Off to Fradley

Neighbours, some you love, some you hate. Well here's one we definitely love and we nearly missed her. Right opposite our mooring was this patch of reeds and, if you look carefully enough, you will see a Moorhen. She's all black, facing us and has a red bill. 

Very well camouflaged and very well hidden.

Soon after setting off we overtook a boat being roped along. They'd got a tyre round their propeller and were making for the nearest mooring point. We thanked them for clearing the way for us. 😁 Unfortunately these things happen.

And then past the Whittington Firing Ranges. There's at least half a mile of beautiful woodland but no-one is allowed access. At the far end of the wood the warning red flag was flying. 

A couple of miles further on at Whittington itself we look down on a garden that has a Kota not dissimilar to our own at home.

In fact we saw this one some time before we got ours but there are differences.

Getting ready for the big day. Bunting in abundance.

Sorry that we are missing all the celebrations at home but we will be ringing our two onboard bells on Saturday to mark the occasion.

The headquarters of the Lichfield Cruising Club. Possibly one of the old toll houses standing at the junction with the Wyrley and Eddington Canal (now closed). There is about ¼ mile open for club moorings.

And, here at the junction, the obligatory signpost.

Oh no! Just when you thought the day couldn't get any worse, look what's on the horizon - HS2! 

A boater was telling us that they have closed a footpath to Lichfield.

One thing they haven't closed is Streethay Wharf, thank goodness. Another traditional wharf catering for the narrowboaters of today.

We've arrived at Fradley Junction and a brief stop to take on water. In the distance you can see the swingbridge that the captain will need to open.

We're through and in front is The Muddy Duck - sorry, The Swan pub.

A left turn at the end on to the Trent and Mersey Canal, through a couple of locks and then moor up for the night.

All the dogs are friendly, even the black lab that crept up behind the captain while she was reading and decided she needed her ears licked. 🐾👅😂

Wednesday 3rd May

Yay! We're in Polesworth where there is a fabulous butcher, an amazing greengrocers, a wonderful hardware shop, the remains of a 10th-C abbey and several takeaways. Bliss. But today we don't need to buy anything except some fresh veg.

Still, a walk into the village is in order. The sun's shining and the fire brigade are training with their high ladders.

We usually walk over the road bridge, seen below, but today we went a little further on and crossed the River Anker via a pedestrian bridge.

And here's the proof. Note, although it's sunny there is still a chill breeze.

Big mistake! We went into the butchers just to buy some bacon and came out with some lamb's liver, a chicken and steak. 

Plenty of vegetables as well but we needed them. Have to be careful not to get scurvy.

Near our mooring is a commemorative stone for the miners who worked the Pooley Pit nearby.

And now, all ready to go.

Argh! Mind the duckies!

Mother duck would keep diving to the bottom of the canal and then 14 ducklings would swim round frantically looking for her.

Another typical boat yard at Alvecote Marina.

Only 2 locks today at Glascote but quite deep with an overall drop of 13' 8". We thought it best that the captain took the boat through while I worked the locks.

Fortunately, there were other boats coming up so there was plenty of help available.

Here she comes, clean as a whistle. 

After that, just round the corner we crossed the River Tame.

And arrived at Fazeley Junction.

And just when you needed a signpost, you get two.

Many moons ago we had a splendid Sunday lunch at this waterside pub, The Three Tuns. However, since then a bit of a facelift. I wonder what it's like now.

And this is the place where we used to take on water and empty the loo. Not so now, those facilities are now round the corner and all this is now a des res area.

Stopped opposite for lunch just to bring the tone down a bit!

Had to take a snap of this particular bridge, it's the A5 again, following us all the way up from Bugbrooke.

Gosh! Even more houses going up. They're all being filled but where are all the buyers coming from? 

And at last we arrive at Hopwas where we have visited many times. Look, we've even got our own picket fence and the sun is shining. What a splendid end to a splendid day.

Funny you should say that. Just as we were tying up, a boat we had shared a couple of locks with called out 'saw you on telly last night. I worked the locks with that chap!' We'd been on Channel 5s Big Steam Adventure and had missed it. Had to watch it on Catch-up.

Fame at last!

Atherstone to Polesworth

Today we will have to negotiate the 11 locks of the Atherstone flight which lowers the canal by 80' overall.

This view is from the road bridge at the top of the locks when we crossed the canal to get some milk. 

Looking back under the same bridge is the old hatters mill, all looking rather forlorn.

And next to the lock, old storage sheds. But behind them is a totally new housing development.

And yet another former canal building but in better condition than the others. Possibly still in use by the volunteers.

It would be fascinating to see the canals in their heyday.

Anyway, gates of the first lock about to be opened and they're off.

Poetry in motion as the captain starts opening the bottom paddle. 

Previously I have been the one to work these locks because I can step across the bottom gates which makes our passage speedier. But today there were quite a few volunteers on duty and plenty of boats going up and down and the captain said she wanted a walk.

When talking to passersby I point out that we don't need to pay gym fees, we get all our exercise in the locks.

And that's the lot. Just under 3 hours to go in at the top and out at the bottom. We have done it in 2 hours before now but there were some delays due to fewer boats coming up than going down and waiting for them to clear a couple of locks first in order to save water overall. Conservation of water is a high priority for canal users. 

On some of the locks, when helpers weren't available, I would open the gate on my side of the lock, move the boat forward and then nip up the steps (seen on the right above) and close the gate so that Brigid didn't have to walk all round the lock to do it. Mind you, there was always the niggle at the back of my mind that the boat would drift away from the gates and leave us both stranded! Needless to say, precautions were taken. 

Now passing Grendon Dock, the house on the site is getting more rundown each time we pass but the workshop is state of the art - well, in canal terms it is. 

We arrived in good time at Polesworth and, surprisingly, found a good mooring. Each day we've said 'hope we can find a mooring' and each day we've been surprised at how empty the moorings have been. Don't misunderstand us, we're not complaining, just pleasantly surprised.

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!?