Easy does it all

Saturday 19^th November to Saturday 26^th November 2016

We headed out from Coventry after an enjoyable day or so there – we had previously seen most of the tourists spots, but dare say that there are some that we will have missed, but we do like mooring up in the basin area – and of course it is nice and quiet as well.

 

There were signs that it had been cold overnight, but no ice on the canal itself ....
.....YET!

It might have been after 8am but the sight of the sun was lovely.

There are a few spots where we needed to be slow – cases where the bottom is too close to the top, but we made good time to be back at Hawkesbury Junction before the rain arrived.

It meant that we could head off to The Greyhound and meet up with Stella and Dave, who advised us that nb Oakapple had moved along and were no longer there – so we couldn’t now see Sharon and Richard – I guess we all have places that we must be!

Diane had cleverly made a booking for Sunday lunch and thus we were able to enjoy some lovely time with the two of them and in a relaxed atmosphere – no rushing about and the meal was very good.

 

Stella is one of our oldest friends during our time on the canals - we first
met way back in 2011

It was not quite so good outside, with the rain pelting down – certainly would not want to be out there on the back of a moving boat.

There was however, a bit of a beer festival taking place out the back at the smaller pub/brewery behind the Greyhound, called The Whippet, with some entertainment and a couple of guys in a mock sword fight with almost full armour on – fortunately their timing was good both with the break in rain and the knowledge of where each other would be swinging their heavy swords – no damage to either and a bit of enjoyment for the small crowd of 20 or 30.

The medieval way of doing things.

Stella actually ended being the match referee

the four us during a break in the music and ready to replenish our drinks

We had a couple of drinks there before a last one back in the Greyhound, before we have to say goodbye to the pair of them – it was now getting a little dark and we headed back to the boat.

More rain was forecast for Monday so it was definitely a day that we spent not going any where at all – unfortunately for Stella and Dave, they needed to be back at Barby and so they were in the worst of it for a fair length of time – making it as far as Newbold.

Diane had enjoyed the dessert on Sunday – the Chocolate pot – and fancied another, so we only moved as far as the pub and had lunch there again – again the rain continued, but it was cosy warm inside.

 

The evil dessert - just too good to not have a second one - this is day two

By the time Tuesday had arrived it was definitely time for us to be moving – the continual review of the weather forecast had told us that it was the better day to be going and so we did.

As we had done last week when moving this way, Diane took the tiller, whilst I was busy inside working – she did get a few more breaks along the way, but it was interesting to see the difference that a couple of days of rain had made to the canal depth. Pretty soon – well after 4 hours of cruising – we were moored up again in Rugby at the Brownsover bridge.

We didn’t have anything particular that we needed to do whilst we were here, except that we had Chris Jones, our engineer, coming to fix a couple of problems that we had – one being a leak with the water separator (which had been by-passed) in the meantime and the other was the need to change the rear seal packing (whilst we were in the water).

People had told me how easy it was to change the packing without the need to take the boat out, but I was concerned that if I did remove the packing it would just allow water to rush in – seeing Chris do the job and the tiny amount of water that dripped in, I now believe that if I had to do it I could do it – it is amazing how much you continue to learn.

We did manage to visit the movies again on the Meerkat deal – this time seeing Fanatstic Beasts (and where they come from) – for people used to the Harry Potter series it is worth the visit; even if you are not, it is a good movie and Eddie Redmayne grows in strength as a great actor.

It was also another chance to just relax – i.e. not moving – but we finally decided to continue our progress and get through the locks at Hilmorton and moor just above them.

A visit to The Old Royal Oak on Saturday was worthwhile – lovely and comfortable inside  - but we only went for a drink.

We will move off again on Tuesday – the current plan – but as with most things, that is subject to change – the only thing for sure is that we will have a relaxing weekend.

 

The final word (or words)!

21 Miles, 4 Locks, 1 Tunnel, 1 Swing Bridge

YTD:  836 Miles (1345 km) , 452 Locks, 12 Tunnels, 21 Lift Bridges, 5 Swing Bridges

Total: 4631 Miles (7453 km), 3151 Locks, 124 Tunnels, 66 Lift Bridges, 172 Swing Bridges

Things that need to be done.

Sunday 13^th November to Friday 18^th November 2016

Our primary reason for being in Rugby was to be somewhere for rail access; Diane had a doctors appointment in Watford on Wednesday and would travel down the day before to stay with her aunt and uncle and then come back on Wednesday afternoon.

So naturally we had a bit of sitting around and to be perfectly blunt it was just nice to be inside in the warmth – winter is only just around the corner – and it really felt like it.

We did a bit of shopping but mainly it was just relaxing; planning for next year; sorting out things that we would need to do before the end of the month.

Come Tuesday and we walked along to the station; Diane bought her tickets and then she was off; I was on my own, but under instructions – something to do with getting myself off to get a haircut – when I did some figuring,it had been June when I last had it done, so it was no wonder that it was long and scraggy and Diane was nagging me about it.

Anyway, that done, I made my way back to the boat, got some work done and settled down to see the England v Spain match on the TV – it is always that last hectic 10 minutes and this was no exception with Spain pulling off a dramatic draw.

The following afternnon and Diane was back – we had decided to go to the movies and see Inferno with Tom Hanks – and with the Meerkat 2-for-1 offer and senior discount – two of us were in for under £9 – can’t beat that.

We had seen the previous two in the series, but to be honest this was not the best of them; still a good movie and plenty of great locations, but…

Having got the appointment out of the way, we wanted to get up to see Coventry again – we are in the mode that we have to take advantage of our locations (wherever we may be) to see places again, if we can – it will be the last time to get there on the boat.

So with that being a priority we headed northwards – it being a particularly coldish day – luckily I had work to do on route, so Diane was out in the cold, I was inside where it was not so cold (well that would really be warm) – but I did keep her well hydrated with coffee and tea and nourished with lunch as well.

The occasional whistle summoned me outside for her to head inside to visit the head.

This is a lovely canal and we have traversed it many times and the going is neither quick nor slow.

There was one lock to negotiate – at Hawkesbury Junction – just beyond a line of moored boats (as usual) – we spotted nb Oakapple moored just there and I could see Sharon in through one of the portholes and waved to her; also saying hello to Richard who had poked his head out to say the same; unfortunately for us, our priorities were elsewhere and we had to continue our journey.

Bit annoyed to see that we were criticised publicly (on social media) for not stopping there.

We have been into Coventry just once previously and wanted to see it again – we love the basin, even with the hire boats now occupying one of the arms.

We made our way into there and winded before reversing down the northern of the two arms and mooring right at the end – enjoyed that exercise – but as usual, when you do it well there is no-one there to see it.

Our plan is to spend a couple of days here before we head back to Hawkesbury Junction to meet Stella and Dave and no doubt catch up with Richard and Sharon – we have a booking for Sunday lunch at the Greyhound.

After that it is south down the Oxford from whence we have just come.

We have to commend the Canal and River Trust for the new on-line system of being able to book passages along some of the routes that are around – particularly The Ribble Link and the moorings in Liverpool (others include the Standedge Tunnel and Frankton Locks) – we spent about 20 minutes on-line and made bookings for both of these to our satisfaction for next year (2017).

The system is so much easier that the old way of doing it and you have immediate confirmation by email and/or text message – well done CaRT.

If you want to look at it or make a booking then use the following link

http://licensing.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Whilst you are there, you may also want to have a look around at all of the other things that they now have on-line, such a change to when we first started just 6 years ago.

17 Miles, 1 Lock, 1 Tunnel, 1 Swing Bridge

YTD:  815 Miles (1312 km) , 448 Locks, 11 Tunnels, 21 Lift Bridges, 4 Swing Bridges

Total: 4610 Miles (7419 km), 3147 Locks, 123 Tunnels, 66 Lift Bridges, 171 Swing Bridges

More goodbyes - and on to Coventry

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.

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.

showing her skills at stepping across the lock - as she has been
doing for quite a while now.

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.

across the fields...

...beautiful scenery as well...

...a picturesque bridge on the trail...

...more evidence of spring.

through the canola (rape seed) fields

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.

Cash's Hundred Houses

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.

the open-air cathedral - preserved as it was, following
the bombing during WWII

The Guild Hall - main hall

part of the tapestry commemorating HenryVI - specially commissioned
for the main hall

The old meeting room

note the slope of the floor (see line of stonework at far end)

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

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.

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



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