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| heading east from the Marina |
 |
| our first lock |
The next morning I had a lazy breakfast then set out for
Flitwick Hill where the fete was going to be. I got lost. Somehow I missed my
turn and ended up in Rugeley. It took some time to extract myself from the town
but at last I found my way to the fete, only three miles from the marina.
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| At the top of the Fradley flight |
As rain
was predicted; I gratefully accepted a share of a spare gazebo and set up my
stall. I enjoyed the fete as both my bags and my painted slates found favour.
It was a warm overcast day but as on the last three stalls the rain came.
Thankfully this time it was light drizzle that didn’t dampen the locals.
 |
| leaving Lock 52 |
Meanwhile the Captain moved our boat to the service pontoon
where he had a pump out and bought diesel and a new gas cylinder. Thankfully
the boat carries two so when the gas runs out we just switch to the full one.
Of course it is important to remember to change the empty cylinder or we could
run out in the middle of nowhere.
Afterwards the Captain cleaned the roof and the port side of
the boat.
By the time I arrived back from the fete the rest of the
crew were ready for action after a relaxing day. We had a pleasant cruise to
Woodend lock, arriving just as a boat began descending.
After helping them through we followed behind, with Lottie
taking the Captain for a walk.
 |
| Fradley Junction in sight |
At Fradley top lock we had a short wait for a
boat to come up but he left the last lock ready for us. Thankfully these locks
were not too heavy, an easy start to our cruise.
The Captain swung straight
into the Coventry Canal leaving the crew (me and Lottie) to close up and go the
long way round via the next lock to cross the canal.
As I opened the swing bridge I noticed a boat was tied to the
bollards for the swing bridge which would hamper a single hander.
 |
| the pub on the junction |
At the end of
the visitor moorings a boat was stuck with its bow to the bank. The skipper
signalled for our boat to speed by hoping our bow wave would free the boat. It
worked and they followed us to our mooring, a quiet stretch where only two
boats were waiting.
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| the swing bridge |
After a lovely evening cruise a few spots of rain fell as we
moored up. If only the good weather lasts.
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| on The Coventry Canal |
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