Days 30 - 34 Grendon to Mancetter Bridge (via Atherstone)

There's a first for everything!  At the bottom lock of the flight of eleven at Atherstone, two fellow boaters helping us with the lock took a break sitiing on the gate beam, there was a loud crack and it shattered, obviously rotten.  Both boats got through, but the CRT then closed the flight for a couple of days to install a temporary replacement

Checking for more rotten beams - this was sound!

Four locks done & dusted and laundry is top of the 'to do' list - fortunately Atherstone has a laundrette, so an afternoon trip into town

Study in light and shade at lock number 5

Atherstone is normally a bustling market town with lots of independent shops, but it's quieter now with (EU funded) signage on social distancing etc much in evidence

Market day a shadow of its normal self

Catnap entering lock number 5 - these narrow locks sure are a squeeze

Once in the lock Denis begins to close the bottom gates...

...and watches the bow 'button' fender in case of mishap.  When ascending narrow (single boat) locks, the custom is to engage forward gear slowly to keep the button against the metal plate on the lock gates.  So care is needed to ensure no snagging as the boat rises

'Top Lock Cottage'

Unusual wide curve to the bridges hereabouts

Monday at Mancetter Bridge is very wet indeed, so we're sheltering with canopies up