Off to a very good start.

We didn't have far to move this morning. I had phoned Streethay Wharf to see if somebody could check my battery wiring out and we arrived at 1000. There was a 100t crane ready to crane seven boats in and out. We were therefore directed to a free mooring. It turned out there was somebody having their batteries changed out, and after that they would get round to us. Tom had a quick look and a check to see what state the batteries and to see what was required. Later Ray came across and did the actual work. Whilst we were waiting I got a few little jobs done, such as fit a new hose to the bilge pump in the engine hole. I ran it a different way too as it was too easily stepped on and broken where it was. Ray ran a new cable from the isolation switch to the last battery and shortened up a couple of cables and checked the other connections etc. We decided that we would see what difference the new wiring would make to the charging and discharge rather than needlessly change the batteries. We got away by about 1500. It has been no hardship waiting as the weather has been lovely. helen was reading at the front of the bow.

We soon passed the entrance to our winter moorings and came up to Huddlesford Junction. The junction house is now the HQ of the Lichfield Cruising Club. The restoration of the Wyrley and Essington Canal to Ogley is steadily been achieved under the auspices of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust. Once open it will make a nice extra route to avoid Birmingham and give better access to the BCN backwaters.

 Bridge 80 with bridge 79 just round the bend at Whittington. We have never stopped here, but we will make sure that we do on the way back.

The poly tunnels have been erected ready for the asparagus season at Fisherwick. It seems that every year there seems to be more, or we just notice more.

Almost not a cloud in the sky and very little wind to ruffle the water. I was in shirtsleeves. 

Once moored up we had a cup of tea and started getting a few more jobs done. The East Yorkshire flag was replaced. The old one has got a bit tatty and has definitely faded a lot.

I then fitted an inner clear perspex panel inside the side hatch to cut out the slight draft the comes through when the doors are closed. I used 2mm perspex and the A adhesive strip magnets all the way round the hatch. I then cut the B adhesive magnetic strip and attached it to the other magnet. I then took off the backing of the adhesive and stuck the perspex on to get it all matched up. It works really well cutting out the draft and more noise.

There was no wind so the reflections of the boat astern was good.

My next task was to lay another piece of carpet brought from home to fit round the stove to take all the accidental spills of embers or ashes and save the main carpet. It seemed to fit well. I am still acclimatising as I feel tired out. Tomorrow is set to be another great day so we will have a walk round Hopwas Woods before setting off around lunch time. It is good to be off and running, and I am hopeful that my battery worries may well be over. Touch wood!!!