TRENT AND MERSEY

THE FIRST TWENTY MILES
Having traveled to the flat there and back by train and bus and having arrived on board about 4pm on Saturday 7th June all was found well with boat and butty. 

Batteries were on top whack. The cooler was fine although milk was down to a spoonful due to bad planning and the nearest bottle of milk was too far away so the question was asked

"Do I need to be here?"

My new glasses are being made in the optician's and may not be available for a week. I can bus back to Burton from Lichfield by express. Lichfield is on my voyage route so I have to go that way anyway. "Do I need to be here?" is answered.

Today's forecast was for frequent showers with thunder moving east clearing by evening. The sky is ominous but I had traveled from Leicester by Sky-bus and although we went through a couple of heavy dumps enroute I stayed dry.  So I dressed for bad weather, cast off and traveled in good weather.  

It was only two miles and one lock to Branston and one mile and two locks to Branston marina so in a thrice then this is what was done.  Actually the trip took quite a few thrices as I made stops enroute to clear the prop and explore the hinterland to little useful avail.  But I got lucky with all three locks. 

I overnighted on armco opposite Barton Marina and just upwind of Barton Turns Pub with almost no milk o board for morning coffee. Sunday dawned fair and again the question was asked.  "Do I need to be here?" 

I did make coffee and there was nicely enough milk for it with a wee sup over for the cat. 
 
Away at 7oc to see what the day would bring. 

The day itself brought Alrewas (oll syllables short accent the last one). I got all locks in favour although my last for the day at Alrewas itself meant heaving-to for almost two hours at the back of the landing as all the traffic was going in my direction each one leaving the lock full on departure. I wanted opposite direction which would leave an empty lock and open gates. 

Then of course two came together but I slotted between them and got topside and tied in short order. Later I walked off to find Co-op almost 3/4 mile away at the other end of Main Street and got some bargain salad and a pinta.  My milkless boat was now milked.