Fradley Junction (Coventry Canal) to Handsacre (Trent & Mersey Canal)

The rain had all gone and the sun was shining when we got up, that was good as we are on the move this morning.  We have three locks to go up and about 4 miles to travel to Handsacre where we are going to moor.

Coming to Swing Bridge

Coming out onto the Trent & Mersey

In Middle Lock

We set off from our mooring and had to go through a swing bridge so I went and opened it and Kev chugged through and shut it behind him.  This is where the Coventry canal meets the Trent & Mersey canal and now we were leaving the Coventry canal behind us and turning left onto the Trent & Mersey canal.  We have thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Coventry and although we have done it before, this time we really explored it and found some new places to visit, but now it is time to head back up the Trent & Mersey canal.

Coal Boat Auriga

In He Comes!

I walked up to the first of the three locks we are doing today, it was empty so I opened the gates and Kev came in. I shut the gates and walked to the other end of the lock and opened the paddles and up we went. 

We went on to the next lock and there was a boat coming down, so when they went out we could go in, but there was a coal boat, Auriga coming behind us who had just done a delivery to one of the long term boats moored between the locks and Kev let him go first so we helped him with the lock.

In Shadehouse Lock

There was a boat waiting to come down so then it was their turn and after that it was our turn.  It didn't take long for the lock to fill and we were on our way.

In Woodend Lock

The next lock Woodend was less than a mile so we were soon approaching the lock and a boat was just coming out so in we went.  There was two boats waiting to come down so we had plenty of help.

Passing Kings Bromley Marina

There is a house on the lock and they had put a box of apples out on the grass for people to help themselves so I took a few for pudding tonight, stewed apple and custard is on the menu I think.

Handsacre Methodist Church

We left the lock and chugged on our way under a few bridges and past Kings Bromley marina and then we were approaching Handsacre and we moored up before the bridge.

We had lunch then walked up the road to the shop, passing Handsacre Methodist Church, we were going to go in but unfortunately it was locked.  Opposite the church is a small park and there was a cache there, so we looked for that and we found it then walked on to the shop.

We then walked back down the road to the boat.  We are staying here tonight, then moving on in the morning.

Moored at Handsacre