Day 1: 20 July - Mercia Marina to Coach & Horses Bridge

 

Wildlife meadow near our pontoon in full flower



 


FINALLY we finished the chores and as much painting as we could between showers and set off at 4pm with a thundery sky and rain forecast, turning right out of the marina entrance onto the canal. Willington was busy with Carnival Day and lots of boats, mostly moored up by that time. As usual, we're heading for Coach & Horses bridge just the other side of Willington as our first stop.

Forgot to take a photo, but we passed Carnival which like Catnap was built by Stephen Goldsbrough at Knowle Hall Wharf, near Solihull. We're number 87 (built 1998), Carnival is 77 - they were building 5 or 6 a year at that time.

Speaking of cats, "Cat on a lead - SLOW DOWN"
 
Alacrity's magnificent pots
 
Widebeam boat rather recklessly moored on a corner(!)

Bandoneon?  Quick google - a small accordion often used in tango

A friendly wave and beautifully painted sign depicting Cromford

Stanton adrift at the bow - helpful walkers alerted the owner
 
Refurbishing a wooden cabin

Water lilies
 

Our route. Our marina is on the Trent & Mersey Canal about half way between Sawley and Fradley on the orange line. At Fradley, we turn south on the Coventry Canal, then at Hawkesbury Junction (north of Coventry) onto the North Oxford Canal through Rugby to the junction with the Grand Union Canal at Braunston.  It's 70 miles and 28 locks each way


 

 


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