We arrived at the bottom of the Atherstone flight at about 8:00. Two boats were in the bottom adjacent locks ahead of us and another came up behind us once we were in the lock. The two ahead were companions and worked very fast. We followed and lost the one behind after a while. One opposite direction boat slowed us down at the turn by the maria, but otherwise a good climb. We found out later that a pound, one or two down, had been drained overnight and delayed boats coming down, probably why we had a relatively easy time. The rest of the cruise was uneventful really and we stopped at the appointed hour where we thought we might get a good TV signal. We did just before bridge 68. The new fender which I had fitted last night was OK, but the fixing loops on the bow are just in the wrong place. So this evening I did a lash up with some nylon cord like a cats cradle and this has improved the look enormously.
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