Home with a Home

Thursday 1st January to Friday 2nd January 2015

Fortunately the weather prediction was for a dry day, but more importantly the ice had gone - just a few broken sheets hanging around.

We were up bright and early and had the boat ready to go by 7:30 - still a bit dark; daylight had started, but we needed the tunnel light on to make our way past the boats moored up - fires on but no lights - enjoy your lie in and any New Year's Day hangovers - we were clear headed - and needed to be.

We "hit" the top of the Atherstone Locks at 8:30 and despite every lock being against us (yet again!) we had cleared the 11 locks and the 2 miles that they covered but by 10:15am - teamwork is the key and we were working well together.

After this it was all clear cruising - weather still clear, although very cloudy - and very windy. We were both pleased that it was windy rather than icy.

Good progress was made - through the normally slow Glascote locks, then Fazeley Junction - it was only after here that we found any other boats on the move and then just a couple.
All straight cruising until darkness was descending and we were closing in on Fradley Junction - finally mooring up at 5pm in the dark - 25 miles and 13 locks in 9 1/2 hours. Somehow we managed to make our way to The Swan - the first pint went down well, but then we found out the kitchen was closed - only two days in the year -Xmas and NYD.
Suddenly someone came in to pick up their pizza - lady behind the bar said no food - sorry but already arranged with the landlord - so, pizza oven turned on and we were in luck - neither of fancied cooking the beans and the toast.
And the other 3 pints each went down well also.
There were a few characters in there as well, so the banter was there and we had a good night.

We had discussed our Friday plans and decided that since we had less to go than what we had done on Thursday, we knew that we were definitely in with a chance of getting the boat to Aston.

As daylight appeared we were through the first lock which was the stoppage point for Monday and we were then all OK.
Then two more locks and a smooth 9 miles of cruising to Colwich Lock - past Armitage - a quick look at the loos lined up; past the Rugeley towers - the sun was out and warmed our backs; the wind from yesterday had dropped and we were starting to feel our fingers and toes again.

Up until this point we had managed 20 locks and every one of them had been against us - the remaining 5 locks would see no change in our luck with this.

But the sight of the marina made us feel decidely happy and with the time at just 3:30pm as we pulled we were very pleased with ourselves - a bit less happy with the marina being closed, so could not fill with diesel and the nominated mooring spot was occupied.

We did however moor up; secured the boat; cleaned up and washed the outside (as best we could).
Roly was there to meet us - having only just returned from Wales himself. Could not have see a happier face - and we were really glad to see him - he was there at the start and now the finish.
Gordon went off to drop off his gear and returned with Roly - and guess where we went - that's right - straight to The Royal Exchange.

Diane arrived - she seemed happy to see us and later on Dot appeared - almost like old times again - just a few other missing for the present time - but it was so good to be home and even better to have brought a home for Barry and Carol back with us.

Is Polesworth worth it?

Thursday 10th April 2014

Morning is the best time of the day to be cruising - at least for us - and the last couple of days have proven that.

Blue skies with a bit of cloud, but sunshine none-the-less; little or no breeze.

The wind and cloud always increase in the afternoon; the chance of rain increases, and we are happily moored up doing whatever we need to do.

Today it was sitting pleasantly out on the towpath enjoying lunch - after which Diane stayed there relaxing away reading; I finished off some work.

The first kingfisher of the season - at Fazeley Junction

Before all of this we had a relatively short cruise from Sutton Road Bridge; filling with water and emptying at the Elsan; through Glascote locks with a painfully slow-filling bottom lock; past Amington and the Samuel Barlow pub at Alvecote, before finally calling time at Polesworth.

doing the locks at Glascote - slow enough to walk around a few
times and have a nap - although not in this pic.

working boats outside The Samuel Barlow

the cap says it all, the face is starting to show it all

Pooley Hall

In the past I have been reluctant to stop here because of poor to no TV signal and the same with internet access, but we had travelled far enough for the day - 3 hours was sufficient - and space was available - so mooring up it was. It also was a small town that offered not a lot too us - but we hadn't previously ventured far into it - this time we did.

we found this old building - boarded up - with the message as below

my Latin is very rusty, but the inscription says
Soli Deo Gloria = Glory to Gold alone
Schola pauperum puerorum puellarum = School for children, girls

Later on in the afternoon, with it still being mild, we took a longer walk around the town - further than we had been before and found some little gems - buildings dating back over 1000 years; a lovely church - spectacular in a modest way inside; and a charming vicar with a sense of humour.

Polesworth Abbey - entrance - new novice awaiting

the house next door

"Get thee to a nunnery"

Polesworth will remain a place that we will not necessarily beat a path to get to but we have determined that it will not be on by-pass.

So, the vicar with the sense of humour ---- after visiting the garden outside the church, we went back inside and the smiling vicar was in the lobby and we had a bit of a chat and he casually asked did we see the fish in the fountain - briefly we had seen them - he was able to offer "the fish when they are awake are goldfish, and when they are asleep they are kippers".

Just was too easy to only look at the outside - you have to discover the inside!

7 Miles, 2 Locks

Totals: 2266 Miles, 1671  Locks, 75 Tunnels, 32 Lift Bridges, 146 Swing Bridges