Back to Alrewas

After a rather broken night, we managed to get up at seven, setting off just after eight. It was fairly straightforward boating in milder weather to Barton, where we stopped for half an hour to fill the water tank.

Then on we plodded past the marina and down the noisy straight next to the A38 to Wychnor Lock. The river continues very low, so no problem to navigate to Alrewas. The first stretch of 48 hour moorings was full, but then there was very little until Gallows Bridge and the start of the 14 day stuff. We’ve tied outside the bowling green, where we can stay whilst we finish what we’ve got to do, doctor wise.

After lunch, Elanor and Sally came across and gave us a lift to Mercia Marina at Willington, so that we could have a mooch round the new Midland Chandlers. We were looking for a cruising chimney (ie 12” high and simple single skin) and a new coal scuttle, since the old one is looking very tired.

The scuttle was no problem, but we couldn’t find a chimney we liked. We particularly don’t want anything fancy, so that it’s not a disaster if it gets knocked into the cut, and all the ones they had either had brass bands round or were double skinned.

It looks like we need to do some research on the net to track down the right one.

Back at the boat, we settled down for a cup of tea and a natter; after posting this, I’ll get a shower and cook dinner, then we’re going to visit Autumn Years for the evening; they’ve tied just the other side of Gallows Bridge.