New chimney base & 5 star pikey lodgings

Contrary to scurillous mis-representations on another blog, I did not demolish my chimney - I just loosened the base a bit (well, quite a lot actually) & the man that fixed it said it had already happened before & not been fixed properly (chivalry is not completely dead). So here is my new robust base - looks sound enough to withstand a bridge or ten! The Bridge may take a little longer to fix!!!

Set off up the Atherstone flight today in glorious sunshine (and I even managed not to hit anything), it really was quite spring like. These two country gentlemen were enjoying a gongoozle & gossip by lock 10 and looked very much the part-I tried to catch a photo without them noticing, but I don't think it worked.

The view behind me down the Atherstone flight.

It was certainly the weather for nattering & a number of people lent us a hand up the flight, including Tony the lockkeeper (picturedwith his dog).

This is the view from our windows tonight

with Caxton moored up in front of us & Daisy on her stern enjoying the evening sun.

Baxter found a pikey place with 5 star dog beds lying around in the hedge; not the sort of dog to pass a resting place he stopped for 40 winks

- I hope he hasn't picked up any fleas.