Filled the gap.

We had another quiet night in Alrewas and I went off for the paper whilst Helen was making the porridge. We then decided to let the early rush dissipate whilst we read the paper and caught up with the Archers. We set off about 1130 and at Bagnall lock I was able to demonstrate why I was a rugby player and not a football one. I was waiting for the lock to be turned round by Helen when the football from the pitch on the other side of the cut came flying over from the game. I was able to save it running back into the water but when I came to kick it back over I barely managed to clear the water. I must be getting old!

The wind was gusty and there seemed to be an open spot by each lock so after checking that there was nothing coming down I put the bows in the throat of the lock and gently went ahead on the gates. This meant that I didn't have to grate into the lock against the wind and also helped Helen open the gates.

At Keepers Lock on the approach to Fradley I nearly got caught out by the bridge when Helen opened the paddles to empty the lock as the chimney nearly caught on the bridge. Nearly but not quite but I did go to take it down then.

The water point was free so we pulled in and whilst we were filling up Helen went for an ice cream each. The smells coming from the restaurant were lovely. The tow path was quite busy and it seemed that most arrived here for something to eat. You can just see the red and yellow life jackets and tabards of the voluntary lock keepers that were on their dinner break. If they were eating here it must be the best place. They later confirmed this as did a gongoozler at Junction Lock.

The Swan or Mucky Duck seemed to be busy but we didn't stop and turned left onto the soon to be Coventry Canal. The footbridge at the junction still doesn't have a lock on it so still no key required. We were now on familiar ground so we have finally filled the gap,on the map between Burton and Fradley that we had never traveled over.

A little late rwe saw our first cygnets of the year and a little later we saw another group. Each had seven cygnets so I assume that is norm.

We soon were back in contact with the A38 and we were interested to see that at Streethay Wharf the fuel was 75p. As we were looking for fuel we passed by gambling that the diesel at Kings Orchard Marina would be cheaper. There was a boat ahead of us that went in the marina and he seemed to be making very heavy weather of getting into his berth as the wind was quite strong across the water. We managed to get in and out with no problems and more to the point we filled up with 175 ltrs of fuel at 65p a litre. It is a beautifully clean place and they were very friendly indeed. 

We were soon passing through Huddlesford Junction and as always I wonder if we will still be boating by the time they re-open the Wryley and Essington Canal from here. There are plenty of moored boats from here to past Whittington. I did not see the plaque that Pearson used to say marks the spot where the Trent and Mersey  and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal companies completed the canal to connect all with the Coventry Canal. The change is also indicated by the bridges changing from numbers to names.

The poly tunnels at Whittington seem to take more acreage each time we pass. I think that at least some of them are for asparagus, or that is what I think I spied as we passed.

It is a sure sign that the weather is warmer as Macy ventured out to take a look around. It is also maybe the fact that there are less dog walkers etc so she is not constantly running back to the boat now.

We moored up close to Tamhorn Park Bridge with a good space in the trees for the solar panels. We are intending to stop here for a couple of nights so we will be able to explore the Hopwas Woods when the bluebells and wood anemones are out.

We have not only lost the A38, at long last, but also the River Trent. We are now in the valley of the River Tame which flows below the canal. As on the Trent there are numerous WWII pill boxes which show that the valleys are the natural access routes, not only for canals but invading armies.