The first arrival at Shenton Station was due at 11:35am. That I meant I had the morning to kill. Domestic chores are very effective for killing a morning. I even started polishing brass. It seems like Bank Holiday Weekend brings out the boats. This morning was the Ashby Canal version of rush hour. Whilst I was diligently polishing, boats were passing, one after another.

Then the eagerly anticipated time arrived. We trouped around to the station. I got myself set up at the end of the platform and tried a few shots, just to get the composition right.

The sense of anticipation was rising. Trainspotters were arriving too. Of course, I’m not a trainspotter. Why? I just want an evocative picture. I don’t carry a notebook around with me to take down train numbers.

The scheduled arrival time passed.Then, a couple of minutes late, the train appeared. I was steaming, but it wasn’t. It looked like it was a lovingly restored DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit). Nice, but not a steam engine. No puffing. No white clouds of steam. No dark clouds of smoke. No romance. I still took a picture though.

We slogged back to the boat in disgust. I installed the dog back on the roof and we started on our way back to Marston Junction. I’m sure her look was saying “But you promised me a steam engine”.

Retracing your route on the canal lets you see things in a different way, or just review the things you saw going the other way.

Like this attractive boat, moored at the Ashby hire boat base. Heron already has a red roof, repainted last year. Heather and I keep discussing options for the colour to go on the sides. It could be we just go with a similar grey scheme, like we have now, probably with the addition of some black. But what about green?

It also meant passing the rather good Spinneybank Farm Shop I visited on the way up. I resisted temptation this time. Perhaps I should have been less complete in my shopping in Market Harborough. Their sausages are rather good though, I can recommend the Ashby pork.

I remembered this boat, I just didn’t get the camera out in time before. Every last scrap of space on the roof is covered by solar panels. There are nearly as many as on my roof at home. They must have some heavy demands on power. Perhaps they are running a 240V fridge meaning they have to run an inverter all the time. I would find it too restricting, not being able to walk on the roof. It’s really useful when you are doing locks single-handed.

Finally, we were approaching the junction with the Coventry. That means the modern world starts to intrude more. The Nicholson guide mentions how rural the Ashby is in comparison to the Coventry, even in this early section. That is, except for the large number of lines of pylons criss-crossing the landscape.

Now, I need an early night. Planning an early start tomorrow. My goal is to get to the bottom of the Atherstone flight. That’s 11 locks, on my own. Sam is great company, but she is useless at operating a lock.