| This Month's Totals and Average | |||
| 37.20 miles | 0 locks | 16.25 hrs | 2.29 lmph |
Quiet morning with more sun and rain. I drove over to Alrewas in the afternoon to help Roger & Liz celebrate their Diamond wedding anniversary. Fhi had a quiet afternoon with her crochet, but also topped up the water (unasked ).
Showers and sunshine, with an increasing breeze. Sat chatting for the morning, then drove down to Atherstone for Fhi to go to the craft shop in the afternoon.
Up promptly on a cloudy morning. Bed made up for Fhi (the final job!). Watched her flight on the FlightRadar24 website . Their route to East Midlands Airport was east of Leicester so they didn't come over the top of me (disappointed). Alessandra was being collected by her husband, Mariano, and they took Fhi to their home, and I drove over to collect her there.
We wanted lunch by that point, so we drove into Hinckley (to Costa), then Fhi said there were a couple of items she forgot to put on her list (so a quick walk round Sainsbury). Headed to "Paws" for a quiet evening chatting.
A dull start to the Sunday. Drove across to Alrewas for the chapel's anniversary service (128 years) - communion with Rev.Jo, then returned for lunch. After a telecall with Fhi, took another trip into Hinckley for stores (should just leave fresh produce for tomorrow). The sun came out during the afternoon and a quiet sunny evening completed the day.
Final shopping trip to Hinckley on Monday for Fhi arriving tomorrow, then a whiz round cleaning. Mostly sunny with one shower of rain.
Totally unforcast drizzle greeted me on waking! Run out of allocated mooring time, so have to move. On the go promptly, heading north, tailed by a canoe with adult beginners. They tailed me all the way to Sutton Cheney where they stopped for breakfast at the café - I continued north past Shenton and into Market Bosworth. Was greeted by Paul on "Moose" as I manoeuvred through the marina entrance - he had the boat out for pre-sales running/maintenance. Moored on our berth for lunchtime.
Drive out to Hinckley for items needed and the start of shopping for Fhi coming. The drizzle cleared slowly over the afternoon, giving a pleasant sunny evening.
| 5.63 miles | 0 locks | 2.33 hrs | 2.41 lmph |
 custom.footpath.walks |
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Had a generally quiet day sitting in the sun reading. Waved briefly through the window to Derek as he passed on "Ursinity", but there was no time for a chat. Beautiful day throughout.
A cloudier morning, as forecast. Generally pottered for the morning, with more cleaning, knocking off early for lunch. Walked round to the Café, chatting with the CRT volunteer on the "Friends" table. Excellent meal, as usual. Headed back chatting with a family out for a walk, inviting them aboard to look round "Paws".
Once ready, just before 14:00, let go and continued southwards to wind then find a berth for the night. My favourite mooring at Dadlington was nose to tail so no chance there, but the section at Stoke Visitor Moorings was empty so was pretty sure of a space when I came back. Once winded at Basin Bridge, returned to Stoke Golding and, indeed, it was still empty so got my choice of space, finishing just on 16:00. A family I recognised from previous visits were out for a walk and were invited on for a look round. Light dinner as I'd had a full meal at lunchtime.
| 4.65 miles | 0 locks | 2.08 hrs | 2.23 lmph |
| crab.satellite.jumps |
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Bright but cloudy start to the day. Quick drive to Hinckley for stores to tide over till the weekend. Drizzle had set in by lunchtime, and I thought I would not get out as hoped, but by the time I'd finished, I was fair and bright again with a reasonable forecast so headed out for a couple of days.
Let go after lunch and headed southwards past Shenton and on to Sutton Cheney. Noted that the bank vegetation, trees and bushes were a lot thicker than when we returned to base a few weeks ago. Also noted that the water level had recovered (very) slightly - now only about 2" down on normal. On reaching Sutton Cheney, was very pleased to see two boats just moving off the decked mooring, so slipped in there for the night. Had a chat with the team on "Toad's Croak" when she moored behind me. Quiet evening, and all set for lunch tomorrow .
| 3.68 miles | 0 locks | 1.55 hrs | 2.37 lmph |
| ruffle.repaying.debut |
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Still waiting around for the mail. A mixture of sun and cloud, only drips of the rain that had been forecast. The mail finally turned up after lunch, and the mystery of why it had gone to Liverpool was solved - the Post Office Pat had used to send it had failed to get the postcode right, sending to L2 (Liverpool) rather than LE2 (Leicester) and all the barcodes were therefore wrong - no excuse! We'll see what the forecast is like tormorrow morning and decide on a plan for the time before Fhi arrives.
More showers overnight, but nothing compared to yesterday evening. Up promptly ready to go shopping, but Fhi called to say she was free for a chat, so took the opportunity for a planning meeting for next week. Went out shopping in the afternoon, mostly to collect my mail, only to find the parcel had been "sent to Liverpool" - another day late! Light showers continued throughout the day, but cleared during the evening.
Rain showers overnight made for a cooler night. After a number of nights of poor sleep, I slept in - by the time I woke I didn't have time to drive to church. Very sluggish start to the day. Rain continued throughout the day, with a thunderstorm just after dinnertime - disrupted the satellite signal and had water coming in round the closed portholes. rain died out by late evening.
After another muggy night, the rain finally arrived over breakfast in the form of light drizzle. Noted in the BBC News that the excess of wasps that we have seen this year isn't just around us - the hot spring has encouraged a growth in their numbers (ladybirds and butterflies are also burgeoning). A quiet day sheltering from the rain, pottering, reading and doing puzzles. The drizzle increased to moderately heavy rain, interspersed with short periods of brightness. During one of the interludes, I took a quick drive to Barwell Post Office to collect a small parcel of mail Pat had forwarded yesterday (1st Class) - it hadn't arrived so I'll have to go again on Monday.
Back to sunny mornings - little sign of the forecast rain or thunderstorms. Generally pottered all day, with a little more cleaning. Hot again!
A steady drizzle had set in by breakfast, with a forecast of rain (including thunderstorms) for most of the weekend and into next week - desperately needed, but not pleasant for moving around. Took a drive out for a few items in the Tamworth area before returning for lunch. Afternoon spent on cleaning and vacuuming. The drizzle died out after lunch giving a brighter afternoon and evening.
Generally lazy day, with puzzles and my book - no real enthusiasm to do anything. A mixture of cloud and sunshine with a light breeze.
The wind had risen overnight and there was more cloud again. Had a catchup with Fhi in Italy in the morning, during which the rain arrived. After lunch, during one of the short lulls in the rain, I drove up into town and collected my meds (all correct this time). Topped up the water on my return, then had a quiet remainder to the afternoon.
More cloud today, and slightly cooler. Pat got away from her hotel and continued north in heavy rain. Arrived at the house around 14:15.
I took it easy getting going. Went out to Hinckley for major supermarket shopping - Lidl, Tesco, B&M, and Sainsbury - before coming back for a late lunch. In the afternoon, walked up the hill to town and lodged my meds script - they say it should be ready tomorrow afternoon. We had a couple of very light showers, but they hardly wet the ground.
Up promptly at the hotel. Breakfast, then drove round to All Saints Church, Highfields - service and a catch-up with the friends we gained during Covid.
After the service and coffee/tea, Pat headed off north, bound for the house via another hotel north of Newcastle tonight. I returned to "Paws" via an emergency shopping session for a couple of items needed overnight. I got back around 15:30, but Pat was severely delayed due to a collision north of Weatherby and finally got into her hotel around 18:15.
Final packing and loading for Pat. We left the marina in convoy, heading for Doncaster. Overnight at "Lakeside" Premier Inn.
All doors and ports left open last night (hoping it didn't rain) - a lot cooler inside. A trip to Barwell again to collect meds script (successful, but have decided to wait till I get back and hand it in on Monday). Pat mostly ready to go.
The heatwave continues. Pat started her packing , getting stuff she will not use into bags and into her car, ready for the weekend. I generally kept out of the way. Took a drive to Barwell for my latest meds script - not arrived at the Post Office yet (posted yesterday 1st class - GPO failed again).
Another sunny morning - getting hotter as the week goes by. (Finally) dealt with Pat's car (flat battery) and went for a drive to the Four Shires Farmshop & café for some stores and lunch. Quiet afternoon, again, with puzzle-books. Telecall from Fhi saying she had found it would be possible to come over during the summer, so tentative plans were made (29 Jul-09 Aug, split between the boat and the house).
Lovely sunny day but slightly cooler and fresher than recently. Our wedding anniversary (48), but also the day Fhi & Nick renewed their own vows, in church this time - great celebration in Italy . Quiet day here apart from clearing out rubbish and booking hotels for our jaunts over the coming weekend. Noted a red kite hunting over the marina area.
Had a visit from Ann - she came down from Leicester and I picked her up at the Square, arriving just before lunch. Had a great afternoon chatting and "putting the world to rights" over a cooked lunch, cake and tea/coffee. She headed off home just before 17:00, but we heard there were big delays on the buses and she only got home around 19:15. There had been showers forecast but they never arrived.
After torrential rain overnight, and thunder and lightning over breakfast, the day slowly improved. Drove over to Alrewas to allow Pat to say goodbye to her friends there. After the service (and coffee), we went in to Ventura Park in Tamworth for lunch at Costa, then shopping in Hobbycraft and Sainsbury's. Returned to "Paws" midafternoon for a quiet end to the day.
A cool and dull start to the last official cruising day of this year (before the new regime starts). Headed generally northwards past Shenton, tailing a hireboat which was taking its time. Arrived back at base and 'parked' "Paws" on her berth. Cleared up from the trip and then had lunch.
After lunch, I cleared my car of temporarily-stored items and went shopping leaving Pat to put on a load of washing. I arrived back expecting the washing finished and water replenished to find she was running nearly an hour behind due to phone calls, thus I was then running behind with the jobs I had planned for when I got back. All eventually finished in time for dinner.
| 3.68 miles | 0 locks | 1.67 hrs | 2.21 lmph |
| custom.footpath.walks |
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A lovely morning, sunny but not too hot (yet!). On the move promptly (I didn't wait for Pat but got "Paws" prepped and on the move). Left Hinckley and continued northwards round Stoke Golding and Dadlington to Sutton Cheney. The low water levels were really being felt (I reckon about 4" down on normal). The sun was starting to be felt as well. Arriving at Sutton Cheney, we were hoping for a berth on the visitor mooring - we were in luck, it was empty! Moored for the day and walked down to the Sutton Wharf Café - as always, an excellent meal - then back for a quiet afternoon.
| 5.60 miles | 0 locks | 2.65 hrs | 2.11 lmph |
| stealthier.tenure.thus |
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A fresh and mostly sunny morning. Ready to go by 09:30, but just as we let go, 5 boats appeared from both directions so we were delayed getting off the berth. Once moving, we went round the corner to Martston Junction and turned left onto the Ashby Canal with the intention of going as far as Stoke Golding. We immediately noticed the shallowness of the canal, reinforced with the drought conditions - going was slow! Noted a water vole at Bridge 2, hiding in the reeds on the offside. Continued northwards past the hamlets of Burton Hastings and Bramcote. Rescued a boat which had come adrift at Bridge 9 - local walkers said it is the 3rd time it has been re-moored and reported to CRT. Continued on, under Watling Street and into Hinckley. The Admiral suggested calling it a day as we reached the Sea-Scout hut, and I agreed. Moored at Nutts Bridge 16. Lunch then a quiet afternoon.
| 5.67 miles | 0 locks | 2.60 hrs | 2.18 lmph |
| super.rivers.items |
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A damp morning, and considerably cooler than of late (jacket required!). On the move by 09:30, returning southwards for Marston Junction. Kept an eye out again for Jane, and this time she heard our hail - very glad to see us and we had nearly 50 mins catching-up. Continued on towards Nuneaton, with the sun fighting its way through. Had arranged with the Carters to be where they could visit this evening, so forsook our usual mooring at Bridge 17 (no access from the road) and moored just before Marston Junction.
Stephen & Gwyneth dropped in during the evening for tea & cake and a catch-up before Pat goes north.
| 8.29 miles | 0 locks | 3.37 hrs | 2.46 lmph |
| hails.plates.yards |
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A slow start to the new month. When ready, took a walk down into town - a stop at Georgia's (Crafty Corner ) for wool, Costa for a cuppie, and the Co-op for stores. Back to "Paws" for lunch and a quiet afternoon in the heat.
Pat announced in the evening that we are heading for base. She says she has decided that she is no longer able to handle boat-life - she says she is having difficulty getting on/off the boat, can't handle the walking for shopping, can't do locking any more. She wants to go to Alrewas church this Sunday to say goodbye, then permanently pack and head north to the house (with a couple of detours on the way). Obviously, I am disappointed but can see her point (to a certain extent), and she has said I can continue aboard "Paws" for as long as I wish - but it won't be the same.
