Friday 11th April to
Wednesday 16th April 2014
One could almost think that summer was just an inch around
the corner, such has been the weather lately - the air is still a bit chilly in
the morning, but the sun on your back or on your face is such a delightful
change to the cold that we are now leaving behind.
The cruising is just so much better.
After leaving Polesworth we ventured down toward Atherstone
where we moored up between Locks 5 and 6 - the long pond in Atherstone.
A wander through the town showed up two more pubs that had
closed down including The King's Head right on the canal.
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| The Red Lion - in the Library - you gotta love a pub with a library |
A bit of shopping and not a lot else was our lot for here.
We left just at the right time the following morning - all
of the locks were in our favour and we just breezed through them and then
continued the pleasant cruising through to just after The Anchor Inn and moored
up just after Bridge 27.
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showing her skills at stepping across the lock - as she has been
doing for quite a while now. |
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| Spring is here |
We are very much trying to increase the level of exercise
each day and we now try to spend at least an hour a day walking - to that end
we found a nearby public footpath which wended it's way through some farmland
and around others - around about 5-6km - it is easy to see why people can engross themselves by this
pasttime.
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| across the fields... |
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| ...beautiful scenery as well... |
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| ...a picturesque bridge on the trail... |
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| ...more evidence of spring. |
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| through the canola (rape seed) fields |
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| Yes dear - the pub is near. |
We certainly enjoyed this so much that we decided to have a
pitstop at The Anchor - I am pretty well certain that Diane, after reading the
menu, has decided that we need to stop nearby on one, a couple of mid-week days
on the return trip.
Another earlyish start and we "breezed" through Nuneaton - keeping a lookout for the state of the towpath
and gladly seeing it free of little (and big) canine calling cards. This has
been a curse around the Nuneaton area - so
maybe there has been some council activity to clean up the act of all dog
owners.
Onward further to Hawkesbury Junction where we stopped for water and
to warn away potential moorers in a prime spot - well at least we cleared Dot
and Gordon away -they moored further up.
Sunday lunch was the order of day for the four of us - as a
final final final goodbye.
An afternoon of games and some drinking and eating followed
lunch and when we were all exhausted it seemed appropriate to part ways and
everyone was back in their own boats - the end of a fun-filled day and a
perfect was to say farewell.
Up early and saying the final goodbyes then D and G were
away - one very notable sight was Gordon disappearing below decks consigning
Dot to cruising away at the helm -well done Dot (and well done Gordon)!
We had long contemplated finishing the Coventry Canal
at - well Coventry, but we usually turned left at
Hawkesbury Junction onto the Oxford.
This time we went straight ahead and 2 hours later and without any problems we
moored up in Coventry
basin.
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| Cash's Hundred Houses |
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| Coventry Canal Basin - moorings are on the right |
It seems a little drab, but all-in-all it is pleasant.
After some lunch, we indulged our new activity of walking
and seeing some of the city.
The cathedral, the Guild Hall, museum and a few other bits
and pieces - not too bad for an afternoon.
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the open-air cathedral - preserved as it was, following
the bombing during WWII |
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| The Guild Hall - main hall |
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part of the tapestry commemorating HenryVI - specially commissioned
for the main hall |
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| The old meeting room |
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| note the slope of the floor (see line of stonework at far end) |
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The room supposedly in which Mary, Queen of Scots was
imprisoned during her stay in Coventry - the two chairs on the
right are slightly later additions |
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| main hall - note the ceiling |
Our second day in Coventry
showed us a different side to the city.
After getting a few things done to the boat - namely
reblacking the starboard side; affixing the new horn and casting off some rusty
chains (yes, Diane has unchained me from the table) - we were off.
Firstly we visited the Transport Museum
in the city centre.
The recent history of the city (i.e. the last 100 years)
revolves around the motor car and its development and production and here all
in one place is a unique walk through time and the transition of the car and
the transition of the city.
We also wanted to find the market area and on our way there
we found part of the city that was much brighter and seemed more alive - but it
still is just a city.
After a bit of a sit down and relaxing cuppa, I headed back
to the boat but Diane had a new lease of life and need to get her 10000 steps
done - all of which happened for her in Ikea.
As usual she found it hard to resist opening the purse for
the credit card, and when she finally returned a few hours later she was pretty
tired - there had also been a detour via Spon Street where a number of medieval houses have been relocated.
She was not too tired that the sight of the boat could help but
inspire her to wash it - whilst the male crew was left to cater for the hungry
skipper outside hovering over a hot soapy sponge.
We sat down to dinner and noticed an influx of mainly men
coming along with model remote-controlled boats - the aquatic version of model railway a_____ks.
I did go out to get some photos and chatted with one of
them - it is the Coventry Model Boat Club and they bring the boats out every
third Tuesday - weather permitting.
They were having fun and not bothering anyone - good luck
to them!
Wednesday arrived and Diane had had a burning desire to
black the port side; so preparations were made that we would move the boat
across to get said blacking done.
But wait, the now washed starboard side still looked a bit
tatty - a spot of polishing would do the trick.
Fortunately for me I was excused as I had more other work
to do.
Polishing done; boat was moved; skipper started with her
blacking; crew disposed of rubbish and completed Elsan duties and commenced
wash cycle for the laundry; then we were off - as far as the water point barely
100m away.
Eventually with sun shining brightly and warmly on our backs
we got the revs up and headed northwards, only stopping at Bridge 8 to raid
Tesco and replenish the already bulging galley.
Finally past Hawkesbury Junction we had had enough by Wen
Brook and moored up for the day.
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This was until very recently an old run down, closed-down pub.
Someone bought the building and transformed it into a magnificent home.
Just next to Bridge 14 |
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not close enough for a lot of detail,
but our first photograph of a kingfisher |
Diane reclined on the new chair outdoors - coffee supplied;
I was inside finishing off the day's work.
Finally, to Elaine and Paul (previously nb Caxton), who today cease to be water-based and have now moved back to the land - our love goes to you on your travels; and until we catch up again soon, drive carefully and safely.
27 Miles, 11 Locks
Totals: 2293 Miles, 1682 Locks, 75 Tunnels, 32 Lift
Bridges, 146 Swing Bridges
