As usual I caught the train from Manchester, heading over to Bedworth via Stoke on Trent and Nuneaton, but unfortunately once I'd boarded the train they changed the destination to Crewe, meaning that I would miss my connections. Eventually I managed to reach Atherstone where I met David Goode who kindly drove me over to Hawkesbury Junction. After sorting out the boat, I set off, assisted through Sutton Stop by David, before heading over to Charity Dock where I tied alongside John for the night.

I woke at 3.50AM and after a cup of coffee, courtesy of John, we set off from Charity whilst David had parked below Atherstone, and had walked up to meet us, setting the locks along the way. We went down Atherstone in fine style, reaching the bottom in 1 hour and 10 minutes. We would have managed it in under an hour but we had problems with one of the pounds which was well down, leaving me firstly stranded on the cill and then bumping along the rocks in the pound.

After this quick run we were slowed down by boats ahead at Glascote. John left to cycle back to Bedworth whilst myself and David carried on. After a quick stop at Fradley for some lunch, we were on our way again, finally tying at Great Haywood at about 9PM.

A later start of 5.30AM meant I could have a bit of a lie in, before setting off at just before 6AM. A quick run north to Stone, where we met some traffic at the locks but still managed to tie up just before 11AM opposite Lime Kiln Basin.