Last Tuesday I fetched Rick and he helped me get the boat from Rugby to Braunston, particularly helping at the 3 Hillmorton Locks. I did need someone to help as, although 8 days since I hurt my back, I am still wary of some of the movements which cause me to wince. Weather wasn't all that good with mainly showers. Not cold though so that was okay.
On Friday I nipped back to attempt the final journey. My back is a lot better but the weather was awful. I didn't bother. Stayed on board and cheered myself up with fish & chips and a roaring fire.
The morning was so different, it was hot at 8am and a completely blue sky. I had to empty the loo and draw some fresh water but was soon on my way. Through the locks with Falcon. He was born and brought up on a working boat so knew all the shortcuts. I hardly had to get off the boat at all. I stopped just before the tunnel for a quick lunch and to switch on some cabin lights (for non boaters, it helps support the main tunnel light in showing the way). The tunnel was empty - for the first time ever I didn't need to pass anything in this tunnel. I got to Buckby and went through the first lock. There was nothing coming up and I had to reset it. For once I had to do most of the work by myself and had forgotten how much heavier the gates are on the Union. I moored up between Locks 7 and 8 and walked the 5 miles back to Braunston to fetch the car. Good exercise or what. When I got back I made a meal and went to bed early. Whacked out.
Overcast first thing but I was kept busy topping up the stern greaser. Weather soon cheered up and I went through the rest of the Buckby flight in the company of three really nice lads on Damson, out of Nether Heyford. When I reached Whilton it was a walk back to the car which I then took on to Weedon before walking back to the boat. About 4 miles in all. I've lost half a stone over the Summer and I think I know why :~). A pleasant cruise back to base and moored up on my mooring. caught up with all the news as I had been off the mooring for FOUR months and quite a lot has been happening. The towpath telegraph had been working well as I was immediately asked how my back was!
Monday, 15 September 2008
Saturday, 6 September 2008
29th August to 1st September
I drove to Newbold, part of Rugby, and got a bus to the railway station. I got the train before the one I'd planned as it was running 40 minutes late. I needed to change at Coventry to get to Nuneaton but had to get a rail replacement bus. The display showed that I had missed it and had an hour to wait but the station staff had realised that the late train would need a service and rustled up an extra bus. Although slower than the train, this got me to Nuneaton just as my bus to Poleswoth was arriving at the bus station. Phew, there would have been a 70 minute wait if I'd missed it. Left home at 5.30pm and arrived at Polesworth at 9pm. Quicker than by boat, I suppose.
Saturday dawned as a beautiful warm and sunny day. I had to go through the 11 locks at Atherstone but it was no hardship despite having to set the first six as very little coming down the locks. I stopped half way through to go to the very convenient Co-op for provisions. Then on again until I reached Hartshill. Sat out on deck with the radio, a book and a Strongbow. The first proper relaxing boat day I can remember since I started out (although that may be because I was having to go and fetch the car each evening instead of relaxing and chatting to fellow boaters). Good old English weather.
By Sunday the sun had disappeared behind a haze. However it was still a warm morning and I started out, through Nuneaton, through Hawkesbury Junction (by now it was raining) and, after a quick lunch stop at The Elephant & castle pub, I carried on and moored at Brinklow. Did 7 hours cruising today which is more than i usually like to do but I am only 4 miles from Newbold and the car.
Monday morning I cruised the last 4 miles, moored on a 14 day space, loaded up the car and came home. Note: need to get some new trainers. This pair have no tread and i slipped down the steps of the boat knocking my side/back. Ouch. So I am nearly back to base. I estimate 3 more days to get to Weedon. Could do it more quickly but why should I?
I have seen a lot of places this summer that I had never been to before and there are several that I would like to visit again, perhaps, spend more time exploring. I will add a couple more entries on this blog including the distances travelled before the season is over.
Saturday dawned as a beautiful warm and sunny day. I had to go through the 11 locks at Atherstone but it was no hardship despite having to set the first six as very little coming down the locks. I stopped half way through to go to the very convenient Co-op for provisions. Then on again until I reached Hartshill. Sat out on deck with the radio, a book and a Strongbow. The first proper relaxing boat day I can remember since I started out (although that may be because I was having to go and fetch the car each evening instead of relaxing and chatting to fellow boaters). Good old English weather.
By Sunday the sun had disappeared behind a haze. However it was still a warm morning and I started out, through Nuneaton, through Hawkesbury Junction (by now it was raining) and, after a quick lunch stop at The Elephant & castle pub, I carried on and moored at Brinklow. Did 7 hours cruising today which is more than i usually like to do but I am only 4 miles from Newbold and the car.
Monday morning I cruised the last 4 miles, moored on a 14 day space, loaded up the car and came home. Note: need to get some new trainers. This pair have no tread and i slipped down the steps of the boat knocking my side/back. Ouch. So I am nearly back to base. I estimate 3 more days to get to Weedon. Could do it more quickly but why should I?
I have seen a lot of places this summer that I had never been to before and there are several that I would like to visit again, perhaps, spend more time exploring. I will add a couple more entries on this blog including the distances travelled before the season is over.
22nd - 24th August
I am writing this in retrospect as I did not have the technology with me for the weekend. I drove up to Great Hayward arriving about 1pm. The half mile walk to the boat was the main reason for carrying a minimal load this weekend. We cruised to Handsacre as I knew I could get a bus back to the car. The cruise went really well. It is quite an interesting part of the canal making for a good half day's travelling. The 825 bus is regular and I was back at the boat with the car before dark. Quite noisy teenagers drinking their Strongbow on the towpath. I thought I'd have one too - a Strongbow, not a teenager.
On Saturday I got up, checked the car was okay and left Handsacre. It was a nice, sunny day. I cruised down to Fradley and through the three locks with Last Frontier and behind him Jus' Manatees. All very nice, helpful people. I stopped at Huddlesford as it's an easy walk to Lichfield to get the bus back to Handsacre. My feelings about where I'd left my car were realised when I discovered that my rear passenger window had been broken and the rear seat pulled down (to check for valuables in the boot, I suppose). I called Autoglass and moved the car back closer to where I had moored. Autoglass, who are usually so good, must have been having an off day - as, when I rang them, after an hour and a half, two hours and a half and then 3 hours, I discovered they had referred me on to a defunct outlet. Having discovered the breakage at 5pm I finally had my new window after midnight - hungry, thirsty, bursting and disgruntled with mankind..or should that be mancruel? Not only that but to add insult to injury it's costing me £70 - the excess on my insurance policy.
Up and out early. Made slow progress today but can't really say why. I cruised through Tamworth, stopping just to empty the loo/bin and take on water. There are only 2 locks on this stretch at Glascote and I caught up with Jus' Manatees again. I carried on to Polesworth, where I had stopped on the way up. Just missed the 2 hourly bus to Tamworth so walked - it's about 4 miles. Got a bus from there to the village of Whittingdon where I had left the car. Back on board by 7.30pm. I am going to leave the boat here but I need a rethink about this car/boat business, it's too time consuming and stressful.
Hopefully back next weekend.
On Saturday I got up, checked the car was okay and left Handsacre. It was a nice, sunny day. I cruised down to Fradley and through the three locks with Last Frontier and behind him Jus' Manatees. All very nice, helpful people. I stopped at Huddlesford as it's an easy walk to Lichfield to get the bus back to Handsacre. My feelings about where I'd left my car were realised when I discovered that my rear passenger window had been broken and the rear seat pulled down (to check for valuables in the boot, I suppose). I called Autoglass and moved the car back closer to where I had moored. Autoglass, who are usually so good, must have been having an off day - as, when I rang them, after an hour and a half, two hours and a half and then 3 hours, I discovered they had referred me on to a defunct outlet. Having discovered the breakage at 5pm I finally had my new window after midnight - hungry, thirsty, bursting and disgruntled with mankind..or should that be mancruel? Not only that but to add insult to injury it's costing me £70 - the excess on my insurance policy.
Up and out early. Made slow progress today but can't really say why. I cruised through Tamworth, stopping just to empty the loo/bin and take on water. There are only 2 locks on this stretch at Glascote and I caught up with Jus' Manatees again. I carried on to Polesworth, where I had stopped on the way up. Just missed the 2 hourly bus to Tamworth so walked - it's about 4 miles. Got a bus from there to the village of Whittingdon where I had left the car. Back on board by 7.30pm. I am going to leave the boat here but I need a rethink about this car/boat business, it's too time consuming and stressful.
Hopefully back next weekend.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
The last post (for two weeks)
I walked into Stafford to get the bus over to the car. It was about 4 miles but didn't take long as it was interesting terrain. Found two Starbucks, one Costa and one Nero - so I guess it is up and coming! Seems quite a nice place. The car was fine and I filled her with fuel at 109.9p p/l and got some lunch. Back to Olivia, loaded up car and then took the boat to her long term mooring (i.e. for next couple of weeks). Decided to log on and got the first signal for AGES - yippee- although some of the things the laptop does all by itself are scream makingly frustrating. Hopefully I'll sort them out when I'm home and at a loose end (and within short distance of a technician!).
Last long haul for Phase 2
There was a storm last night but today's threatened rain held off pretty well and I not only got through the 10 planned locks but I pushed on and got through number 11 and moored ready to go through the twelth in the morning. Quite a long day and I was fearful that I'd never find a decent place to moor at a decent time but just as I was giving up, a place revealed itself. had a little walk a bit further along to identify my next "storage" place for the boat.
Wolverhampton environs
Tuesday August 12th 2008
I was very glad that I moored at Brewood as there was no other convenient place to moor for over 3 hours. Parts of these suburbs of Wolverhampton reminded me of Hayes! Although some effort has been made with the newer housing, the old houses are not very nice. Olivia is doing really well even if she does get smoky when she is hot and idling (don't we all get hot under the collar). Met some very nice people - keep running into the same boats who are doing a similar route to me. Moored at Gailey tonight ready to start through 10 locks tomorrow.
I was very glad that I moored at Brewood as there was no other convenient place to moor for over 3 hours. Parts of these suburbs of Wolverhampton reminded me of Hayes! Although some effort has been made with the newer housing, the old houses are not very nice. Olivia is doing really well even if she does get smoky when she is hot and idling (don't we all get hot under the collar). Met some very nice people - keep running into the same boats who are doing a similar route to me. Moored at Gailey tonight ready to start through 10 locks tomorrow.
No signal for TEN days...
so here is the update.
Sunday August 3rd 2008
I got up early to cruise to Nantwich. Only 2 locks today although they were deep ones with scary ladders. I met up with Lynn ok. Very close to where we moored there was a concert starring Girls Aloud. Tickets were £32 but we had ringside seats (for sound anyway!). Shame is wasn’t someone more to our taste. We found a nice Italian restaurant for supper. With the concert some places were only open to regulars. We are off to Liverpool in the morning.
Monday 4th to Wednesday 6th August 2008
We started out for Liverpool. Went to Nantwich Station but when our train arrived (a single coach) the driver said he couldn’t take us to Crewe as there had been a fatality on a level crossing further along. We went back to our cars and Lynn drove us to Chester where we got Merseyrail into Liverpool. The ticket only cost £4.20 so we probably saved cash. Our hotel was only 300 metres from the station and was right in the heart of things. We dumped our bags and had a walk round calling into the Catholic Cathedral and, later, into the Cavern Club for a drink. We found a lovely French bistro close to the hotel for a meal. On Tuesday it rained early on so we went to the Walker Gallery and then we went on the "Ferry cross the Mersey" and to the Klimt exhibition at the Tate. We ate at a restaurant opposite the hotel and then went back to Chester and from there to the boat. We were both surprised at how compact the city was. Today we set off down the Shroppie, stopping at Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker before mooring for the night at Audlem Locks. It started raining so we decided to eat in tonight.
Thursday August 7th 2008
We made our way up the Audlem Flight. A nice sunny day. We went back to Nantwich to fetch our cars and then had a meal at the Shroppie Fly.
Friday August 8th 2008
Lynn put an old padlock on my front door - for which I have no key! Luckily it was to hold the two door parts together so can still open door but not open it as a stable door. That will teach me to declutter and throw out useless items! We moved cars and cruised down to Market Drayton . Couldn’t find a decent pub to eat in so we ate at home again.
Saturday August 9th 2008
Rained all morning. We went to Market Drayton Museum as Lynn wanted to trace her grandparents and any clues would be welcomed. We moved my car a place called Gnosall which I will pass in a day or two. It also has good bus connections. Then we had lunch - we tried Staffordshire oatcakes! Very nice. When the weather cheered up we took the boat through the next 5 locks. It started raining at about lock 2 and we got drenched.
Sunday August 10th 2008
Lynn left at 12.30pm and I cruised for three hours to High Offley. Very windy, but fine and sunny day.
Monday 11th August 2008
Still no signal so that is 5 or more days!! I cruised to Gnosall for a few provisions and to check on the car. I loaded up some laundry and some old paperbacks. On to Wheaton Aston for diesel, elsan and thru the only lock for today. Ended up quite close to Brewood and only 6 miles from the junction. If weather holds I should get to Great Hayward in good time.
Sunday August 3rd 2008
I got up early to cruise to Nantwich. Only 2 locks today although they were deep ones with scary ladders. I met up with Lynn ok. Very close to where we moored there was a concert starring Girls Aloud. Tickets were £32 but we had ringside seats (for sound anyway!). Shame is wasn’t someone more to our taste. We found a nice Italian restaurant for supper. With the concert some places were only open to regulars. We are off to Liverpool in the morning.
Monday 4th to Wednesday 6th August 2008
We started out for Liverpool. Went to Nantwich Station but when our train arrived (a single coach) the driver said he couldn’t take us to Crewe as there had been a fatality on a level crossing further along. We went back to our cars and Lynn drove us to Chester where we got Merseyrail into Liverpool. The ticket only cost £4.20 so we probably saved cash. Our hotel was only 300 metres from the station and was right in the heart of things. We dumped our bags and had a walk round calling into the Catholic Cathedral and, later, into the Cavern Club for a drink. We found a lovely French bistro close to the hotel for a meal. On Tuesday it rained early on so we went to the Walker Gallery and then we went on the "Ferry cross the Mersey" and to the Klimt exhibition at the Tate. We ate at a restaurant opposite the hotel and then went back to Chester and from there to the boat. We were both surprised at how compact the city was. Today we set off down the Shroppie, stopping at Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker before mooring for the night at Audlem Locks. It started raining so we decided to eat in tonight.
Thursday August 7th 2008
We made our way up the Audlem Flight. A nice sunny day. We went back to Nantwich to fetch our cars and then had a meal at the Shroppie Fly.
Friday August 8th 2008
Lynn put an old padlock on my front door - for which I have no key! Luckily it was to hold the two door parts together so can still open door but not open it as a stable door. That will teach me to declutter and throw out useless items! We moved cars and cruised down to Market Drayton . Couldn’t find a decent pub to eat in so we ate at home again.
Saturday August 9th 2008
Rained all morning. We went to Market Drayton Museum as Lynn wanted to trace her grandparents and any clues would be welcomed. We moved my car a place called Gnosall which I will pass in a day or two. It also has good bus connections. Then we had lunch - we tried Staffordshire oatcakes! Very nice. When the weather cheered up we took the boat through the next 5 locks. It started raining at about lock 2 and we got drenched.
Sunday August 10th 2008
Lynn left at 12.30pm and I cruised for three hours to High Offley. Very windy, but fine and sunny day.
Monday 11th August 2008
Still no signal so that is 5 or more days!! I cruised to Gnosall for a few provisions and to check on the car. I loaded up some laundry and some old paperbacks. On to Wheaton Aston for diesel, elsan and thru the only lock for today. Ended up quite close to Brewood and only 6 miles from the junction. If weather holds I should get to Great Hayward in good time.
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