We'd noted from the forecast yesterday that we were about to get around the month's worth of rain one go today, and planned to stay put if that happened. It has indeed been a day when we're ever so pleased not to have to move, but do feel sorry for those who have to boat when they can.
From time to time, a boat has chugged by with steerer hunched under a brolly, a mixture of hire boats and privateers. If anything there's been more traffic today than yesterday, which was quite pleasant, weather wise.
I did get kitted up in full waterproofs and plodged my way to Shrewley village. I'd never been there before, and it turns out to be very handy, though the horse path tunnel is a bit daunting at first on a gloomy day. Unlike the main canal tunnel, you can't see the far end before you go in, so have to just take it on trust. It climbs quite steeply and emerges onto a footpath into the centre of the village.
Here one finds a useful Londis shop with integral Post Office. It stocks a good range of groceries, including an extensive pies and cold meats counter. Definitely one to remember for future occasions.
On my return, I dropped the cratch, but, even after giving the central heating a burst, the boat still felt chilly, so we've lit the fire, which made all the difference.
The time has been passed with various jobs, mainly to do with the newsletter we'll be producing at the IWA Festival at the end of July. The rest has been spent, well, resting, recovering from yesterday's exertions and readying ourselves for tomorrow's.
The plan is to carry on to Kingswood Junction, where we'll turn onto the Stratford Canal and start locking down (narrow locks, yippee) back off the Birmingham plateau.
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