Monday, 17 October 2011

Back to Alrewas

One good thing about having to hang around and about Alrewas like this whilst we sort out our regular medical/dental/optical checks, it convinces me, if I ever needed convincing, that the life of a bridge hopping continuous moorer would drive me potty.

OK, pottier.

With exception of the bit right alongside the A38, the Trent and Mersey around here is a perfectly pleasant canal. It wouldn't win awards in a "most scenic waterway in the country" competition, but it's a good example of the early efforts of the canal engineers. And yet it bores me to tears, almost, to plod to and fro along such a short segment from Burton to Alrewas and back.

No matter. Today we made our early start without too much trouble, and were soon working up Tatenhill Lock. There was just enough traffic about to keep it interesting, but the weather was really not encouraging. We've gone from scenic autumnal conditions to just grim, cool, breezy and damp, though it didn't actually rain whilst we were underway.

We stopped at Barton Turn for half an hour and refilled the water tank. Sheila got a washload going at the same time, which was just nicely finishing as we arrived at Alrewas. I had to hover below Wychnor, the radios earning their keep as Sheila kept me briefed about what was happening at the lock, Wychnor being one of those where it's best to stay well back and let the descending boat get well clear before you head on into the lock.

Alrewas was pretty busy, but we've found a space on the 14 day moorings by the Bowling Green, so we will be able to sit here until Thursday, by which time we'll have finished here for the next six months, hopefully. Friday, we need to be back at Burton for the opticians first thing, so on Thursday we'll go all the way to the Morrisons mooring, I expect.

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