A lucky day - 13 locks and 13 miles

 Crossing the River Tame on an aqueduct

We jumped up at 06:00, ready for an early start to try to beat the crowds to the next lock. By the time we set off, a couple of boats had passed us, but it was otherwise quiet. We travelled towards Tamworth in a cool breeze passing through some lovely countryside. We reached Tamworth and turned off what had become the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, onto the Coventry canal.

 A queue for a lock but we are in front!

We reached the first lock of the day with only one boat in front of us. By the time we left the lock, the queue had grown to 3 boats, and it was still only about 08:00. We had expected Tamworth to be somewhat urban or industrial, but it was quite different, with pretty gardens, parks, and lots of trees.

 A very cute and tiny moorhen chick

 Traditional working boats

 Pooley Fields Heritage Centre

We saw this brightly coloured wheel which looks as though it probably came from a mine, but there was nothing on the canalside to give away what the site was about.

 Horses!

This field had several shire horses in it, one of which visibly jumped at the wash from Banjo as we passed by. Can't be much fun being a horse in a waterside field if you are scared of water!

 A dancing white goose chick

 Tonight's mooring near Nuneaton

We stopped in Atherstone to take on water, and to nip to the shops, lured by a sign telling us that a shop was "1 minute's walk away". Angela stayed with the boat while I went in search of ice creams. After a 15 minute walk(!) I reached - you guessed it - another Co-op! We pressed on and finally came to rest just south of Atherstone, a few miles north of Nuneaton. A lovely quiet spot with views over the countryside with only the occasional train in the distance disturbing the silence.

Another beautiful sunset

We plan another early start and long day tomorrow as we push on towards Braunston and the start of the Oxford canal.