Harley and Shelley on nb "Lazy Bee"

 Thursday 11th August 2022 in Wheaton Aston.

Over the last few days we have been tracking the progress of our Aussie friends Shelley and Harley on nb "Lazy Bee".We knew they were in the area and the four of us were very keen to meet up. Last night they moored up at Wheaton Aston so we agreed we would make an early start today in order to meet up with them there. A 7:00am start saw us going through Cowley tunnel on the south side of Gnosall. The tunnel is hewn through solid rock and was originally much longer but the top kept falling in, so half its length was opened out soon after it was constructed.

We both loved this private mooring with its railway signals showing that it is safe to proceed.M would like one for our garden back home!

We knew that Shelley and Harley were moored above Wheaton Aston lock. Imagine our delight to see then already there, setting the lock for us!

There are some people in this world that you feel you have known all your life, even at the first meeting and you feel so comfortable with, despite the fact that you may only see each other occasionally. Shelley and Harley are two such very special people. R had met up wth them in Yorkshire earlier this year but M had been at home at the time and so missed them. We were overjoyed to see them again. Huge hugs all around!

We moored up behind Lazy Bee and congregated in MM for coffee, cake and a very lively catch up. Lazy Bee has had a repaint over the winter and is looking truly splendid!

We all became fascinated by a family of moorhens with their two tiny chicks that are no more than little balls of black fluff.

At one point, one of the parent birds decided to stand on Lazy Bee's rear button.

Unlike most water birds, they are very selfless and attentive parents so, if you feed them, they will pass the food to the chicks first rather than eat it themselves. We've discovered that they love cornflakes! Both parents and chicks have ridiculously long legs for their bodies! We love them.

Shelley and Harley had chosen a very nicely shaded spot so we sat in the chairs outside chatting as the sun began to go down.

Next to Wheaton Aston Lock is The Hartley Arms pub. We decided we would all go there for dinner, which was excellent, and washed down with a bottle of good white wine.

Back at the mooring, more wine was consumed as we watched the sun finally set and it was quite dark by the time we retired to bed. What a super day! And with the prospect of another fun day tomorrow with our friends!

Today: 5 miles, 1 lock and 3.2 hours.

Trip: 353 miles, 223 locks and 192.5 hours.