Skirting round Nuneaton

After a whole day in one place it's high time to move on. First though, take on water. 

Then through the lock. It's only a six inch drop in levels but this was due to a miscalculation by the two different canal companies at the time of construction.

Through the lock and it's a 180° turn through a bridge and on to the Coventry Canal. 

Just checking behind us as we start the turn.

The tiller is well over pushing the back of the boat out and round in a tight circle. Of course it has to be right in front of the pub so no room for error.

Coming under the bridge.

And, success, hole in one, we're now going back on ourselves but on a different canal.

A last look at the Greyhound Pub which must be doing well because it's just been repainted.

A couple of miles further up the cut and we pass the entrance to the Ashby Canal. We timed it just right so that we got past just before this traditional barge nosed its way out for a tricky turn back towards Coventry. It's a difficult turn for our boat at 57' but he's a good 72' in length. Not easy.

Following after is a long haul around the edges of Nuneaton. It's not at all unpleasant and they certainly like their allotments. There are miles of them, complete with three 'Last of the Summer Wine' characters sitting outside their potting shed supping their pints. Well, it's hard work all that digging.

Love the name of the boat - Wideman on Narrowboat.

Someone's tried to lighten the towpath with a mural, or as I call them - a Muriel, on their back fence.

Having cleared Nuneaton the countryside opens up to some stunning views. This photo doesn't do it justice.

We also realized that we can see more because the hedges are trimmed and we usually come this way later in the year when they have all grown up.

Just coming up to Hartshill we jinked past an approaching boat at a tricky point and recognized it as the  Mikron Theatre boat. These are waterway players who travel around the cut taking their shows to different venues and events. Many of their plays are about events and times on the canals.

And here is the old Hartshill yard, a reminder in itself of times past.

I've never managed a picture here before but, at last, one of the alpacas at a farm where, if it's your wont, you can take them out for a canal walk.

And, finally, we stop at Mancetter, just before Atherstone. There's the sound of cows mooing as they wait to be milked, sheep calling to each other and open fields. 

Quite noisy really!

And as a final blessing on the day, the sun has come out.

Now, a treat for all my food followers. Roast chicken for supper. Who says we don't know how to live life on a canal boat!?