The mist was just burning off when I got to the kettle and never mind the blood moon being 7% bigger than normal, the sun looked double the normal size this morning.
The mellow autumnal mood was till there and we pottered on at just over tick over so as to make the time out on the boat last as long as possible. We met a few boats but only one at a bridge. We just putted past Amington and then before Glascote Locks we stopped to go to get some milk from the Co-op that was a pub until last year. It is very handy for a quick dash for an item or two.
As seems to be normal there was a slight queue at the Glascote Locks. There was a hire boat on the water point just by the top lock so Helen had to wait just by the roving bridge that leads in Hudson's Yard. This used to be a canal/railway interchange basin. The hire boat must have been empty of water as they were on the water a long time. One of the lads came to help us and was asking us where the nearest pump out place was. They have only had the boat since Saturday and there are five of them so heaven knows what they are doing on there!
As the canal passed over the River Tame it looked quite bucolic so close to the town. After it meets with the the River Anker that comes via Atherstone and Polesworth the River Tame then splits and it is actually a flood relief channel that passes close to Hopwas. The river and flood relief channel meet up just after Tamhorn Bridge.
The view of the Tolson's Mill is much better from this direction. This is the mill that was built by Sir Robert Peel, who was the father of the Prime Minister, in 1883. It was making webbing and tape. It was sold to a local Tolson in 1901 and the premises were used to make all sorts such as boots, clothing, haberdashery and even upholstery. It was in business until 2000 and now has a few units let out. Apparently it has planning to be converted to apartments in the future.
The Coventry Canal reached the junction with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal in around 1790. I would reckon that this is an original bridge and so is over 200 years old. That is what I love about the canals, there is history everywhere. Mind you if you are American, Australian or a New Zealander it must be doubly impressive.
As we popped round the corner we stopped at the water point to top up but were quickly on our way again. There were several boats moored opposite Peel's Wharf but we carried on a little. The canal is nice and rural once we got away from the A5 and we soon found a spot with a view of the sun and the TV mast.
After lunch I decided to strip all the stuff off the roof and give it a good clean for the winter. I then oiled all the padlocks and hinges and greased the shackles and bottle screws on the fenders. Tomorrow I will hopefully wash one side and then the following day the other side and then that will be that.
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