Congerstone to Snarestone, Ashby Canal, Leicestershire

The day started early for some - not us - as boat after boat passed on their way back down the Ashby from the show at Shackerstone - a really lovely morning, and it was not long before we were moving northwards, threading our way through the remaining boats alongside the Shackerstone Festival site.

It called for a slow and patient course snaking alongside the many decorated boats, and on northwards towards the end of navigation. Snarestone Tunnel has a slight kink in it, but is dry. We reached the end just before lunch and after taking on water, decided it was such a quiet and lovely spot, to moor up for the day, and what a good decision it was. A sunny, warm afternoon, with the occasional boat arriving for water and to turn round. We walked around the new slipway and moorings at the current of navigation. It is obvious that plans to link the navigation to Measham, are well in hand.

Bentley and a rather nice Alsation, who appeared from nowhere, peer into the water at the end of the canal together.