Stoke Golding

Here I am Rune

Distance 9.2 miles

Total 1689 Locks 83 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2380.6 miles 

Now we have passed from the Coventry Canal and onto the Ashby Canal passing another sunken boat on the way! This doesn’t look good for this area although in fairness it is pleasantly rural now as we have gone further from the area of Coventry. I have also done my good citizen deed for the day. When we moored up on the outskirts of Hinckley we noticed whilst mooring that there was smoke coming from the hedge alongside the boat in front of us, originally I thought that they may have a generator running. After mooring up we walked up to investigate and found that some muppet had dumped the ash from their fire in the hedge and it had then set it on fire. Ten minutes of throwing buckets of water from the canal onto it soon put the fire out.

According to our guide book the elsan point at Sutton Wharf also has a shower block there so tomorrow’s trip may turn out to be just the 3 miles to Sutton Wharf. There is no real rush since even taking it that easily we will still be at the end of the canal by Wednesday.

Bedworth

Here I am Rune

Distance 5.2 miles

Total 1689 Locks 83 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2371.4 miles 

The day went pretty much as planned and here we are at Bulkington Bridge within walking distance of Bedworth. The day’s travel was better than forecast as it remained dry whilst we were travelling but started raining after we had stopped for the day.

Slightly worryingly we passed a burnt out and sunken boat just before Hawkesbury Junction on the Oxford Canal, speaking to some residents at Hawkesbury Junction it happened last week on the same night that another boat further down the Coventry Canal towards Coventry was also burnt out. Hope this isn’t a regular occurrence! 

Tomorrow it will be shopping in Bedworth and then we’ll decide whether we move on or stay.

RUNE at Hawkesbury Junction (Sutton Stop)

Ansty

Here I am Rune

Distance 7.9 miles

Total 1688 Locks 83 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2366.2 miles

After a few days non movement by Newbold Tunnel we took advantage of an excellent sunny day to potter a bit further up the North Oxford as far as Ansty. We have decided to revisit the Ashby Canal which we last travelled up in July 2014 visiting the Bosworth Battlefield as we went. The hope is that by the time we have pottered up to the top of the canal at Snarestone Sanitary Station (try saying that after a few drinks!) and then back down again it will be getting to the end of the winter stoppage programme and we can start thinking of getting moving again by heading off towards Oxford.

The day’s cruise was excellent, albeit a bit cold, but bright and sunny. There were a few boats out today, brought out by the fine weather and school half term. The only confusion that we seemed to have got into today was at bridge 42. It wasn’t a major drama but was created by someone re-writing the rules of the waterways. You approach bridge 42 on a right hand corner for those of us travelling north. There was a boat moored quite close to bend but not really a problem and as we approached a boat was coming the other way through the bridge. What should have happened was that we both turn to starboard and pass one another port side to port side. What actually happened was I turned to starboard and the approaching boat turned to port, so we were heading directing at each other. There was a woman on the front deck who was making some sort of indications but it wasn’t clear whether she wanted me to pass on the side that she was indicating, or whether she was indicating that they were going that way, the only sensible response was to stop. Unfortunately as soon as you put a narrow-boat into reverse it has a habit of skewing across the canal.  Funnily enough an Australian couple on the moored boat seemed to think the event was their fault and were repeatedly apologetic, they didn’t realise that it was nothing to do with them but entirely due to the other boat turning the wrong way, I did try to explain. After a few minutes of shunting back and forward we were once again on our way.

Tomorrow we will stop off at Hawkesbury Junction for general housekeeping (water and toilet cassette) then carry on to Bulkington Bridge at Bedworth where there is a short walk to the nearest supermarket to stock up for the weekend, it won’t be a long day’s trip.

Newbold on Avon

Here I am Rune

Distance 1.2 miles

Total 1688 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2358.3 miles

Today’s trip was nothing spectacular, just over a mile from the mooring in the park by Tesco’s in Rugby to a 14 day mooring near to Newbold Tunnel, about 30 minutes cruise in total. Not sure how long we will stay here since we are just killing time at the moment until the various winter stoppages are over. This mooring is convenient for a few local shops, a bus ride (or 2 mile walk) will take you into Rugby itself and it is within reach of a reasonable leisure centre that I took advantage of today for a swimming session. We may be here for a couple of days or so.

Rugby

Here I am Rune

Distance 2.9 miles

Total 1688 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2357.1 miles

Another lightweight sort of day today but at least we got the domestic jobs done, water tank filled, toilet cassettes emptied and upon arrival here in Rugby, the weekend shop done. I think that I might try to get a swimming session in tomorrow so may just make a fairly short move down as far as Newbold, just this side of the tunnel, which is where we moored last time we passed through here. It would still be a fair walk to the leisure centre but then I'm going because I feel I need the exercise!

Hilmorton

Here I am Rune

Distance 4.4 miles

Total 1685 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2354.2 miles

Today’s trip has brought us from Willoughby to Hilmorton which was a pleasant trip in ideal winter weather, cold but dry. We are now back in a position that I remember from last time here, gives us a good internet signal and a decent phone signal. After arrival here I took a quick trip on the bike into Rugby to stock up with some provisions, it was further than I remember from last time as I walked it then and it didn’t seem so far, perhaps I’m getting unfit!

Tomorrow we’ll need to go into Rugby for the rest of the weekend shop.