16th to 25th August

Luke at the tiller

The day started with heavy rain but fortunately brightened in time for our journey from Atherstone to Hawkesbury Junction in Coventry. We were accompanied by friends Tony and Jan and their 4 year old grandson, Luke, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy his first boat trip.



Peter joined us for a cuppa the following day, and then on Sunday Roger did a basic engine service! Oil change as well as oil, air and fuel filters change. Unfortunately air got into the fuel system and we couldn't start the engine, until help arrived in the form of Andy and Barb from the next boat. a thankyou drink in the Greyhound was obviously essential!

Megan, Darcy and Sharon

One of Jean's midwife friends, Sharon and her children Megan and Darcy came for a short boat trip on the 20th






On the 21st Roger took the car to Braunston (following a swim with Joseph and Samuel) and then returned to Hawkesbury by means of four bus journeys, taking about 4 hours!

Extra cargo on the roof ( Amy and Harry)

Carole (another midwife friend of Jean's) her husband Tim and kids Harry and Amy came for the journey from Hillmorton, Rugby to Braunston

Carole ready for locking

In the evening we drove to Leamington Spa for a reunion with the 'Red House gang'

Roger, Sarah and Nigel

Saturday 24th we were joined by Sarah and Nigel who helped us through the 6 Braunston locks and the tunnel, as far as Norton Junction

15th August

A fairly uneventful fortnight from the boating point of view.  Roger and Benny remained with the boat on guard duty, while Jean swanned off to France for a hectic but fun-filled week with the grandchildren.

Fun at the beach

Guillaume, Alex, David and Jean

 It was really lovely to see the little cousins playing together, and watch Louis, the youngest at 18 months, watching and learning all sorts of mischief for the future ...

Meanwhile, Roger attended to various jobs around the boat, including making a metal cover for the pigeon box [for the uninitiated, this is a sort of skylight set in the roof]

Pigeon box

  It's positioned directly over our bed, above Jean's pillow, so she is particularly keen that it should be watertight!

Proof the seats didn't stay pink!

On Mon 12th August we bade farewell to Tamworth and moved on south-east to moor at Atherstone, so we are within hailing distance of home for a while, although we will bypass Leamington next week as we head towards Braunston, Northampton, and eventually the Fens.

Joseph and Samuel

Yesterday, 14th Aug, we met up with more grandchildren [Joseph and Samuel] for a swim, followed by a boat trip of a different kind - a pedalo on the River Leam!

We'd love to see friends as we pass nearby, so do get in touch if you're around