Down in the bilges

Not a place I go that often but this week, needs must.

One reason for looking in the bilges was because the other day we lost a tea spoon. One moment it was in the cup, the next, 'tink' and then it wasn't. I dropped a sea-searcher magnet over the side, in case it had gone in the water, but, no luck. And then I happened to look down the side of the engine (this was some days later) and the sun was just at the right angle to reflect in the bowl of the spoon. So, up with the floorboards, remove a couple of battens, arms round the engine in a romantic embrace and, lo and behold, spoon recovered.

The other reason for looking in the bilges was to check up on the stern gland.

Right, I hope you all realise that the bilges are the bottom of the boat where leaky water and oil have their home and the stern gland stops water coming into the bilges along the propellor shaft. Every evening we give the stern gland a wodge of waterproof grease from a hand pump to stop water seeping into the boat. Recently I've been pumping in more grease than usual, which was becoming a tad worrying.

So, into the bilges again but this time lying down flat on my face with very little headroom and a hand torch for illumination. Hand torch decides it wants to fall into the bilges whenever possible. So, flat on face, no headroom, very little elbow room and spanners that are either just too large or just too small. Toolbox just out of reach. Sort that out only to find that the stern gland needs tightening by a good half inch. No wonder I'd needed to pump in so much grease. Anyway, all that grease had to have gone somewhere and I think much of it ended up my arms and all over my face. Still, I was a happy bunny after that and all seems well.

When I reappeared, Brigid asked me if I was going to wash before we went out. I ask you!

Traveling on

Did I get my supper? I know that this is the question that is uppermost in your mind. Oh, it's not!? Be like that. Anyway, yes, we had a slice of Brigid's quiche with salad.

We are steadily making our way back towards Bugbrooke but are in no rush at the moment.

We had been warned by a boater going the other way that a boat had slipped its mooring and, lo and behold, round the corner, there it was right across the canal. We managed to nudge it back into place and another boater nipped ashore and made it secure.

Further on and on another wharf, goats and chickens outside their coffee shop. Presumably an attraction for the younger customers.

Hillmorton locks again but stopping this time to empty the loo. (I get all the best jobs)

Swinging round the corner to enter the second lock.

Just passing a very pretty wharf.

Stopped overnight about half way between Hillmorton and Braunston on a very quiet stretch of canal. Managed to wash one side of the boat and paint along the black bits that get scraped in locks, by trees and bushes and other boats. As Timothy West often says: 'it is a contact sport.'

You often see odd things in the canal, in this case a cow.

Two more boats passing, presumably on their way to the historic boat gathering at Alvecote. These two are normally based at Stoke Bruerne.

There we are again, the spire of Braunston Church.

And here's the old pump house at the foot of the locks.

Now, doesn't she look smart? Side nicely polished and blackwork all shiny.

We'll show you the other side when we've had a chance to do that as well.

Through all the locks and Braunston tunnel without incident. I've probably said it before but not one of my favourite tunnels because it has a kink in it which can cause problems when two boats are trying to pass. Luckily, this time, no boats coming the other way.

Cleared the top lock at Buckby and now moored in our usual place. Off to the New Inn for supper tonight.

It never rains but it pours

Just as we were setting off on Sunday, around the corner came the fuel boat.

Husband stearing the tug which is the fuel boat.

And wife being towed behind on the butty which is also a gift shop.

A strange life, being separated for most of the working day. At least Brigid and I are together chatting away on the back of the boat.

Next up, a steam driven boat. Lovely smell of Welsh steam coal as they went past.

A last look at the Anchor Inn where we had lunch the day before.

And even further on, the Cheese Boat. We usually stop and buy some Black Bomber cheese but not this time.

We stopped for the night at Ansty and had roast pork for supper. We got the crackling just right this time, all nice and crunchy.

Monday and we continued onwards. Every now and again you see these cast iron bridges at the side of the canal. The original canal used to twist and turn but was later straightened and these bridges are all that remain of the original route.

Brigid took an artistic picture looking back at Stretton Stop, the base for Rose Narrowboats.

Now then, famous last words (from me, of course) we'll be all right, that cloud will miss us. Miss us, by heck, it was chucking it down 5 minutes later with thunder and lightning, the works. I even stopped under a railway bridge to let the worst of it go over.

It was worth it because my reward was a fish & chips lunch in Newbold.

The only downside was that we moored in a muddy spot and the captain skidded all over the place and ended up in the shower before the fish & chips.

As we walked to the High Street we admired this bit of thatching that was going on.

After lunch, moved on to Rugby for the night. The big question is, do I get supper tonight after the fish & chips?

Rain today, sun tomorrow

Friday we went back to the butchers to stock up on meat for the weekend and, joy of joys, a popup greengrocers. We always like a roast on Sunday and fresh greens are a bonus.

Then we set off towards Atherstone locks. Raincoats were the order of the day as we were guaranteed 80% chance of rain. After only 3 miles we had cleared the first 2 locks of the Atherstone flight when we decided to call it a day and moor up. Just in the nick of time as it started to tip it down. During the afternoon Brigid did some cooking while I had a look at some music for Southminster choral.

Saturday and a much better day. Sun shining from the word go. Some cloud and a touch of drizzle but not that much.

In the middle of the flight and Brigid is watching the boat coming up as the lock fills.

It's a very pretty flight of locks at Atherstone.

And here we are at the top, taking on water from a low pressure tap. Ah well, not in a hurry, are we?

Another pair of working boats, both in good repair.

A 'pirate' boat - the flag reads - The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Now then, why did I take this picture? Oh yes, you see the clump of reeds in the canal, well, several years ago we were told that someone drove a car into the canal and it was never pulled out.

And here's the field it was driven down. You can still see bits of rusty metal in the water.

You've heard of gongoozlers, well here's a herd of them!

Only travelled about 4 miles today but there were 9 locks in between. Stopped at Hartshill and walked to the Anchor for lunch, a favourite of ours.

After lunch went for a walk around Hartshill Country Park. One of the views looking back towards the boat.

Part of the forest walk.

And, lastly, looking back along the canal from our mooring.

A better day

Thursday has turned out to be a far better day than yesterday. A bit of cloud from time to time but mainly sunny.

We pootled along past Fazeley Junction and through Tamworth.

Quite disappointed to find a queue of boats at Glascote locks - but, that's boating for you.

Decided to tie up while we had lunch in Amington.

Here we are approaching Alvecote marina. Quite a few old work boats moored up in this marina.

Finally stopped at Polesworth and had a good walk round. We have often passed through but always at the wrong time of day.

A view of the Abbey - unfortunately it had just closed to visitors.

All around there are footpaths and alleyways, some quite special.

The Abbey gatehouse recently restored with lottery funds.

The street side of the gatehouse.

And lastly, what was once the school.

Glad we stopped here, while the sun was shining.

Final score

Rain 4-0 Lichfield

You guessed, rain won out today and we didn't get to Lichfield. We did try but each time we thought of setting off for the bus stop the heavy rain came on again.

We didn't see any point in getting soaked waiting for the bus, getting soaked walking round town or getting soaked coming back again. Instead we stopped on the boat and prepared and stained another window. 5 down, 5 to go. Also cleared the weed hatch and replaced various light bulbs.

Around about 4 o'clock we managed to get out for a walk dressed up in boat coat and wellies. All very glamorous I'm sure but at least we kept dry.

Lichfield here we come

Wednesday and the forecast is for rain all day. Not an exciting prospect. However, we decided that a trip to Lichfield might be a good idea. I'll let you know how we get on later.

So, we're now at Hopwas and, as some of you have gathered, slowly making our way back to base.

Our last blog stop was at Rugeley, so we'll pick up from there.

Monday saw a leisurely start after a quick visit to Aldi and a nearby garage for some petrol. Golden rule, if there's a garage near the canal, top up the petrol. If you remember, diesel isn't a problem but garages are scarce and the reserve generator needs petrol.

A photo of the mooring, a quiet location right opposite a cemetery.

Just before passing Hawkesyard Hall, picture below, we passed Scrooge on the canalside. He's moved since we last came through, he used to be further up in this line of moorings.

Hawkesyard Hall, now a wedding venue, conference centre, etc.

Ahead is a very narrow section of the canal under a road bridge. It's not a tunnel, just looks like one. The advice is to put a crewmember ashore to walk to the far end of the section to stop boats coming through while you make your transit. I think I've only ever known one boat to actually do that. Anyway, we carried on through and, guess what, boat coming the other way.

Not just one boat but three. They hadn't sent a crewmember ahead either but they backed up and let us through.

This is a factory that always makes me smile. It's the Armitage toilet factory. Their yard is full of toilets. I did take a picture but nowadays they are all shrink wrapped and it's not so obvious what they are.

Yet another swathe of country being sacrificed to HS2.

Anyway, stopped Monday night just before Fradley Junction, away from all the gongoozlers and business of the junction itself.

Tuesday and we turned right at the junction onto the Coventry canal. Just looking back at the Mucky Duck, sorry, The Swan.

Very fortunate to have volunteers helping out with the locks and the swing bridge. It saves us a lot of time.

On the Coventry, the bridges have names not numbers.

And here we are moored at Hopwas.

Had a walk around the old village and this is St Chad's Church. We attended evening worship on one of our previous visits here.

Looking along the canal towards our boat and then, in the evening, a visit to the Tame Otter for supper.

Cod loin for the captain.

Lasagne for me.

Well, gotta stoke up if we're going to Lichfield tomorrow.