A vole new world

So, today we are leaving the Ashby Canal, but at least it's in the sunshine.

A bonus for us was that we saw a vole swimming across the canal. Earlier in the week we had passed a woman who asked if we had seen any. We had to say no at that time but it look as if all the efforts put in by the C&RT are paying off, because now we've seen one. 

A final look backwards as we make the awkward turn back on to the Coventry Canal.

Just before Hawkesbury Junction we gave way to an old working boat that had just made the turn out of the Oxford Canal. 

There was another following close behind - I wonder where they're off to?

But, we're not going down the Oxford just yet, we're going to take a look at Coventry. On we go.

Many of the bridges have sculptures on them.

We believe this one to be an outline map of the canal.

As we get closer to the city centre we pass 'Cash's Hundred Houses', an elegant row of weavers houses. There never were 100: only 48 were built and now only 37 remain.

And, here we are, Coventry Basin. All tied up for the night and ready for supper, fire and then bed. 

Today's blog - or maybe tomorrow's

As you may have gathered, yesterday's blog wasn't posted until today and it's quite possible that today's won't be posted until tomorrow. Why? Well, we are moored in a spot where the Internet signal is coming and going, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Back to today.

We set off very late in the day and as we went past the C&RT moorings at Sutton Wharf, we saw that they were now in use, having been repaired since we came past on the way up. Shame as we didn't want to stop this time round.

Just a reminder of what the tea room looks like.

As you can see, the weather is overcast but at least we haven't got the biting cold winds. If you enlarge the picture you'll see it's the captain driving while I make the tea.

Stopped off at the farm shop at bridge 23. Excellent place for meat, veg, eggs, milk, etc. Spent a fortune but well worth it. As you can see, we are sporting the latest fashion in full weather rain gear. 

Quite surprised to see a couple of trees full of doves. The second tree got missed as I zoomed in too much and couldn't correct it in time.

Now the forecast said 'overcast' with nothing about rain. Even less about the hailstones that followed soon after.

We've now stopped for the night just after having passed under Watling Street, the good old A5, yes, the one that runs close by to our mooring at Bugbrooke. Seems we can't get away from it.

Supper was a rehash of last night's missed meal and I'm glad to say that I didn't turn it down a second time. It was delicious.

We are now sitting in front of the fire again, reading and snoozing. No diving down the bilges for me tonight. 

Deja Vu & Man flu

It's always a problem for me when we turn the boat around and retrace our steps back the way we came, what do you put in the blog? But here we are saying farewell to Snarestone.

And it's a repeat journey back along the canal. Strange to say, it always looks totally different going the other way.

Now this is a lovely mooring at Shackerstone. There is a lake in the middle of the field but the map shows a Motte & Bailey. As you sail past you can see the Motte in the middle.

Just approaching Market Bosworth with the new houses blending in quite nicely now.

Once again moored at Ambion Wood after a freezing cold day.

With hindsight I foolishly decided to do some remedial work on the stern gland. Every now and again the packing in the gland needs replacing and I thought that this was the time to do it.

In the centre of the picture you should be able to see a hole under the back step.

Crawl in said hole, look down and there is the aforesaid stern gland. What I hoped would be a simple job took over two hours to complete. By the time I finished I wasn't feeling too good. I lit the fire, Brigid cooked supper but, I'm sorry to say, I couldn't eat it. So, a touch of Man flu. Curled up in front of the fire, felt all sorry for myself and had a good old snooze. 

As I said, with hindsight, I should have quit while I was ahead.

I've just recalled a saying my Grandmother had: 'If you can walk don't run, if you can sit don't stand and, if you ever feel like work, lie down until it wears off.' Thanks Grandma, wish I'd listened to you in the first place. 

Terminus - all change

Too late for last night's blog entry, a view of the moon in all its splendour. 

Once again, a lazy start to the day but, eventually, we set off right through the middle of Bosworth Field. 

Doesn't look much, does it? But it was on this field, or nearby, that the Tudors came to power.

A coolish day with a hint of some sunshine. Or, as it noted on Facebook, 50% chance of precipitation sounds better than 'it might rain or it might not!'

Made our way past the official Battlefield Moorings but we both thought that where we had moored was both closer and nicer.

As we approached Market Bosworth we noticed the pleached hedges that we saw being laid down over 5 years ago.

A the start they look quite bare and sorry for themselves but, years later and look how they've grown.

About a mile above Market Bosworth and the canal becomes a SSSI. (Site of special scientific interest) There are many wooded stretches and then views over farm fields. And, all too soon, we have arrived at the terminus of the canal. 

We are stopped about 100yds from the winding hole where we will have to turn round tomorrow. But, here we are for the night and, before settling down to a roast beef supper, a short walk back to Snarestone to have a look at the village we had just motored under.

Under? You say. Yes, the tunnel goes right under the village.

Although not built over the tunnel, have a look at this lovely house. No, not a house. The yellow lines and notices on the railings give it away, it's the village school.

Well, that's all for tonight. The 50% rain is now raining, the fire's alight and the supper is cooking. Let's hope for better weather tomorrow. 

A relative gathering

We have stayed put all day long so that we could meet up with Harvey and Helen (Brigid's brother and his wife).

Spent the morning paying bills on the computer and the captain made a chicken casserole in the ecopot.

After lunch we walked up to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre (closed at present) and sat on the benches for a good old catch up.

This is King Richard's well where Richard III took a last drink of water before the battle when he was killed.

Not sure who the Fellowship of the White Boar are but they maintain the well.

After all that, a short walk and then back to the boat for tea.

Once again, fire alight and chicken casserole for supper. 

A horse! A horse!

A lovely close to the day yesterday and a lovely sunny start at 7am. After that, overcast and cloud all morning with a chill wind to boot.

Pottered northward through open countryside, skirting round Stoke Golding, totally avoiding Dadlington until we arrived at Sutton Wharf. There is a lovely café here with plenty of outdoor seating.

Unfortunately, the visitor moorings are being refurbished so we had to carry on for another half mile before we could moor opposite Ambion Wood. By the time we got back, all of the tables were occupied. Still, managed to get seats in the end. First off, a flat white for me.

Even had a heart on the top. Oh, and tea for the captain.

To eat we had quiche and a ploughman's.

A goodly feast for us both.

By this time the sun had come out and the day was warming up quite nicely.

Then back to the boat to cook some beetroots in the eco-pot. This is a form of slow cooker that uses a minimum amount of gas, something important to us on the boat. You boil up the beetroots for 15 minutes and then put the pot inside an insulated outer container, shut the lid and leave well alone for 2 or 3 hours. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Then a short walk to Bosworth Field where Richard III was killed by Henry Tudor.

We have never realised that the canal goes through the middle of the battle ground. We've always thought of the field as being somewhere 'over there'. (Point vaguely in any direction)

Staying put for the night and hoping to meet up with Harvey and Helen for a picnic lunch tomorrow. 

Who needs 'Line of Duty'?

A typical Saturday morning on the cut. Empty the loo and dispose of the rubbish. Not so bad really because the facilities here are very good. Even managed a bit of recycling to boot.

Went through the stop lock, only a drop of about 4 inches, and then a complete u-turn to continue our northward journey.

A look back at the Greyhound Inn, usually a hive of activity but now restricted to serving food in the back garden.

Ahead of us, the old engine house used in the past for pumping water into the canal from a well.

And, to the left, a signpost, just in case you didn't know where you were going.

We always wave to people on the towpath but, because of the air-cooled engine, we don't always hear their reply. And so it was today. Hand waving and message called out to us, smiles and waves from us in return, looks to each other - did you hear what he said? Oh well, on we go. A mile further and we find the reason for the hand waving.

Smoke drifting across the canal and a mini bush fire on the towpath. Through the smoke we go, only to see a policeman calling to us to stop. (His hand waving was a lot easier to understand.) A blind bend with a bridge across and 4 policemen in the water.

Obviously conducting an underwater search for something but they wouldn't say what. Waited a couple of minutes before they took a teabreak and let us through. Do tell if you see us on newsnight!

Further along and we pass a boatyard which you either love or hate. Honestly, it's a mess. But they have all these manikins and ornaments and the outfits keep changing.

It's like an outdoor theatre but with no charge.

Shortly after, we made a nasty backwards right hand turn on to the Ashby Canal. A sunny day but a chill head wind. The early stretch of the canal isn't too exciting, so no photos.

Have now moored at Hinckley for the night. Hinckley, a hosiery manufacturing town, boasts that they installed the first stocking machine in Leicestershire in 1640. You learn something new every day!

A little bonus to end the day. 

An' I'm feeling good

Started off the day by doing a bit of shopping to top up milk, greens, etc. Then we set off, leaving Newbold behind us.

Went through Newbold Tunnel, only 250yds long, but made when the canal was being shortened in the 1820s. All along the canal you will see cast iron bridges crossing short lengths of water, all that remains of the twists and turns of the original canal.

Had to take this picture as we passed alongside All Oaks Wood. As you can see, it's a lovely sunny day.

This is looking back at Stretton Stop, the home of Rose Narrowboats. You might just be able to see the swing bridge over the canal. The bridge is only wide enough for one person to cross but this is a working boatyard and the bridge is always closed. So, stop the boat, open the bridge, boat through, close the bridge and off we go. If you're lucky and another boat is coming through they will probably let you through. Or one of the staff will do the honours - but that doesn't happen very often.

Have ended the day at Hawkesbury Junction, yet another favourite place for us.

Almost like a painting. As you can see, blue skies all the way. The captain even got a bit of sunburn!

We've just lit the fire again to keep the boat cosy overnight. 

Croissant for breakfast tomorrow - out of date but half price. Yum yum, can't wait.