Sunday would be, basically, a repeat of the previous two days except going the other way, but it would be a long day with a planned return to Fradley at 7.50pm. Would we survive such a mammoth day?

The day started fine and dry as we set off from Shardlow up through the wide-beam locks, marvelling at how different the same scenery looked from the opposite direction. Pleasant cruising ensued for a few hours until, just after 10.30am, the heavens opened and the crew retreated inside leaving the steerer to brave the elements. Luckily for them this downpour happened on a long lock-free section so there was no compelling reason for them to venture outside save for extending an arm out of the back door with the occasional hot drink for the beleaguered helmsman. Such sustenance was extremely welcome, even with the added raindrops, as it had turned quite cold as well as wet.

The rain would return several times more during the morning, always heavy but seldom for long and by the time we reached Stenson Lock it had taken a respite. Here we came across one of the few occasions where we had to queue for a lock, but as this was a wide-beam lock we were able to go through with the boat in front. We had followed this boat for some time and she was a lot slower than us so we were mightily pleased when here skipper let us go out of the lock first. Our well-polished locking techniques (honed on the Four Counties Ring earlier in the year) would ensure that we didn't hold her up when we came to the narrow locks.

We had photographed most locations on the way down so the camera had a rest after the first lot of rain, besides which the assistant photographer was often inside and we didn't fancy getting the camera wet! Our intended (late) lunch was to be at the Bridge Inn at Branston but although we arrived at the intended time we preferred to stay on board, changing out of wet clothes and enjoying the comfort of the boat. We left the mooring just after 3.30pm and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in ever improving weather.

Remembering the River Trent section just past Wychnor we wondered if the morning's rain might affect the current on this section as we would now be going upstream. As it turned out the flow was stronger than yesterday but caused us no problems unlike the Canaltime boats in front of us which had all sorts of problems turning the bend and then took an inordinate amount of time working through Alrewas Lock. As we finally were able to enter the lock, the skipper of a small cabin cruiser, obviously worried, enquired about the current on the Trent but we were able to assure him that we had experienced no problems and he should be fine.

The remainder of the day was pleasant cruising in ever improving weather until we reached the BW yard just below Fradley Junction where we had intended to take on water, but the point was occupied so we just carried on. The final highlight of the day was going through the bridge adjacent to the lock which was extremely narrow and low with the chimney missing the roof by inches. Must remember to take it down next time.

All that remained was to turn into the Coventry Canal and find a mooring for the night which we did just a hundred yards or so along. Here Sandy and Sean would leave for Sean to return to school the next day, leaving me to spend the night alone and contemplate my first solo voyage!

It had been a long, long day but not particularly tiring. Our route planning had been spot on, arriving at Fradley just one minute before the estimated time! A great start to our life on Slipstream and the coming days would surely be even better!