We spent Last night at Shelton just North of Festival Park we had a good night. We walked into Hanley to do some shopping. and transfer money to pay the credit card bill.
 We went north to Longport and winded and returned to the Caldon canal. Beryl struggled with lock 1 paddles and I had to assist in the end. Had a meeting with Rob Shone to get a new dinette fitted and a new cratch. We have lit the wood burner tonight
now it has turned warm and I am cooking its got warmer again.

We arrived here at Weston on Friday Brother in law John is due to meet us tomorrow
with the generator and the wood for the top boxes. John and Carol turned up at 4 o'clock
Had a very nice meal at the Saracens Head. We spent Sunday trying to get the generator
running it will start but not keep going looks like it will have to go back. We then started
assembling the top boxes we decided that one plank high was enough we made 2 boxes
and they look great we now have rather a lot of wood left. We should have made 4 and
put a for sale sign on 2 as they have only cost £10 quid each in wood . Had visitors today
my Sister brought my Mum to see the boat First time they have been to visit not sure if
 they fancy the lifestyle a little to basic I think.We are moving on tomorrow up to Stone.      

We are making our way back North. We are at Rugeley we have dropped Richard
in Litchfield and had a visit from Dave of DB canopies to be measured for a Pram
cover .We have decided that it will give us more drying space in the winter and protect
the back hatch.
One question why does everyone seem to be in such a hurry, to be on the cut you must
either be one holiday or retired so chill out. Every morning since we got on the canals
 someone has come past us at 7am This moring at Fradley it was 3 boats. I'm quite
happy getting up at 8.30 and cruising at 10.00. I was cut up at Fradley this morning
He waited til I was midway along his boat then pulled out his wife was at the lock he
said well he watched me turn onto Trent and Mersey from the Coventry but didn't
move til I was level with him. I was not amused. I suppose I must chill out too. Anyway
the Sun shined today so it wasn't to bad.It rained while we were walking around Rugeley
so me and Hoobie sheltered while Beryl did a little shopping. So we all stayed dry.

Where does a week go. We have had an eventful week we left the Ashby canal
on Monday arrived at Springwood Haven Nuneton Where Onboard Energy took
a look after after which it was decided to replace the domestic batteries and the
inverter was capput. Savings have taken a hit but what a difference. We can use
what we want Thanks Kevin a very neat instalation. Today we ended up with trying
to find a vets Hoobie ripped a claw yesterday finally got one in Pets at Home
Tamworth. He is now minus a claw the nail had to all come off completely.
He is a little drowsy now but not licking it to much up to yet. We are currently moored
at Hopwas.

The Terminus of the Ashby canal was very pretty but a little breezy two attempts to turn
but no audience so who's counting. Wedding anniversary on Friday 27 years I would have
been free by now Ouch!!!! only kidding wouldn't change a thing. I mean I took her to all
the exotic places in the world Wildenrath Germany Etc. Had a lovely meal in the Globe
guess who didn't pay again. We are currently moored at bridge 5 having got soaked in a
 thunder storm Hoobie was not impressed my wax coat £45 from Barnstaple market
worked great and I was still dry inside it. Now we have moored up it has stopped raining.

Day 2 on the Ashby canal a little shallow in places. very pretty and yesterday quiet but
 today is much busier.The inverter drained the batteries last night and we hadn't got the
TV on this morning after charging the batteries there is no out put from the thing teach me
 to buy a cheap one.I will have to bite the bullet and buy a better one. Struggled to find a
mooring this afternoon no chance at the Bosworth visitor center you must have to be
 there at 1100 to find one.