Friday 11th September: Rather pleasant morning and after a slow start during which three boats arrived at the terminus and two departed we turned and backed onto the service point.
Whilst watering up Bridie handed in a completed application form for membership of the Ashby Canal Association to a woman resident on the Welcome boat at the swing bridge. She noted that we are from Cumbria and told Bridie she was also from Cumbria.
Moved on, leaving the terminus through bridge 61
and had a very pleasant slow cruise to Shackestone in bright sunshine with a warm wind really enjoying one of the most delightful stretches on the network. Only passed two boats on the way, the first in the old railway bridge hole.
Had lunch at The Rising Sun and went for a local walk with the dogs before settling down on the towpath in the chairs to read and enjoy the weather while it lasts.
Saturday 12th September: Rained overnight and was raining for the 'early' morning dog walk this morning. Went to Shakerstone station about 11:15
and watched the first two trains arrive and depart
having tea and cake while waiting for friends John and Sue to arrive. Only one engine in steam today Hunslet austerity 'Cumbria' - how appropriate!
see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_preserved_Hunslet_Austerity_0-6-0ST_locomotives
We caught the 1:45, travelling in the newly repainted Griddle car M1104
(see
http://www.battlefieldline.co.uk/news.html) to Shenton where we walked across Bosworth fields and through Ambion Woods to Sutton Wharf where we had tea and then up the towpath as far as the old railway track and back to Shenton
to catch the last train of the day back to Shackerstone. We put the dogs back on the boat
while John & Sue moved their car. Then the four of us went to The Rising Sun for 6pm and an evening meal.
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