Where did March go.

Well it's nearly a month since my last offering, what with the work on the boat and not being able to get online the month has just gone. Can I start by saying good luck to the couple who sent me the comment and who are just starting out on their journey and blog, good look may see you on the cut.
Right we returned to Doublefracture after the new shower, which looks great. Olso with us on our return were Pamela and Archie. They spent the week with us. Leaving the Marina at Shobnal we stopped our first night at Branston, then went up through Alrewas and Fradley, finally mooring at Great Hayward on the Thursday. We stopped on route at a nature Reserve at Wolseley Bridge, great for children. On Friday we spent the day at Shugborough Hall the former home of Lord Lichfield. The farm and little train ride for Archie and the Hall for us grown ups it was a perfect day out, even the weather was good.
Our final destination for the week was Stone on Saturday(yes Dave we went for a drink in the Star). So on Sunday Nathan came for Pamela and Archie and we stayed another night in Stone before Heading back the way we came. We moored at Weston upon Trent on Tuesday night and are now back at Great Haywood. Hopefully I should have better luck getting online from now on. Pictures were taken At Wolseley Bridge Nature reserve.

Time for an oil change.

We arrived back at the boat on Sunday night as planned. On Monday morning we turned the boat and headed back toward Burton on Trent.The weather was bright,sunny and quite warm. While I steered the boat Marlene caught up with the washing. Making good time through Aston Lock then up through Weston Lock. By lunch time we were moored near bridge nine and the washing was out drying. For the rest of the day we relaxed in the sun. It feels good to be on the move again.
This morning was very frosty, however by ten o clock the sun was quite warm again,just a bit chilly to your hands and face, As we cruised along we could see all the small birds, including some Longtail Tits. At Swarkestone lock we past the boat (Best of Mates) of some friends we have met a few times since we first met them in 2005. Further on a British Waterways crew were working on a bridge wall that looked as though it had been hit by a lorry. Once again we were moored up by lunch time. After lunch I changed the Engine oil and oil filter. While Marlene did some baking(a carrot cake) I took the boat the short distance to the moorings at Willington where we are now moored for the night. Pictures are A frosty Morning And Weston Church.

Start of season three.

On Tuesday first of March at 10 o clock we left our winter mooring at Barton Marina for the start of our third season cruising the canals. We turned left and headed down the Trent and Mersey heading for Shardlow. First though we stopped at the mooring near Morrisons supermarket to do some shopping. on the way down we had collected some wood for the stove so that evening I cut it into pieces and stored it on the top of the boat. I then set up the satellite dish and settled down for the night.
Next morning we didn't wake up till a quarter to nine, but who cares. We took a steady run down to Willington where we were mooring for the night. After a walk we put on our glad rags and went to the Greenman for a meal and a few pints. The meal was rather large, when he placed it in front of Marlene he wished her luck. It was a good night out.
Thursday was cold as we set off for Shardlow, the locks today would be large to fit two boats. This is much heavier going than the narrow locks of the last two days. It was 4 o clock when we moored opposite Dobsons Wharf in Shardlow. On Friday morning we caught the bus into Derby Station, then took a train to Pamela's for the weekend.
This is where I am writing this posting as I have been unable to get on line on the trip to Shardlow. Marlene and I return to the boat today(Sunday) to do the return trip to Shobnal Marina where we are having our shower re-tiled on the 14th. While this is done we are coming back to Pamela's. If I have trouble posting the blog on the way back I will bring you up to date then.