Fradley Village

Well I got it wrong again yesterday. We moored at Branston Water Park, the area is being redeveloped with large housing complexes, one, Coopers Croft is right next to the towpath and the end of the park. My logical mind said, its Sunday tomorrow, no one will be at work. Wrong, 7 am a couple of carpenters started work hammering using electric saws etc.
To facilitate all these new houses they have build a new bridge across the canal, it looks quite smart. Not only are they building next to the towpath there is another large development going in on offside. This one is called The Coopers.

We set off at 10am heading to Burton upon Trent which is the first place to wind. The winding hole is right outside Shobnall marina and as we could do with a pump out and their diesel was a reasonable price I reversed in to what is a disused lock only to find out that due to Corona Virus they are closed on Sundays. So we left there to retrace or path of the past few days, We didn’t get held up at any locks and often we would meet a boat which would easy the journey. By now the weather was getting much warmer and at Barton Turns lock I met an old boating friend Helen, Diana was unaware we were chatting as there is a bridge across the tail of the locks and Helen was in the garden one side and Diana setting the lock the other. We chugged slowly on to Wychnor Lock where the cottage owner has there best bike on display.

The river was calm and slow but I didn’t see any fish as we made our way towards Alrewas. About half way along there is a bridge leading to the offside long term moorings, it doesn't pay to ignore the keep right sign. We met a couple of boats on the river and as we approach Alrewas Lock my attention was draw to screams from the direction of the weir, looking across a group of girls were wading across the river, I bet even in this heat the water is jolly cold. I didn’t notice the gull on the barrier until I was sorting the snaps.

There were still quite a few boats moored in Alrewas but non across the winding hole this time. As it was such a nice afternoon we changed our plans and carried on, up through Fradley Junction which again was packed and along the Coventry canal to Fradley village where we have pulled in for the night.

Today’s Journey 13.7 miles, 12 locks  6.15 hours