Easter rush begins.

4 Locks, 9 Miles. Now moored by Peels Wharf, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal

There was a touch of urgency as we set off this morning, we desperately needed a pump out and the closest facility was Fazeley Mill Marina on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. Our Nicholsons guide showed facilities at Narrowcraft at Grendon Dock but there was no sign of any such facilities. Alvecote Marina was another option but guess what? Closed on Mondays,damn! Here we saw Nb Pania moored up with kiwis Baden and Rosamund who were obviously out at work.  Sorry we missed you guys will catch you again sometime.

Still the weather was holding out for us so it wasn’t a worry. At the locks we found a constant stream of boats so it was virtually 1 up, 1 down the whole way. No wastage of water today. As we queued at Glascote top lock alongside S. M. Hudson’s boatyard I noticed that he had about 10 hulls scattered around the place in various stages of completion so perhaps the recession hasn’t affected his business too much.

At Fazeley junction we turned left to travel the short distance to Fazeley Mill marina for diesel (74 litres @ 54p) and a pump out. We had a bit of a delay here as the manageress was away at the bank so we had to wait for her return. After this we returned to the junction and headed North again where we were lucky enough to find a mooring opposite BW’s Peel Wharf.

As we moored up Bob and Barbara on Nb Chi Cheemaun came out to talk to us as they follow our blog. The name Chi Cheemaun comes from the “Big Canoe” in the book Hiawatha. While chatting, Andrew on Nb Granny Buttons came cruising by. We had passed him earlier but he was still having a late breakfast. He hove to for another quick chat but he has to get his boat to Streethay Wharf for blacking so he was soon under way again.

1601 locks, 3400½ miles, 59 Tunnels, 44 swing bridges and 39 lift bridges since Nov 2006