Start of our summer cruise.

Last weekend we had been out for four days with Pamela, Nathan and little Archie.Also on board were their dogs Winston and Lucy. On the Friday we had gone as far as Fradley Junction, while there we met some people we knew from Fox narrow boats in March, Graham and his wife were on their boat Sorted, which they had had painted since we last saw then. While cruising up to Fradley we came across a couple we hadn't seen for four years. We had moored with them at Rushton and Diamonds on the Nene.
Saturday morning we left Fradley heading for Great Hayward, sopping for lunch at the Ash Tree between Armitage and Rugeley. On Sunday we spent the day at Shugborough Hall. The farm park was a hit with Archie, especially feeding the lambs. After a great day we left at 4 o clock cruising back toward Fradley where we moored just above the top lock for the night.
The following morning we set off back to the Marina stopping at Alrewas for lunch. Arriving back at the marina around mid afternoon we loaded up Their car and made the trip to their house where we spent Tuesday and Wednesday. Then on Thursday Marlene and I returned to the boat.
What had been a lovely sunny week now turned to rain ready for the start of our summer cruise. Yesterday we left Barton Marina after filling up with diesel, the price of which had risen to £1.37 a litre for Propulsion and 89pence for heating. At a 60-40 slit this gives an average price of £1.16 a litre. Compared with the price of road diesel we still seem to be paying over the odds for our heating. We only cruised as far as Branston (getting wet in the process) before mooring for the Night. We have decided to stay here tonight even though the weather is a little better.