We sailed to Stone and then went a bit further to a little place called Barlaston, which has a pub (closed) and a small Onestop shop (Thankfully open). Whilst we were there the lock down was put in place. I phoned a few local boatyards and the news was not great – they did not consider themselves essential, and were therefore closing. That means we would not be able to get fuel or pump outs when our loo fills up. So, I made a quick call to Nick at Aston and asked if we could go back in! Luckily, he said we could but we’d have to get there that day! 9 Locks! Ho hum. It was not too bad as the canal was empty of other craft so we made excellent progress and arrived just after 13:00 and ended up back in the same mooring!

We have been here ever since, getting into the isolation routine. In fact, its great here as most of the boaters have left, it’s just us live aboards that remain, and there are not many of us. It is rare that we ever see anyone when we are walking the dog. There is a lot of greenery around us and we have a large field for Martha – so we do not have much to complain about.

I hope all of us stay well and get through this unscathed. Lets hope it all comes to an end quickly and life can start to get back to normality before we all go stir crazy!

After spending some time with Ron in Clacton we returned to the marina at Aston to collect the boat and set off for a cruse along the canal. Staying in marina’s is quite an expensive way to do things. Of course, Covid-19 has put a very different spin on things and we are not entirely sure how things will progress. It seems, from all we have read, that the canal network will remain open. We hope so.

Our plan is to cruise through Stoke-on-Trent, stopping along the way until we get some dates for Lyn’s funeral (and if we can even have it, what with the social distancing) and Dee’s flat moving date, which is pencilled in for the 20th April. Once we have a date to work to, we can plan where to moor up and get the car and drive back. In the mean time, we are just going to enjoy the travelling and taking in the sights. The weather is looking good too – so I think we will be in for a nice short break from it all. I am sure Covid-19 will do its best to screw things up but we will just take each day as it comes.

So, the first stop is about a mile along the cut at Stone – we will be here a couple of days, then we will move along a bit for a couple more until we get some dates together.

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Sadly, after we got to Clacton-on-Sea Lyn died in the hospital, surrounded by her family. She was very ill, but I don’t think any of us realised just how ill she was. She was simply overwhelmed with complications and was not able to recover, even though she was placed on life support at the hospital. We will all miss her, especially Wendy who spoke with her all the time and chatted about everything going on.

We got through Alrewas when we got the news that Wendy’s sister is in hospital and is struggling to breath. In fact, she was so I’ll that the hospital or her into the intensive care unit and introduced quarantine measures! So, that put a whole new focus on things. The plan now is to get to the marina at Stone and then take Dee home then go to Clacton to be with Ron. We have no idea when we will be back on the boat and I do not know when the blog will be updated.

Ron and Lyn join us on the boat for a small 4 day trip down towards Milton Keynes. We had an awesome time and it was really great to be able to share our trip with them both. Can’t wait for them to come along on another trip later on!

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Final Day and then onwards

So, after a lot of messing around in Weedon, and sailing up and down this stretch of the canal, we are finally getting back on track! Ron and Lyn are coming to visit next week and we are organising a marina to stay in so we can meet up and they can park their car. Honey is back on solids and seeming to be more agile on the new non-steroid drugs! Fingers crossed that will work out.

Lyn seems to be on the mend and Wendy is a lot happier now she has gone and seen her. Honey is, er, less fluid today and the sun came out – happy days!

Yesterday, I watched all the Jason Bourne films back to back – awesome. He still reminds me of Dan but in a more vigorous sort of way. He is also a tad more violent than Dan.

Anyway, we are right outside the Midland Chandlery, so it would be rude not to pop in and take a look, but first I have to do battle with the hoover!!! Wish me luck.

Well we never saw this coming. We’d arranged to meet up with Ron and Lyn on Sunday and have a little 4 days crus down the Grand Union. So I booked 3 nights in at the Braunston Marina for the Friday, Saturday and the following Thursday (when we would get back from the trip). All was looking good and both Wendy and I were really looking forward to the company. Sadly, however, Lyn has become quite unwell and has had to go to hospital for some checks to see what is wrong. Naturally, Wendy wants to go and see her sister, so we are going to get to Braunston early and then Wendy will get a cab to Rugby train station and go into and out of London to Clacton to see Lyn on the 10th (exactly one month since we set off).

I will hang around Braunston for a day or two and then go into the Marina. Wendy is going down on Wednesday and returning on the Thursday. I hope Lyn is feeling better soon.

Now, after a short stint on the Stratford canal we have moved onto the Grand Union on our way to Warwick and Lemington Spa. We have spoken to a number of people and they all say that Birmingham is not very nice. One couple said they never saw another boat for over 24 hours when they sailed through – so I am glad we decided to do the 21 locks into Warwick instead.

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Just by the canal in Wootton Wawen there is a collection of shops in an old farm which sell all kinds of stuff from garden furnature to the things shown above! There is a farm shop for supplies and an awesome coffee shop which does the most amazing burgers!