Running in the rain.

There was plenty of rain through the later part of the night but when we were ready to step out it was fine. We decided to walk into Stoke Golding to see if the church had another jar of 3 fruits marmalade as it was gorgeous and at £1-10 a steal. (We did give more as a donation by the way). By the time we got to the church however it was chucking it down. There was a meeting going on and we had a nice chat before heading back to the boat. It was now only light rain fading to drizzle before flaring up again so we decided to set off. Helen stayed inside baking etc as there are no locks and no point in getting us both wet. It was a good run as there was no wind so I wasn't cold. There were a few boats moving.

C&RT were laying a footpath but managed to moor their barge next to a GRP boat so there was barely enough room for a boat to pass. I was glad to see that the path they are laying isn't that bike friendly so helping to keep bike's speed down.

On the way past Burton Hastings moorings on the way up the canal I was looking at the bow of the last boat in line admiring the model of a kingfisher on their bow. It was only when I actually was abreast of it that it moved a flew off. I was so annoyed as I could have touched it and didn't have the camera ready. On the way back today I was going slowly and had the camera ready. Sure enough the bird was there but flew away when we approached. It obviously has a fishing spot there as there was plenty of droppings. So if you are passing Burton Hastings make sure that you keep your eyes open as you pass the most northerly boat at the moorings.

At the other end of the moorings this dog popped it's nose out to see what was going on and gave me that 'look'.

As we approached the end of the Ashby Canal the rain started again. The bridge in the photograph doesn't seem to have a number. The No.1 bridge is the first up the canal and the one in view doesn't have a Coventry Canal number so why was it missed out of the numbering?

Looking back up the Ashby and the narrows can be seen where the boats were gauged and tolls charged.

We turned left and headed towards Coventry.

The run to Sutton Stop was a good run and as we approached the rain ceased and the skies seemed to lift. I passed the first couple of water points hoping to stop at the one after the junction but could see that there was one on it and one waiting so we backed up and filled up at the last one passed. Following that we decided to reverse up some more to the first space as by now the sun was shining and there was better chance of getting the sun on the panels.

I think we will go for a walk and see if the Greyhound is open for a swift half before tea.