Congerstone

Last night when we went to bed our rain gauge indicated that we had over 15mm of rain in the past 24 hours but I don’t think its made much difference to the canal levels. Again there was a bit of rain over night.
This morning the birds were singing at 4-30 AM and when we got up the sun was shining, then just as were were about to set off, it started raining again, so we didn’t go until it stopped. The rain was very localise and at the present terminus of the canal they hadn’t had any rain at all this morning, less than 2 miles away. That was lucky as its their work party day.
This was the sky as we headed towards the end.

We didn’t meet anyone on our way down there and there was just one boat on the visitor mooring.
I must say the place is looking very smart now with big improvements to the shop area. We stopped about ¾ hour donating a few items and buying a few more. Had a chat with Mike who was overseeing some security maintenance before heading back through the tunnel. By now there were two boats on the visitor moorings and a day boat had just arrived for a look round.
Snarestone tunnel is quite wide with a slight dog leg, the arch is quite shallow and the roof dips several inches lower in the centre of the tunnel than the portals. Just to the north of the tunnel is an old boathouse and over the years we have watched this become more and more derelict.

We have also seen our first waterlilies in flower on this canal, not many yet but they are getting there.

We did wonder if the hotel pair would be making their way to the end but we didn’t meet them, so they must have winded at Shackerstone and gone back towards the Coventry Canal.
Our plan for today was only to cruise as far as Congerstone and eat at The Hours and Jockey so we are now on the 2 day mooring by Congerstone Bridge, table booked and listening to every car blowing its horn as they wiz over the bridge.

Today’s Journey

6¾ miles with no locks in 2¼ hours