Fish and chips for supper

Thursday 29th

A lovely sunny start to the day, and breakfast outside. Our breakfasts are usually at a time when everyone else is motoring past as slowly as possible to get where they want to go as quickly as possible. 

After setting off we soon passed under the M45. I didn't think you wanted a picture of another motorway bridge, they're not very exciting anyway. What was exciting was seeing the alpacas at Barby Marina.

After that a slow plod past the private moorings along what we call the Barby Straight. 

We love this row of cottages/dwellings at the wharf by Tarry's Bridge. There is a winding hole opposite which must provide amusement for the residents.

Gosh! Look at the change here. What was a shabby marina has had quite a facelift.

Not exactly a facelift, just the new houses outside of Hillmorton.

And so on to the top lock.

I asked the lock keeper about this mechanism between the two locks. The first lock was built in 17something and the second in 18something when the canals got busier. The idea was that if there were lots of boats going through in one direction you could save water by emptying half of one lock into the other. Seems that it was an idea that sounded good but didn't really catch on. But they do keep it nicely painted!

And here I am pushing one gate open with my leg before opening the other as you would normally. To close them I shut one half and then step across the gap - not something underwritten by Health & Safety. (Got to have some excitement in your life)

And under the Kent Road Bridge, the nameplate made out of pieces of tiling. 

You can't see much here but this is the closest we have ever moored to the Tesco Superstore in Rugby. It's only five minutes away from the towpath. Time to stock up the larder. 

After our time in the temple of delights we travelled a little further along the canal to Newbold on Avon where, once again, we moored as close as we could to the fish and chip shop. Guess what we had for supper! 

Off to H M Prison Onley

Wednesday 28th August 

First obstacle today is Braunston Tunnel.

Now I have a particular dislike of this tunnel because it has a kink in the middle. When building tunnels the architect would set the navvies digging from opposite ends with a view to meeting in the middle. To facilitate this they would lower a pointer down an air shaft to show them which way to go. Unfortunately, this didn't always work out, hence the kink in the middle. Once I lost a navigation light to the kink and this time I met another boat right on the kink. I was not happy! Bang, crash, a few apologies and all was well. 

We went through the first lock on our own but a family came walking down to us to see if we would wait for them as they were just behind us.

Here's the captain waiting patiently.

And here they come.

We made good progress after that and the captain had a good chat with the grandmother. Turns out that her husband was a retired Baptist minister and the dad was taught by a friend of ours at St Edwards Romford. it's a small world 

Here we are approaching the Admiral Nelson pub right on the lock side. 

The bridge at Braunston Marina looks in a sorry state but that's because it's being refurbished thanks to a substantial bequest. 

Once again a look into the marina.

Now here's a first for us, we got a mooring right outside the pub. 

Couldn't get closer if you tried.

We then skirted round Braunston and took the obligatory photo of the Cathedral of the canals.

And a little further on, Dunchurch Pools Marina.

This is a relatively new marina set in lovely surroundings. We often moor up a bit further on, just outside H M Prison Onley. From the boat you don't know that there's a prison anywhere nearby, it's all peaceful and quiet with lovely country walks. 

4 miles to Norton Junction

We don't seem to be starting off very early this holiday. But then, that's what holidays are all about, isn't it? 

Our first priority this morning (Tuesday) is to tackle the M1 motorway. Not such a massive task as the canal goes under the roadway.

The continuous sound of the traffic is something that we try to avoid when considering where to moor for the night. It's not always that easy. 

Anyway, stopped at the top of the flight and the captain set off to book us in for passage down the locks. 

We had to wait for nearly an hour as there were 2 boats coming up. Time for a cuppa and a good look at all the books and DVDs in the services area. 

Once we got going the captain was in her element.

That's half the fun of boating, all the chats you have with boaters and lock keepers.

While I avoid getting drowned!

This one wasn't too bad but longer boats were being advised to keep as far forward as possible to be on the safe side.

After the locks it was good to see that the swan population is healthy this year.

And so to Norton Junction where the captain took us round the corner first time. No reversing, no hesitation, no bad language just straight round. 

Humph!

Why doesn't it work like that for me? Perhaps that's why she's the captain!

And here we are moored just a little further on with a lovely view.

And a view back to the junction.

And a look at the boat from the bridge (2nd one along)

Looks idyllic.

To lock or not to lock?

We set off at a comfortable hour with the question in mind - do we go through Watford locks or not? Well we adopted our tried and tested method of waiting until we got nearer before making a final decision. 

A short way along the canal the towpath was closed for repairs. Well we went quite a distance before we came across some major repair work to both sides of the canal.

No wonder they closed the towpath.

Shortly after we sailed through Yelvertoft. 

That's not really accurate as the village is half a mile walk from the canal. Still, this is Yelvertoft.

And here's the marina about a mile away.

Next on the trail of marinas, Crick.

And just the other side of the road bridge, Crick Wharf.

This was followed by Crick Tunnel, 1528 yds long. A bit wet but not as bad as when we last came through.

We decided not to go on and tackle the Watford Locks but stopped by bridge 9, so that we would be refreshed and ready in the morning.

Not such a bad view either.

25th August — And we're off!

 Sunday morning, still a bit breezy, but we're setting off today, come what may. 

Here we go, heading for the marina exit. Even though it was a tad blowy it was one of the best exits to date. It's almost a blind turn on to the canal but the captain was up front and could give me the all clear as we went onto the cut. 

There were quite a few boats on the canal, one boater saying that he'd seen more boats today than in the whole fortnight he'd been out. That didn't bother us too much as we didn't go too far and stopped at our favourite place opposite our favourite tree. 

After lunch we decided to take a walk around a wood that we had spotted on the opposite side of the canal. 

The wood is called Fieldside Covert Wood and is manged by The Woodland Trust. We followed a circular route passing under many enormous oak, ash and sycamore trees. 

You might have noticed that although it's meant to be summer, the captain still needed a woolly hat! The wind was quite cold. 

From a gate at the bottom corner of the wood we had a good view of Polgara moored on the opposite side of the canal. 

She's the boat bang in the middle of the picture. 

We then returned to the boat and set about cooking a late Sunday lunch of roast chicken, boiled potatoes, courgettes, calabrese, cauliflower and cabbage. Of course, accompanied by a glass of wine. I do get looked after on these boating holidays! 

Saturday 24th August

 The day, as forecast, was wet and generally miserable but, to my disappointment, no thunder and lightning. However, showers and sunshine were very much according to prediction.

We were very glad that we weren't tied up on a towpath somewhere running down our fully charged batteries. Far better to be in the marina whilst waiting for storm Lilian to pass by. 

It did afford us the opportunity to meet up for lunch with Harvey & Helen at The Joiners, Bruntingthorpe. The food was delicious and our Cod Fillets were quite substantial. I finished off with Clafoutis, which is a warm crustless tart with plums in it, topped off with ice cream. My description isn't that good but it was heavenly. 

After that, a brief diversion to Aldi to top up on milk and those other items that you didn't realise that you really, really needed, then back to the boat, just missing another brief downpour. 

That's all for today, the adventure starts tomorrow. 

Waiting to set off again

 We're back on the boat again but we are still waiting to set off. We've been here since Tuesday and have stocked up on food and drink, cleaned inside, washed one side of the boat, checked the stern gland and the weed hatch and even made a new friend. 

It's not a brilliant photo but you should be able to make out the propellor and, top right hand side, a wee fish. There were 2 or 3 swimming around — I think they were attracted by my headtorch. 

We had decided to set off this morning but when we woke up the wind was gusting and getting out of the marina would have been a challenge. Also, the forecast for tomorrow is for heavy rain, thunder and lightning. So, here for another night. 

As is usual with me, I got to the end of our last break and forgot to write up the last couple of days. Tut, tut. 

So, here goes ... 

What a lovely day again — still very hot. 

But we made the most of it. A bit more preparation for the navigation light with the undercoat being slapped on. 

And in the evening a successful BBQ for once. Look back on previous blogs and you will see that I have not had much success in the past. Still, it's fun ( or so the captain tells me!) 

And then, on the last day, a dab of topcoat to finish it all off.

When we got back to the marina off came the masking tape and everything left as it was so that the paint could cure.

And a final picture of the beautiful scenery on this 'new for us' canal.