It was a sort of test! To get to Liverpool on the assigned date we need to do 6 hours per day. (According to Canalplanner) So could we increase this by 50% and do 9 hours. This would have taken us to Atherstone from Brinlklow. Well yes! We did it in 8 hours which gives us a bit of a benchmark. We arrived just after 4 pm and were greeted by Eric Naylor (nb Cherie). It was with him and his wife that we shared an eventful trip up the tidal Thames many years ago.
Our trip today was marred by my forgetfulness in leaving the mobile phone in the car. Half an hour later down the canal the error was discovered. Turning back would not be an option there and then but fortunately we were still alongside Cathiron Lane which actually is a shortcut to the marina and it didn't take long to get the bike out. (Note to self: Must get the gearing sorted. It must look so stupid trying to get any speed on a tiny folding bike pedalling like crazy. At least a couple of chaps on proper bikes did acknowledge me).
Once this event was successfully concluded we had a straightforward run to Atherstone. We passed the infamous Anchor Inn, location for an afternoon of hilarious fun and laughter (with wine) a few years back with some boating friends. Just before arriving in Atherstone we were advised by an opposite direction boater that kids were water bombing at bridge 38. I suppose we got there about half an hour later but they must have got bored. No sign of said kids. I was rather looking forward to some fun imagining myself with one of those really huge water guns.
Supper: A helping of beef casserole with veg (Prepa