Completion of the Warwickshire ring and onwards to Branston

We left Alvecote passing more delightful old working boats on their way to the festival and had a quick stop at bridge 73 to call at a handy Co-op, which is located at the side of the canal, before descending the two Glascote Locks.
We passed over the Tame Aqueduct (there are a few nice moorings on this short stretch) between  suburban Tamworth and Fazeley.

Tame Aqueduct

Fazeley Junction brought us to the completion of the Warwickshire ring and nearing the end of our summer trip 😞.  

Mooring  just before Fradley Bridge we enjoyed a very nice curry at an Indian restaurant near Fradley called 'Bilash'.   It is about 15 minutes walk from the bridge and based in a small parade of recently built shops including a handy butchers and Co-op.  These form part of a new development of hundreds of new houses.

Percy the thirsty pigeon

The heat has increased once again but luckily we managed to get a shady mooring in Alrewas.  Sadly we have seen a couple of dead pigeons in the canal.  They see the water and desperately need a drink , however cannot fly out of the canal again. A very thirsty homing pigeon called Percy landed  on our roof, clearly thirsty and tired.  We gave Percy a Tesco shreddie and a drink of water.....

Satisfied pigeon

....  soon he was on his way again - one happy pigeon! 
The following day, as the heat continued, we were happy to find a place at the visitor moorings which run alongside Branston Water Park with some shade from the trees. 

Branston Water Park

 A short ten minute walk takes you into the village of Branston which has a couple of pubs, Co-op Chinese takeaway and a charity shop.   We enjoyed a chinese takeaway from 'China King' sat out with a glass of wine with wonderful views and a lovely sunset. One again at Branston, incidentally the home of the famous pickle, there are several hundred new homes under construction including a new school and health centre.