Saturday 24th August 20132

The weather forecast for today was awful. Heavy rain, thunder etc. We decided that if the forecast was correct we would stay where we were in Great Haywood. No point getting soaked when we were on the homeward leg. Well, in true British fashion the forecasters were completely wrong. Admittedly it was not burning sunshine when we woke but nor was it raining. We left early deciding to go as far as possible before the rain came. 

After one lock we passed our neighbours from the Marina but they will not be back until Tuesday when we hope to be home. This is the view as I left Colwich lock. 

A helpful chap closed the gate after me and was obviously following us down. After a while he caught us up and was obviously in a hurry. Maybe he had an 'itinerary' too! He was behind us all the way into Rugeley where we had a small break for a trip to Morrisons. He must have been so frustrated because there was a huge fishing competition going on before Rugeley and we passed about 80+ fishermen all strung out at regular intervals along the bank. You have to slow down even more as you pass them.

We were amazed at the amount of equipment they had.

After Rugeley we saw another 80+ men all fishing so although the chasing boat had passed us he hadn't managed to go any faster!

We passed some tree felling on the bank and the guy offered us a log - sorry Jon we politely refused.

So onwards to Fradley. Luck was definitely on our side. All locks set for us and usually someone just coming out to leave the gates open. We are moored just above Bagnall lock and are visiting the Indian restaurant about which we have had very good reports. As usual Alrewas moorings are full so we are lucky to have this spot. Two boats have moored behind us with stakes but we have managed to use D rings. The rain never came and we should be back in the marina tomorrow.