Big brother comes to stay!

Sorry I haven't posted anything since Thursday but we have been entertaining visitors! My brother, Brian, and his wife, Ann, came to stay on board for a couple of nights. 

On Thursday we left Hopwas and made our way to Fradley Junction. 

Brian and Ann arrived just before 8 o'clock and it was straight into the Swan for supper. The place was packed, so much so that they ran out of steak and were warning that meals would take an hour to come out from the kitchen. We were in no hurry and there was a very good folk club in the cellar bar. We had a very leisurely, enjoyable evening shouting at each other, as one does in a pub with a folk club! 

Back at the boat, out came the settee bed, bags got stowed and we all settled down for the night. 

Next morning, eggs, bacon, toast, tea, coffee - the full works. And then, off we set. We had to plan a 'there and back' trip because their car was being parked at Fradley so, first of all we headed off to Alrewas, taking in four locks on the way. 

Family photo. 

At Alrewas we had a good walk round the village and we called in on our favourite butcher for supplies. 

There are plenty of old houses here and it is a typical canal side village, although the houses are of an older period. 

In the afternoon we then walked to the National Arboretum which is only a mile and a half down the road. The only problem was that we had to cross the A38 to get there. Whew! We also had to cross the railway line but there was a crossing for that. 

All the staff and volunteers were very helpful at the Arboretum and we decided to take a 'train' tour of the grounds. 

The tour was well worth it and gave us a good introduction to the whole place. When we go again we will know the areas that we want to explore further. The chapel was particularly moving with carvings by Essex woodcarvers. 

We spent much of the afternoon there before heading back to the boat (crossing the A38 yet again!) before heading off for supper in the William IV pub. 

On Saturday we went through the last lock at Alrewas onto the river section before Wynchnor Bridges. On that section we winded the boat (turned her round) and headed back to Fradley Junction. 

At the junction we turned back along the Coventry Canal and headed toward Huddlesford. On the way we passed Streethay Wharf, a favourite place for me. 

It is a typical old canal wharf. 

Just past there is a newly opened marina by King's Orchard Bridge. 

Ant then, The Plough at Huddlesford. 

And here we are in the 'not so secret' garden. 

And the food was delicious. 

Brigid and I had the lamb. 

Brian & Ann had pizza. 

Another satisfied customer. 

After that, back to Fradley Junction with Brian & Ann walking the last half mile before their three hour drive home. 

We all agreed that it had seemed much longer than just two days together and we seemed to cram so much in. We walked, laughed, played cards, eat, drank and sailed together. 

Well, that's what brothers are for, isn't it!? 

Atherstone to Hopwas

Looking at the forecast, the rain in the morning would be lighter than that in the afternoon. So, as soon as breakfast was out of the way, we set off toward Atherstone top lock, the first of eleven in all. 

As we approached the locks, what should we see but a gang of volunteers! 

There were about four of them at the top lock, a cheery lot. 

At the second lock there were two volunteers. 

Gradually they all disappeared but one stayed with us for five locks and then worked his way up to the top again, helping another boat going the opposite way to us. 

After Atherstone, a patch of woodland bluebells. 

The canal then took us through Polesworth and past Alvecote marina. 

And, a first for us today, our first cygnets. 

Not a brilliant photo as we were struggling to switch the iPad on, enter the security code, all before we sailed past and out of sight. 

After another couple of locks at Glascote we stopped at Fazeley Junction to top up with some essential supplies such as eggs and bacon. 

When the junction was renovated these murals were added to the wall that backs on to a timber yard. 

Funnily enough, the weather in the afternoon was better than forecast. Still wet on and off but not nearly as heavy as expected. 

We finally moored at Hopwas and settled in for the evening with smoked haddock for supper and some holiday videos streamed through the TV. 

What a contrast!

I'm talking about Monday & Tuesday, of course. 

Monday saw us sailing along in brilliant sunshine with a high of 23 deg C. 

Not much to report really. We stocked up on supplies at Rugby Tesco, very handy for the towpath, and then carried on through Newbold Tunnel. In the old days (before budget cuts) the tunnel used to be illuminated with coloured lights but, no more! The lights in the tunnel have gone out. Luckily for us, the light at the end of the tunnel was still there. After that, a pleasant cruise through familiar places until we reached Hawkesbury Junction. 

As noted above, the weather was glorious and we sat with all windows and doors open. 

Then, along came Tuesday! Wall to wall rain. 

Luckily we only had the stop lock at the junction to contend with. After that it was wet weather gear and 'grin and bear it.' 

We travelled up the Coventry Canal through Nuneaton and Hartshill, stopping just short of the 11 locks at Atherstone. Sorry, we did stop before that at The Anchor Inn, Hartshill. Only to get out of the rain, of course. 

We had a lovely, freshly cooked meal and Brigid's roasted salmon with leak and cream sauce was made using fresh salmon that had to be filleted first - you can't get fresher than that! 

Mind you, the weather got its own back by tipping it down just as we came in to moor. 

We are now snuggled down inside and Brigid is making some Stilton and walnut biscuits. 

Can't wait for them to come out the oven. 

A pleasant surprise

Sunday 8th May. 

Early morning on the canal. 

We went along to church in the morning and as we were getting near we heard only four bells ringing. Even though we increased our stride we didn't manage to get there in time to make the numbers up to six. Ah well! The service was really good, all hymns and responses being on the OHP screen. Various folk chatted to us after the service and the tea & coffee weren't bad either. 

After that we wandered back to the boat, watching all the busy-ness at the locks. 

Boats were queuing between the locks as well. 

So, we hightailed it back to the boat so that we could get in the stream before too many others came along. 

Of course, it is the weekend and everyone is out and about. 

Made it through the locks eventually and motored on to moor up for the night in the middle of nowhere just before Rugby. I say 'in the middle of nowhere' because that's what it felt like but, when I asked my phone for the nearest pub, the Burler's Leap was only half a mile away. So, just to ensure we didn't upset the nice Google lady inside the phone, we walked to the pub and had supper there. 

When we got back to the boat we sat with the doors open enjoying a wonderful sunset. 

Off to Hillmorton

We decided not to rush around too much today and so we only motored 7 1/2 miles. 

As we left Braunston we passed one of the iconic cast iron bridges typical on this part of the Grand Union canal. 

But now we are on the Oxford Canal and the farm bridges are all brickwork, none of your modern cast iron here. 

The Cap'n took the tiller for a while. We found out last year that when Brigid steers the boat it is much easier for her if she stands on the rear step which I lift up from inside the cabin. The additional height helps her to see both sides of the boat at the same time. I never used to understand why we kept zigzagging along the canal. I suppose it was similar to trying to drive with one eye closed - you can't get the perspective right. Anyway, that's all sorted now. The only thing I have to remember is not to fall into the cabin because the steps aren't there! 

I love this old wharf at Tarry's Bridge. It has been improved over the years and this year there are plenty of doves and a water well with constantly flowing water where a couple of the birds were taking a bath. 

And then the Canal Shop right next to ... 

... The Old Royal Oak. We have never stopped here but it looks to be a nice place. 

We stopped shortly after at the top of Hillmorton Locks. Tomorrow, we thought we would go to church here. Last September we met the vicar and her Curate in the cafe on the canal when we popped in there for lunch. 

A bit of rain and thunder in the afternoon but it looks as if it's going to be a pleasant evening. 

Spring is sprung

What a glorious day! A good start to the day with eggs & bacon, tea and toast and then, off we went. The first lock of the day, Top Lock No7, and we were helped through by people who were also coming up the lock behind us. 

At Norton Junction we turned left and followed The Grand Union toward Braunston Tunnel. The tunnel was opened in 1796, is 2042 yards long and because of quicksands and a mistake in direction whilst building, it has a slight S bend. I must admit, not one of my favourite tunnels. 

Still, we got through OK and here we are approaching Braunston Top Lock. 

We were accompanied through the flight by a singlehander who was glad of our help. 

Look at the date on this lock. Looking back on our time in New Zealand, most of their historical buildings date from around the same period. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. While one country was developing the canals were revolutionising transport in England. 

Lock No3 and The Admiral Nelson pub. No time to stop today - shame, it's a very good pub. 

Just exited Bottom Lock and passing the old pump house. 

No moorings free in the middle but we did manage to pull in right opposite The Boathouse. Well, it would have been rude not to try it out. 

And look what we had for lunch. 

Ham, egg & chips. After that, a slow walk around the village. 

Braunston church and, behind it ... 

The old windmill, now a private home. 

We were then quietly snoozing away the afternoon when who should come past? 

Daphne & Rob Rose. Unfortunately they couldn't stop as they had to push on but we managed a brief chat with their boat breasted up alongside ours. 

7 o'clock and we're still sitting outside - two nights running! 

We're on the move!

Yippee, the mattress arrived Wednesday afternoon, so we are now cleared for takeoff! To celebrate we went to The Wharf for supper. 

Sorry, no pictures of food this time, just the pub - I've had too many comments about my fondness for food in my blog entries. 

Thursday and the sun is shining, water topped up, batteries fully charged, boat gleaming and off we go. 

Bye, bye Bugbrooke, see you in October! 

A lovely run along the canal past Weedon Wharf and on toward Buckby locks. 

Just before the locks you get the old road (the A5) running near to the railway which is alongside the canal which is alongside the motorway (M1). All forms of transport side by side. 

We were going to stop for lunch before tackling the 7 locks, all of which are decidedly heavy going. However, as we approached the first lock there was another boat about to enter. That decided it, we buddied-up and worked through them together. 

Coming out of the first lock was one of the largest wide beam boats I have ever seen. We subsequently met up with a queue of boats following it down. Apparently it had been taking the locks very slowly. 

Near the top lock we met up with Sue & Vic on board No Problem. They were in company with Seyella. These are both boats for which we follow their blogs, so we felt as if we were meeting old friends. 

At the top lock there is The New Inn. I think that in former times the landlord kept his daughter locked in her room and made her paint roses on the famous Buckby cans. 

We had a short walk around the wharf and took a picture of the boat from the other side of a field full of sheep. As we were doing this, the shepherd drove up to check on the flock. We had a long chat with him and found out that, as a lad, he had helped on the locks when the working boats were still around. He no longer lives in the village but has one field and rents two more where he keeps sheep, as a hobby! 

It's now 7 o'clock, the doors are still open - what more can we want? 

Well, supper, which is a chicken casserole with white wine and other goodies all thrown in together. That's what more!