Oct 26

We have proceeded south, back down the Coventry canal, having turned off the Trent and Mersey. We went into Atherstone after doing the 11 locks on the way there. The weather had been predicted to be lousy: rain and wind, and cold, but we had a great day. There was wind, but sunny breaks and no rain at all until 8:30 this evening as we walked back from the pub (the third we had been in- and that is saturday night- the first two were rowdy, crowded and no fun at all). We ended up at the Anchor Pub, along the towpath, and had a great meal and evening. Rain on the towpath as we walked back- but of little impact. We’ll go back to Hartshill tomorrow morning for church, then on our way smartly as there are hurricane winds predicted for tomorrow evening, and we know of a place to shelter from nasty weather- about 5h from here. We’ll advise as to progress and results.

Hartshill is a quarry center, where the area has been exploited for stone since Roman times. We could have moored a little further up the towpath, near the Anchor pub (see above) but that is right beside a monster stone processing place where they make granite stuff in all shapes and sizes. Noisy, too- all that rock breaking!

We are continuing to have a great time. Mom and dad are wizards in the locks- and yet they appreciate finding the locks set for us (which means that they are ready for us to directly enter, instead of having to empty or fill the lock first to adjust to our level(canal talk)).  The weather has really been overall kind to us, given this time in late October. Having clear skies, and not yet freezing cold, is certainly appreciated. It is amazing how much better the day is with sunny breaks!