and to fill the water tank - which we duly did. A line of moored boats followed the water point as we sought an overnight mooring. Were were pulling alongside the towpath when we realised that we were alredy at Atherstone Bottom Lock! The good news was that Christine felt able to have a smallish portion of chicken and mushroom sauce on rice with vegetables! But she could only manage a couple of the strawberries!