Not going very far

In the weeks since the market we haven't travelled very far. Ray has had three hospital appointments which have kept us a bit tied down. We were expecting his surgery to be on November 5th but we got a phone call from the surgeon's secretary on Thursday asking if he wanted to take a slot that had become available next Tuesday. We virtually jumped at the chance, as far as we are concerned the sooner the better. we have arranged for Ray to have his chemo at City Hospital rather than Sandwell which is much closer to the canals. With walks and buses the trip to Sandwell from anywhere I would be happy leaving the boat unattended and being on my own on board is about an hour and a half.

After the market we moved back onto the 14 day moorings for about ten days. while we were there Keith, Leesa and Ellie came to visit which was lovely. Our cat population also increased by four as Nimue had her kittens. Then we went and investigated mooring spots on the Soho Loop, which is the closest bit of canal to City Hospital. There is quite a nice spot by a park which might become a regular stopping point when Ray is having regular visits to the hospital.

After a couple of days there we headed back into the city centre to pick up diesel and coal, then took a trip out to Edgbaston where we are now. It is a bit noisy on this stretch as the railway line parallels the canal but there is space for the cats to have some freedom, it is close enough to the centre when we need the services and only about a 20 minute stroll to Tesco and Morrisons. Since we have been here we have taken one trip back into the city for the market.

Since my last post we have travelled 8.8 miles and 6 tunnels ( well, the same 2, three times)

This year we have travelled 430.7 miles, 420 locks, 7 swing bridges, 15 lift bridges and 26 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 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 2509.3miles, 2181 locks, 118 swing bridges, 76 lift bridges and 97 tunnels