Rain All Day!!

Tuesday 10th May, 2016 north of Nuneaton.
Rain!
True to the forecast, the rain arrived at breakfast time, so we had a proper cooked breakfast to prepare for a wet day ahead!
We donned our waterproofs and walked into town in search of darning wool. On our last visit volunteering at Mary Arden's Farm, M assumed the role of "darning lady", sitting in the Palmer House darning Tudor "hose" (i.e socks!) - but the purpose of the walk into Atherstone today was in search of wool for a number of R's jerseys that are in need of her darn(ing) skills.
Atherstone High Street has no chain stores, only small "real" shops. "Crafty Corner" proved to be a haberdasher's dream, a true Aladdin's Cave of knitting, sewing and embroidery delights. It even had doll's house furniture. M was in her element and we spent a long time talking to Wendy, the owner.

Further down the street is a proper old fashioned ironmongers with everything you might need and several things that you hadn't thought of piled from floor to ceiling. Today, we didn't go in as R had overdosed on the contents yesterday!

M's daughter Elle often sings in a 1940/50's duo and dresses the part. In Atherstone was a shop specialising in just the kind of clothes she wears to perform.

Oh yes! A little further down the High Street is a very familiar and welcome "chain" store...

Atherstone is famous for the "Yards" where workers in the hatting industry were crammed into crowded yards, lined with small tenements with only a small path between, often named after the pubs at their narrow entrance - such as the "Druids Arms" yard.

Back on MM, R enjoyed a slice of Tilly's multi-coloured birthday cake, made by Elle.  Tilly was two years old last week and M had brought back a slice of cake for him from Tilly's birthday party on Sunday. Guy looked on hopefully (but he didn't get any!).

As the rain showed no sign of letting up, R decided to go on a few more miles towards Braunston.

Just before Nuneaton, we moored up for the day. The rain continued all day and into the evening without let up.
Today: 3 miles, 0 locks and 3.8 hours.
Trip: 44 miles, 20 locks and 29.0 hours.