In Windy Willington

Our plans for the weekend got postponed because of the weather forecast which threatened rain for Saturday, then frustratingly it didn't rain until early evening, which wouldn't have mattered.

We stayed at Branston Water Park until Monday morning when we moved the short distance down through Branston Lock and moored just beyond the A38 bridge so we could go and do our weekly shop at Morrisons. I know a few boaters take advantage of Internet shopping for their groceries but apart from a few basics my shopping tends to be made up  as I go along depending on what seems the best deals. I suppose there might be a time when I need to do an online order.

Once the shopping was done we carried on through Burton-on-Trent and Dallow Lock, the last of the narrow locks we will encounter for a while, then it was a straight run to Willington. Even at this time of year the 48hr moorings where almost fully occupied so we stopped a little bit beyond them. The cats aren't happy because they aren't allowed out as the railway line is very close to the canal here. Gwynie seems to have recovered from her injury as Tamworth now but she did have us worried for a few days. I don't think they would want to go out today anyway because it is blowing a gale outside, the wind is whipping up the surface of the canal into waves.

Because of the weather we decided to stay here today but we did walk to Midland Chandlers at Mercia Marina to get so undercoat for Morgana and a couple of other bits. Walking there was fine as the wind was behind us but walking back was hard work!

Yesterday's journey 6.6 miles and 2 locks


So far this year we have travelled 721.8 miles, 581 locks,  50 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 27 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 1923.5 miles, 1667 locks, 106 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 67 tunnels