5th September

Not many pictures today. The forecast was not too good so it was just a case of motoring along and getting as far as we could.

For some unknown reason the captain took the tiller when we set off. Well, just around the corner was Snarestone Tunnel and the captain doesn't usually steer through tunnels. But today she did so and did it very well. Even though it's a short tunnel it still manages to have a kink in the middle. No problem for the captain! 

A view of the line of boats at Shackerstone next to the Mott and Bailey. 

We ploughed on and ended up at Ambion Wood again. 

As I said, too wet for photos. Forecast is much better for tomorrow!

Measham - where?

Shackerstone boasts not only the start of the Battlefield railway line but also a Mott and Bailey.

It's not as big as some we could mention but still, it's there. (It was built as a feature for the estate so never had a castle) 

Looking ahead of us we are wondering if that lot's going to dump a lap full of rain on us.

Fortunately we managed to avoid any rain whatsoever.

We went through the tunnel at Snarestone and arrived at the terminus of the canal. There is a further stretch in water, part of the restoration project, but this is still closed because of leakages. 

Anyway, we got yet another nice mooring. 

After lunch we decided to walk into Measham. On our way out we passed the old engine beams.

We then followed the line of the old canal as it would have gone into the centre of Measham.

Now this isn't a canal marker but a pit marker. The canal was closed because of subsidence, part of the reason being the coal mines below ground at this point. This marker shows 5 seams being worked here.

Measham is well known for its ceramic ware, the brown teapots with white decorations and personalised messages. Although they weren't made here! It's just that a lady shopkeeper in Measham sold many of them from her shop. Canal folk would place an order on one leg of their trip and collect on their return. 

We followed the line of the canal into town, picked up a few supplies, had some chips - always better eating them out of the bag - and then followed the old railway line back towards the boat. 

Because housing has been built on the line of the old canal it has been proposed that the old railway line be used to take the last bit of the restored canal into the town centre. Quite ironic really, the railway put paid to the canals and now the canal is making a comeback via the railway! 

Our walk back brought us out at the north end of the tunnel and then just a short walk and we're back on board.

And, look at that, finished the walk and the sun comes out.

3rd September

We're off to Shackerstone. 

Just after we set off, to the right of the canal is Ambion Wood. 

You can just about see a white information board telling you that the field we are looking across was where one of the armies gathered. The canal would not have been there but it was described as being boggy. 

After passing Market Bosworth the canal becomes a SSSI.

A site of special scientific interest. There is an information board giving more details but boaters are requested not to empty chemicals into the water. 

We then passed several fields covered in white flowers. 

It was only as we got closer that we could see the sunflowers growing alongside. 

We don't know what the other crop was, let's hope we find out one day.

We arrived at Shackerstone in time to take a turn around the village looking for a post box - which we found!

All the churches we have seen are very substantial, Shackerstone's being no exception.

We have a nice sheltered mooring with hardly any other boats around. 

Normally, these moorings are jam packed but perhaps people are staying away because of the low water levels, who knows. It hasn't bothered us so far, we're just plodding along slowly and getting to wherever we end up as fast as we can. Or should that be as slow as we can? 

A walk round the battlefield

2nd September 

The day started off quite well so we decided to have a walk through Ambion Wood and have a look at the place where the battle of Bosworth was fought and where Richard III lost the crown of England to Henry Tudor. 

One last look at the boat as we set off.

We crossed the canal by way of one of the few remaining bridges once used by the Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway. A part of the line has been restored between Shackerstone and Bosworth Hill with steam trains running most weekends. 

We saw the well where Richard is said to have taken his last drink before the battle, we looked over fields where both armies would have gathered and we avoided the visitor centre having seen it last time we were here. 

Our walk led us, surprisingly, to Sutton Wharf just in time for lunch. Well, it's hungry work sorting out who was where and what it all looked like before the canal came along.

However, all round the place are information boards with enough information for everyone.

After that, back to the boat where we decided to stay another night because of impending rain. Cratch cover in place and not too soon either. Heavy rain for a while and then on and off all evening. 

Ambion Wood

We've always liked the Ashby Canal and one of the reasons is because of its isolation. No railways or motorways run alongside, so there's very little 'civilisation' noise. You can really hear the countryside sounds. 

 A little late in taking the picture but all these canoeists were well over 30. And I mean well over! Nothing wrong with that but it goes to show what a quiet canal it is, nobody rushing around having to get to the next lock or pub.

I know that I said no motorways but, somehow, the good old A5 (Watling Street) seems to get everywhere we go 

Ah, such concentration. Must be warmer, the captain in a T-shirt and steering the boat.

This is the Othona T-shirt and later, when we stopped for water, a lady came up and said 'Othona, I walk around there often, I live in Rowhedge'. Small world!

We are now at the Hinckley Wharf Arm, home of the Hinckley Boat Club. We are going straight on.

Should have moored here, Nutt's Lane Visitor Moorings. Could have taken a selfie, would have been appropriate.

A couple of miles further, bridge 23, where there's a lovely farm shop. 

We'll be visiting on our way back to stock up on supplies. Looking forward to that.

Just to show you how beautiful this canal is.

Don't think this is a speed trap but the police are talking to boaters along this stretch. We had that once before when they were advising boaters to be on the lookout for youngsters who might be acting strangely. They were concerned about children being abused or abducted and telling us to ring 999 if we were at all worried.

The Black Pearl complete with coffin etc. You get all sorts on the canal. 

We stopped briefly at Sutton Wharf to take on water and empty the loo and then moved on to moor at Ambion Wood for the night. 

Roast pork supper because it's Sunday. 

Off to the Ashby

We're still not sure whether or not to go up the Ashby (full name Ashby-de-la-Zouch) Canal. Passing boaters have commented about the low water levels and bouncing on the bottom. 

Because of some smelly fish packaging from last night's supper, together with an empty (non-smelly) waste bin, we walked along to the stop lock to check the water levels and gets rid of the rubbish. Usually the difference in levels is about 4 ins. but today it's more like 8 ins. Quite a difference. 

Came back over the two bridges - the left hand canal leads off the way we will be going and the other leads back the way we came. So you can see that when we do set off we are going to have to make a complete 180° turn. That'll be fun. 

Well, we made it! We set off through the stop lock and then executed a perfect 180° turn under the bridge without having to reverse or push off the side. Whoop, whoop, whoop! 

Following that there is a slow stretch past moored boats and then a long dog leg around Bedworth. It's not at all unpleasant, just long and straight. 

The monotony is relieved at Charity Dock. 

See what I mean!?

At Marston Junction, once again a nearly perfect turn onto the Ashby Canal. This particular turn is awkward because the canal has a narrow entrance under a bridge. 

We went up the canal about 4 miles and, granted the canal is shallow, but we didn't bump along the bottom and we moored easily at Burton Hastings.

We even took a walk up to the village to have a look around and check to see if there was a morning service on Sunday. 

I think it's something about being on holiday but 8.30 am communion and a half mile walk to get there didn't work for us.

30th August

The first obstacle after setting off from Newbold is its tunnel. (It's not really an obstacle as it's only 250 yds long.) In the old days, when money wasn't a problem, the tunnel was lit with a number of coloured lights - there may even be a picture on one of the old blogs, I'll have to take a look. The light fittings are still there but just gathering dust (and dirt and spiders webs). 

Then a short run to Fall's Bridge where the Armada boats are based. They are lovely boats and always look well turned out. 

Next, near Harborough Magna, a line of boat moorings, one of which is being used for a Shepherd's Hut.

I'm sure there's a regulation against that.

We then wind round towards Brinklow, passing alongside All Oaks Wood. 

You can see why we love being on the canal. Not so good when it's cold and wet but on a sunny day, perfect.

Just past Brinklow is the cause of the problems that closed the canal earlier this year. Two landslides about 100 yds apart.

We kept to a moderate speed past all of that. The towpath was also closed but you could see where some folk had tried to scramble round. Hope they got through OK.

After that, just around the corner, Stretton Stop with the dreaded swing bridge.

Mind you, not so dreaded this year since it swung open and closed quite easily. Times in the past when we have both had problems getting the thing to move at all. It has to be kept closed because the Bridge is in constant use as it is a working boatyard and home to Rose Narrowboats. 

We stopped here to take on water.

Here's the captain, water monitoring.

About a mile further on another line of moored boats, another slow plod!

These moorings used to have an uninterrupted view across to Coventry but someone has been building since then. A shame really, I always enjoyed looking at the church spires in the centre of the City. 

It was a lovely afternoon just motoring along a further 5 miles to Hawkesbury Junction, passing through Ansty on the way.

Managed to find a good mooring and took all our rubbish along to the facilities at the junction itself.

Just look at the Greyhound, a Friday evening and already packed out at 6 o'clock. Good for them.