Saturday, June 08, 2013
Sad to say we have sailed our last in Enigma.
After 10 years exploring the English (and Welsh) canal system, my ill health last year forced us to put Enigma on the market.
She sold fairly quickly, and apart from the 'proper handover' I have promised to the purchasers when we return from holiday we will sail in her no more.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Cruising slowly
Well some of you will have been expecting a progress report from this years cruise - life conspired against me!
We started off on a sunny (!) morning through Crick tunnel, the next thing I knew was the boat hitting the side and me on the floor - twice.
Turns out the wonderful new pills to reduce my blood pressure worked too well, no pressure left. Mary finished steering us until we could moor and I sat around feeling very peculiar.
Eventually we decided to continue, but slowly.
We had a pleasant cruise down towards Napton Junction and then back up to the Ashby Canal, with only 3 locks (Hilmorton) and the stop lock at Hawksbury to give us exercise.
We managed 3 BBQs and a lot of sitting around in the first couple of weeks, and then the weather changed as you will know, we don't mind the rain for a day or two, we can usually sit it out and wait for the dry weather, but this year it seemed to have deserted us, so we turned around and headed for home.
We started off on a sunny (!) morning through Crick tunnel, the next thing I knew was the boat hitting the side and me on the floor - twice.
Turns out the wonderful new pills to reduce my blood pressure worked too well, no pressure left. Mary finished steering us until we could moor and I sat around feeling very peculiar.
Eventually we decided to continue, but slowly.
We managed 3 BBQs and a lot of sitting around in the first couple of weeks, and then the weather changed as you will know, we don't mind the rain for a day or two, we can usually sit it out and wait for the dry weather, but this year it seemed to have deserted us, so we turned around and headed for home.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bulletin
Well here we are 10 days or so on from our last message to the world.
Mary has been making good progress since we arrived here, in pain when trying to do anything for the first week. We had the Doctor out and he examined her and said nothing broken 'just keep taking the tablets and let nature take its course.' Meanwhile exercising to keep the muscles from wasting!
Just today (wed) Mary got dressed for the first time, and sat up in chair, so we now feel the end is in sight, we may even get off the boat and back to Buckby before many days are over.
Meanwhile, when not tending the sick I've been getting on with lots of boating jobs. The picture shows my bow thruster tube and motor, waiting for the engineer to give it a bit of TLC. Its given me the chance to de rust and paint the bilge all around it, with some very smelly (and probably toxic paint).
Some of my neighbours here have lots of bird feeders, and throughout the day they are full of Tits of various sorts, and the odd crow or to trying their luck.
We are very lucky having such good friends here and at home, so we have had no shortage of help and company. Thanks to you all.
Mary has been making good progress since we arrived here, in pain when trying to do anything for the first week. We had the Doctor out and he examined her and said nothing broken 'just keep taking the tablets and let nature take its course.' Meanwhile exercising to keep the muscles from wasting!
Just today (wed) Mary got dressed for the first time, and sat up in chair, so we now feel the end is in sight, we may even get off the boat and back to Buckby before many days are over.
Meanwhile, when not tending the sick I've been getting on with lots of boating jobs. The picture shows my bow thruster tube and motor, waiting for the engineer to give it a bit of TLC. Its given me the chance to de rust and paint the bilge all around it, with some very smelly (and probably toxic paint).
Some of my neighbours here have lots of bird feeders, and throughout the day they are full of Tits of various sorts, and the odd crow or to trying their luck.We are very lucky having such good friends here and at home, so we have had no shortage of help and company. Thanks to you all.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Trip to Stratford - week four
16:23 28/05/2011 4.75 miles 10 locks
Found a locking partner whilst walking the dog, a dutch couple exploring our canals (not enough in Holland) with an english couple, so plenty of crew. As it turned out, the start of the bank holiday has brought out the boats and there was plenty of traffic, some being silly and not waiting to share locks, but that is their problem, it takes them more time.A good, but windy trip down to Long Itchington, rain threatened some of the time, but mainly held off.
In the afternoon I studied the map and set off with the dog to find the village shop, which I failed to find last time. Easy once you know the trick, up the old railway cycletrack, and down the lane for a mile, their set in the old village is a modern one stop co-op. Who gave planning permission for that I cannot imagine.
16:29 29/05/2011 day of rest.
We all went to the co-op to collect the paper and explored a bit more of the village, a lot of the houses are name 'old xyz'. As in village shop, post office etc. We did find a working hairdresser!
Very windy today, glad we are moored up, a bit worried watching the canl level here, it is definitely short of water, down by at least 4 inches.
16:24 30/05/2011 3.11 miles 10 locks
Rain, rain glorious rain, just right for a spot of locking!! It hasn't really stopped for long all day, except perversely the twice I've walked Bella. Pity about the last day of the Crick Show, never mind
they had two goodish days. We gave up trying to keep dry through the locks and just carried on, steamedup glasses or not. Crossing the lock gates when it is so wet is not good, slippery and can be dangerous, we had teamed up with another boat and took it in turns to do the nasty bits, apart from that there was a suprising amount of traffic coming the other way which is helpful. We are now sat listening to the rain on the roof, with the Central heating on.
16:14 05/06/2011 11 locks 3 miles and home (but not all in one day)
Sorry no updates recently. Unfortunately one of the crew had an accident in the night falling backwards in to the shower cubicle and injuring her back/arm/leg whatever. Now confined to bed. I did a few of the locks by myself and reached Braunston, when I called in reinforcements and Alison came to the rescue. So Braunston locks were no problem. We stopped for the night at Norton Junction as we usually do, and were within two boats of getting a tree on our roof!
The wind brought a large tree down on to
the cratch (front cover) of a very posh boat. The owners were away at the time, a nasty shock when the got back. BW were called out, two men arrived (but with no tools). Went away to fetch a 'saw'. We inocently though 'chain saw', oh no, more like a large hacksaw. But it did the job of cutting away foliage, when it become apparent that the boat had been very lucky, the tree was suspended over them, and with a bit of trimming, it was reversed out from under the tree.We are now settled in the Marina and working out our next steps, possibly staying here till Mary can walk........
Total distance travelled around 90 miles with 180 locks.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Trip to Stratford - Week 3
15:32 21/05/2011 3 miles 1 lock
Getting organised now, went and collected the paper I ordered last night! I'll get it delivered next. Only a short journey today so we sat and read the paper ran the washing machine and generally had a lazy start, eventually moving off following two hire boats. Acroos the long aquaduct again, crew hiding inside as usual. The only lock on this section held us all up with something stuck behind the lock gate, a BW man appeared with a long rake like tool and hooked something out, promptly vanishing again. Pity he didn't stop as the gate stuck for the next boat as well, luckily he had a long pole of his own and raked around in the mirk for a bit clearing the gate. Moored at Wooten Wawen, just below the next aquaduct watching tennis.
17:18 22/05/2011 1 mile 0 locks
Gales today, so we moved up to just below the next flight of locks but put off going up them till tomorrow. No point in fighting the wind, it may be calmer tomorrow! But looking at the forecast I'm not too sure.
20:48 23/05/2011 1.9 miles 8 locks
Well today was suppossed to be calmer, but we battled on through gale force winds - luckily we were the only foolish boat going out way, so boats coming down the locks had set all the locks for us which made the journey much easier. Moored safely at Lowsonford, then the heavens opened, the Sky dish blew away and we hunkered down! By late afternoon all was peace and light and now we have a clear blue sky and no wind.
18:56 24/05/2011 4.32 miles 9 locks
Weather much improved today, so we set off for the next 9 locks (disputed number this, some maps show 10). Going up the locks with no one in front of us meant many of them were empty and waiting, or only needed a little water let out. Then a boat got in front of us, it must have been moored between locks overnight, but traffic started coming down at about the same time, so all was well. Soon we were at the Junction of the GU and Stratford, so it was round the hairpin to change our journey from mainly North, to South-East. Interesting watching a hire boat negotiate the tight bend, straight in to the bank! Nice sunny evening now although no warm enough to sit out. I wonder how Crick Boat show preparations survived the high winds.
17:27 25/05/2011 4.81 miles 21 locks
Didn't we do well today, moved from our mooring to just above the Hatton flight to wait for company down the wide locks to find a boat already there, the crew had gone to the Cafe for breakfast, turned out to be 3 men, deserted by their wives who refused to go boating any more! So we fairly sailed down the 21 locks soon working out a good routine with someone going on ahead to set the next lock, we met no boats coming the other way, and were sat at our mooring below the bottom lock for a good 2 hours before anyone else came down. Hazy sun all day just right for boating, we celebrated with a bacon and egg lunch.
19:59 26/05/2011 1.12 miles 2 locks
Short spin in the showers, round the top of Royal Leamington Spa, not very inspiring, the only mooring appear to be in the more industrial areas, the rest is narrow tow paths with concrete edges. We returned to the mooring we found on the way out, river below us and farm above.
20:05 27/05/2011 day of rest.
A day of rest, but we did the laundry, hoovered and did the house cleaning, quite a pleasant spot to moor for a day, Bella cannot relax on the towpath however as it is plaqued with fast moving (but polite) cyclists.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Trip to Stratford - Week 2
12:02 15/05/2011 Day of rest!!
19:58 16/05/2011 4.29 miles 9 (narrow) locks
Left our nice mooring early for a brisk run up to Kingswood Junction, where the Grand Union meets the Stratford on Avon Canal, interesting junction, blind turn(s) around a hairpin to leave the GU going North and get across to the Strattford going south, lucky it was quiet and not windy. The boat is wearing out on us however, the bow-thruster has failed which makes some operations more difficult, and the fridge refuses to light on the gas, so is running of the batteries, which flats them! The narrow locks are quite light to operate, but are showing signs of age, with some of the lock winding gear very worn.
20:31 17/05/2011 4.37 miles 8 locks
Down through a lock with a really nasty offset bridge, designed to remove boat chimneys, luckily I saw it coming and removed ours! Took on water and plugged on through the Warwickshire countryside, taking in another 7 locks, we got it down to a good routine by the end, unfortunately we were following another boat so right until the last couple we had to fill the locks before we could go in. Never mind the weather stayed fine although windy and warm. We passed overf a fascinating cast iron aquaduct, and then at Wootton Warwen, called in at the marina for a pump-out, on the aquaduct he said, and unbelievably the do the deed whilst you are moored on another one way aquaduct, thus stopping all canal traffic.
16:01 18/05/2011 3 miles 1 lock
Really in to Shakespeare Country now, after a gentle cruise through only one lock we are moored at Wilmcote the (alleged) home of the Bard's mother. We spent an interesting hour or so looking Mary Arden's hose/farm and took oodles of photos. We stopped for lunch, and were amused by a class of primary aged children in period costumes, on an 'educational' day out. We walked home (well back to our mobile base) in the first real rain of this trip. Nearly forgot the best view of the day, another Aquaduct! Or actually 2, one very short but the other Bearley a good 200 feet long, with a good drop down to the road and path beneath.
20:08 19/05/2011 4.13 miles 13 locks
Said Goodbye to Wilmcote and Shakespeare's Mother, and off down the 12 locks to Stratford. More traffic than we have seen for all the time we have been out. Some of these locks are really hard work with very worn lock gear. However after 3.5 hours we reached the outskirts of Stratford and filled the diesel tank before winding (turning round) before the bottom locks. No where to moor and rather industrial so we went back up a lock to where it is more peaceful and we could sit out and enjoy the sun on the canalside. Shopping tomorrow.
17:07 20/05/2011 1.29 miles 11 locks
Peaceful mooring is a relative term - nearly under the A46 cannot said to be quite, although it did seem to calm down late at night. A kind Fairy (thanks Carol) took us shopping to Tesco's, so the larder is full again. We then tackled the 11 locks up to Wilmcote, not a single boat came the other way, so every
lock was full and had to be emptied before we could fill it up again with us in it. What I don't understand is why some lock paddles wind up and down we no real effort whilst others (same design) require brute force. And where has all the traffic gone? No boat has come by (possible 1) since we moored 2 hours ago. Just purchased a clever windlass, with 4 holes all in a line which allows you to use it as a 'short' handle required by some locks, or a 'long' handle when leverage is required. Full report later.
19:58 16/05/2011 4.29 miles 9 (narrow) locks
20:31 17/05/2011 4.37 miles 8 locks
16:01 18/05/2011 3 miles 1 lock
20:08 19/05/2011 4.13 miles 13 locks
17:07 20/05/2011 1.29 miles 11 locks
lock was full and had to be emptied before we could fill it up again with us in it. What I don't understand is why some lock paddles wind up and down we no real effort whilst others (same design) require brute force. And where has all the traffic gone? No boat has come by (possible 1) since we moored 2 hours ago. Just purchased a clever windlass, with 4 holes all in a line which allows you to use it as a 'short' handle required by some locks, or a 'long' handle when leverage is required. Full report later.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Trip to Stratford - week one
09:36 09/05/2011 Norton Junction 3.57 miles 7 locks
Left Crick two days ago! Weather not looking too bright, so we moored above Watford locks, away from the motorway and spent our first night out being serenaded by sheep - aren't they noisy things! Luckily they seem to be quiet in the morning so we had a lazy start to the day before tackling the Watford flight.Moored in our usual spot at Norton, and celebrated by having a BBQ, the first boating BBQ of the season.
We should be off to Braunston today, but the crew are sleeping still.
17:18 10/05/2011 Flecknoe 3.28 miles 0 locks
Stocked up the larder and found some new elastic straps to hold the cratch cover in place, after 8 years they were sagging a bit - like parts of us. We had a leisurely cruise through flat farming land, Rape giving way to cows and sheep after a while. One load of clothes washed and dried as we ambled along. The canal here follws the 330 foot contour, and so wanders around quite a lot, luckily there is not much traffic so no suprises around the bends.
19:10 11/05/2011 Long Itchington 6.77 miles 13 Locks
Overcast morning as we cruised up to Napton Junction, turning right to follow the Grand Union north west. Arived at the first three locks, typical of our luck, a wide canal with double locks, but no one else around, so we went through by ourselves, then on to the bottom of the Stockton flight, 8 in short space and then 2 more around the corner. Learning from past mustakes we moored up, polished the brass and had lunch, two hours later another boat turned up, and we sailed through the 8 locks in record time (1 hour).
19:33 12/05/2011 Royal Leamington Spa 4.75 miles 10 locks
Bascote locks dropped us down to just over 210 feet from the 330 feet of a few days ago, heavy work some of these locks, but we teamed up with a hire boat of enthusiastic Germans, who appreciated our 'organised ways'. Luckily that meant they didn't notice who did most of the work!Sat in the glorious sunshine now outside RLS, we aim to traverse that gentle tomorrow whilst I open prezzies (wishful thinking) and look for a Supermarket to restock on essentials. River Leam is meandering away below us, not muck wildlife around here, although the birds all seem to think we want waking up with the first rays of light.
19:24 13/05/2011 Bottom of Hatton Locks 5.39 miles 32 locks
(Tesco's, Water and Hoovering)Well what a day, my birthday for a start, and secreted prezzies were un earthed, thanks to all concerned. Bella helped unwrap them, she does so like a good parcel. We then went in to 'clean the boat mode' after a week out, washing maching going, vacuuming - not concurrently the power drain is too high and a big red light starts to flash. Cruised off to find a supermarket after that and replenished the larder (cellar). Then took on water and went up through the next two locks. Now esconced below the Hatton 21 flight, luckily with a boat behind us to go up with in the morning.
18:39 14/05/2011 Bridge 61/2 after Shrewley tunnel 5.06 miles 21 locks (Hatton flight)
Well what a day, perfect blue sky to start the day when I walked Bella, up and ready to go by 7.30. Cruising partners from the night before had a long lie in instead. Eventually another boat we had travelled with a few days earlier arrived and off we set (Hatton is not to be tackled by single boats). We soon go a rythmn sorted out and fairly flew up the locks, top to bottom including a tea( coffee, dog walking) break in 3.5 hours, pretty good going. We cruised on for a mile or so and found a nice open mooring to spend the rest of the day. We may stay here tomorrow.
Left Crick two days ago! Weather not looking too bright, so we moored above Watford locks, away from the motorway and spent our first night out being serenaded by sheep - aren't they noisy things! Luckily they seem to be quiet in the morning so we had a lazy start to the day before tackling the Watford flight.Moored in our usual spot at Norton, and celebrated by having a BBQ, the first boating BBQ of the season.
We should be off to Braunston today, but the crew are sleeping still.
17:18 10/05/2011 Flecknoe 3.28 miles 0 locks
19:10 11/05/2011 Long Itchington 6.77 miles 13 Locks
Overcast morning as we cruised up to Napton Junction, turning right to follow the Grand Union north west. Arived at the first three locks, typical of our luck, a wide canal with double locks, but no one else around, so we went through by ourselves, then on to the bottom of the Stockton flight, 8 in short space and then 2 more around the corner. Learning from past mustakes we moored up, polished the brass and had lunch, two hours later another boat turned up, and we sailed through the 8 locks in record time (1 hour).
19:33 12/05/2011 Royal Leamington Spa 4.75 miles 10 locks
Bascote locks dropped us down to just over 210 feet from the 330 feet of a few days ago, heavy work some of these locks, but we teamed up with a hire boat of enthusiastic Germans, who appreciated our 'organised ways'. Luckily that meant they didn't notice who did most of the work!Sat in the glorious sunshine now outside RLS, we aim to traverse that gentle tomorrow whilst I open prezzies (wishful thinking) and look for a Supermarket to restock on essentials. River Leam is meandering away below us, not muck wildlife around here, although the birds all seem to think we want waking up with the first rays of light.
19:24 13/05/2011 Bottom of Hatton Locks 5.39 miles 32 locks(Tesco's, Water and Hoovering)Well what a day, my birthday for a start, and secreted prezzies were un earthed, thanks to all concerned. Bella helped unwrap them, she does so like a good parcel. We then went in to 'clean the boat mode' after a week out, washing maching going, vacuuming - not concurrently the power drain is too high and a big red light starts to flash. Cruised off to find a supermarket after that and replenished the larder (cellar). Then took on water and went up through the next two locks. Now esconced below the Hatton 21 flight, luckily with a boat behind us to go up with in the morning.
18:39 14/05/2011 Bridge 61/2 after Shrewley tunnel 5.06 miles 21 locks (Hatton flight)
Well what a day, perfect blue sky to start the day when I walked Bella, up and ready to go by 7.30. Cruising partners from the night before had a long lie in instead. Eventually another boat we had travelled with a few days earlier arrived and off we set (Hatton is not to be tackled by single boats). We soon go a rythmn sorted out and fairly flew up the locks, top to bottom including a tea( coffee, dog walking) break in 3.5 hours, pretty good going. We cruised on for a mile or so and found a nice open mooring to spend the rest of the day. We may stay here tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Summer 2011
Bags are being packed, t-shirts at the ready, it's time for the off!
This year we hope travel (slowly) to Stratford on Avon, if it starts to pour in a week or so you know we are part way through the Hatton flight.
And in case you ever wondered, this is what Enigma looks like out of the water. The big hole is the tube of the bow thruster.
This year we hope travel (slowly) to Stratford on Avon, if it starts to pour in a week or so you know we are part way through the Hatton flight.
And in case you ever wondered, this is what Enigma looks like out of the water. The big hole is the tube of the bow thruster.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Week 8 and home
Total of 302 miles 141 locks
14:40 26/07/2010 3.57 miles 7 locks
20:19 19/07/2010 8.91 miles 3 locks
And so to home! In the rain, not serious but made Watford locks more interesting!
Only a couple of boats in front of us in the queue, so we soon made it to the top and off through the tunnel back to our mooring. It seems strange to be back here at Crick after all this time away, still it will be nice to go home and see the state of the garden.
(later) Bushes all growing out of control despite the work of alison to cut them back, and we now have cows just over the fence, much to Bella's excitement.
17:23 25/07/2010 5.24 miles 6 locks
Sunday morning madness had set in and by the time we reached the Braunston flight there was a big queue, so we floated around for our turn, eventually locking through with a boatload of young families ( 6 adult 5 children) out for a long weekend, they had been told to 'see the tunnel', which of course involves doing all the locks twice, before returning the boat tomorrow. Now moored at Norton junction ready for the last run home tomorrow through Watford locks.
17:18 24/07/2010 7.23 miles 3 locks
Strange lack of wildlife around here, plenty of cows however! Proper herds all of one type unlike the ratbag collection we have in Buckby. Enough traffic at Hilmorton to make the locks easy, including a young mum who raced everywhere on her bike and insisted on helping us through the locks. We found a pleasant mooring outside Braunston and watched hireboats wizzing by.
19:34 23/07/2010 10.5 miles
Very slow run down to Rugby, a queue of 5 or 6 boats behind a Rose day boat, it eventually moored at Newbold - on the water point and went to the pub! Still it was a great relief to get out from behind them. They reapeared late afternoon having found the throttle thundering back towards Rose to return the boat before the end of the day. We shopped in Tesco and moved on to the golf course to moor for the night. The weather gradually improved with the sun coming out late afternoon.
16:51 22/07/2010 12.6 miles 1 lock
Today's cruise is through Nuneaton outskirts, not very inspiring, but suprisingly clean in the canal, I only counted one bike, and a water tank that had fallen off an allotment! Bedworth is even less inspiring eventually going past the large waterside rubbish dump (sorry it pretends to be a working boatyard), a huge school and finally a golf course, before we hairpin round at Hawksbury junction off the Coventry canal on to the North Oxford. As we pssed through the stop lock the heavens opened and we had steady rain for a short time with thunder in the background. It soon stopped however and we were able to moor in Ansty in the dry. Very tame Moorhen here it keeps trying to come inside the boat.
16:52 21/07/2010 4.61 miles 11 locks
Glorious day, mainly sunny with a bit of wind, headed off for Atherstone flight, and within the space of one lock saw Chris and Helen walking down the other way - what a difference having them around makes. Even so the locks fill extremely slowly, and at the beginning there was little traffic in the opposite direction, so it took around four hours. We rewarded ourselves with chips from the 'chippy'. We are now sitting near the BW Hartshill yard in the evening sun, drink in hand. What a hard life.
18:56 20/07/2010 10.9 miles 2 locks
Well don't speak too soon but we had an excellent days cruising, weather forecast horrible, we had warm air, sun and no rain! And talk about lucky, Glascote locks which had huge queues coming this way went we went down them, had no traffic at all, so we quickly zipped through ( quickly is not quite the word here they are the slowest locks to fill I think I've ever met). Not much wildlife around here, its strange how some parts of the canal have ducks, geese, kingfishers and moorens in abundance, whilst others hardly any. Tommorrow we pray for a fine day as Atherstone locks are hard work in the wet (or dry)!
First away from our moorings in nice sunny weather, but we were in for a shock, the bottom Fradley Junction lock had a queue, 5 or 6 boats long. By the time we got through what felt like hours later there were even more boats in the queue. No idea why, but probably not helped by no boats coming the other way - very strange. We took on water at the junction and then got stuck behind two boats competing to see how slow they could go! We do not go fast, but having to drop in to neutral to avoid catching them up is a bit much.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Week 7
17:23 17/07/2010
rest and recreation day in Tixall Wide.
17:26 16/07/2010 9 miles 7 locks
Good run in somewhat blustery conditions, water level way down in some of the pounds, which slows progress. BW are doing a good job with 'spot dredging' through bridge holes and lock entrances, the crew
we saw when coming the other way at Tixall, have now advanced about two locks, but there is evidence of
their work all along the canal. They were distracted this morning helping to remove fallen Willow trees, the winds last night brought a few down. Part of the route goes through Acton Trussell, it looks and expensive place to live, with new canalside houses with extensive smart gardens.
20:03 15/07/2010 4.48 miles 5 locks
Easy run down through Gailey. Looked bad at first, three boats at the locks in front of us. Luckily two were taking on water and one was coming up. So all of a sudden we were first in the queue and away through the locks. A couple more Kingfishers were spotted on the way, but nothing else of note. Moored before the first of the Penkridge locks and met Jan for a pleasant lunch. Our mooring is opposite a Moorhen nest, and we have spent a lot of time watching the male (?) bringing nesting materials, yellow leaves, and only yellow, as well as various bits of green reeds. A Heron has fished next to that, and a male swan has fought off Mallard chicks who might endanger his baby!
17:27 14/07/2010 9.17 miles 1 (stop) lock
Made a good start as the weather forecast was foul, making good progress down the last of the straight and narrow 'Shroppie', we will miss it when we turn the corner at Autherley Junction. Shopped at Morrison's as usual and quickly turned out in to the Staff and Worcs Canal. More bends in the first two miles than in the whole of the Shroppie!!. We decided to continue until the weather broke, but lunch intervened and we moored just past Calf Heath Marina. It was damp on and off, but never really wet. We have had sunshine since then, but now can hear thunder in the distance, so will batten down the hatches.
17:22 13/07/2010 10.1 miles 1 lock
Last day with 'crew', but only one lock. Wheaton Aston was remarkably quiet, even the garage had no customers. They have done a good job making a tidy landing stage, so filling up will be easier in future. At the moment Norbury Junction are the same price, so no need to fill. We reached Brewood in good time and were able to get Alison on to a 2pm Taxi, she was home via train to Birmingham by shortly after 4pm. Worth remembering for the future. We moved on out of Brewood to Lower Pendeford farm moorings for the night, eeing two or three Kingfishers as we went, so the cold winter did not kill them all off.
16:20 12/07/2010 9.66 miles 0 locks
Woke up to rain, and it continued all day, so the 'man on the rudder' was left out in the rain whilst the crew hid inside, very wise of them. A few other hardy souls out but mainly quiet with no excitement. Services were taken at Norbury Junction as on the way out, a very pleasant and helpful staff. We soon reached Gnosall No-sull) and moored near a Pub for the night, and they serve food on Mondays so we might be going out for a meal. Alison leaves us tomorrow, we will miss having crew.
16:15 11/07/2010 8.63 miles 12 locks
Water looked a little low today, was that good, or bad? As it turned out good because the fierce by
washes around the locks, first at Adderley and especially at Tyrley were almost entirely noticeable by
not being there! It made the locks a much more pleasant experience. So much of this canal is on
embankments or in cuttings as it is almost the only stretch of canal which did not follow the contour
lines but plowed straight to its target.
rest and recreation day in Tixall Wide.
17:26 16/07/2010 9 miles 7 locks
Good run in somewhat blustery conditions, water level way down in some of the pounds, which slows progress. BW are doing a good job with 'spot dredging' through bridge holes and lock entrances, the crew
we saw when coming the other way at Tixall, have now advanced about two locks, but there is evidence of
their work all along the canal. They were distracted this morning helping to remove fallen Willow trees, the winds last night brought a few down. Part of the route goes through Acton Trussell, it looks and expensive place to live, with new canalside houses with extensive smart gardens.
20:03 15/07/2010 4.48 miles 5 locks
Easy run down through Gailey. Looked bad at first, three boats at the locks in front of us. Luckily two were taking on water and one was coming up. So all of a sudden we were first in the queue and away through the locks. A couple more Kingfishers were spotted on the way, but nothing else of note. Moored before the first of the Penkridge locks and met Jan for a pleasant lunch. Our mooring is opposite a Moorhen nest, and we have spent a lot of time watching the male (?) bringing nesting materials, yellow leaves, and only yellow, as well as various bits of green reeds. A Heron has fished next to that, and a male swan has fought off Mallard chicks who might endanger his baby!
17:27 14/07/2010 9.17 miles 1 (stop) lock
Made a good start as the weather forecast was foul, making good progress down the last of the straight and narrow 'Shroppie', we will miss it when we turn the corner at Autherley Junction. Shopped at Morrison's as usual and quickly turned out in to the Staff and Worcs Canal. More bends in the first two miles than in the whole of the Shroppie!!. We decided to continue until the weather broke, but lunch intervened and we moored just past Calf Heath Marina. It was damp on and off, but never really wet. We have had sunshine since then, but now can hear thunder in the distance, so will batten down the hatches.
17:22 13/07/2010 10.1 miles 1 lock
Last day with 'crew', but only one lock. Wheaton Aston was remarkably quiet, even the garage had no customers. They have done a good job making a tidy landing stage, so filling up will be easier in future. At the moment Norbury Junction are the same price, so no need to fill. We reached Brewood in good time and were able to get Alison on to a 2pm Taxi, she was home via train to Birmingham by shortly after 4pm. Worth remembering for the future. We moved on out of Brewood to Lower Pendeford farm moorings for the night, eeing two or three Kingfishers as we went, so the cold winter did not kill them all off.
16:20 12/07/2010 9.66 miles 0 locks
Woke up to rain, and it continued all day, so the 'man on the rudder' was left out in the rain whilst the crew hid inside, very wise of them. A few other hardy souls out but mainly quiet with no excitement. Services were taken at Norbury Junction as on the way out, a very pleasant and helpful staff. We soon reached Gnosall No-sull) and moored near a Pub for the night, and they serve food on Mondays so we might be going out for a meal. Alison leaves us tomorrow, we will miss having crew.
16:15 11/07/2010 8.63 miles 12 locks
Water looked a little low today, was that good, or bad? As it turned out good because the fierce by
washes around the locks, first at Adderley and especially at Tyrley were almost entirely noticeable by
not being there! It made the locks a much more pleasant experience. So much of this canal is on
embankments or in cuttings as it is almost the only stretch of canal which did not follow the contour
lines but plowed straight to its target.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Week 6
20:41 10/07/2010 3.95 miles 13 locks
Long flog to Audlem and back up the 13 locks, the ladies managed to shop whilst I was taking on water and chatting to Dave from Greensleeves. Very hot but overcast and muggy all day. Ended with a BBQ.
20:39 9/07/2010 2 miles 4 locks
Excellent quick trip down the Hack Green locks turn around and back up the locks with the gates all set for us by a following boat. Visited The 'Secret Nuclear Bunker', a possible seat of government in case of nuclear attack.
19:58 08/07/2010 3.2 miles 13 locks
Had a BW boat moored above us last night, guess what, in the morning they were broadside on across the canal, apparently not trying to turn just 'lost it'. 'We do know what we are doing they We were soon down the rest of the flight in to the Audlem moorings to set off shopping. Great place to shop Audlem, one of most things, and it is nice to see shops that were empty last year now with occupants. We were soon on our way again and through the last of the locks. We moored on a Shropshire Union Canal Soc. mooring before Hack Green. Mixed weather, no real rain, but not much sun.
16:05 07/07/2010 8.55 miles 12 locks
Early start from Goldstone Wharf hoping to beat the rush through Woodseaves cutting. We succeeded in this not meeting a single boat. The locks at Tyrley had just the right amount of traffic, one boat in each lock going each way, so we had a fast and uneventful passage despite the fierce bywashes. We soon passed Market Drayton and were soon in the 5 locks at Adderley, all without rain. The weather deteriorated then and as we came out of the last lock the rain really started, however we moved on down to the top 2 locks at Audlem, seeing 2 Kingfishers as we went. We are now safely moored with the rain having stopped and the sun trying to come out. What a difference having extra 'crew' makes to operating all those locks.
17:39 06/07/2010 9.99 miles
Quick run in the sun up to Norbury Junction for the usual services and then on through the cutting, which starts with the interesting double arch with inset telegraph pole. Not much traffic and a nice stretch of canal. We started to list the birds seen so far, Herons, Crows, Kingfisher (1), Cormorant, Buzzard (see photo last week), Baby owl being harassed by Magpies, he was sitting tight on a pole. Swans, Ducks, Geese. Not doing too bad so far.The final stretch of the canal starts to give views over to Wales, not to be visited this year. Moored opposite the pub and tried for a phone signal, but rubbish, that's canal travel for you. Tomorrow we head through Woodseaves cutting (narrow) and then through 12 locks, so I suspect an early start and a good breakfast is called for.
20:06 05/07/2010 8.2 miles 1 lock
Moved on from Bridge 7 to Brewood to await the arrival of Alison, worked well, taxi delivered her just before 1, and we were soon underway again, heading through very straight canals towards Norbury. As usual on this canal there are miles of on-line moorings, why don't they build marinas here rather than up the Leicester Section? Found a good mooring in Gnosall ready for the run through Norbury.
Long flog to Audlem and back up the 13 locks, the ladies managed to shop whilst I was taking on water and chatting to Dave from Greensleeves. Very hot but overcast and muggy all day. Ended with a BBQ.
20:39 9/07/2010 2 miles 4 locksExcellent quick trip down the Hack Green locks turn around and back up the locks with the gates all set for us by a following boat. Visited The 'Secret Nuclear Bunker', a possible seat of government in case of nuclear attack.
19:58 08/07/2010 3.2 miles 13 locks
Had a BW boat moored above us last night, guess what, in the morning they were broadside on across the canal, apparently not trying to turn just 'lost it'. 'We do know what we are doing they We were soon down the rest of the flight in to the Audlem moorings to set off shopping. Great place to shop Audlem, one of most things, and it is nice to see shops that were empty last year now with occupants. We were soon on our way again and through the last of the locks. We moored on a Shropshire Union Canal Soc. mooring before Hack Green. Mixed weather, no real rain, but not much sun.
16:05 07/07/2010 8.55 miles 12 locks
Early start from Goldstone Wharf hoping to beat the rush through Woodseaves cutting. We succeeded in this not meeting a single boat. The locks at Tyrley had just the right amount of traffic, one boat in each lock going each way, so we had a fast and uneventful passage despite the fierce bywashes. We soon passed Market Drayton and were soon in the 5 locks at Adderley, all without rain. The weather deteriorated then and as we came out of the last lock the rain really started, however we moved on down to the top 2 locks at Audlem, seeing 2 Kingfishers as we went. We are now safely moored with the rain having stopped and the sun trying to come out. What a difference having extra 'crew' makes to operating all those locks.17:39 06/07/2010 9.99 miles
Quick run in the sun up to Norbury Junction for the usual services and then on through the cutting, which starts with the interesting double arch with inset telegraph pole. Not much traffic and a nice stretch of canal. We started to list the birds seen so far, Herons, Crows, Kingfisher (1), Cormorant, Buzzard (see photo last week), Baby owl being harassed by Magpies, he was sitting tight on a pole. Swans, Ducks, Geese. Not doing too bad so far.The final stretch of the canal starts to give views over to Wales, not to be visited this year. Moored opposite the pub and tried for a phone signal, but rubbish, that's canal travel for you. Tomorrow we head through Woodseaves cutting (narrow) and then through 12 locks, so I suspect an early start and a good breakfast is called for.
20:06 05/07/2010 8.2 miles 1 lock
Moved on from Bridge 7 to Brewood to await the arrival of Alison, worked well, taxi delivered her just before 1, and we were soon underway again, heading through very straight canals towards Norbury. As usual on this canal there are miles of on-line moorings, why don't they build marinas here rather than up the Leicester Section? Found a good mooring in Gnosall ready for the run through Norbury.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Week 5
20:20 04/07/2010 5.91 miles 1 lock
Early(ish) start to get around Autherley Junction and on to Morrisons before finding a mooring for the night. An interesting stretch of canal, with a short very narrow section where the canal builders could only cut a narrow cutting through hard rock, luckily we met no one. The junction was clear so we navigated the hairpin bend and entered the stop lock. Having searched in the grass for rings we eventually moored to go shopping. Stocked up again we moved off a couple a bridges to moor to meet Alison on Monday. Unfortunately the wind was howling and the guide books suggestion of one foot out from the bank was more like three. Bella refused to walk the plank, so after a conference we decided to move on, and arrange for Alison to catch us up by taxi.
14:47 03/07/2010 4.95 miles 1 lock
Good start to the day, Gailey lock was left for us to go through, otherwise its a difficult lock, with the entry under the A5 and invisible in the dark. Then the water point was empty and the rubbish bins clean and tidy. Viking Afloat opposite were busy turning boats around, typical Saturday morning activity for a hire fleet. After leaving Gailey the canal winds in an alarming fashion through the middle of a chemical works past Calf Heath marina and on to Slade Heath for the night.
19:44 02/07/2010 2.2 miles 4 locks We met up with friends from Crick (Evenlode) in the morning so exchanged news, they have had a very exciting journey, including crossing the Mersey! Then we walked around Penkridge before setting off to Gailey.A very pleasant country run, apart from the motorway coming and going beside the canal.
19:37 01/07/2010 4.68 miles 6 locks
Well we cannot sit around all the time so we set sail for Penkridge, 6 locks and plenty of country views, but also of course the M6 motorway in the distance! Stopped at Midland Swindlers (Chandlers) for essential spares as the shower pump was on its last legs! Luckily they had a service kit at a very reasonable price, so I was all prepared for a night of hard work in Penkridge. Our friend Jan lives here and luckily was in, so we went to the pub for lunch and took advantage of her kind offer for a major shop using her car! The evening was spent inside a cupboard mending the shower pump, it certainly sounds a lot more healthy now.
19:36 30/06/2010 Sat around for a day enjoying doing nothing.
19:12 29/06/2010 6.6 miles 1 lock.
On the move again having spent a week enjoying Tixall Wide, we turned around and went for water and gas at the Junction, before heading once again up Tixall Wide and on the the first lock. This was made more interesting by a BW Dredger in the lock mouth, luckily we arrived before he attempted to dredge the lock otherwise we would have been held up for some time. We were soon away and cruised around Baswich, Weeping Cross to our mooring at Wildwood, just before the next lock.
Early(ish) start to get around Autherley Junction and on to Morrisons before finding a mooring for the night. An interesting stretch of canal, with a short very narrow section where the canal builders could only cut a narrow cutting through hard rock, luckily we met no one. The junction was clear so we navigated the hairpin bend and entered the stop lock. Having searched in the grass for rings we eventually moored to go shopping. Stocked up again we moved off a couple a bridges to moor to meet Alison on Monday. Unfortunately the wind was howling and the guide books suggestion of one foot out from the bank was more like three. Bella refused to walk the plank, so after a conference we decided to move on, and arrange for Alison to catch us up by taxi.
14:47 03/07/2010 4.95 miles 1 lock
Good start to the day, Gailey lock was left for us to go through, otherwise its a difficult lock, with the entry under the A5 and invisible in the dark. Then the water point was empty and the rubbish bins clean and tidy. Viking Afloat opposite were busy turning boats around, typical Saturday morning activity for a hire fleet. After leaving Gailey the canal winds in an alarming fashion through the middle of a chemical works past Calf Heath marina and on to Slade Heath for the night.
19:44 02/07/2010 2.2 miles 4 locks We met up with friends from Crick (Evenlode) in the morning so exchanged news, they have had a very exciting journey, including crossing the Mersey! Then we walked around Penkridge before setting off to Gailey.A very pleasant country run, apart from the motorway coming and going beside the canal.
19:37 01/07/2010 4.68 miles 6 locks
Well we cannot sit around all the time so we set sail for Penkridge, 6 locks and plenty of country views, but also of course the M6 motorway in the distance! Stopped at Midland Swindlers (Chandlers) for essential spares as the shower pump was on its last legs! Luckily they had a service kit at a very reasonable price, so I was all prepared for a night of hard work in Penkridge. Our friend Jan lives here and luckily was in, so we went to the pub for lunch and took advantage of her kind offer for a major shop using her car! The evening was spent inside a cupboard mending the shower pump, it certainly sounds a lot more healthy now.
19:36 30/06/2010 Sat around for a day enjoying doing nothing.
19:12 29/06/2010 6.6 miles 1 lock.
On the move again having spent a week enjoying Tixall Wide, we turned around and went for water and gas at the Junction, before heading once again up Tixall Wide and on the the first lock. This was made more interesting by a BW Dredger in the lock mouth, luckily we arrived before he attempted to dredge the lock otherwise we would have been held up for some time. We were soon away and cruised around Baswich, Weeping Cross to our mooring at Wildwood, just before the next lock.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Week 4
19:09 28/06/2010 End of week of R & R !
Glorious week - watching the tennis, meeting friends. Alan and Dorothy on their way back to Crick on Dorothy May, and John and Mo on Josephine II. They entertained us to a great meal on Saturday night.
Bella watched hot air balloons, and we enjoyed the sunsets.Week 3
19:45 23/06/2010 day of R & R19:38 22/06/2010 11 miles 2 locks
Prompt start in the sun, with a good run up through Handsacre and Armitage (all your bathroom china made here) and on to Rugeley to shop, via 4 young men paddling surf boards 'for charity', they don't appear to know how heavy a narrowboat is! Stocked up at Morrison's for the next few days, bizarely the moorings were empty at lunchtime, still lots of working boats moving south for the Braunston show. The move south explains the emptiness of Tixall, normally this has a small cluster of working boats, but today none. There is one small sunk boat, apparently the owner 'was taken away by the police' !
20:27 21/06/2010 8.88 miles 3 locks and a swing bridge.
Glorious day - but very busy boats everywhere which made the first half of the day very slow and frustrating. Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and Boaters go out in the Midday Sun ! Said goodbye to Chris and Helen as they turned around to return to their mooring up the Ashby, sorry to see them go. Fradley Junction was busy but with some moorings apart from the water point which was two deep. Probably CanalTime boats moored for the day. Not much traffic around the corner, just enough to help us through the tree locks and we headed on up to Kings Bromley and a lovely mooring under the trees, a cold beer was very welcome.
19:53 20/06/2010 11 miles 2 locks
Bright start to the day although it took a while to warm up, the canal winds around Tamworth, to Glascote locks where there was a short queue (4 boats), lucky for us we were not coming the other way as by the time we reached the bottom of the locks there were at least 12 boats waiting to come up, some of them might still be there now! We watered at Fazeley Junction (for Birmingham), we carried on north to Hopwas and found a Chris sunning himself at a nice country mooring. Tomorrow Chris and Helen turn back for home,so we ended the day with a joint BBQ.
17:54 19/06/2010 5 miles 11 locks (Atherstone)
Well back to locks with a vengeance today, the 11 at Atherstone, at least it didn't rain this year. The guide book describes them as extremely attractive and varied. That is, varied in the time they take to fill, slow or very slow!Around three hours top to bottom about par for the flight, the sun never appeared and the wind cooled us down, we moored in another favorite site away from the trains before Polesworth. Too cold for a BBQ, although the sun has now appeared to warm the evening up.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Week 1
19:13 11/06/2010 6.64 miles 1 (tiny) stop lock
Jim the Engineer phoned to say he had the new heater, so we sat and waited and very promptly he arrived, fitting was fast as it was a' drop in' replacement, then we played with the diagnostic software for ages testing out all its functions! I think Jim likes the idea of an ex IT man looking over his shoulder. Eventually much poorer we were on our way up towards Hawkesbury Junction and the Coventry Canal. Soon we turned in to the Ashby and looked for a mooring, a glorious sunny afternoon and evening.
16:17 10/06/2010 10.7 miles
Prompt start in the dry to move on up to the shops at Rugby. Saw an old friend 'Crystal' now working for a new boat yard having left 'Rose narrowboats'. Stocked up from Tesco as usual and moved off again, mooring and canal were remarkably quiet. Pleasant if cold run up through cuttings and across the countryside to Rose boats and on to Ansty, it got colder and more windy as the day wore on, so I was in fleece and waterproof by the time we arrived at our moorings opposite the pub.
18:50 09/06/2010 8.53 miles 3 locks
Watered at Braunston and then up the North Oxford and through Hilmorton Locks - just the right amount of traffic to ever lock was in use and then ready for us - bliss. Slight panic later as I noticed the heater coolant was rapidly vanishing, the coolant was being heated from the calorifier and expanding through the clamps put on to stop us losing it whilst the heating was missing, a gallon of coolant ended in the bilge. Moored in our usual place by the golf club.
16:17 8/06/2010
Found an Engineer to look at the water heater, after valiant efforts on his part (thanks JIMM) it still failed, needed spares would cost nearly as much as a new unit! So we ordered a new unit and will have it fitted en route to the Ashby
19:26 07/06/2010 2.24 miles 6 locks
Started out just before 10 and arrived in Braunston a bare 2 hours and a bit later, tremendous run, straight through the tunnel , well not straight Braunston is known for its kinks.No smog so we could see right through. Only three boats coming the other way so an easy passage. Just moored above the locks and made coffee when more boats arrived so we quickly teemed up and shot down the locks to Braunston. All in all a record run.
19:24 06/06/2010 Day of rest! Already! Watched Mens tennis final in the afternoon.
19:22 05/06/2010 3.57 miles 7 locks
Left Crick Marina via the services, cruising at last after waiting for family member to leave hospital.Easy trip in the sun to Watford locks, and only a short wait before zipping down them and on to Norton junction.Moored as usual at the beginning of the restricted 48hr moorings, the first place the sat tv works! Watched the ladies tennis from Paris.Entertained by a thunderstorm in the evening, Bella was not quite sure what to make of it.
Jim the Engineer phoned to say he had the new heater, so we sat and waited and very promptly he arrived, fitting was fast as it was a' drop in' replacement, then we played with the diagnostic software for ages testing out all its functions! I think Jim likes the idea of an ex IT man looking over his shoulder. Eventually much poorer we were on our way up towards Hawkesbury Junction and the Coventry Canal. Soon we turned in to the Ashby and looked for a mooring, a glorious sunny afternoon and evening.
16:17 10/06/2010 10.7 miles
Prompt start in the dry to move on up to the shops at Rugby. Saw an old friend 'Crystal' now working for a new boat yard having left 'Rose narrowboats'. Stocked up from Tesco as usual and moved off again, mooring and canal were remarkably quiet. Pleasant if cold run up through cuttings and across the countryside to Rose boats and on to Ansty, it got colder and more windy as the day wore on, so I was in fleece and waterproof by the time we arrived at our moorings opposite the pub.
18:50 09/06/2010 8.53 miles 3 locksWatered at Braunston and then up the North Oxford and through Hilmorton Locks - just the right amount of traffic to ever lock was in use and then ready for us - bliss. Slight panic later as I noticed the heater coolant was rapidly vanishing, the coolant was being heated from the calorifier and expanding through the clamps put on to stop us losing it whilst the heating was missing, a gallon of coolant ended in the bilge. Moored in our usual place by the golf club.
16:17 8/06/2010
Found an Engineer to look at the water heater, after valiant efforts on his part (thanks JIMM) it still failed, needed spares would cost nearly as much as a new unit! So we ordered a new unit and will have it fitted en route to the Ashby
19:26 07/06/2010 2.24 miles 6 locks
Started out just before 10 and arrived in Braunston a bare 2 hours and a bit later, tremendous run, straight through the tunnel , well not straight Braunston is known for its kinks.No smog so we could see right through. Only three boats coming the other way so an easy passage. Just moored above the locks and made coffee when more boats arrived so we quickly teemed up and shot down the locks to Braunston. All in all a record run.
19:24 06/06/2010 Day of rest! Already! Watched Mens tennis final in the afternoon.
19:22 05/06/2010 3.57 miles 7 locks
Left Crick Marina via the services, cruising at last after waiting for family member to leave hospital.Easy trip in the sun to Watford locks, and only a short wait before zipping down them and on to Norton junction.Moored as usual at the beginning of the restricted 48hr moorings, the first place the sat tv works! Watched the ladies tennis from Paris.Entertained by a thunderstorm in the evening, Bella was not quite sure what to make of it.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Cruise map and rudder mended
Well its raining (again), glad we arrived home when we did, talking to others at the Marina it seems we were lucky with the weather.
The rudder came out without much trouble and has been straightened and shipped back in its hole - three man job to lift and guide it back in to place, all done whilst leaning over the stern. Very exciting.
Today I've changed the bearing it runs in, and started to repaint the 'swan neck' or steering arm, too hot believe it or not when I was there, but now chucking it down!
For those of you with Google Earth access, this file shows where we went. If it tries to run a tour do not be alarmed, the dates are wrong at the start and I've failed to correct them for some reason, we really started mid May not April.
2009 Cruise
The rudder came out without much trouble and has been straightened and shipped back in its hole - three man job to lift and guide it back in to place, all done whilst leaning over the stern. Very exciting.
Today I've changed the bearing it runs in, and started to repaint the 'swan neck' or steering arm, too hot believe it or not when I was there, but now chucking it down!
For those of you with Google Earth access, this file shows where we went. If it tries to run a tour do not be alarmed, the dates are wrong at the start and I've failed to correct them for some reason, we really started mid May not April.
2009 Cruise
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Week 8
Total mileage 337, locks 251, Engine hours 229, actual travelling time 190 hours.
16:50 12/07/2009 5.16 miless 7 locks
Home sweet home! Well Crick Marina anyway. Unusually Watford flight didn't really have a queue, so we only had to wait for a couple coming down before we were in the flight and up, up and away. No one in the tunnel, and before we knew where we were we sailed in to our home mooring. If the rain holds off its the 'last' holiday BBQ tonight and then sort ourselves out for going home tomorrow.
16:28 11/07/2009 4.22 miles 6 locks
Took Bella shopping early this morning and came back with a paper and freshly baked croissants for breakfast - dog waking up early has some advantages! Set off before 9 to join the queue for Braunston lock flight, the first double locks we have seen for weeks. Plenty of traffic so we had a fast run through, the forecast was poor, and we had a little drizzle but nothing serious, through the tunnel in 20 minutes, the BW 'average' time, I don't know how you can do it faster if there is any traffic coming the other way. Reached the junction and turned on to home water for the first time in 8 weeks - moored up before the heavy rain and settled in for the day, getting our strenght up for the home run up Watford flight tomorrow.
16:48 10/07/2009
A rest day, walked Bella, shopped, food and Chandlery. Found the blue paint at last which matches the original Enigma colour, so I will be able to do some touching up at last when we get back to base. We are moving off tomorrow as the angle is deemed walkable on (just).
16:48 10/07/2009
Decided to move on today - single handed! The sitting around is partially because the crew injured their ankle on the rotten Oxford canal towpath and has taken to its bed!
Anyway plenty of people boat single handed - just not me. Luckily no wind or rain, so the 3 locks at Hillmorton should be a doddle. Plenty of boats coming the other way, so didn't have to empty a single lock, just fill VERY gently, as the boat was washing around all by itself.
All went well and so we cruised on to Braunston. Found a good mooring despite it being quite busy, we craftily arrived after lunch, so those only stopping for a lunch break were moving off.
16:48 8/07/2009
Another day of rest!
13:38 07/07/2009 day of rest.
Sat around reading and avoiding the torrential rain, as I write this we are having a load thunderstorm, Bella is not impressed, it keeps waking her up!
13:33 06/07/2009 10.6 miles 0 locks
Gentle cruise from Ansty through the North Oxford canal, mainly wide and straight, with large bridges. The only busy bit being around Rose Narrowboats at Stretton. Always busy there as it is a working boatyard, hire boat centre and shop. Saw Mick and Crystal ex lock keeps from Foxton, Crystal works part time turning round the hire fleet, they seemed in good spirits.
Moored up at our usual spot by the Rugby golf club, this year you can watch the golf as the hedge has been trimmed and laid.
17:47 05/07/2009 11.3 miles 1 lock (stop)
So off on the final homeward run, down through Nuneaton, saying goodbye to Chris and Helen as they turned up the Ashby and continued on around Bedworth to Hawkesbury Junction, took on water and hairpinned around to go through the stop lock and on to the Oxford Canal. Arrived at Ansty expecting it to be full, BW in their wisdom made some of the mooring permanent permit only some years ago, and there never were many! However we were in luck and the last mooring was free - even better the hire boat behind had been to the pub for lunch and soon moved off, so we backed down to get away from the bridge.
16:50 12/07/2009 5.16 miless 7 locks
Home sweet home! Well Crick Marina anyway. Unusually Watford flight didn't really have a queue, so we only had to wait for a couple coming down before we were in the flight and up, up and away. No one in the tunnel, and before we knew where we were we sailed in to our home mooring. If the rain holds off its the 'last' holiday BBQ tonight and then sort ourselves out for going home tomorrow.
16:28 11/07/2009 4.22 miles 6 locks
Took Bella shopping early this morning and came back with a paper and freshly baked croissants for breakfast - dog waking up early has some advantages! Set off before 9 to join the queue for Braunston lock flight, the first double locks we have seen for weeks. Plenty of traffic so we had a fast run through, the forecast was poor, and we had a little drizzle but nothing serious, through the tunnel in 20 minutes, the BW 'average' time, I don't know how you can do it faster if there is any traffic coming the other way. Reached the junction and turned on to home water for the first time in 8 weeks - moored up before the heavy rain and settled in for the day, getting our strenght up for the home run up Watford flight tomorrow.
16:48 10/07/2009
A rest day, walked Bella, shopped, food and Chandlery. Found the blue paint at last which matches the original Enigma colour, so I will be able to do some touching up at last when we get back to base. We are moving off tomorrow as the angle is deemed walkable on (just).
16:48 10/07/2009
Decided to move on today - single handed! The sitting around is partially because the crew injured their ankle on the rotten Oxford canal towpath and has taken to its bed!
Anyway plenty of people boat single handed - just not me. Luckily no wind or rain, so the 3 locks at Hillmorton should be a doddle. Plenty of boats coming the other way, so didn't have to empty a single lock, just fill VERY gently, as the boat was washing around all by itself.
All went well and so we cruised on to Braunston. Found a good mooring despite it being quite busy, we craftily arrived after lunch, so those only stopping for a lunch break were moving off.
16:48 8/07/2009
Another day of rest!
13:38 07/07/2009 day of rest.
Sat around reading and avoiding the torrential rain, as I write this we are having a load thunderstorm, Bella is not impressed, it keeps waking her up!
13:33 06/07/2009 10.6 miles 0 locks
Gentle cruise from Ansty through the North Oxford canal, mainly wide and straight, with large bridges. The only busy bit being around Rose Narrowboats at Stretton. Always busy there as it is a working boatyard, hire boat centre and shop. Saw Mick and Crystal ex lock keeps from Foxton, Crystal works part time turning round the hire fleet, they seemed in good spirits.
Moored up at our usual spot by the Rugby golf club, this year you can watch the golf as the hedge has been trimmed and laid.
17:47 05/07/2009 11.3 miles 1 lock (stop)
So off on the final homeward run, down through Nuneaton, saying goodbye to Chris and Helen as they turned up the Ashby and continued on around Bedworth to Hawkesbury Junction, took on water and hairpinned around to go through the stop lock and on to the Oxford Canal. Arrived at Ansty expecting it to be full, BW in their wisdom made some of the mooring permanent permit only some years ago, and there never were many! However we were in luck and the last mooring was free - even better the hire boat behind had been to the pub for lunch and soon moved off, so we backed down to get away from the bridge.
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