How far can we get today?

We managed to set off before half past eight this morning and the first thing we saw was a new housing development on what was the site of Parrott's Basin. That explains all the machinery noises yesterday.

Further along we passed the gardens by Charity Dock.

Some new characters together with some old favourites eg the Stig. 

Just coming up to Marston Junction, the turnoff for the Ashby Canal.

And there it is, the start of the Ashby Canal.

About half a mile before Nuneaton we recall watching this building being built. .

What we didn't see was this new housing estate going up almost opposite

Now coming into Nuneaton proper. From my point of view, Nuneaton is the Mecca of allotments. Facing onto the canal is about a mile of them. Many have tables and chairs facing the canal. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Ah, a reminder from the past. A telegraph pole made redundant by modern technology. Probably some time in the early 1900s. 

A quarter to twelve and we have found a mooring that should be shady this afternoon. 

We pulled in behind a boat called Always on a Bend. We have crossed paths with them several times and, just as I was dropping in the chains to tie up, I was presented with the above stick. I'm not going to say what it's for but I hope to demonstrate its purpose tomorrow. 

Another historic boat coming past.

And there she goes, off to Braunston. 

The shade is getting smaller by the minute and we'll soon be in the 2 hour window when the boat is in full sunlight. What should we do? Well, says the captain, we're only 0.2 of a mile from the Anchor Inn. Fancy a walk? 

Wednesday 24th June

The hottest day so far. 

This morning we set off at about a quarter to nine. 

As you can see, not a cloud in sight. 

There's a lovely section of canal, perfect for mooring but, because the canal is on a level with all the bedrooms, you're not allowed to stop anywhere along here. 

As you go along you see evidence of steerers misjudging the width of the boat and the bridge. 

Not only are bridges attacked from the water but, quite often, parapets get destroyed by cars or vans, all of which can cost C&RT a fair amount of money. 

Just before Hawkesbury Junction we pass the old Wyken Colliery Arm which is now home to Coventry Cruising Club. 

Then the electricity substation. Who dreams up all this equipment? 

We had a look at stopping before the junction but there was little prospect of shade later in the day. 

So, through the stop lock, past the Greyhound, perfect turn - nobody watching, of course. 

Another half mile away and a mooring in what we hoped would be a perfect spot.

A good bit of shade at the moment with the prospect of shade in the afternoon. 

But, what to do for the 2 hours in between when the sun would be directly overhead? 

Well, the captain solved that problem with impeccable panache. 

The Greyhound, where else? Sitting outside watching the hire craft messing up their turns, listening to the other folk discussing where they'd gone wrong and enjoying a good lunch at the same time. 

One of the historic boats showing how turns should be done. 

After all that a gentle walk back to the boat where the shade from the trees opposite was doing its bit. 

End of the day and everything has cooled down, however, It's forecast to be as hot tomorrow. 

Rugby to Ansty

I keep saying It's getting hotter, well, it is. We are getting into a rhythm of starting off a bit earlier than expected of us. Travel during the cooler part of the day, seek some shade and rest up in the afternoon. 

This is our mooring in Rugby, the photo being taken at half past six. Not a time I'm usually up and about! 

After breakfast we set off for Newbold on Avon where we took on water. After that 250 yds through Newbold Tunnel. The tunnel was built when the original Oxford Canal was being shortened in the 1820s. 

There's evidence of the shortening all along the canal. At Fall's Bridge a short section of the old canal is used as a winding hole. 

Almost opposite is a small boatyard and boat hire business which is doing a roaring trade today with 2 or 3 boats wanting to take on fuel. 

A mile further on and another old section has been transformed into Brinklow Waterside and Marina. 

We then travelled on past All Oaks Wood where C&RT were busy at work in the hot sun. 

The canal bypasses Brinklow going through a cutting which has always proved to be unstable. 

A couple of years back there were massive landslides here and they are still working on stabilising the banks. 

Following on after the cutting a long stretch of moorings, all private. Luckily there was a bit of a breeze to counter the effects of travelling at 2 mph in the blazing sun. 

We arrived in Ansty just after 1 and started to look for a shady mooring. The only space available to us was just too short for the boat. 

However, the gentleman behind loosened his ropes and we were able to cosy up together. 

I did check with the couple in front that they didn't mind us sharing their space. I did say it was a tight space. 

Monday 22nd

We are finding, with the hot weather, that we need to motor as much as possible in the morning before the heat kicks in after 3 pm. At the moment we are moving for about 4 hours which charges the batteries nicely. 

Here we are at about 10 o'clock on the Barby Straight. 

So called because it's near Barby and it's straight for about a mile. Normally you would cover 1 mile in about 15 mins. However, there is a long line of moorings canalside which slows everything down.

Part way along is Barby Marina and it's good to see that their Alpacas are still there. 

The captain enquired as to how many pictures I have taken of Tarry's Wharf. No idea but it's a lovely bit of canal nostalgia. 

Then, just round the corner, Hillmorton Locks. The busiest flight in the country. 

These are double locks but we tend to wait for a boat to come through, use their water instead of unnecessarily filling a second lock and wasting so much water. 

Having cleared the locks we took the opportunity to take on water and empty the loo. Above is an unglamorous of me returning to the boat trailing an empty cassette behind me. 

We then pushed on to Rugby where we managed to find a nice shady mooring. Not necessarily in the best of places. It was close to a busy road bridge. But, as noted, it was shady. 

As per usual, Monday evening and time for risotto. We call it risotto but it's really a concoction of chunks of Sunday roast, onions, peppers, tomatoes, bit of gravy (also from Sunday), rice and anything else we feel adds to the dish. 

Another hot day tomorrow so an early-ish start again. 

And it's getting hotter

Sunday 21st June. 

We set off reasonably early from Norton Junction to try and clear the Braunston locks before the day got too hot. The forecast for the next few days is for much warmer weather. 

Luckily for us, we met up with another couple after clearing the dreaded tunnel. Only one boat to pass this time and on a straight bit. 

Braunston is getting busy because next week there's an historic boat show and many working boats are turning up already. 

Here's one of them just before the entrance to the marina. 

And there's Rosie and Jim advertising the event. 

Needless to say, we didn't stop but carried on, turning North on our way towards Coventry. 

I love this view of the church, the Cathedral of the Canals. In the foreground you may be able to see the furrows created in the Middle Ages through continuous ploughing where the ridges and furrows were created. 

We stopped early afternoon just past Dunchurch Pools Marina. The day is certainly getting hotter. 

We were entertained by a family of geese diving under water for a good old bathe. You can see the splash as one disappears under. Mother Goose was surprised when two of her kids surfaced right under her. 

After that a whole gaggle of geese arrived on the scene an kept us entertained. Luckily we have a bit of shade and managed lunch outside where it was a bit cooler. 

As it was Sunday, roast pork for supper and a quiet evening listening to the radio.