This week so far

 Monday 

We set off through the tunnel and stopped at the services in Crick for rubbish disposal and all the rest. Took on water and refreshed everything that needed refreshing. 

It's now the bullrush time of year. They look lovely when they first appear. 

We carried on past Yelvertoft and stopped again just before our favourite place. 

Tuesday 

A real bonus day today.

We tend to call this a Battle of Britain sky. In all the old wartime films you'd see Kenneth Moore, as Douglas Bader, flying off in his Spitfire up into the clouds. 

But today it was sunny all day and we had a pleasant cruise along to the Welford Junction. 

Wednesday 

A change in the weather again, a cold, wet start to the day. We had breakfast and as soon as the rain cleared away we upped anchor and set off back to the marina. 

Once again we reversed onto the pontoon which, to me, seemed easier than coming in forwards. Coming in forwards there's little control over where the bow of the boat ends up. At least going backwards I can push the back of the boat in the right direction and hope the front end follows in the right place. 

We popped into South Kilworth to the butchers and then onto Aldi and Morrisons in Lutterworth with lunch at E & R Tearooms. 

Back to the boat to cook a quiche in preparation for visitors at the weekend. 

Supper of sausages in cider. 

Saturday and Sunday

 On Saturday we watched the heavy rain in the morning but set off for Crick in the afternoon after it stopped. 

After mooring it started to rain again and, as before, after it stopped we walked into the Co-op for supplies, especially milk. 

No pics as we've covered this stretch of canal many times before. 

Sunday proved to be a late start for us since we wanted to go to church which was at 11:15. It was a communion service with lunch to follow. 

It was an enjoyable service but we didn't stay for lunch since rain was forecast and we needed to get through the tunnel, turn the boat at the head of Watford locks and moor up for the night. 

Well, we did all that, through the tunnel, turned the boat, found a very nice mooring and, as you can see, not a raindrop in sight. Plenty of sheep but no rain. We could have stayed for lunch after all. 

Never mind, roast chicken in the evening and a brief glimpse of a red moon just before we went to bed. 

What's been happening? Part II

 Wednesday 

It rained first thing in the morning but after that it was sunny all day. 

We decided to set off for Welford in the afternoon and had a pleasant trip up the Welford Arm. 

When we arrived at the lock there were newbies coming down. Together with boaters who had followed us up from the junction we talked them through how to operate a lock and manoeuvre a boat without hitting anyone else. 

Later in the afternoon we had a walk to the River Avon. On our walk we crossed paths with a family of Guinea Fowl. 

We then returned to a supper of Barnsley lamb chops which were scrummy. (From the butchers in South Kilworth.) 

We sat out until after 6 and I know the saying about red sky at night but this sky looked rather angry. Storms are forecast for tomorrow. 

Thursday 

The promised storm in the morning while I sorted around in my paint store under the bench seat. 

We had a light lunch at the Wharf, yes, we can do light lunches when necessary, and set off after to our favourite spot. 

It was a lovely sunny afternoon but at 8pm another heavy storm with plenty of sheet lightning. Quite a light show and all for free. 

Friday 

A sunny start to the day and we set off for Yelvertoft. There are only a few moorings at Yelvertoft but we managed to tuck in at the very end. 

It looks empty now but that's because the boat ahead of us has moved off. 

We walked into Yelvertoft but the village shop closed in 2019, Squisito Butchers and Provisions was closed for the day and the church was locked. We're running low on milk but, although creamy, we have plenty of oat milk, so we'll get by. 

Spent time watching storm clouds just miss us until, right on time, a short downpour got us. 

Looking forward to supper of Hake, wedges, tomatoes, onions and lemon. 

What's been happening?

 Saturday 22nd 

Do you know, the pantry on Polgara is always hungry. So Saturday morning we drove into Lutterworth to visit Messrs Morrisons and Aldi to stock up on food. 

In the afternoon we went to the Marston Steam and Vintage Show. 

The main attraction for me was the traction engines. Some big and some small. 

There was a good old fashioned fair complete with a merry go round. 

Plenty of tractors. 

And a working bailer which was certainly labour intensive. 

After that, back to the boat and supper. 

Sunday 

Pottered around in the morning and then took the boat round to the Welford Junction. Time for a bit of TLC on the outside of the boat. 

If you look closely at the front of the boat you'll see the captain who is just about to inspect all the scrapes and scratches on the sides where we have made contact with locks, moorings, other boats, etc. 

Monday and Tuesday 

Spent both days sanding down the paintwork, applying rust converter and then black topcoat. 

To get at both sides this involved backing down to the junction, turning round and then reversing back to the mooring. Not an easy task as our boat doesn't take kindly to going in a straight line in reverse. And another boater didn't like the fact that we were going backwards at about 1mph and he had places to get to and couldn't I get out of the way. But we did it. 

The captain, amongst other things, varnished the steps down into the cabin. 

Don't they look smart. 

And, talking of smart... 

A nice scratch free side (until tomorrow!). 

Thursday and Friday

 We've had a couple of great days with David and Jacob, friends from home. They stayed at the Wheatsheaf in Crick and met us at the marina each day. 

On Thursday we had a leisurely afternoon sail up to Welford, had a good look round at the lime kilns and the reservoir, followed by supper at the Wharf. 

After that, back to the marina. 

On Friday we had a longer trip up to Foxton Locks. 

This, of course, involved going through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel and six miles of travel on the canal. 

Something new since we last visited, a sculpture trail. 

We walked all round the locks and ended up at Bridge 61 for lunch. 

Two happy sailors 😄

Another statue that I've not seen before. 

After lunch we set off back to the marina and David drove the boat most of the way, even through the tunnel. 

Back in the marina

 Well, we're back on the boat and are turning our attention to one or two jobs that need attention. 

The captain has been cleaning up all the things that need cleaning up, we've topped up with water and I've, at last, got round to blacking the stove. 

It's not a difficult job, just a tad messy. 

With encouragement from the captain I also painted the wall alongside the fireplace. 

On Thursday we've got visitors for the day, so, a general tidy up, getting rid of leaves and dirt from all the outside places where leaves and dirt hide themselves. 

Back home

 

Sunday 9th August 

What better way to start the day than breakfast outside on the bank. 

We had a very lazy morning listening to morning worship and applying Capt Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure to a couple of the windows. In the good old days, when it used to rain, whenever water dripped through the window I would rub vaseline along the top to stop this happening. I would then forget all about it until the vaseline washed away and the dripping started once more. The Creeping Crack Cure should put an end to all that. 🤞

Hot News 

We've looked at the weather forecast and on Wednesday and Thursday the Midlands will in all likelihood be experiencing another mini heatwave. Now, we love boating but not in 31-34°C. So we have decided to go home for a week, catch up on the laundry, have a bath and sort out one or two other bits and bobs. 

For the moment we are signing off and hope to be back next Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Hot weather probs

 After our day off, we set off for Crick to top up on the essentials. 

We navigated the Crick Tunnel which was reasonably dry. Also, we only had to pass one boat coming through the other way. It's not always easy passing in a pitch black tunnel. Both boats have to squeeze close to the wall and ease past each other. Luckily all went well today. 

We went to Crick Post Office and Stores where we got everything we needed. Then across to the facilities for the usual: water; loo; and rubbish. 

A commemorative sign celebrating the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Crick Wharf and Tunnel in 1814. 

Off we went again but not as speedily as previously. It was very relaxing just drifting along, going with the flow. Until... 

At Winwick Manor Farm a fire in the feed store. We could see the farmer moving bales away from the near vicinity, trying to save as much from the fire as possible. What a disaster! We know that many farmers, because of the drought, are already using their winter feed due to there's being little fresh feed in the fields. 

The fire brigade were on site and had rigged up a pump to get water from the canal. 

We carried on for a little while and stopped near Yelvetoft Fieldside Covert. 

Managed to get some white paint on the roof so that all the rust spots have been treated and covered up. Let's see how long it lasts. 

We sat outside much of the evening enjoying the peace and quiet. 

A day off - sort of!

 We decided that, after all the charging along to get through Watford Locks before any long-term closures, we would have a day off from travelling and stay put where we were. 

The morning was spent applying rust inhibitor to the spots on the roof and an undercoat in the afternoon. 

Fortunately, the day was not too hot and, as you can see, we had lunch on the towpath with our neighbours. 

Supper was also taken outside - corned beef hash. 

There's nothing like comfort food, outdoors on a warm summer's day. 

Safely through Watford Locks

 A fairly uneventful day today (Thursday 6th). 

When we arrived at the lock flight we discovered that we were third in the queue. This was good news for us as the usual practice would be to let three down and then three up. 

However, and there's always a however, there was a large queue of boats wanting to come down and the lock keepers didn't want to leave anyone stuck overnight moored under the M1. So we waited at the bottom while seven or eight boats came down one after the other. 

When we did get going we had help most of the way up the flight. One of the lock keepers even had her granddaughter helping out for the day.  

Once through we soon moored up before Crick Tunnel so that we could spend the afternoon working on cleaning the boat and attending to rust spots on the roof. 

Supper was one of our favourites, pan seared salmon, orzo, with diced beans, celery and tender stem broccoli. The marvellous thing about the dish is it only takes 9 minutes to cook. It's so easy and tasty. Oh, I forgot, you coat the orzo and beans, etc., with a marinade of olive oil and lemon juice. Yummy! 

Nearly at the Watford locks

 Well, it's been a long day again but not nearly as drawn out as yesterday. 

The forecast said that it would rain between 8 and 9 this morning and rain it did. After that the clouds lifted and eventually cleared away for a sunny afternoon. 

I've taken so many photos of the approach to Braunston but it is iconic. You can see the church, the cathedral of the canals, but the boat is pointing straight at what remains of the old windmill, less its sails. 

We stopped to take on water and, yes, you've guessed it, empty the loo. Then past the junction and along the straight to join today's queue for the locks. 

Surprisingly, only 2 boats waiting to go up. Where were all the others? 

We were worried that we would be going through on our own but while we were waiting for our turn in the lock another boat came and joined us. 

Once we started it was a perfect scenario of 2 boats out, 2 boats in for every lock in the flight. A good example of saving water all the way. 

We've stopped now about a mile below the locks and, unfortunately, half a mile away from the M1. But it's not too intrusive and it was a lovely sunny afternoon just sitting in the sun. 

Hopefully, tomorrow, we'll be through the locks and will be able to get back to the marina without any worries. 

Long days - Hopwas to Willoughby

 Because of the low water levels and restrictions on many of the locks we have decided to put in the hours and get back to Watford locks ASAP. Well, as fast as the propeller and engine will take us. 

As a consequence, at the end of the day we have been hot, tired and just wanting to sit down, have supper, recover and go to bed. 

(Not quite as bad as that but you get the idea) 

Saturday, bye, bye Tame Otter. 

You always know where Tamworth is by the high rise buildings. 

Similarly you know when you're nearing Hopwas when you spot the radio mast. 

We've come through Fazeley and are crossing the River Tame. 

Going through Glascote Locks. 

Now passing a fuel boat. Always handy if you run out of coal, gas, kindling or diesel. 

An artistic photo of hay bales. 

Mooted just below the Atherstone locks for the night. We shall be in the queue tomorrow morning. 

Sunday and off we go. 

Fortunately we didn't have too long to wait before we got into the locks. This is a view across to where we are heading. 

Here's the captain in her happy place working the locks.

Here we are in the middle of the lock flight and I've never seen it so empty. Folk must be worried that they'd be locked in. 

It must have been around Mancetter that we spotted a hireboat stuck in a winding hole. Another boater was trying to pull him off but was having no luck. We managed to get hold of his bow rope and, hooray, we managed to help get him unstuck. 

We went through Nuneaton and stopped at Griff Lane Bridge about half a mile before the Ashby Canal turnoff. 

Monday 

A quarter to eleven and we're passing the entrance to the Ashby Canal. 

We pushed on through Hawkesbury Junction, Ansty, Stretton Stop and stopped at Newbold. 

After all the motoring today, what better than fish and chips to round it all off? 

Tuesday - bringing it all up to date. 

Setting off from Newbold. 

We do love these old canal buildings, this one preserved through modernisation into a house. 

Arrived at Hilmorton Locks at a quarter to twelve and we are 15th or 16th in the queue. We got the chairs out to sit on the towpath but every 15 minutes or so we had to pack up and move the boat one space forward. 

14:16 and we're getting closer. 

Ten to three and we're in the lock. 

And we're off again. The Alpacas were out in force to see us go past at Barby Moorings. 

Went on to Willoughby bridge 84 for tonight's mooring. 

A nice quiet spot. 

But what's going on? Where did this come from? What is this wet stuff? 

Admittedly not much but after 46 days of continuous sunshine it's most welcome.