Fazeley

We awoke to a bright sunny day - and it remained that way all day. Wonderful! Opposite our mooring spot we noticed the woodlands with a distinct tinge from the mass of bluebells flowering under the trees.

Bluebell Woods

Christine also spotted a new duckling.

Before long we reached the top of the Atherstone flight of 11 locks. We met a former boatman who grew up on the canals - we shared memories of Jack Monk, Uncle Jack, whom we met in the late 1960's. He helped Mike take our boat through the top lock whilst Christine went to a nearby local shop to pick up a paper and milk - but they had not yet had their bread delivery.

Atherstone Top Lock No 1

On the way down through the flight, most of the fields were bright yellow with rape seed crops.

At Lock 5 we were amused to see a notice in three languages concerning taking fish from the canal. We have heard that certain groups of people - no doubt the languages will help to identify them - relish the fish that are found in the waters here, even though they are not normally considered edible!

Lock 5 Overflow Weir

Below the lock, Christine went again in search of bread - which she found at a good Co-Op. Meanwhile, Mike noticed that the water pump was not working (close to as disaster as coffee time neared!) and investigated. As he was trying to see what had happened it started to work again!

Railway Bridge 44A

Two locks further on, as Christine was beginning to make coffee, she reported that the water pump had stopped again. As we moored under the railway bridge, Mike spotted that he had left the piling clip behind at the previous repair-stop so Christine offered to go in search of it - successfully - whilst Mike took a look at the pump. Again, it started up as he took a look making him wonder if the electrical connection needed looking at.

Atherstone Bottom Lock No 11

We completed the flight and them moored up below the last lock as it was lunch time and Mike wanted to take a further look at the water pump. After removing the connector block which joins the power supplies wires to those of the pump it seemed clear that it and the ends of the wires were corroded, perhaps from previous occasions when we had a leak. Fortunately we had suitable replacements in our tool cupboard and, fingers crossed, all now seems to be well.

After setting off once again, we stopped briefly shortly afterwards at Bradley Green to make use of the sanitary station.

Grendon Dock

At Grendon Dock, home to Narrrowcraft, there were several splendid restored working boats.

In between the various small towns, some of the countryside stretches were very pleasant, especially with a blue sky shining through the trees.

At, we think, Pooley Fields Heritage Centre, we spotted this brightly coloured decorative feature.

Glascote Top Lock

Some time later we arrived at Glascote Locks, just two, immediately below Glascote Basin. Tame Aqueduct followed soon aqfter.

Tame Aqueduct

River Tame

We passed through Fazeley Junction - we were not sure what is the state of the incomplete development to the right of this picture. Several buildings are shells and there did not seem to be anything further happening right now. A short distance beyond the junction we found a spot to moor and time to enjoy the last of the sunshine - the forecast for tomorrow is back to the rain.

Fazeley Junction

11.9 miles - 13 locks