Tiptoeing past Tamworth.

We were late setting off this morning but when we got away we listened to the Archer's on the move. It was a lovely morning to be on the cut with the heat still in the sun, but that autumn air around.

Near Huddleford the cows were enjoying the sun on their backs so much that there were several of them cooling off in the shallows of the offside, and didn't budge as we passed.

This is the first time that I have actually seen this marker for the meeting of the Coventry and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. I have know it is there but despite looking for it I have always missed it. In fact I did this time too, and it was Helen that pointed it out to me. Next time I will have to read the plaque.

Hopwas Wood was very quiet with just a few tow path walkers about, but no boats. What ever the time of year it is atmospheric and it is hard to resist taking yet another photo.

We got to Fazeley Junction and after fixing up the water I dashed off to buy the Sunday paper. I got back just in time to coil the hose. Now the apartments at the junction are finished it does smarten the place up a lot.

Holderness looking okay in the sun on the water point at Fazeley.

It was only a week ago that we were coming down from Birmingham from under the bridge and past the mill. Having been home in the meanwhile it seems ages ago rather than just a week. We turned to the left and back on to the Coventry Canal heading for Tamworth.

As we rounded Kettlebrook Wharf and the Thames Cruising Club when passed under the railway bridge we saw there was a queue for the bottom lock at Glascote. Three boats waiting and three coming down. This was the largest queue we have had all the time out this year. It is just the slow filling of the lock that is the trouble. Maybe there was a bit of a blockage in one of the paddle conduits though. The delay would have been less if all the boats had just been a bit more efficient in moving to, through and out of the locks. I do get a little irked when folk 'fanny' about. Of course they should do things at their own speed and in the fashion that works for them, but what ever they do when there is a queue it isn't good to disappear of the back deck so as not to move out in a timely fashion, or standing chatting and not open the gates when the water makes a level. We were well over an hour to get up the first look, but no problems at the top lock.

There is some artwork under the M42 bridge. This artwork must have deterred graffiti artists as despite it being a very busy pedestrian route there are no daubings.

This is another thing that I have never noticed when we have passed this way before. It is just near Pooley Hall and is the war memorial for the men from Pooley Hall Colliery that lost their lives in WW1. I must have a walk up there sometime.

We found a spot at Polesworth moorings and will have a walk into town to post some letters in the morning before heading further south.