Alrewas to Rugely - Full circle

Sunshine all the way = Trev polishing his mushrooms and this side of the boat. Let's hope it is still shinning when we get to moor on the opposite side of the bank to complete the job!!!

On Saturday we visited The National Memorial Arboretum. Such a special place.  It is a living tribute that will forever acknowledge the personal sacrifices made by the armed forces and civil services.

Set in 150 acres, the Arboretum is filled with interesting and unusual features.

Shot at Dawn - during World War 1 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers were shot at dawn for desertion or cowardice.  Many of them were sentenced after a short trial at which no real opportunity for defence was allowed.  Today, it is recognised that several of them were under age when they volunteered and that many were suffering from shell shock or post traumatic stress disorder.

Since its creation, some 50,000 trees have been planted there and almost 300 dedicated memorials established on the site.

Leaving Alrewas

a altogether picturesque village

with church bells ringing on Sunday.

Bagnall Lock - the first of eight for today.

Approaching the flight of five locks at Fradley Junction

One of the volunteer's tell me it is the fourth busiest junction in the country.

A gongoozelers paradise

And so full circle. We branched off down the Coventry Canal on the 14th May- we have completed the Leicester Ring - it wasn't in the plan for 2014 but it was enjoyable!!!!

Middle Lock (4th in the flight) has a collapsed cill so water gushed in even when the paddles are down.  Trev keeps well back in the lock and the paddles are raised slowly.

We meander through open country until  Armitage is reached.

The A513 crosses the canal on a new bridge where the short,130 yards long, Armitage Tunnel used to run before its roof was removed in 1971 to combat the subsidence effects of coal being mined nearby.

I walked on in front to check the coast was clear and warn on coming traffic we were coming through!!

Unsure who this chappie is watching over some long term moorers!!!

10 miles, 8 locks in 5 1/4 hours.