Day 16 - Sunday December 31st - Fradley to Atherstone 20 miles 4 furlongs, 8 locks, 7 hours 55 minutes Weather - Fine initially, rain and high winds later
A good evening in the Swan last night with Andrew & Wendy, Andrew & Sheila and Brian & Sue meant that our departure was somewhat later than intended. 7.50am saw us casting off ropes and setting of towards Fazeley. Tied up at Peel's Wharf at 11.35am to fill up with water, empty the Thetford cassettes, dispose of rubbish and remove a discarded bicycle inner tube (and assorted shredded plastic) from the prop. All achieved in forty minutes. With no queues at the Glascote locks, and both set in our favour as well, we were out of them by 12.55pm. Wind started to pick up between Amington and Alvecote, become quite strong by the time we reached Polesworth. Predictably, the threatened rain began as the bottom of the Atherstone flight came into view. The Atherstone locks remain as slow filling as ever, even with the rain falling to speed it up a bit! We decided to stop after the first six locks at 4.25pm. Supper on board tonight followed by drinking to see in the new year. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Atherstone
