Destination decided.

 It rained lightly over night, but had stopped by the time I was fully conscious and getting up to make the tea, and it didn't start again, contrary to forecasts. We didn't hurry off and there were several boats come passed in both directions before we got underway.

It wasn't far to go round the corner and make our way slowly down to Shadehouse Lock. I could see there were at least two boats waiting to go down so I idled down there.

Our favourite Voluntary Lock Keeper was on duty so maybe that was the cause of the slight delay?!! We had been thinking of heading towards Coventry Basin as it is Coventry's first year as UK City of Culture, and longterm readers of this blog may remember that Helen and I were well involved as volunteers when our home city of Hull was City of Culture in 2017. The boat ahead of us was a trading boat and that is where they were heading for. I checked on line and from 21st it is given over to a floating market, but until then we should be okay. Destination for this trip sorted.

It didn't seem really busy at the Junction with boats or bodies and we easily turned into the Coventry canal and through the bridge. we had a short delay waiting for a top up of the water tank, and then moored up and met our friendly lock keeper at the cafe. It was great to catch up with the chat after so long, and we were presented with jams, chutney, cake and jigsaw, so it was only right that we bought the coffee. I can confirm for all those passing boaters that his brother was not the navigator of the Evergiven that got jammed in the Suez Canal!

Last time we went into the 'Mucky Duck' it was living up to its name a bit, and pretty shabby. It looks like it has had a bit of a refurb. so we may well poke our heads in on the way back.

This must be just about the easiest bridge to open on the system. I'm so glad that they never got round to fitting it with a lock. I wonder how many times it gets swung in a season?

After seeing our friend, he returned to duty and we did what we hardly ever do, and had lunch tied up. By the time we left the sun was out and it was a lovely day. It wasn't too busy with few boats passing. The off side has been cut back somewhat from the last time we passed.

Near Brookhay Pumping station, bridge 88 this house has had a 'bit of work' done to it since it was sold a while ago. This is the one with the train tracks on the other side and the diminishing back garden.

Streethay Wharf was as busy as ever with diesel at 84p if I remember correctly

To starboard in the photo before this one you can see the bows of this pair 'Starling' the motor and 'Ethel' the butty. Starling was built at Yarwoods in 1936 for Cowburn and Cowpar and Ethel was built at the same yard in 1930 as a horse boat for the LMS Railway Co. They have both been used for coal deliveries over the last ten years. Starling originally had a Icy Gardner 12HP motor but now has a Lister HA2. Ethel has never had an engine. They are both looking very nice in their Cowburn and Cowpar livery.

I alsways take a photo of the old toll house at the junction of the Coventry and the now named Lichfield and Hatherton Canal as I like the windows. I am hoping it wont be too many years before we are cruising up to Ogley Junction from Huddlesford Junction.

We didn't gomuch further and found a mooring by Whittington. Once moored up we went for a walk into the village for milk and to post a letter. We went up from the canal at Bridge 78 and were met by this great display. There were bird tables and seating, not for the birds. Somebody has really extended their garden in to the public realm, for everybody's benefit.

The post office and Co-op were just past the Bell pictured above so after doing the needful we decided to visit the beer garden for a pint of Landlord and half of cider. Beer not at its best but nice to be lifting a glass at least!

It got awfully dark 'over our Nellie's' and we thought that we may get wet on the way home, but it hasn't rained yet. I have just had a phone call from our favourite Voluntary Lock Keeper to tell me that the trainee that was with the guys on duty today was in the Scouts with me, the son of the Scout Master.