Summer is here

Normal Service will now be resumed!

Well, not quite! I felt that when I last wrote the blog I was getting into the rut of just noting how cold it was, which canal we were going along and what we were having to eat. All very exciting, I'm sure but I felt like taking a break and just enjoying what we were doing - or not enjoying, as the case may be. Anyway, a whole host of pictures for you to catch up on.



 We set off along the Stratford on Avon Canal and this is particularly noted for its split bridges and its uniquely shaped houses (picture below).

 Some of the gates on this canal are extremely stiff but, wherever possible, I got Brigid to work the locks. Not only is it good exercise but we got into a good routine where she would open the top lock gates, I would take the boat in, swop places and I would then open and close the bottom gates (usually the heavy ones). Nearly got stuck with one set but I managed to close the gates after putting back to beam and feet against bridge parapet. The joy was that I knew we would have to repeat the performance on the way back.

Halfway along the canal we crossed a aqueduct which must have been there when we came this way before, but, neither of us remember it at all! It's really quite beautiful and it's the longest aqueduct in England.

 Looking back the way we have just come.

It's a long way down.

We got to Stratford and this is the basin in the centre of town. On Friday night we managed to get two 'returns' to see The Empress, a play about Queen Victoria and her Indian servant. It really was excellent and we would recommend it to anyone. Well worth a visit, if you can.

On the return journey we stopped off at Wootton Wawen to see their Saxon Sanctuary. Much larger that St Peter's Chapel in Bradwell but of similar design.

We had hoped to join them for Sunday service but it wasn't starting until 11 o'clock and we needed to put in a few miles before losing the best of the day. A shame, but perhaps we will stop over next time.

After leaving the Stratford on Avon Canal we stopped off for a look round Warwick. We had tea and toasted teacakes in Lord Leycester's hospital.

It was a welcome step back in time and reminded me of afternoon teas at Garons in Leigh-on-Sea.

A family of ducklings who were at a loss when mum hopped up on to the bank.

Look, blue sky! Sunshine!

Even time (and warmth) to do one or two quick repairs.

Spring lambs frolicking about by the water.

Here we are at Hawkesbury Junction to sort out the rubbish and the loo and to take on fresh water.

More pictures of the junction -  and note the blue sky.

This is the (famous) Greyhound pub.

But, no stopping for us, just jugs of cider as we press on. Note the short sleeves and no woolly jumper.

Even the Captain has gone all summery.

Now this is a pub where we did stop for lunch. It's The Anchor Inn, Hartshill. A really friendly pub with good food and draft beer.

 This is us moored for the night just outside of Atherstone.

Look, still in short sleeves, still in the sun and still smiling. Summer is here (well, at least for one day) Can't be bad.

Monday 8th April

We did quite a lot of boating today as we were going through Birmingham and wanted to get through and out the other side in the day. The canal system through Birmingham was built for a purpose and that certainly wasn't the leisure industry.
Here's us setting off at about 10 o'clock.

By midday we were in the heart of the City with traffic buzzing around alongside us and overhead.

The canals are not unattractive but they were built to get goods from A to B as directly as possible, so quite a few long straight canals with not much to see but the backs of buildings. A total of 16 miles, 1¼ furlongs and 15 locks. We stopped for the night at a place called Catherine de Barnes.

Sunday 7th April

Today is quite special for us as we revisit a canal that we haven't been along for over 30 years. The last time we travelled the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal was when we took the Youth Club away. And that was when we were living in Benfleet. So, off we set from Hopwas to Fazeley. Here's a picture of Mr Toad gloating over his splendid boat.

Note - still got layers and gloves on - not as sunny as yesterday and still a nip in the air. BUT, it is a lovely day. Now, look at this, signposts, just like the roads but less of them as there aren't so many turn-offs on the canals.

Fazeley Junction has many old canal buildings, many of which are being converted into des-res.

Stopped here to top up with supplies.
Just outside Fazeley is a lovely footbridge that is quite unique. It almost made me want to stop the boat just to get off and walk over it. I wonder why it was built like that and who built it. Certainly not a government department I'm sure.

Another picture of the Captain at play. It's amazing how a little bit of sun helps.

And, amazingly, we stopped at lock 9 for lunch at the Dog and Doublet, an eighteenth century building. Not that that mattered since we sat outside in the sunshine.

Look who's happy now!
After lunch more locks ahead - you may need a magnifying glass to see them but they are there.

Then, finally, after coming through Curdworth Tunnel, having travelled a total distance of 8 miles, 5½ furlongs and 11 locks, we moored for the night.

NB Brigid did all the locks today with a little help from me and a lot of verbal support. A lovely day was had by all.

Saturday 6th April

It's official, Summer is here - enjoy the day while you can!

Woke up to a glorious morning and set off from Barton Turn just in time to meet a hire boat party being shown how to operate their first lock. Of course, we spoiled it all by whizzing paddles up and opening gates but then realised that they really wanted to do all the work. So, what did we do, we sat back and let them get on with it. Here's a picture of the captain enjoying herself.

Note the sun's shadow and the blue sky - that's summer, so make the most of it.
The following is our mooring at Barton Turn.

On the way up toward Alrewas we passed one of the old working boats. They really are a lovely sight to see.

Another picture of the Captain at work.

The swans are setting up home already and we passed several proud mums already sitting on their eggs.

It was such a lovely day that when we got to Fradley Junction, instead of stopping at the pub as usual, we turned sharp left down the Oxford Canal and kept on going.

That's me keeping on going!
We were really flying along and we soon passed through Huddlesford Junction, once again without stopping. Well, we needed all that Vitamin C and the sum was still shining.

Eventually, after 13 miles, 6¾ furlongs of narrow canals with 8 narrow locks we stopped for the night at Hopwas. Note the shadows - sun still shining AND ON A SATURDAY AS WELL!

And lastly, a picture of some flowers that were given to us just before we came away. They are standing on the front of the boat looking wonderful.

Friday 5th April

For those of you who may be interested, it's the end of the (old) tax year today. Well, I used to be an accountant in a past life and these things stick in your brain, not that I use that much nowadays! I also read somewhere that in the old days taxes were collected on 25th March, a quarter day. However, with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar 10 or so days were skipped to bring the calendar into line with Church events. BUT, the tax collectors refused to acknowledge this change and stuck to collecting taxes on the old quarter day which, in the new calendar, became 5th April. Luckily times have changed and the old 5th April date has disappeared for ever.

Now, what's that got to do with our journey? Absolutely nothing at all.

A picture today of our mooring last night.

In the distance you can just see the lock gates and in the foreground the swans that helped eat our breakfast.
We set off at about half past ten and pottered along to Willington where we had lunch in The Dragon together with a welcome pint. After that we made our way through Burton-on-Trent and have ended up at Barton Turn for the night.
Another picture for you - a field of Llamas which can be taken on pack holidays.

We did see a bit of sun today and we are looking forward to tomorrow when it promises to be sunny!
Bye for now.

Thursday 4th April 2013

Not a bad day today. To say it was windy would be an understatement. To say it was warm would be an exaggeration. We did have occasional peeps of sun but only coyly for a few seconds from behind a dark cloud. BUT, it didn't rain - or snow - or hail. Spring is definitely on the way and that's official.
Here's a picture from yesterday of our departure from Pilling's Lock Marina.

As you can see, blue sky and a bit of sun.
We made our way through Loughborough, foregoing lunch at The Albion, and made our way down to Kegworth, a favourite mooring place for us. On the way though, we saw that many of the old trees have been severely cut back. Probably a necessity but it does made the canal side look very bleak. Also, no protection from the East wind that is constantly blowing across our path.

And, only because I know you're interested, supper was lamb chops (cooked under the newly repaired grill) mashed potatoes, cabbage and courgettes followed by red grapefruit.

Back to today.

Breakfast - eggs, bacon and toast - what more can you want on holiday? Decided to keep the fire alight all day today because the sky didn't look as if it was going to clear anytime soon.

We battled our way on past Ratcliffe on Soar, easily recognisable by the power station (still working) and navigated through the wind and waves (yes, waves on the canal system) just where the River Trent and the River Derwent meet up with the Trent & Mersey Canal.

It was great fun, especially when you're battling along at all of 4 miles per hour - you don't need fast cars for excitement! We certainly know how to live life to the full on a narrowboat!
By-the-way, the picture above is before we got to the big waves but it shows how much pruning and clearing has been going on and how open and exposed this stretch of the system is.
Stopped in Shardlow for a light lunch and then made our way up to Weston-on-Trent where we have moored for the night. We could have gone further but felt that the cold would probably have got to us and it wasn't worth the risk. Not sure yet what's for supper but we have a (working) fridge full of food from the butchers in Barrow, plenty of vegetables and a couple of boxes of wine. Sure we'll find something to do with all of that.

Wednesday 3rd April 2013

Hi, again.

As you can see, we are back on the road water again after a six month break - well, the weather hasn't exactly been that good, has it? Now, today and yesterday have been really splendid. A bit cold overnight and a bit breezy during the day but sunny most of the time.

Last time out you may recall we had problems with our fridge. Well, we sent it back for repair, had it returned and all seemed well until next morning when all the gas had disappeared from the cooling system again and we were back at square one. Anyway, to keep a long story short, we decided to cut our losses and purchase a new fridge from Inlander Low Voltage Ltd., who are based somewhere in Birmingham. So far, so good. Installed the fridge OK only to find it didn't work! Luckily it was only a disconnected fuse link which took a few moments to find and - bingo - lights, cooling and freezing action.

Today I also replaced the thermocouple that keeps the gas turned on for the grill on the cooker. It is a failsafe device that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out for any reason. Unfortunately the old one couldn't sense any heat at all and kept the gas shut off permanently. Well, that's repaired as well and I am a happy chappie.

Only one downside and that is the new horn that I installed last time out. It was working as we left the marina but not when we needed it at the canal junction in Loughborough. Ah well, need to keep one or two jobs in hand otherwise I will keep getting under Brigid's feet all the time - and we don't want that, do we!

Right then, that's all for today. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow if I can.