July 13-17 Rugeley to Coven

Saturday July 13 back to Rugeley

Sunday July 14 Rugeley to Tixall Wide

Monday July 15 Tixall Wide to Penkridge

TuesdayJuly 16 Penkridge to Gailey

Wednesday July 17 Gailey to the Fox & Anchor, Coven (3,5 miles, 0 locks)

This morning John woke up late, had liver, bacon and mushrooms, then ran the engine to charge up the dodgy batteries. Then he got on with fitting packing to the stern gland, which has been dripping rather too much, recently. While he was at it, he used nappies to dry out the bilge. Annie's 55hp Isuzu engine has a manual pump to take out the old warm engine oil, so John did this too and replaced the oil filter before adding new classic marine engine oil, with no additives, perfect for low revving (600 – 1250 rpm mainly) narrowboat engines. Liana sorted out the boat, got rid of rubbish and helped John tidy up afterwards: He needed Swarfega and a shower!

Friend Andrew messaged us asking our location, as he was in the area. Unfortunately we missed him – John now knows how to switch on his ringer sound – sad or what?

After a pleasant hour or two dawdling along, we moored by the Fox & Anchor pub at Coven, one of our usual moorings ….. although this time, we're eating on board, I am told. Rachel may be bringing her dog Honeypie for us to look after for a while, so this is handy, being close to the M54.