Arrived at Braunston Marina at about 11.45am just as Kinver was being brought out of the engineering shed following winter maintenance. Fine exhibition of manoevering by fellow shareholder Roger Haynes. We took Kinver out onto the canal to fill the water tank, turned around at Braunston Junction and returned to the marina where a scene of organised chaos met us , boats everywhere. Finally moored up where we thought our show position would be ( until change of plan Sat morning ) and Roger demonstrated the art of brass polishing.

As interior was a bit of a mess following engineers wandering through Barbara Payne valeted it for us.  Stowed away our possessions, took our van to Stockton Top Lock and Allan Richards brought us back.

Day one of the show. Following inspection by Allan Mathews we were open to the public at 10.00am. No visitors for the first hour then it was non stop showing people through our new temporary home. Sold one share to Mr. Jones, had a great laugh with other Ownerships people closed the doors at 4pm, no voice and knackered. ( Many thanks to Rachel for supplying sustenance during the day.

Treated to meal at the Mill House by Ownerships ( average again ). Sat with Roger and Kim Davies, good company and he's a handy contact to have at Ownerships, plenty of clout.

Up at 7.00am to get the marina cleared of Ownerships boats. Very sharp frost. Filled with water and at about 8 am it was time for my first steer of Kinver. Unfortunately this would be reversing out of the marina. After several bounces off other boats we emerged onto the Grand Union, moving at last !!. ( Thanks for the bottle of wine Roger ).

Along to Braunston Junction then left towards Napton Junction.

Lovely sunshine though bitterly cold, Chrissy took control - no problems.

7.30am.  Early start in case somebody wanted to take on water. ( Why we worried I have no idea, I think we were the only one's on the canal moving). Through the remaining two Fosse Locks and Radford Bottom , off to Leamington Spa.

Used winding hole after bridge 43 ( very good-purpose built ) moored by bridge 40 to enjoy retail therapy (the wife says!!).

Left mooring by 7.45am through Bascote Locks onto the water point at Bascote Wharf. The only slight problem was when passing from one lock to the other in the joined locks where Kinver stuck on the bottom. Luckily opening one of the gate paddles let in enough water to re-float her.

 Washed down the exterior of Kinver, soap suds causing consternation to the ducks.( If Jean Smallwood should read this the animals she mentioned in the on board diary are Alpaca not llama's, we asked the owner). Brunch was taken following cleaning duties then it was Stockton Flight again. All the lower locks were set in our favour until the 8 at Stockton, still stopped us getting bored!!.

Moored outside Stockton Top Marina and went to The Boat for a pint (or two). Is the landlord here always so miserable?. As there no other clients you would have thought he would have welcomed the custom.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with brass polishing and endless cleaning (good job I brought my Marigolds!).

We walked along the towpath back past the Stockton Locks to the Blue Lias for our meal. We didn't realise how dark it was in the country, good job we had a big torch (until it died halfway back). Just a bit creepy.

Early breakfast and final clean through. ( No mention of all this cleaning in Ownerships literature-I wonder why!!). The Marina is full to capacity so Kinver has to stay outside. As I managed to forget my cheque book we thought we might have to hang around until Kinver had been fuelled etc to pay cash, but a call to Kate Boats enabled us to pay with a credit card.

Left for home at 09.30 am.