Goodbye Hopwas, hello Fradley Junction

Hopwas to Fazeley Junction then to Fradley Junction, Coventry Canal, 14 miles 0 locks

We were facing south so Carol could do the roses on the other side of No Problem, so we had to go almost to Fazeley Junction to turn back north again.  We found a winding hole, but it was dreadfully silted and I had put the bows in just short of the widest bit, so it was a bit difficult to get round, but hauling on ropes and pushing with poles we were soon on our way in the other direction.

It was a busy morning, not only did Carol finish off the roses inside on the cupboards, (pics tomorrow), but I phoned Tim Salt of Staffordshire Canopies to tell him that we would be at Fradley tomorrow.. but he was in Litchfield, not far away, so he drove over and measured up No Problem for cratch and back pram covers.. he will start making the patterns for those so they are ready for when we arrive at the beginning of next week at Gt Haywood.

I spied Quidditch going through this morning and gave a wave, but I am not sure that No Problem was recognised on this occasion!  Well her name is just a bit of paper in the window at the moment!

A glorious days cruising then, at last some sunshine to enthuse about.  Tons of boats around though , I am not sure that I want to get used to it being so busy, and Vic reminded me that it will get busier as the kids are now on holiday from school!

These bridges north of Hopwas are a delight, they all have these sort of ‘doors’ at the side, and you can see now, there are no numbers on them, just the names of the bridges.  I must find out what the little doors are for, unless someone reading this can enlighten me?

Most of the popular moorings were full along the way.. just so many boats, more than I remember two years ago when we were here last.. this was a nice one though, lovely to see Sweden looking so smart, and carrying coal too when I looked in the hold..

Moored here at the bridge just before Fradley Junction, tis a bit busy up at the junction itself, but quieter here too.. so an early blog post tonight.. we are off to the Swan pub for a bite to eat and an evening out..