Today our October trip finally came to an end as we cruised back to the marina.
Before we cruised back into the marina we stopped outside to wash the boat when Peter rang to say that some vehicles had been damaged by fire and he had been across to check our car which turned out to be ok

We had a very early start today as we have to get through Bishop Meadow Lock in Loughborough before it closed tomorrow for repairs.
After approximately eight hours we moored in Loughborough just before darkness descended.

Today was Peter's birthday and had planned to celebrate in Burton on Trent.
But just as we arrived we were notified of a lock closure on Monday that would prevent us getting back to the Marina.
So after several hours of extra cruising we celebrated his birthday at Ragely Boat Stop.

Today Peter's mum and her friend Bobby came to visit us today to celebrate Peter's birthday.
So it was lunch in the William iV in Alrewas.

Today we visited the Arboretum  in Alrewas had to wait for the buggy we had booked but the trip around was worth the wait.

 We are now moored in Alrewas and will be staying for a couple of days to allow Peters mum to visit.
After taking the dogs for a walk which Cassie didn't deserve as she decided to jump of the boat and visit the café which was full of people at Fradely Junction, we are looking forward to a nice day tomorrow.

 After another misty start we stopped off in Rugeley for shopping only when we left we caught up with four other boats with us being the fifth.
In front of the convoy was a hire boat travelling at tick over speed, after 3/4 hour following they finally pulled over to let us pass.

After leaving a misty mooring Friday morning we headed to Stone staying a couple of days before cruising to Great Heywood.
Today we cruised to just outside Rugeley to pick up some diesel  before heading to Fradley Junction tomorrow.

Today we left Stoke on Trent in the bright sunshine with the tree's in their Autumn colours.
Tonight we are once again moored near the Wedgwood factory and once again red sky at night.
Even when you are moored in the country at night you realise you are always not far away from civilisation.

 Yesterday we left the Caldon to moor at Festival Park leaving the Caldon through the deep staircase locks.
Red sky at night meant a nice day today and it was completely right.

Today we had the worst weather of the whole trip starting the day with heavy showers.
It gave me the chance to use the boots that Claire,Craig, Darren,Maisie and Poppy gave me for my birthday.

Tomorrow we start our journey back as we are now moored in Leek.
This is where the journey started to have the boat built and the first time we were here to meet Jason was when Claire and Craig were studying for their exams.

Today we started out on another canal the Caldon, we have not travelled on this canal since our first trip on The Maisibert.
When we moored for the night a lady was walking along the towpath with a Meerkat on a lead.

 Yesterday we moored in a place where a lot of friends and family will remember as over eight years ago The Maisibert took to the water.
In the evening Maria and Neil visited us and we had a few drinks in the pub.

When we left Stone we moored just down the cut from the Wedgwood Pottery.