Return From Ashby

We had hoped to find a bit more about the restoration project but, although the contractors were at work on site, the Ashby Canal Society 'shed' did not open. So, it was almost ten o'clock when we set off. The May blossom alongside our over-night mooring was probably at its finest.

It was much cooler so it was on with the extra layers but, until a couple of minutes before we moored for the night, it remained dry.

We had a long cruise ahead of us, beginning with the short Snarestone tunnel which Christine steered through whilst Mike checked out the latest 'improvements' to his software. Later in the morning he used one of the bridges to test out the time recording of locks - which is different from bridges and other 'point' way marks. Locks have an arrival and a departure time - we have historically recorded the arrival when we are ready to operate the lock even if there is a time to wait. This may be some metres away from the actual lock.

Shakerstone has the remains of an ancient Motte and Bailey clearly visible alongside the canal, complete with a tree growing well out of the side!

We stopped for lunch just south of Market Bosworth - Christine deemed it 'soup' weather so we were able to enjoy some warming lentil soup.

At Sutton Wharf we called to use the various services - this led to us succumbing to temptation of another helping of the delicious ice cream we discovered on the way up! Christine was now hoping to find a suitable store, such as M&S, to buy another item of bedding so we stopped at Trinity Marine for directions. Alas, Hinckley does not merit such a facility and Nuneaton is too far to walk. We also failed to find a mobile broadband signal all the way through Hinckley so we no wiser about whether we shall be able to find something suitable at Rugby. Hopefully we shall be in contact tomorrow - this blog will have to wait until then as well.

On the way up we had made a few additional notes about suitable moorings and were able to make use of this in finding somewhere for the night, especially as most of the official 48 hr moorings were occupied - often by boats that did not look as if they had moved very far in recent days!