Three more long days but a few less locks, only 20 over three days as opposed to 46 the two days before. So not quite such hard work!  We have  have travelled on three different canals over the last three days, turning from the Staffs and Worcs onto the Trent and Mersey at Great Haywood Junction on Monday morning and then on Tuesday turning at Fradley Junction onto the Coventry Canal.

The bridge at Great Haywood Junction

This was once the house of Josiah Spode which he left to a Dominican Order in 1893.  It is now a golf course

 This week has been a week of firsts!  We saw our first ducklings, Spotted swallows yesterday at Fradley and  yesterday evening sat out on the towpath in our new chairs and had a beer.  The dogs also went swimming yesterday evening, which wasn't really part of the plan but as it was a warm evening it was ok because they dried out well.

Cruising on the Trent and Mersey

Truly drying off after her swim!

There is always something going on along the canal or towpath.  At Fradley as we were coming down the locks I spoke to a couple who were taking photographs of a paper doll, called Flat Stanley, who had been sent to them by their grand daughter in the USA.  He had his own suitcase and everything and was set to have many exciting adventures captured on the camera.  At the same lock I was also given a book, The Reader by Bernhard Schlink, by a lady who was giving them away for World book Night.  I am looking forward to reading it.

Working boat Kangaroo at Alvecote

Stafford winding at Alvecote

This evening we are moored halfway up Atherton Flight between locks 5 and 6.  Tomorrow should be a shorter day as we are now pacing journeys so we can go to the Old Royal Oak at Hilmorton on Friday evening.