Last Locks of the year

Having come up the first four of the Atherstone locks on Friday there were only 7 to do today.   Off the chocks soon after 8 they were all set our way and no one around.  We decided to stop after the 3rd lock as it is the closest to the Co-op and there is a water tap.  So I nipped off for a quick morning shop while Geoff watered....or rather didn't water......of the two tap connections one did not work and the other was a non standard fitting,  However it was not the end of the world as there is a sani station after the top lock.

A duller morning than of late but still  mild for the time of year.........we did meet one boat on the way down which was handy and just before reaching the top, lo and behold 2 lock volunteers.......we did tell them about the unfriendly tap lower down but I can't say they seemed that interested so not sure if the info will be passed on!!

After watering etc at the top we were away just ahead of another boat who was in the top lock......Geoff had in mind a mooring in the open before Nuneaton.     We had a good run for a while but then picked up a S L O W boat in front of us.......we don't cruise fast but there are degrees of slow!!!

Unfortunately Geoff's memory for once was not as good as usual and having passed an open mooring but continued for what he thought was an even better one, we were disappointed to find that there were far more trees than he remembered.    So we ended up having to go all through Nuneaton before we found another nice open space.......a longer trip than planned.....Actually 'disappointed ' is probably too mild a word for his feelings on the matter......

SLOW  boat had stopped a little while before us but he moved on later and  a walk with Barney later discovered him moored just after the next bridge......just waiting to come out in front of us tomorrow......

A little removal job required...wonder how long it has been there

We don't see many of these nowadays.....

The forecast tells us that this balmy Indian summer cannot last and the prospect for Thursday which was scheduled to be our run to home base in Clifton, may have to be brought forward a day......or even delayed a day....we shall see what the guru's say this evening.....

Total distance:8.38 miles 
Elapsed time:5h8m17s 
Locks:7
Bridges:35 
Average speed:1.63 mph (2.99 lock/mph)