Meeting Al at Atherstone

We arrived in Atherstone really looking forward to seeing Al.
Al arrived in Atherstone the following day really looking forward to seeing... Mr Whsikers 😹 He's had a soft spot for him ever since they first met at the farm over 3 years ago but this would be the first time Al would see him in his 'furever' home.

Our first mooring was a little muddy and had very poor signal, so we cruised a further hundred metres or so and tied up near the old red brick, Britannia Works Mill, whose metal framed, single glazed window panes are mostly cracked or missing. It's a Grade II historic building and was the last of Atherstone's hat makers to close in 1999. Rumour has it that Tommy Cooper's famous red fez was made here!

Leo and Tiger Lilly could feel our excitement at Al's imminent arrival. Leo was bouncing off the walls so we took them out and met Al just off the towpath, where he was obliged to dole out copious cuddles. After walking the dogs in the nearby park and fussing the cats back at the boat, Al and Will headed out for lunch at Maid of the Mill; a pub adjacent to the old factory. Here locals told them about the ongoing trouble with vandalism at the factory and the building collapsing. It has permission to be turned into assisted living apartments but work is slow and Storm Darragh had blown part of a wall into the street before Christmas. There's a petition for it to be demolished completely and quickly.

Al had booked a room at The Red Lion pub, so after a wander round town he checked in, before returning to Rainboat for a meat pie from the local butchers and an evening of whisky tasting 😋🥃

The following day Al got a windlass placed in his hand and set to work on 5 of the 11 Atherstone Locks. He and Will paired up on the bank, while Vicky steered Rainboat with the dogs. It's so much faster working as a team of 3!

We moored near The Kings Head and the boys rewarded themselves with a late afternoon meal at the pub. Here they met Tom, who had been able to detour via Atherstone for a few hours while driving south for work.

Al and Will had a few more whiskys onboard that evening. Whiskers enjoyed his company so much that he needed to be locked inside when it came time for Al to leave, after following him along the towpath in the dark 🤭

We spent a few more hours just relaxing in Rainboat the following morning before Al needed to leave. He'd been really understanding about Vicky's lack of energy and it had been great to spend time with him. Will especially enjoyed having a drinking buddy! 🍻Meer informatie