Rain as Forecast but, after we stopped, Sunshine that wasn't!

Wednesday 16th October, 2013 at Fradley Junction.
Wednesday morning, and we have to go home tomorrow - so we have to get MM to King's Bromley Marina by tomorrow morning. And, wouldn't you know it, heavy rain is forecast all day! Rats!
We decided to set off regardless.
Huddlesford Junction was a lot less busy than it had been at the "Gathering" last month and by the time we got there, the rain had started in earnest. By the time we reached Fradley Junction, we were both very wet despite the umbrella, as the wind was blowing the rain horizontally into our faces.
At Fradley, there is a swing bridge and two locks. We decided that, as we were wet already, we might as well do them and moor up above the locks so that we had less distance to go tomorrow (when it is also forecast to rain!).
At this point you stop worrying about being wet - that is now a given - and just get on and do the locks regardless.  We learnt that lesson during last year's wet summer.  There's a point at which you just can't get any wetter - usually when you're shoes are squelching with water and your hair is dripping!
However, above the locks, we found a nice mooring where we were able to turn up the central heating, put the wet things to hang in the shower, dry off and warm up. Bliss!
Next to us, two John Deere tractors were trying to plough the field but even they were having trouble getting any grip on the mud.

Sod's law - shortly after we moored up the rain stopped, the skies cleared, the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful autumn afternoon! Would you believe it!!!

We walked back down past the locks to take a look at the junction in the afternoon sun. Fradley is a very picturesque spot that is much loved by boaters.

It has some charming buildings and is not easily accessible by road, so it attracts mostly only boaters and walkers. The "Swan" pub is known locally as "The Mucky Duck".

There is also a cafe, so a coffee and cake were mandatory!
On the way back to MM, we paused to help a couple on their boat through the two locks. It turned out that they were also overwintering at Aston Marina and were on their way there. They were as enthusiastic about the staff and facilities as we were. They will moor up in space A28 and we are due into space A22, so we will be near neighbours!
After the soaking that we received in the morning, we had a lovely clear sky in the evening.

Sunset was followed by the moon, almost full, shining in on us.
Today: 6 miles, 2 locks and 4.4 hours.
Trip: 565 miles, 350 locks and 447.5 hours.