A plan was hatched that we would leave our over night mooring, proceed to the winding hole and head back to Atherstone. Unbelievably once again we were away at 0930!
The sun was shining and it was nice and warm as he set off. We were soon at Hartshill and this is the flying fish on the weather vane. As there was nobody on the water point we stopped and topped up before heading off towards Nuneaton, bridge 28 and the winding hole.
This was one of the four wharves that served the Hartshill Quarries by tramways, or may be even full scale track as it linked with the mainline too.
I am pretty sure that this is the same wharf as you can see the little rectangles in the concrete as there are today.
Just another of those autumn light pictures I'm afraid, but also has a hint of the turning of the leaves.
After winding we headed back to Hartshill and was struck by this little beauty.
The Hartshill yard is a lovely place with the clock above the dry dock and a suite of outbuildings around the yard. I especially like the rounded end of some of the buildings. It seems that they are rounded at the entrances into the yard, presumably so that wagon wheel hubs do not catch the brickwork. Of course wagon wheels are now not as big as they used to be!
Helen was struck by the new paint job on this little Rothens tug, and I believe it is going to find its way into our sitting room when we get back home.
This fender hasn't been moved for a while. Mind you I don't think the boat has either!
This older paint job is s till quite nice. I would say that as it is the same colours as 'Holderness'.
There were keepers at the top two locks as we started down after a short wait for a boat coming up. As there are no bridges across the bottom of these locks it is easier if I do the locks heading down as I can stride across the gates saving a lot of steps round the lock to the otherside. Helen kept her usual eagle eye on the cill as we dropped down.
We were moored up in the pound between 5 and 6 by 1230 and were quite quickly changed and off. We decided to see if we could get fed at the Kin's Head and we found that there was a place for us and we had a full roast dinner with a couple of pints.
After being fed and watered we walked into Atherstone and found that it was busy as it was Atherstone Car show. Long Street was closed and cars were parked along the way, and came cruising past too. The Market Square was also full of them. Cars do nothing for me, I am happy so long as they work when you want them too, and I have never been into engines etc, although when younger I would strip them down, including gear boxes etc, to get the old bangers I had going. This one is for No.1 daughter who lusts after one of these.
Merevale House on Old Watling Street looks like it would be alms houses but it is actually a residential home for those that are living with dementia but don't need nursing care. It is a lovely building too.
Back to the boat and a bout of sitting and reading and watching the TV as I had to have it ready for Strictly tonight.
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