We left the 48hr moorings at Sutton Wharf this morning and cruised back down to the start of the Ashby Canal at Marston Junction. We had a straightforward journey, stopping for diesel at The Ashby Boat Co. at Stoke Golding Wharf and admired their mobile pump-out truck based on a Reliant Ant pick-up.
The later part of our journey was rather slow as we got behind a hire boat who were letting their children steer, no problem with that but a backward glace to see who they were holding up was a long time coming before we were waved past.
Ted was moved to write a poem inspired by his canal journey so here it is:
Walking to Heaven
Along the towpath of life
With Jesus by my side
To show me the way
Through the locks of life’s experience
Showing the depths of his love
Reflection of canal waters
The glory of his grace
Bridges to cross
He holds my hand
Junctions to turn
He guides the way
Around the dangers of weirs
He’ll never disappear
Winding holes will bring no fear
With Jesus’ hand on the tiller of my life
I’ll be in heaven when the time is right
We reached Marston Junction and turned left onto the Coventry Canal, and after about 3 miles along there we reached Hawkesbury Junction where the junction involves 2 90° turns into Sutton Stop Lock which we managed in one 😀 (OK just a 20 second burst of the bowthruster)
We found a mooring immediately and settled down with a meal of meatballs, potatoes and runner beans with a pepper sauce, better than Ikea!!!