Now it's raining

On our journey from Alvecote we moored up near Bonehill Road bridge tramped through a footpath to a large retail park where there was a huge Asda so we were able to get supplies to keep us going for a few days then it was on to Hopwas where we would spend the weekend. We were lucky enough to get a nice mooring just 5 mins walk from the pub and as usual this would be our weekend stop over. Went to the pub (The Tame Otter) for our evening meal the food was good. As the pub is right on the canal and has a large garden it is very popular with families, and because the weather was lovely as well the place was heaving. We decided to eat inside as there were more empty tables. On the other side of the canal is Th Red Lion which has more facilties for children (climbing Frame etc.) We met some new people over the weekend nb Georgeana and nb Pereleka. Paul managed to take advantage of the good weather and painted the scratches yet again. On Monday we planned to call into Streathay to enquire about having the boat stretched but the guy we needed to speak to wasnt available so we decided to go onto Fradley Junction to turn round. There was about 5 of us in a line going up to the junction most boats Iv'e seen together for a long time. We turned the boat round filled up with water then found ourselves a mooring for the night then it was off to the pub for a swift mid afternoon half. Tuesday it was back to Streathay the guy was very helpful explaining how the stretch would take place (we just wanted and extra 4foot in the cratch to give us and the dogs more outside space) what we assumed would be a failrly simply process turns out to be a complex one. The inside of the boat for about 8 foot would be disrupted with the fire being taken out along with the fixed cupboards and wall panelling. Yes we know the boat yard will do a good job as we have seen their work but did we really want all that upheaval. Straight answer to that is no, so we wont be having her stretched. The inside of this boat is fine we may make a few minor alterations like adding another bookcase and we would like to change the pulman dinette to an L shaped one but these are jobs for the winter.
So now it was back down the Coventry, we had a couple of nights at Alvecote as the weather changed then on Friday we continued to Polesworth where we did a top up shop then on to a nice mooring near bridge 50 where we stayed for the weekend. Paul was fishing as usual and had been Friday and Saturday evening with nothing to show for it (now theres a surprise). However he decided to give it one last try on Sunday evening while he was waiting for something to take his bait he was farting about in the engine bay. All of a sudden the rod sprung into life fell off the side and hit him on the back of the head, by this time the rod was like cupids bow. He is shouting for me to come up the back of the boat and help with the net. This fish was taking the line so quickly Paul said "what the hell have I got on here" or words that effect. After playing the fish for about 5 or 6 minutes he seemed to be making some sort of headway. The fish surfaced about 30 yards away it was then we saw the size of this fish it was like a dustbin lid (fishermans term!!!!) with that it gave a flip of its tail snapped the line and escaped in to the murky waters of the Coventry canal and dissapeared into the sunset. By this time his brand new float was making its own way down the canal with Paul in hot pursuit with the net trying to retrieve it which he did. As you can imagine he was not a happy bunny and sulked all evening.
Monday morning we had to face 11 locks we had planned just to do the first 2 moor up then carry on the next day but we thought lets go for it and we were so lucky as at every lock we met someone coming out so it made so much easier. Last but one lock hire boat was coming down as we left our lock they could see us so I left the gate open for them and they closed the gates for me "Bless" I was going to have a word explaining the etiquette of locking but as I got closer to them thought that it wouldnt be a good idea how they got all their kids on a small hire boat I dont know. Paul encounterd them as they decided to squeeze through a narrow opening that you could just about get one boat through, was quite impressed as he gave them a bit of friendly advise as they slammed the boat into reverse and hit the bank.
We moored up for the night not far from bridge 33, got an email from nb Librtybelle and they are at the marina at bridge 27 so will give them a wave as we go past it wont be today though as it is lashing it down so we will stay put till the morning when come hell or high water we will move onto get up the Ashby. At least I have a signal on my mobile modem so can catch up with emails.