Something from yesterday... In one of the locks at Fradley, I was working the lock and Iain had got off to wind the odd paddle. When the lock was empty, we both opened a gate and wound down a paddle and we then noticed that there was only one ladder in the lock - at the back, and Gamebird was sitting at the front..it was a long way to jump down onto the boat roof. As I contemplated partially refilling the lock, Iain walked to the ladder and gamebird obediently came back to join him. Magic!!
Today (Saturday). Set off about 8 on a misty morning but that soon cleared and we had brilliant sunshine all day. Canal was busy and queues at locks varied from none to 3 boats so not too bad. We needed fuel and I seemed to recall that Barton Turns marina was not too expensive. Wrong! It was more expensive than diesel at garage forecourts and that was with the 60/40 split. Also, the toilets do not open with a BW key :-(. After fuelling we went over to have a look at the new shops etc which have been built since we were here last in 2004 for the GIG. What a surprise, Copperkins, our shared boat was moored there with other owners on board. We knew she was somewhere between Acton Bridge and Redhill but we didn't know where. After stocking up at the butchers we set off again and made a leisurely way to Willington where we met another Sea Otter owner and had a pleasant evening comparing boats. Theirs, Navigator, is 31 feet long so not so compact as gamebird :-) Ann
