Unusual gate latch at Fradley; more music at Hopwas

Thursday 18th June 2015

We left Alrewas earlyish, went up the locks and turned onto the Coventry Canal at Fradley Junction. We stopped at a convenient bridge and walked into Fradley village.

The church was locked - most seem to be these days - but there was an interesting message above the door.

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God." I'm not entirely sure what this means.

Part of the churchyard is given over to war graves.

Many are in memory of members of the Royal Australian Air Force. Fradley Aerodrome was built at the start of the Second World War and was known officially as RAF Lichfield.

The gates to the churchyard from the road have an unusual design of latch. An eye on one of the gates protrudes through a hasp on the other and is secured by a pin on a chain.

After lunch we continued to Hopwas where we moored between the Red Lion and the Tame Otter. We were now in the company of a few other Boaters' Christian Fellowship boats for the start of a "Come Aboard" event, beginning with a folk music evening in the Hopwas Social Club. Jan and I played violin and recorder respectively, accompanying James and Hazel on vocals/guitars. We were given a more generous slot than at Ilkeston, being allowed to play four songs. They're very laid back in Hopwas - the first act didn't start until 9 pm with the evening finishing at midnight!