It was Christmas day on the lock flight.

0900 this morning and we were at the top of the Atherstone flight, ready to go.

Most of the eleven locks still have their side ponds, no longer functional.

Halfway down is Baddesley Basin, now a boatyard but originally serving Baddesley Colliery. It is believed that coal had been taken from open pits in the area since the fifteenth century. The final colliery was sunk in the 1870's and closed in 1989. Difficult to picture what this picture would have looked like if taken when the mine was operating.

Our first locks for two months but we were soon back in the swing and sailed down with much aplomb. To our surprise we met a boat coming up. Nice to know we aren't the only loonies.

Bottom of the flight and the River Anker was well up after the storms of the last few days but today was very different, just look at that sky. A perfect day for a bit of winter boating.

A contrast in the fate of old working boats at Grendon Wharf. A very sad looking butty and the pristine motor Kangaroo, no idea about the butty but Kangaroo is ex. F.M.C., built by Yarwoods in 1928.
We managed eleven locks, seven miles and one coal bag wrapped round the prop. Eventually moored by Alvecote Priory.

As we traveled dinner was simmering on top of the stove, Jill's take on Bolognese sauce. Turkey? what turkey?

Watch this space.........