Today as we cruised we saw a black swan on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Also in the fields the harvester's were rushing to get in the harvest.

Early start this morning as we have to be in Pillings Marina on Friday.
So everybody was up to say our goodbyes.

As it was the last night together we decided have a few drinks that went on after dark.

Yesterday as Hilary had gone to see her dad in Worcester Jackie, John and myself took the chance to visit the Brewery Museum with a few beers at the end of the visit.

Afternoon tea and cakes this afternoon moored in Burton on Trent.

Ruby taking a nap after playing ball

To celebrate the birthday of Bracken's puppies Helen the breeder had a BBQ where dad and four pups were pictured together.

 Today James and his dog Andy came to visit us today so we started with breakfast in the café in Shobnall Marina and then they spent the rest of the day on the boat.

Last night we met up with Rita and Scooby and after a pint in the newest Micro Pub in Burton we went on to the Favourite Thai Restaurant.
Followed by another pint in another Micro Pub.

As the weather forecast didn't look good for Saturday and we had planned a BBQ we decided to carry on to Burton on Trent from Alrewas.
Tonight we enjoyed the sunshine and BBQ.

 The other night Cassie and Ruby paid a visit to Jackie's and John's boat and thoroughly made themselves at home.

 Whilst in Alrewas Jackie and Hilary visited the National Arboretum whilst John and I enjoyed lunch in the local pub.

 Last night was a very warm night and spent the evening having drinks and snacks with Jackie and John sitting on the towpath at Fradley Junction.
Tonight we are moored in Alrewas where they are preparing for their annual art event.

Happy First Birthday Ruby.

Whilst we were moored in Fazeley Paul and his partner Anna called over to see us whilst they were in UK from New Zealand.
Today we started our journey with John and Jackie.

 Tonight we are moored just outside Fazeley Junction where we will be meeting up with Jackie and John.
Ruby has found the last couple of days cruising very tiring.

Now that the batteries we purchased in Skipton have finally returned to them by the courier we can now relax.
It was decided to cruise long days to get back to Burton to talk to the courier but now we can stay at Fradley Junction for a day or two.

Ruby decided to go after her ball which had gone into the canal between the boat and side and had to be rescued.

Just after we had seen Ray off from the station we noticed a steam powered boat in the lock.
So rushed back to the boat to get photographs only nearly to miss the chance as a hotel butty was being pulled past by it's crew.

 Today we said goodbye to Ray at Stone and for his last night we went for a Thai meal and Dianne and Peter joined us for the evening.

 All week we have promised Ray a BBQ so as we are booked for a Thai meal tomorrow night it was our  last chance tonight.
Back at a breezy Tixall Wide we just had to do the British thing.

 Yesterday afternoon we arrived at a very windy Tixall Wide as we are ahead of schedule for getting to Stone so we have detoured and are moored in Penkridge tonight.