We did our six hours today and found ourselves outside the Anchor Inn. This is about 2 miles before Atherstone which is where we were meant to be tomorrow evening, so we still have some time in hand, more so even. Highlights of today? Once 9:00 am passed more boats were active. Turning on the sharp bends before the stop lock at Hawkesbury Junction I missed noticing an opposite direction boat which must have been hidden by the plethora of moored boats and found the need for some nifty manoeuvring to squeeze between this one and moored boats on the other side, all whilst in a turn. I got called names which was probably because the other guy was in shock! Then there was some strange activity in the lock as we approached. The top gate was open with a boat looking as if it was about to emerge, but then the gate was closed and this boat reversed down and out to discharge its rubbish presumably. A hire boat with a novice crew waiting to come up must have been similarly confused. Pat got chatting and was told of their experiences how in spite of a great effort with books and videos prior to their hire, the hire experience was not as they had expected. The pace was so much slower and they had had to shorten their cruise. Once on the Coventry Canal there was a lot of opposite direction traffic to affect us, most of it in bridge holes. Great caution is necessary. Offside vegetation and moored boats were the obvious offenders making an approach line more difficult in some cases. The worst potential problem which we escaped was the reduction of the canal to single line working on a bend by the activities (or not) of moored boats at Starline Boats. We got through without trouble without meeting another boat. Well, we like a challenge eh!
On arrival outside the Anchor Inn, disappointment. We had hoped for an evening meal but there seemed to be a bit of a crisis underway in the fact that the Landlord who had been a bit unwell the evening before and who lives on the premises had not opened up so staff could not get in. Fearing some calamity the police were in attendance. Not looking good.
Post script: We checked the Anchor Inn later in the afternoon and all was well. The pub was open and will be serving food in the evening. So went, had a very friendly welcome. Met the landlord who had overslept. Had a very nice meal and a very nice (few) pints of Landlord and Pat had San Miguel. I realise that I hadn’t had a pint of draft in a pub for a very long time and it tasted good. Well recommended. There were two lovely dogs standing guard at the entrance when we arrived. Our meal was a bit delayed because the chef had to rush off to rescue one of them who had run off to Springhaven. Real life for you!
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