Evening cruising, tappets and all change at Fradley

Unlike some we don't have set cruising times. Some are moored up into the holes left by other boaters by 11 am having run for 2-3 hours, got hot water and charged their batteries. This is the optimum cruising for best moorings and best charging regime - possibly.

We actually went out for a cruise. The bottom of the boat no longer is covered in weed growth !

I got to the boat Tuesday to help my neighbour in her relocation to a very rural mooring some distance away from Fradley. Like us she has seen Fradley develop into quite a tourist attraction. A new marina is being dug out just below common lock and Fradley village is seeing another explosion of housing and it is eating away the gap between Fradley junction and the village. A long time before they connect, but they will. It does generate more traffic and footfall for the junctions pub and cafe(s) as well as tow path walking. All as to be expected but it is not the Fradley we originally came to over 11 years ago now.

So a car shuffle that took most of the day as I was not overnighting as the boat was cobweb and dust city....

Last couple of photos of my lovely boaty neighbour. I think Mandy, Bonny and Don't panic will be missed on and around the Fradley Junction moorings.

I arrived bright and early Wednesday morning charged with the task of a good inside clean and thats what it got. Genny on, Dyson out curtains down - just did not wash the walls that will have to be next times job.

Rachel arrived from work/mother visit and we had a meal and relaxed in a lovely clean boat. Next day being my birthday we were due to cruise but went off looking at alternative moorings  - more about that later maybe.... End result was we slipped the lines at 5pm and went off down the Coventry for quite an enjoyable evening cruise.

Never seen our moorings so clear of boats.

 A very beautiful late evening cruise in the sunshine.

Scruffbag and dog....

One thing you notice is as to be expected many more boats mored up so lots more slowing down, but that's not an issue to us. We eventually moored up for the night just before Whittington. In the same location I got naked on the towpath a couple of years back ! Click here 

Friday am before cruising and on a cold engine  I completed a job I had been thinking of since the September cruise last year - Percy's tappets got adjusted. In September I cycled 10 miles for a feeler gauge - all around Stoke and could not get one. I have one on the boat now so was able to do this job. I need to make something to turn over the engine rather than struggling with the wheel that the alternator belt runs on. Three  litres of two cylinder engine is a beast to turn by hand. 

We were due back for a 50th party Saturday nights so next day we winded just after Sutton road bridge - Rachels nemesis winding hole - she had a mare there winding Waterlily one time.... this time she nailed it and that episode was put to bed. 

Interesting to see the red flags flying at Hopwas woods and the gates over two bridges locked off. Seems the army are now using the woods for live fire exercises

Why is it you never meet anyone on the long straights 

This Heron was very intent on getting a meal 

Darley on their way to Alvecote I expect. The steerer always looks so stern, last time we passed them was Stone a couple of years back  - same then, each to their own. 

Lots of boats on the move and one caught us up and got himself in trouble at a couple of bridge holes when we slowed or were waved through as he was ever closer to us. We let him pass before we winded and he said he was not looking to pass us .... should have stayed a bit further back then....

We stopped at the Tame Otter at Hopwas for food Friday lunchtime  - all good but the coffee was awful, absolutely mixing used coffee grounds in their coffee  - not good. 

A kip and then we set off again 5pm to get close to Fradley to moor overnight.

 This fella has his fire lit !!

Saturday Morning we (I) was on the move by 7.15 am to get to Fradley before the rush and to use the services. It worked out fine with us loaded the car, cassettes empty watered up and rubbish off by 9am.

Now where next and the paint to talk about  !