A dent in the bank balance!

We waited until nearly eleven this morning for the rain to stop before heading for Wheaton Aston. Our timing today was very good, we managed not to meet any oncoming boats in the narrow Cowley Cutting. That luck continued, every time we met a boat it was on a nice wide stretch not at bridge holes or opposite moored boats.

We weren't as lucky with the weather, about an hour into our two hour journey the rain started again, by the time we reached Wheaton Aston we were both cold and drenched. Even wearing waterproofs you still feel wet. After filling up both our diesel tank and jerry cans, a total of 156 litres of diesel and buying a gas bottle we were feeling rather broke as well! As the rain hadn't stopped we reversed back across the canal into a convenient gap between moored boats and decided we had done our bit for the day!

I'm now sat in front of a nice warm fire with a cup of coffee and a chocolate muffin, feeling a lot better! It's our first real fire since spring, we've lit the stove a few times but not a proper blaze until today. It's beginning to feel quite autumnal although the leaves are still all green.

Today's journey 4.9 miles and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 634.6 miles, 511 locks, 49 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1836.3 miles 1597 locks, 105 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 65 tunnels