Day 17 - Monday January 1st - Atherstone to Ansty 15 miles 6 furlongs, 6 locks, 6 hours 40 minutes Weather - Fine initially, rain later
A rather later than intended start today (8.30am) saw us struggling along a pound which appeared to have dropped 15 inches overnight. Ground to a halt ten foot short of the lock entrance. Managed to go back a bit and get to the bank, so opened both bottom gates and set a ground paddle a third open. After several more goes at getting in to the lock I finally managed to get close enough that I could get ashore with the bow rope and, with the engine still in forwards at tickover, bow haul it over the shallow bit. The next pound was now down a bit, but I managed to creep along and get into the next lock. Yet another pound down, and this time I ground to a halt in the bridge hole. Eventually, with ground paddles raised by Chris and a boater waiting to come down, I was able to bump my way over the obstruction. After that, the pounds were OK. Finally cleared the top of the flight at 10.20am. Boring run through the uninspiring stretch through Nuneaton and Bedworth until we did the 180 degree about face at Hawkesbury Junction at 1.45pm. Carried on to Ansty, where we had arranged for Chris' son to come and pick her up - back to work for some people tomorrow! I decided to stop here for the night, as by the time Chris had been collected the rain had set in and the sun, unnoticed, had set. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Ansty
