Branston Water Park

Yesterday tea time yet another ex working boat came by, this time Dove.

The sunset last night was quite spectacular, far better than this photo gives credit for, also of course the full moon, I was hoping to see the eclipse but when I got up for my wee I couldn’t even see the moon, I don’t know what the time was.

We were away at 10 this morning down to Bagnall lock. The sign is still there but the willows are in need of cutting to get back to the gateway.

We stopped for ¾hour in Alrewas to visit the butcher and Co-op before heading down to Alrewas Lock. On the way we had the pleasure, or not, of watching a Mink run along the edge of the canal and hide in the growth under the bridge, if you look very carefully you can just see his tail.I helped the boat ahead down Alrewas Lock by which time there was a hire boat coming up, rather embarrassing for the steerer, he thought I was a look keeper so they both stayed on the boat, when the truth dawned on him he was very apologetic , poor chap. One of the dangers of boating in overalls.
The river was quite benign as we headed towards Wychnor lock passing under this bridge, All the fendering has been smashed off the support leaving protruding steel and bolts, so take care to keep close to the towpath.

As we worked up Wychnor lock a Biplane circled over head, a little later we had the other extreme with this chap flying along the line of the canal.

We passed through the eye of the needle with this bridge without a towpath, it certainly slows progress being so tight with the water flow.

Again we were meeting a steady stream of boats and a couple commented on how busy the canal was. We moored for the night at the Branston Water park, no room on the visitor moorings so a bit closer to the bridge.

Today’s journey

6 miles, 5 locks in 3¼ hours