After last week’s grueller, we decided to get back out on Friday afternoon with a relaxing cruise. The sun was shining and the temperature was in the low twenties when we left Hinckley and turned towards the top of the Ashby. We tied up two hours later by bridge thirty five and had dinner, a couple of pizzas! Saturday morning brought more sunshine and after breakfast we chugged on to Market Bosworth, just an hour away. After tying up we walked up the hill into the village, did some shopping and then we found our way to the patio at the back of the Black Horse. After a couple of drinks, we headed back to the canal, calling at The William IV pub on the way, purely in the interest of consumer reasearch. Happily both hostelries have passed the test and are worthy of future visits. After we get back to the boat, we start to wash her down, getting rid of the dust and bird muck that has accumulated over the last few weeks. We soon get talking to Dave and Margaret who own a boat which is moored a short distance away. Their boat is styled on the old working boats of the Grand Union and is superbly finished. Dave demonstrates a polish that he uses by rubbing it on our boat, what a finish! We will be taking his advice and wise words when we get our boat repainted. Eventually we turn in for the night after watching a bit of Saturday evening television. Easy start on Sunday, shower, breakfast, set off for the next winding hole, pass Dave polishing his engine. Turn around, through Market Bosworth and down to Stoke Golding. It is important that we review the Stoke Golding pubs so we tie up just after bridge 28 and walk into the village. First stop the White Swan, clean, friendly, good selection of beers, lovely garden. On to the Three Horseshoes, no beer garden so not reviewed this time. Next door into The George & Dragon (too many obvious jokes to mention). Beer garden is part of the car park so just ok, good choice of beers, looks clean but a big jar of dog biscuits on the bar, presumably other snacks are available! So it looks like the White Swan wins but we call in on the way back just to make sure .

Back to the boat and a bowl of pasta for lunch eaten on the benches next to the canal. It is now getting on for three o’clock so we untie and head back for the marina. The weather has been glorious and I have a new name for Susan on account of the colour that she is now turning – “Pikey Sue “. All too soon and we are back, it is a bit windy in the marina but nothing serious, we tie up, clear the rubbish out and walk home. The weekend has been just as we planned it, easy going, plenty of sunshine and fresh air and we are back home refreshed and relaxed. Perfect!