Almyne journeying in 2008
Fri, 1 Aug 2008
2 miles 2 locks
Lock keepers cottage
Cast Iron road bridge
Gap for rope
Early start as Rosie
has arranged to meet me
at Wootton Wawen early afternoon at the train station. Set off at seven fifty-five and the guy from the boat behind me wandered along to work the lock for me - that was nice. The lock keepers cottage there had the usual arched roof, but the owners had an extension put on that looked more like a Spanish villa with its white walls and parapet along the roof line.
Just after the next lock I spotted a cast iron road bridge, a bit chunk of metal that carries the road over the canal. Much more used to brick built bridges to carry the roadway.
From there is was an easy journey in to Wootton Wawen, where I moored up opposite the boat yard just before ten.
As I was near a boatyard I checked the level of diesel in the tank and found that I still had nearly seven inches of fuel, enough to last me another month at least.
Walked in to Wootton Wawen (See all the Wootton Wawen pictures) passing a craft and farm complex, most of which was closed till eleven because of holidays, or that was what the signs said. One of the outlets specialised in harnesses for horses and foals and claimed to make them to order. Maybe I can get one made up for D'fer
I thought.
In to Wootton Wawen past a wonderful weir and the oldest church in Warwickshire to the local shop. The proprietor label themselves s the 'A' Team and claim to supply anything you want - and deliver to the canal. I got directions from them as to the whereabouts of the station as there were no signposts to it anywhere.
Found the station where I was to meet Rosanne so wandered back to Almyne past the craft shop. Checked with the guy there who doesn't make to order after all, so D'fer has had another reprieve from the dog cart.
Spent the next hour or so resting the leg, which is much better today, but still aching if I do too much, preparing some pictures for the web site and uploading the past weeks entries.
Set off to meet Rosanne at half one and got to the station with a few minutes to spare. D'fer was delirious with pleasure to see Rosanne, who is called Rosanne in future.
Strolled back to Almyne past the general store and got some bits and pieces for dinner. Settled Rosanne in and settled D'fer down and went for a walk back to the church (See all the Church pictures Here ) and the weir to take some pictures.
After dinner we walked along to the aqueduct (See all the Aqueduct pictures Here ) to take some pictures there and spent the rest of the evening sitting on the tow path in front of the barbecue bucket.
Sat, 2 Aug 2008
Wild Pansy's
Heartsease
3½ miles 1 lock
Up just after eight and although we are not intending to travel far today started the day with a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast (makes a change). Planning to meet my nephew at Wilmcote early afternoon.
Set off just after nine accompanied by an overcast sky with the sun trying its hardest to break through. At the first (and only lock of today's travelling) Rosanne worked the paddles and gates while I lazed in Almyne.
While we were there Rosanne spotted some 'Heartsease' which deserved a photograph all of it's own.
Shortly afterwards we got to Edstone Aqueduct. I was impressed by the other aqueducts that we had been over but this was something else. Nearly two hundred and fifty yards long (two football pitches) ( EdstoneAquaduct ) and I don't know how high, passing over a meadow, a railway line, a river, a road and a track. The cast iron sides are between two and three inches thick and that is all there is to hold Almyne and all that water in place.
It is slightly wider than a narrow boat (about six to eight inches") and at some points we could not see the sides as we were too close. The top of the aqueduct is just six inches above the water line. Although I dislike heights and could only walk over Clifton Suspension Bridge by keeping me eyes pointed at the far end there was no choice about the aqueduct. It is impossible to turn the boat around so you just have to keep going, a bit like a tunnel, once in there is no turning back.
Fearless D'fer, not wanting to miss anything, was stood with his fore paws on the gunwale peering over the drop and scaring the pants off me.
Completed the aqueduct and pulled over to moor up for a cup of tea and give the knees a chance to stop wobbling.
Carried on after half an hour or so and got chatting to a guy walking along the bank. He was holidaying in the UK from New Zealand with his children, so when we got to the next bridge hole asked if they would like a trip on Almyne to the following bridge hole. They were all thrilled and the guy was full of questions about the canals and the way of life.
Arrived at Wilmcote just after midday, where we had corned beef sandwiches for lunch and the Rosanne swept Almyne through while I did some more catching up on the web site.
Wandered in to Wilmcote past Mary Ardens house ( well they thought it might have been but have recently discovered that it was built five years after she moved from the area) who, of course, was William Shakespeare's mother.
The post office-cum-shop was a real 'Open all hours' place selling everything that you can imagine, so we got some provisions to last us a few days.
Back at Almyne a swan decided that the canal and anything on it (including Almyne) was his property, but somehow D'fer did not quite agree and they had a long conversation about the rights and wrongs of riparian rights until I intervened and explained to D'fer that some arguments just cannot be won and are best left alone.
While waiting for David
to arrive we went for a walk to the next lock and really started noticing all the different plants. Rosanne had brought along a couple of books on wild plants and we decided between us that we should learn some of the names of some of them. This was partly triggered by seeing the Heartsease earlier on. I can now recognise Burdock, Ragwort (common) and Woody Nightshade, but am working on the others.
Spotted some teasels which we want to see if we can remember to pick tomorrow so that when we get some lambswool bits Rosanne can start spinning again.
David rang and explained that he could not make it till Tuesday so we gave D'fer Davids share of dinner (steak, mushrooms, carrots and mash) to which he showed his appreciation with an enormous belch afterwards.
Played a couple of games of Skip-bo and off to bed.
Apparently during the night the heavens opened and provided a months worth of rain in a few hours. Rosanne woke and clambered past me in to the cratch to put the cratch covers down while I blissfully slept all through it.
Sun, 3 Aug 2008
Wilmcote Locks
2½ miles 12 locks
I was up early, about seven and pottered around Almyne as quietly as I could so as not to wake Rosanne. Took D'fer for a walk but the towpath was muddy after last nights rain, so cut the walk short.
Got myself breakfast of bacon, egg and tomato on toast, did the engine checks, changed the batteries over to give the starter a charge and set off just after eight fifteen.
Rosanne woke up and put the kettle on for a cup of tea, in her case coffee, and wandered out to enjoy the overcast sky while we were travelling.
After a while the sun came out and the day brightened up enough to take my T-shirt off to try to improve my 'southern Californian' tan.
Arrived at the first lock and waited in line for the other boat to go through. While waiting another boat arrived and slotted in behind us to wait their turn.
The boat in front went through and I started setting the current lock and then went down to set the following lock, ready for when we got there. Came back and on the way spotted some teasels (we had forgotten yesterdays) so took a detour to collect them.
By the time I got back to Almyne the crew of the following boat had opened the gate and Rosanne was leaving the lock, so hurried on down to the next one to get the gate open. Rosanne negotiated the whole flight of locks marvellously even though it was her first ever time on the tiller between locks. It made a real difference having a skipper to take the boat through while I did the lock wheeling.
I remembered after the first three locks that I had intended to put a loaf of bread on to bake, so took a short break to put all the ingredients in the bread maker and set it going.
Pulled over at Wootton Bridge to top up with water and get rid of the rubbish. While we were doing that I took D'fer to the previous bridge where the bank was suitable for him to have a swim. He enjoyed that for a while and we wandered back to Almyne where he proceeded to dry himself by rubbing himself against Rosanne's legs.
Carried on through one more lock and about another mile, encountering a very new hire boater who was all over the place and who managed to scrape all down the side of Almyne (I had a hard job keeping my mouth closed), to Stratford Court Cruisers where I tried to get a new gas cylinder (ran out last night) but they only do 13kg ones not 19 like what I want. A cylinder of gas seems to be lasting about a month so the spare should last us till we get back to Wootton Wawen.
Ended up at One Elm Lock, just ten minutes from the centre of Stratford-on-Avon where we moored up at half one, just in time to avoid a heavy summer shower which lasted for fifteen minutes or more. I remembered at the last minute to change the batteries again and those few seconds needed to throw two switches got me quite wet.
The bread was ready by now so had a corned beef and tomato sandwich washed down with a cup of tea (coffee in Rosanne's case).
Took time out for a power nap after uploading the past few days pictures. The connection here is about ten times faster than the connection yesterday, so did not take too long.
Even though it is Sunday we decided to go into Stratford-on-Avon to see what was what.
It truly is a pretty place with many, many old buildings and we will take the opportunity tomorrow (if the rain holds off) to take some pictures. The basin in Stratford-on-Avon is undergoing renovation and refurbishment so there was not really anywhere to moor up, so the decision to pull over earlier on was a good one.
Back to Almyne for an evening meal, a game of cards and bed.
Mon, 4 Aug 2008
Evening View
Stayed up till the wee small hours (dawn) chatting and drinking, consequently I did not surface till well into the afternoon, and then all I was good for was reading my book. Rosanne was up and about every time I surfaced and provided my with refreshment in the form of cups of tea, most of which went cold, and I eventually came back to the world of the living just before five.
We went for a walk into Stratford-on-Avon by way of the canal and identified a few more plants, well Rosanne did anyway.
D'fer found a way into the canal and by the time we were back at Almyne I was soaked where he kept brushing past my legs.
Too late to do any shopping, but the plan is to go into Stratford-on-Avon early tomorrow and get a plant identification book that hopefully covers all the ones that are not covered in the existing books and then set off back towards the Grand Union , but tomorrow is another day.
Tue, 5 Aug 2008
1 mile 1 lock
Drizzling rain for most of the morning so went for a walk into Stratford-on-Avon where the heavens opened and we got wet. Purchased some wildlife identification books, one on flowers, one on trees, one on fungi and one on birds. Managed to get a big bone for D'fer and some provisions for the next few days.
Rosanne took me to the Witchcraft Museum where we spent a couple of hours wandering around. The building was very old and the floors and walls were all over the place, which made it all the more interesting.
Back at Almyne we set off just after two and did just the one lock before we moored over for the day. We did not want to try the flight of eleven locks this late in the day, especially with the intermittent rain.
I had been trying to get in touch with David all day but to no avail as I wanted to make sure that he arrived in time to go across the Edstone aqueduct.
Quiet evening playing cards and keeping dry.
Wed, 6 Aug 2008
Evening View
4 miles 11 locks
Did the trip up the eleven locks arriving at Wilmcote in time for lunch just after one. Although the leg is very much better it is still giving me some discomfort if I do too much.
Still no contact with David so decided that we would see how far it was to Edstone Aqueduct and whether there was any decent moorings nearby so walked the two miles along the tow path to see what was what. Rosanne has quite got in to identifying the various plants and on the way back from the aqueduct collected samples of the ones she did not recognise. Back at Almyne, both of us absolutely shattered, Rosanne sat down to check the books to identify the samples she had come back with and succeeded with all of them. While we were walking I practised naming the plants that Rosanne had told me about and by the time we got back I could name four of them.
Rested for an hour or so and then set of again heading towards the aqueduct and the mooring that we had spotted, it took just under an hour, even stopping off on the way to collect a bunch of logs that were at the side of the tow path and offering assistance to a guy who could not get his boat under one of the bridges.
It was a lovely evening and I took D'fer for a walk in the fields.
All in all the best days weather we have had for nearly a week so topped it off by sitting on the bank drinking a glass of wine and watching the sun go down.
Thu, 7 Aug 2008
5½ miles 7 locks
Spent all morning trying to contact David to see if he was going to make it to us today. Rosanne employed herself painting the name plate on Almyne while I walked D'fer in the fields and did a little fishing. By two o'clock I had still not managed to get in touch with David so set off anyway.
Got to Wootton Wawen and while approaching the boat yard along the aqueduct asked where I should moor up to get a new gas cylinder and was told to just slow down over the aqueduct. Held Almyne in the middle of the aqueduct while the guy got me a new gas cylinder and I emptied the porta pottie, just glad that no other boats came along while we were doing this.
Carried on towards Lowsonford but stopped two locks short of the target (just before six) as we had had enough for the day and it seemed silly to keep going just for the sake of keeping going.
Fri, 8 Aug 2008
2½ miles 11 locks
Early start as we wanted to get to Kingswood junction today, the weather for tomorrow is building up for rain all day.
Set off just after nine and followed a boat all the way up all eleven locks. This meant that I had to empty each lock before we could go in, so progress was slow. Rosanne got very good at holding Almyne just outside each lock which saved having to moor up and go back to close the gates.
Got to Kingswood just after two, found the local shops and got some more provisions. Still no contact with David.
Early evening a pair of working boats arrived and moored up just in front of us. They were an original pair but had been converted to accommodation boats and for the past forty years have been taking parties of youngsters and parents on trips around the canal system. Based in Birmingham, they are run by the Christadelphians.
During the evening Rosanne and I played cards on one of the picnic benches while the people from the pair of boats exercised D'fer with a football. We retired to Almyne when it got too dark to play outside anymore to listen to the radio and play more cards.
Sat, 9 Aug 2008
Another day of rain. The working pair departed early as they were trying to get to Gas Street Basin before dark. Didn't envy them their journey in the rain.
Clive
and Shelley
arrived just after ten, soaked to the skin, and moored up just in front of us.
They joined us for a cup of coffee and we caught up on all the news since they left Wheaton Aston nearly a month previously.
We had meatballs and spaghetti for tea and Shelley brought along a big saucepan of cauliflower cheese for us to finish off.
D'fer had an unusually large dinner that evening and belched loudly afterwards before settling down to make another attempt to demolish his bone.
Sat up far too long playing cards and drinking wine. I know it was far too long as I ended up having a prolonged fit of giggles. It was so prolonged it carried on till the wee small hours and into dawn.
We had a few funny looks from other boaters the following day.
Sun, 10 Aug 2008
Shrewley tunnel
Dragonfly
5 miles 1 tunnel
The day started with more rain, but Clive and Shelley set off to go to Hatton so that they could have a good start on the flight the following day. We left it till nearly two before we set off and missed all the rain. The trip down to the top of the Hatton flight was pleasant with brilliant sunshine all the way and we moored up just after two after passing through Shrewley tunnel, which was most impressive with all the stalactites hanging down. During the journey Rosanne spotted a terracotta plant pot on the bank so we pulled over and rescued it.
I went for a walk to suss out the flight and fortunately took an umbrella with me as soon after I started walking the heavens opened. D'fer didn't need an umbrella as he had his fur coat on. Every now and again he would give it a good shake, usually finding some poor unsuspecting group of people to show how it works. If the rain hadn't soaked them, D'fer did.
Clive and Shelley were moored up on private moorings at the top of the flight but I don't suppose anyone would mind as the owners of the moorings were probably out enjoying their summer trip.
Back from my walk the sun came out again and Clive wandered along to say Hi. We all had a cup of tea and then Shelley arrived somewhat agitated as she had been waiting for Clive to look at some artwork with her.
We all wandered back to their boats and looked through the guys portfolio of work, which I must admit was impressive. We all agreed that we would attempt the Hatton flight tomorrow and try to get to the big supermarket the other side of Warwick.
Mon, 11 Aug 2008
Top Gear
Evening View
4½ miles 23 locks
Set off just after nine and passed Clive and Shelley on our way to the first lock. Did that all on our own but at the next lock a Challenger boat (No 25, Broadsword) caught up with us. We accompanied them all the way down the first twenty one locks, me helping where I could. The guy on the tiller of the Challenger seemed rather grumpy and would not even look at me when we were in the lock together.
Moored up on the approach to the Saltisford Arm and walked down to it to have a look. No point in going along there as there are no facilities that we want and no decent mooring ether. D'fer had an altercation with a goose along the arm and found out that geese can bite before he backed off.
Discovered that the supermarket is another two miles so decided that I would go back and help Clive and Shelly down before making the final leg to the supermarket.
By the time I got back to Clive and Shelley they had completed the first six locks so I only had another fifteen to help them with. I lock-wheeled ahead of them most of the time making sure that the lock that they were approaching was ready for them. They were so pleased with the assistance that the following day Shelly bought me a big chocolate medal to say thank you and kept calling me her hero as they had never had assistance like that before.
Reached Almyne and they moored up and had a cup of tea with us. Shortly after that we set off again to get to the supermarket. Moored up by the supermarket and I wandered over there to get something for dinner, which we ate with relish as neither of us had eaten much during the day.
Played cards for a while and then went shopping properly sometime after eleven. Being a twenty four hour supermarket it was really good wandering around with hardly anyone around and we stocked up on all those items the we were running short of. Wine, beer, tinned vegetables, tinned meats and that sort of thing. Took everything back to Almyne in the shopping trolley and after unloading it returned it to the trolley park.
Rosanne spent the next hour or so re-arranging the tins cupboard and organising the food stores so that they are more accessible.
Tue, 12 Aug 2008
A real blue sky
8½ miles 10 locks
Again we waited till the rain subsided before we set off and had a really good run all the way as regards the sunshine. Approaching the first lock we teamed up with a hire boat and once the guy on the tiller and his wife sorted out their differences the rest of the ten locks went really well. The last two were what is known as a staircase lock, the bottom gates of one lock are also the top gates of the next lock.
We had been told that the pub by bridge twenty six sold 'Old Speckled Hen', a beer that I am really rather partial to, so walked along the tow path to it.
On the way spotted the ideal garden shed to tow behind Almyne. Made a note of the phone number of the owner and gave him a ring. I had decided how much I was prepared to pay for it and after some lengthy negotiations decided that the owner wanted more for it than I was prepared to pay, however, it has shown me that I can get the sort of thing that I am looking for if I keep looking.
Later on Rosanne D'fer and I went back to the pub for another drink and watched the moon through the clouds.
I think I am getting a sense of romance in my old age.
Played cards and drank wine till the wee small hours again. I think the rain does that to us and coupled with a nice warm fire (it was getting a little chilly) we did not get to bed till the sun came up again so slept through most of the rain the following day.
Wed, 13 Aug 2008
Yet another day of rain. Spent all afternoon doing internetty stuff and trying to update the web site, occasionally breaking off to change some of the curtains and sorting out some clothing that I don't really need, you know things like jeans that have big holes in the knees and T-shirts that are wearing thin.
During a break in the rain I sawed up some more logs so that we can have the fire on again this evening and re-positioned the mooring pins as they were beginning to work loose with all the boats hurrying past in the rain.
Thu, 14 Aug 2008
Braunston Junction
Stockton Locks
4 miles 13 locks
5 miles
After a restless night and poached eggs for breakfast set off shortly before ten. Looks as if it is going to be a sunny day, so want to get on as far as is reasonable.
Hit the first lock with another couple in a boat and we soon got in to a rhythm where I was preparing the following lock while the other guy was finishing up on the lock we had just come through. Rosanne was taking Almyne from one lock to the next and did very well at it. Did the first ten in about two hours. The other couple pulled over and we carried on through the last three of the flight and then on to Napton junction and then on to Braunston junction.
Just after Napton junction we were cruising along minding our own business past a field full of sheep when one of them decided to come and join us on the boat. He soon found out that it is easier to get in the water than out of the water. Having tried to climb out of the water on the side it fell in (which was piled so there was no way it could climb out), it swam up to Almyne, bleating all the way, and after butting the side swam back down the length of Almyne and as I tried to grab it, it veered off and swam across to the other bank.
In the meantime I was trying to get D'fer inside as he was getting very excited by all the commotion, and at the same time pull over to moor up to see if I could rescue the sheep.
There was no need really as the sheep climbed out of the canal on to the tow path, but having seen several dead sheep (and other animals in the canal because they cannot climb out of the piled sides) I had to at least try to rescue it.
After the locks were out of the way I got the washing machine out and got three loads of washing done while we were on the move.
As we arrived at Braunston the heavens opened so we pulled over and moored up while the deluge continued, but after a cup of tea (the universal panacea) the skies cleared and we walked along to Braunston proper to see what was what and if there was anywhere better to moor up (we were under some trees and in the shade).
Found a better mooring just one hundred yards further along (round a bend and under a bridge) so moved along to it and had the sun streaming in the back of the boat for several hours.
Fri, 15 Aug 2008
6 miles 6 locks 1 tunnel
Set off just after nine and reached the first of the six locks outside Braunston to find that the lock operation point was clogged up with boats so held Almyne in mid channel waiting for some boats to go into the lock to make space for more waiting boats.
Eventually a boat came down the other way and told us that the boats at the head of the queue were not going in to the lock. Trundled down to the lock and told the people on the hire boat that they were clogging things up and was told that they were off in five minutes after they had finished their tea! With all the confusion I missed the water point.
Arrived at the lock with a hire boat crewed by eight students. They were happy to do the lock-wheeling so we were free to enjoy the ride. The six locks went very well and as we left the last lock I gave them a can of beer each as thank you and sent them on their way. I was going to travel slowly and they would not want to be stuck behind.
We had been warned by a boater going in the opposite direction that the tunnel gets cold inside so donned our warm weather clothing and hats. Braunston tunnel is 2042 yards long with a slight kink at one end, but not enough that you cannot see the exit from the entrance. Being wide enough for two seven foot boats to pass in the tunnel, boats travel in both directions at once and we met several during our transit. It is strange passing a boat in the dark and with only the headlights for guidance and only three inches of spare space either side. One of the boats coming in the other direction was waving a powerful torch around, presumably to look at the walls covered in lime-scale, but it kept flashing in my eyes ruining my night vision and making it that much more difficult to pass them safely and without bumping.
During the transit the boat following us got closer and closer until it was barely ten yards behind me (about a boats length). Exiting the tunnel we were passing a number of moored boats and anglers, so were travelling at tick-over (as is polite and recommended by BW) at which point the following boat got even closer and the woman on the front yelled at me to pull over or speed up!! I asked her if she was having trouble with her tick-over and was told that they prefer to travel as fast as they can. I explained that we were passing moored boats and anglers, so would neither pull over nor go faster.
A short way further on I spotted Clive and Shelley so put Almyne into reverse to stop and chat with them. The following boat got into a right pickle trying to avoid me as he was much too close, but I ignored them and carried on with what I was doing. Took a while to manoeuvre to the bank and once there I moored up and suggested to the guy on the other boat that if he wanted to go fast he should get a car. Caught up on Clive and Shelley's news over a cup of tea, and to let the anger over the speeding idiots subside.
Approaching Norton junction BW were dredging the canal with a couple of boats spread over the whole width. The boat that had been following me and causing such a fuss was stuck by the dredgers, so had got no further than we had while stopping for lunch. As we arrived the BW guys pulled the dredgers to one side and let us all through.
Moored up at Norton junction on a private mooring whose owners were off on their summer holiday. We knew this as another BW guy told us and sort of gave us permission.
Walked into Long Buckby Wharf, where Buckby Buckets had been made and decorated for nearly two hundred years, only to find that the original shop was no longer trading, a comparatively recent event as they were trading less than twenty years ago according to a book I have been reading. There was however a canal craft shops that sold all sorts of stuff which was quite fascinating.
Back at Almyne and we set off again, this time along the Leicester arm of the Grand Union canal. This arm is narrow locks again so we have left the wide locks behind us for a while.
Moored up for the day just past Watford Gap services with the motor-way on one side, the railway on the other side and Watling Street (the Roman road) close by. A bit on the noisy side but we were disinclined to tackle the staircase tonight.
Several other boats arrived during the evening and because the lock-keeper actually lock the locks overnight no one could move till the following day.
One of the boats had a couple of greyhounds aboard and when the owner took them for a walk they tried to have a go at D'fer and in the kerfuffle one of the greyhounds managed to catch its dew claw on its other leg and rip it quite badly. He took it to the vet and as far as we know it is all sorted out.
We really are getting in to a routine of playing cards and drinking wine till quite late, and thoroughly enjoyable it is too.
Sat, 16 Aug 2008
14½ miles 8 locks 1 tunnel
Started off the day with a good breakfast in preparation of the flight of seven, four of which are a staircase. The lock keeper had popped down to unlock the gates and asked if we were going up. I explained that we were happy to wait a while to see what the weather was going to be like and he asked if I could move a little further back to make room for boats waiting in the queue, so I moved us back a bit.
Several boats had already gone up when I wandered along to find the lock keeper and explain that we were ready now and he booked us in the queue. We were to follow a hire boat crewed by a guy in his late sixties and his ninety year old mother. She was really game and handled the tiller very well, a bit bumpy in to the locks, but what the hell.
The flight went much easier than I had expected, partly because the lock keeper was very helpful and prepped a couple of the locks for us and assisted through the staircase.
From there on it was an easy and pleasant journey through Crick tunnel and on to Welford junction where we took a detour along the Welford arm. Three bridges, one lock and two miles further on we reached the end of the arm and turned around and found a mooring place. We had been told that a band was setting up in the garden of the pub, so wandered along to see what it was all about. Had a pint of 'A Bit'er Rough', which was very good, while the band started up. It was an Irish come folk song band and were excellent, so good, in fact, that we stayed for dinner and a few more pints listening to them all evening. D'fer had fun wandering around the other tables scrounging food and playing with the other dogs until I felt that he was causing too much trouble at which point I told him to come back and lie down. Much to my surprise, he did, and stayed close all evening apart from a couple of little forays to other tables where people were eating.
Staggered back to Almyne with the aid of a torch and D'fer to guide us, where we rounded off a wonderful evening with a couple of games of cards and a few more glasses of wine, eventually collapsing in to bed before the sun came up.
Sun, 17 Aug 2008
Working Horse
6½ miles 1 tunnel
1½ miles 1 lock
After splendid evening at the pub listening to the music and joining in from time to time the day started around eleven when we surfaced and had breakfast. Set off towards Leicester at midday and were amazed to see nearly thirty gliders in the air and more being towed up. As we travelled along the Welford arm towards Welford junction there was at least three planes towing gliders in to the air at any one time and probably eight or nine planes towing the gliders up altogether.
By the time we got to Welford junction there must have been over a hundred gliders in the air, spiralling and rising on the thermals of four or five different hills.
Rosanne missed most of it as she was washing her hair at the time.
Clearing Welford junction there was a statue of a working horse and boatman, which had a timeless air about it.
Through Husbands Bosworth tunnel and on towards the Foxton flight, but mooring up two bridges beforehand as we did not want to attempt two staircase flights each of five locks so late in the day.
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 6½ miles 10 locks 2 swing bridges
Foxton Flight
Foxton Staircase
Set off before noon to do the Foxton flight.
The Foxton flight is two staircase locks, each of five locks in the staircase. A staircase lock is one where the bottom set of gates of one lock is the top set of gates for the next, so boats can only go in one direction at a time through each staircase. We arrived and were told that we could set off into the first lock straight away but must wait at the last of the staircase for a boat coming in the other direction.
The view looking down the flight was something else and made me realise that we had been cruising along the top of a hillside and now we were going down into a valley for the next part of the journey. Looking across to the right over the roofs of the buildings again made me realise just how high up we were, in a boat, not a plane.
Rosanne wandered off to the Foxton museum and to look at the rest of the flight. There was a shop at the bottom and she managed to get a loaf of real bread there while I was negotiating the flight.
Immediately after the flight we turned right into the Market Harborough arm and had to negotiate our first swing bridge since the K and A. This was a very new one, not even shown on the maps yet, followed a short while later by another, more traditional swing bridge.
Carried on into Market Harborough and moored up shortly after three. After waiting for the drizzle to subside we wandered into Market Harborough itself, which is a really pretty town, with a town hall just like the one that used to be in Crawley (but now at Singleton Open Air Museum).
Rosanne found some really good craft shops and managed to get some paints that she has been looking out for since Wolverhampton and I found a fishing tackle shop and got some maggots again.
Back at Almyne the heavens opened so we lit the fire and hunkered down for the evening.
Tue, 19 Aug 2008
Market Harborough Church
Market Harborough Town Hall
Decided to stay in Market Harborough for the day as it would be easier for Jim
to collect Rosie
from there rather than trying to get to Leicester. Rosie and Jim were meant to be going to visit Koren (Rosie's daughter) at the weekend but Jim rang up and said that there was a problem which meant that they could not go, so Rosie is staying on a bit longer with me.
Early on I popped in to the 'Feed Store' and got a bid bag of Field and Trial Muesli for D'fer, it is his favourite.
Walked into Market Harborough again and got some more paints and bits and pieces as Rosie is really getting in to painting roses on cards and there could be a market for them.
Wed, 20 Aug 2008
Love Those Logs
4 miles
Early breakfast and then reversed Almyne to the facilities point in Market Harborough wharf for nine to top up with water, empty the porta pottie and get rid of the rubbish.
Moored up again in the visitor moorings section and set off to Market Harborough again to replenish stores, get some fine paint brushes and food for the week.
Arrived back at Almyne just before the rain set in, so stayed put until it subsided and then set off towards Leicester again.
There was one boat of note along our journey, it had three logs stood on the front and each one looked like a face, with a little help from some paint. I could not resist taking a photo.
Only managed four miles (in two hours) before the rain returned and we pulled over and moored up to settle in for another rainy evening, tucked up in front of a nice warm fire.
Thu, 21 Aug 2008
Unusual Bridge
Saddington Tunnel
5½ miles 3 locks 2 swing bridges 1 tunnel
1 mile
Cleared the Market Harborough arm about midday in brilliant sunshine. I had started the washing on route, so stopped off at the water point at Foxton junction to top up. There was one bridge along the arm that from a distance looked very attractive and unusual with all the little squares round the archway but as we got closer we could see that they were reinforcing tie rods to hold it together. This did not take away the fact that it looked attractive.
Had an absolutely marvellous journey up to Saddington tunnel, the sun was shining and very warm, so much so that I stripped off my T-shirt and spent some time improving my tan whilst darting in and out from the tiller to the galley to change the washing in the machine and the spin dryer.
Negotiated three locks and the weather took a turn for the normal and it looked like rain so we pulled over, moored up and closed the hatch just in time for the heavens to open.
Finished the washing and lit the fire to try and get some of it dry. It was a good decision to stop when we did as otherwise we would have had not only the washing to dry but also the wet clothes that we would have been wearing.
Once the rain eased off I did a little fishing till the light started to go and then we played cards till bed time.
Fri, 22 Aug 2008
Bottom Half Mile Lock
Bottom Half Mile Lock
4 miles 9 locks
Another nice day. Easy travelling apart from one of the locks that had no operation mooring point. so had to hold Almyne with the ropes while running backwards and forwards to close the far gates and then open the near paddles. It actually turned into quite a game.
Rosanne is becoming much more confident and is beginning to work the paddles and gates but most of them are a bit heavy for her as we are back on the double locks of the Grand union. Pulled Almyne into and out of the locks as it was easier than climbing up and down the ladders that seem to be positioned at the most awkward points possible.
Met a farmer and his three grandchildren at Bottom Half Mile lock (just after we had scrumped some damsons from a tree in one of his fields) and the three little girls looked so enthralled with Almyne that we offered them a trip to the next lock. The farmer, Taidy, had his vehicle with him so could not come on board, but two of the girls joined us till the next lock, where Taidy met us.
Got chatting to him and he suggested that we moor up at Kilby as the locks from then on need a key to operate them, so we did.
Had the best afternoons fishing for a long time, so much so that I did not even have time to roll a cigarette between fish.
Found out the the local bus service has been suspended because of roadworks so will have to catch a taxi to see the model village if the weather permits a visit tomorrow.
Sat, 23 Aug 2008
Wistow Church
Caught the taxi to the model village and spent the day exercising D'fer in the corm field maze and looking round the garden centre and model village. Stopped at the cafe there for a cream tea and D'fer benefited from the left-overs of the previous occupants of the table we were sat at, which included a bacon sandwich, two cup cakes, a sausage and the remains of several pots of cream that had been served with cream teas.
Walked back along the tow path past the damson tree so scrumped some more of those.
While walking the tow path we spotted some little bugs on the surface of the water skittering and flitting across the surface. I think that they were baby water boatmen as they were clearly supported by the surface tension of the water and the little indentations in the water looked like tiny jewels where the sun caught them.
Sun, 24 Aug 2008
1 mile 1 lock
24thview2
Walked into South Wigston to get a few provisions and found a fishing tackle shop but being Sunday they were closed. The Co-op was open so got the basics that were needed to tide us over till we could go shopping properly.
D'fer had a whale of a time on the way back as there were several places where he could get into the canal and swim. In fact at one point as I was walking him back to Almyne he raced back along the tow path about two hundred yards and leapt in, just for the hell of it.
During the walk I spotted a rather lovely place to moor up and as we had used up our twenty four hour allowance at the moorings we were on we decided to move to the likely looking spot, so we did, only a mile further on and the one lock, but nice enough to spend a couple of days there, and nearer the tackle shop.
Mon, 25 Aug 2008
Jacobs
Walked into South Wigston again, but this time specially to get some maggots from the tackle shop, not realising that it was not just any old Monday, but bank holiday Monday, so it was still closed. Spotted the Jacob's cream cracker factory! actually part of the Pladis group.
Arriving back at Almyne there was a guy fishing just in from of Almyne and I got nattering to him. During the conversation I managed to get in the fact that I had tried to get some maggots but the shop was closed. He immediately offered me some of his, which I gratefully accepted and offered him a cup of tea in return. He refused the tea explaining that he would be off shortly.
Some time later he knocked on the door of Almyne and gave me the rest of his maggots, so I was well set up for the rest of the day.
Tue, 26 Aug 2008
7 miles 11 locks.
CastleParkBridge
CastleParkAtNight
Veg Market
Up early as we had been told that it might be a good idea to go right through Leicester in one go. Progress was fairly slow as all the locks were against us and we arrived in the middle of Leicester about three.
On the way I had picked up a brochure on attractions in Leicester, one of which is the largest covered market in Europe, so we just had to stop off and see that.
Walked to the market and it is truly large, spread over four floors inside a building and over quite a large outside covered area.
Rosanne got a couple of pairs of shoes suitable for the boat as well as a pair of wellingtons that she wants to paint and I got a pair of stout boots. My one pair of boots at £10 cost more that Rosanne's three pairs of footwear. Rosanne also got a pair of jeans, a denim, shirt and a Willen top for £6 - bargain.
Found a fabric stall and spotted the perfect covering material for outside cushions, so then set off in search of a foam stall. Found that and selected some appropriate foam to purchase tomorrow once we have measured up.
The veg stall was really reasonable and we got enough vegetables to last several days, including carrots, peas in the pod, cauliflower, beans and potatoes, all to go with the pork joint already in the fridge.
The meat and fish was also very reasonable so we will be stocking up on that tomorrow as well.
Wed, 27 Aug 2008
Blue Building
House Numbers
Fountain
Town Hall
Spent the day in Leicester so that we could give the market a proper going over.
Walking in to Leicester we spotted a house with a strange number on it. Now I don't know the conventions about house numbering but I have never seen a half anywhere, I have seen 12a and 33c but never 27 1/2. Look closely at the picture, or view the larger version, it is definitely 27 1/2, but the strangest thing about it is that it falls between 25 and 27, if it fell between 27 and 29 it might make some sense.
The fountain is quite spectacular and we are told that sometimes in winter it is left on until it freezes, which must be even more spectacular. The four griffins, facing to the points of the compass, are spewing water from their mouths while the water from the bowls on top cascade around them and when viewed against the background of the town hall make a wonderful picture.
Leicester seems to be made up of beautiful buildings everywhere, most of which you would not notice just walking along the streets and watching your feet. The trick is to look up and suddenly you are transported to a bygone age. I loved the gargoyle on the side of the bank, one of the few that had not suffered too much from weathering and I had to stop and look at the blue building just to absorb the atmosphere and take in just how old it was - and still in the town centre.
Rosanne got some more clothes, she says that there is plenty of room in the drawers that I have cleared out for her and the oilcloth and foam for cushions for the back of Almyne. She has so many projects on the go I don't know when she will have time to simply enjoy the trip.
D'fer thoroughly enjoyed himself chasing a ball around Castle Park until he was absolutely exhausted and panting for breath.
Thu, 28 Aug 2008
15½ miles 11 locks
Candlestick Factory1
Candlestick Factory4
Candlestick Factory2
Steam Boat
Wooden Dog
Wooden Cow
Traffic Lights2
Set off just after eight as it is likely to be a long days travelling. From here to Shardlow we will be on one river or another. The first is the river Soar, which has a reputation for flooding easily if there is a decent rainstorm. After that we get to the Derwent and then a few stretches of the Trent.
The river Derwent should be OK except that it is so big.
Travelling along the river Soar was quite exciting in its own way as there was loads of water, even though the safety boards said the the levels were low, so I could exercise Almyne's engine with out fear of eroding the banks. In places we must have been doing seven or eight knots, fairly flying along through deep, clear water with reeds waving underwater at us.
When we arrived at Silby lock I noticed that there was a Candlestick factory, which looked interesting so we pulled over for an hour or so.
Doth Rosanne and I had misunderstood the sign as we were expecting to see candles, but no this was really a candlestick manufacturer, and oh what candlesticks.
Having had a good look around and decided that everything was a little out of our price range we took Almyne across the river to the boatyard and topped up with diesel, just enough to ensure that we did not run out on any of the river sections.
The nearer to Loughborough we got the larger the river became and there were several flood locks as well.
A flood lock is one that is normally open at both ends, but in time of spate (high river levels) the locks become operative to help control the flow and allow navigation to continue.
At one of the locks we met a boat coming in the other direction and asked what the moorings in Loughborough were like and were told that they have just opened Loughborough Wharf, which has good moorings and all facilities, and we were told how to get there as it is not sign-posted.
Arrived at Loughborough just before six and moored up in the basin. There were three other boats there and D'fer soon introduced us to their occupants.
A rough crowd, but very nice people once you got to know them. We though that we must have offended them as we had only been there about an hour when they all upped anchor and left. Apparently they had been there for two days and it is twenty four hour moorings.
Right next to a supermarket and the retails park, everything was available, including a launderette, but that was not open after six so didn't use them tonight.
Did a little shopping, enough to last the night and settled down for a night of luxury. Dinner a shower and bed after a game of cards.
Fri, 29 Aug 2008
1 miles 1 lock
Today's the day for the launderette. All the bedding that is so difficult to get washed and dried on Almyne along with jeans, tea towels, towels and shirts, in fact everything. It was too good an opportunity to miss.
That done got a few more bits and pieces from the supermarket and set off towards Shardlow. Hadn't gone more than one lock when we spotted Jason, Mark, Al, Bill and Grabber moored up so we pulled over for a chat. These were the guys that we had met briefly the previous evening.
D'fer had a whale of a time with Badger and Boyster, a couple of dogs and Rosanne and I spent the evening in conversation with this bunch of interesting guys.
Jason had been in the army and was invalided out after having been shot. The bullet went in his shoulder, through his lung, out of his groin, back in the top of his leg and out below the knee after shattering the bones in his leg
Having recovered from that he spent some time bumming around before hooking up with Mark and now that he has found rest on the canal finds that he has cancer and was given six months, five and a half months ago. Since being on the canal the cancer has not got any worse. No better either but he still has another six months, which will probably turn into several years at the current rate.
Stories like this make me realise just how lucky I am, as fit as a fiddle, and would be even fitter if I did not smoke. Living on the canal is also so very restful and stress free. The down side could turn out to be the damp. Every now and again I get a twinge of rheumatism, or is it arthritis, whatever it is sometimes the joint in my index finger on my right hand aches, but like tinnitus and migraine I refuse to suffer with it, yet.
Geri
was never happier and fitter than when on the canal and Rosanne seems to be coming alive as time goes on. In the three months that she has been on board we have had perhaps ten days of dry almost sunny weather and that notwithstanding she is enjoying every minute of it. We love the sound of the rain on the roof snuggled up inside Almyne with the fire on if need be and safe from the elements outside, it is a comfort zone that is second to none.
Anyway, enough of this drivel, proceeding on our journey we came across some more traffic lights, but these were not to stop us bumping in to a boat coming the other way, these were to stop us using a river in flood. It was on green so we continued.
Sat, 30 Aug 2008
12 miles 12 locks
Derwent1
River Soar
Shire Foals
Tomorrow is forecast thunder storms in the area, so we want to get off the river before they hit. The stories we have heard about the Soar flooding quickly makes you think of Boscastle and even though I know it is unlikely to be that bad I still don't want to be washed in to a field somewhere and get a crane and lorry to get me back into the canal, so the intention is to press on to the Trent and Mersey and get off the river(s) before the rain sets in.
Superb days travelling and the experience on the river became more and more exciting. As it got wider and wider we could travel faster and faster. The African Queen racing the rapids was an exciting read and when on a fast flowing river gives an inkling of what it must have been like.
We hooked up with another boat, with crew, so the journey down the Soar was fairly easy from the lock point of view and we fairly flew along. They were trying to make it to Trentlock, just across from the Derwent before the end of the day. Then we reached the Derwent. They made it, we saw them cruising across the Derwent and into Trentlock as we motored on along the Derwent amazed at it's width and worrying about it's depth, although there was so much water around us we could open up the engine without creating a wash anywhere - and we were motoring.
What a river, deep, wide, fast - even at this time of year when there has been little rain for several weeks and levels are, according to the safety boards, low.
Fortunately we only had to travel about two miles along the Derwent, and what a two miles, before reaching the Trent and Mersey canal, so we are safe from flooding even if the threatened thunderstorms arrive.
We had just arrived at the first of the six wide locks on the Trent and Mersey when we spotted a boat coming along behind us so we waited for them to join us in it. There were two guys on it, obviously out for an evening and after helping each other through the lock one of them deposited a can of lager on top of Almyne - that was nice.
Chased them through a couple more locks and moored up just outside Willington where I wandered in to the village to see if there were any shops of note. Not really, but did find somewhere to get a pint of milk.
Nearly forgot, spotted a couple of Shire horses with their foals on the way, such stately creatures.
Sun, 31 Aug 2008
Going nowhere. Rain, rain and more rain. No thunderstorms, but loads of wet drizzling rain.
Spent all day sorting out the myriad of emails that I have not been able to deal with and enjoying a well earned rest.
Top
2 miles 2 locks
Lock keepers cottage
Cast Iron road bridge
Gap for rope
Early start as Rosie
has arranged to meet me
at Wootton Wawen early afternoon at the train station. Set off at seven fifty-five and the guy from the boat behind me wandered along to work the lock for me - that was nice. The lock keepers cottage there had the usual arched roof, but the owners had an extension put on that looked more like a Spanish villa with its white walls and parapet along the roof line.
Just after the next lock I spotted a cast iron road bridge, a bit chunk of metal that carries the road over the canal. Much more used to brick built bridges to carry the roadway.
From there is was an easy journey in to Wootton Wawen, where I moored up opposite the boat yard just before ten.
As I was near a boatyard I checked the level of diesel in the tank and found that I still had nearly seven inches of fuel, enough to last me another month at least.
Walked in to Wootton Wawen (See all the Wootton Wawen pictures) passing a craft and farm complex, most of which was closed till eleven because of holidays, or that was what the signs said. One of the outlets specialised in harnesses for horses and foals and claimed to make them to order. Maybe I can get one made up for D'fer
I thought.
In to Wootton Wawen past a wonderful weir and the oldest church in Warwickshire to the local shop. The proprietor label themselves s the 'A' Team and claim to supply anything you want - and deliver to the canal. I got directions from them as to the whereabouts of the station as there were no signposts to it anywhere.
Found the station where I was to meet Rosanne so wandered back to Almyne past the craft shop. Checked with the guy there who doesn't make to order after all, so D'fer has had another reprieve from the dog cart.
Spent the next hour or so resting the leg, which is much better today, but still aching if I do too much, preparing some pictures for the web site and uploading the past weeks entries.
Set off to meet Rosanne at half one and got to the station with a few minutes to spare. D'fer was delirious with pleasure to see Rosanne, who is called Rosanne in future.
Strolled back to Almyne past the general store and got some bits and pieces for dinner. Settled Rosanne in and settled D'fer down and went for a walk back to the church (See all the Church pictures Here ) and the weir to take some pictures.
After dinner we walked along to the aqueduct (See all the Aqueduct pictures Here ) to take some pictures there and spent the rest of the evening sitting on the tow path in front of the barbecue bucket.
Sat, 2 Aug 2008
Wild Pansy's
Heartsease
3½ miles 1 lock
Up just after eight and although we are not intending to travel far today started the day with a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast (makes a change). Planning to meet my nephew at Wilmcote early afternoon.
Set off just after nine accompanied by an overcast sky with the sun trying its hardest to break through. At the first (and only lock of today's travelling) Rosanne worked the paddles and gates while I lazed in Almyne.
While we were there Rosanne spotted some 'Heartsease' which deserved a photograph all of it's own.
Shortly afterwards we got to Edstone Aqueduct. I was impressed by the other aqueducts that we had been over but this was something else. Nearly two hundred and fifty yards long (two football pitches) ( EdstoneAquaduct ) and I don't know how high, passing over a meadow, a railway line, a river, a road and a track. The cast iron sides are between two and three inches thick and that is all there is to hold Almyne and all that water in place.
It is slightly wider than a narrow boat (about six to eight inches") and at some points we could not see the sides as we were too close. The top of the aqueduct is just six inches above the water line. Although I dislike heights and could only walk over Clifton Suspension Bridge by keeping me eyes pointed at the far end there was no choice about the aqueduct. It is impossible to turn the boat around so you just have to keep going, a bit like a tunnel, once in there is no turning back.
Fearless D'fer, not wanting to miss anything, was stood with his fore paws on the gunwale peering over the drop and scaring the pants off me.
Completed the aqueduct and pulled over to moor up for a cup of tea and give the knees a chance to stop wobbling.
Carried on after half an hour or so and got chatting to a guy walking along the bank. He was holidaying in the UK from New Zealand with his children, so when we got to the next bridge hole asked if they would like a trip on Almyne to the following bridge hole. They were all thrilled and the guy was full of questions about the canals and the way of life.
Arrived at Wilmcote just after midday, where we had corned beef sandwiches for lunch and the Rosanne swept Almyne through while I did some more catching up on the web site.
Wandered in to Wilmcote past Mary Ardens house ( well they thought it might have been but have recently discovered that it was built five years after she moved from the area) who, of course, was William Shakespeare's mother.
The post office-cum-shop was a real 'Open all hours' place selling everything that you can imagine, so we got some provisions to last us a few days.
Back at Almyne a swan decided that the canal and anything on it (including Almyne) was his property, but somehow D'fer
did not quite agree and they had a long conversation about the rights and wrongs of riparian rights until I intervened and explained to D'fer that some arguments just cannot be won and are best left alone.
While waiting for David
to arrive we went for a walk to the next lock and really started noticing all the different plants. Rosanne had brought along a couple of books on wild plants and we decided between us that we should learn some of the names of some of them. This was partly triggered by seeing the Heartsease earlier on. I can now recognise Burdock, Ragwort (common) and Woody Nightshade, but am working on the others.
Spotted some teasels which we want to see if we can remember to pick tomorrow so that when we get some lambswool bits Rosanne can start spinning again.
David rang and explained that he could not make it till Tuesday so we gave D'fer Davids share of dinner (steak, mushrooms, carrots and mash) to which he showed his appreciation with an enormous belch afterwards.
Played a couple of games of Skip-bo and off to bed.
Apparently during the night the heavens opened and provided a months worth of rain in a few hours. Rosanne woke and clambered past me in to the cratch to put the cratch covers down while I blissfully slept all through it.
Sun, 3 Aug 2008
Wilmcote Locks
2½ miles 12 locks
I was up early, about seven and pottered around Almyne as quietly as I could so as not to wake Rosanne. Took D'fer
for a walk but the towpath was muddy after last nights rain, so cut the walk short.
Got myself breakfast of bacon, egg and tomato on toast, did the engine checks, changed the batteries over to give the starter a charge and set off just after eight fifteen.
Rosanne woke up and put the kettle on for a cup of tea, in her case coffee, and wandered out to enjoy the overcast sky while we were travelling.
After a while the sun came out and the day brightened up enough to take my T-shirt off to try to improve my 'southern Californian' tan.
Arrived at the first lock and waited in line for the other boat to go through. While waiting another boat arrived and slotted in behind us to wait their turn.
The boat in front went through and I started setting the current lock and then went down to set the following lock, ready for when we got there. Came back and on the way spotted some teasels (we had forgotten yesterdays) so took a detour to collect them.
By the time I got back to Almyne the crew of the following boat had opened the gate and Rosanne was leaving the lock, so hurried on down to the next one to get the gate open. Rosanne negotiated the whole flight of locks marvellously even though it was her first ever time on the tiller between locks. It made a real difference having a skipper to take the boat through while I did the lock wheeling.
I remembered after the first three locks that I had intended to put a loaf of bread on to bake, so took a short break to put all the ingredients in the bread maker and set it going.
Pulled over at Wootton Bridge to top up with water and get rid of the rubbish. While we were doing that I took D'fer to the previous bridge where the bank was suitable for him to have a swim. He enjoyed that for a while and we wandered back to Almyne where he proceeded to dry himself by rubbing himself against Rosanne's legs.
Carried on through one more lock and about another mile, encountering a very new hire boater who was all over the place and who managed to scrape all down the side of Almyne (I had a hard job keeping my mouth closed), to Stratford Court Cruisers where I tried to get a new gas cylinder (ran out last night) but they only do 13kg ones not 19 like what I want. A cylinder of gas seems to be lasting about a month so the spare should last us till we get back to Wootton Wawen.
Ended up at One Elm Lock, just ten minutes from the centre of Stratford-on-Avon where we moored up at half one, just in time to avoid a heavy summer shower which lasted for fifteen minutes or more. I remembered at the last minute to change the batteries again and those few seconds needed to throw two switches got me quite wet.
The bread was ready by now so had a corned beef and tomato sandwich washed down with a cup of tea (coffee in Rosanne's case).
Took time out for a power nap after uploading the past few days pictures. The connection here is about ten times faster than the connection yesterday, so did not take too long.
Even though it is Sunday we decided to go into Stratford-on-Avon to see what was what.
It truly is a pretty place with many, many old buildings and we will take the opportunity tomorrow (if the rain holds off) to take some pictures. The basin in Stratford-on-Avon is undergoing renovation and refurbishment so there was not really anywhere to moor up, so the decision to pull over earlier on was a good one.
Back to Almyne for an evening meal, a game of cards and bed.
Mon, 4 Aug 2008
Evening View
Stayed up till the wee small hours (dawn) chatting and drinking, consequently I did not surface till well into the afternoon, and then all I was good for was reading my book. Rosanne was up and about every time I surfaced and provided my with refreshment in the form of cups of tea, most of which went cold, and I eventually came back to the world of the living just before five.
We went for a walk into Stratford-on-Avon by way of the canal and identified a few more plants, well Rosanne did anyway.
D'fer
found a way into the canal and by the time we were back at Almyne I was soaked where he kept brushing past my legs.
Too late to do any shopping, but the plan is to go into Stratford-on-Avon early tomorrow and get a plant identification book that hopefully covers all the ones that are not covered in the existing books and then set off back towards the Grand Union , but tomorrow is another day.
Tue, 5 Aug 2008
1 mile 1 lock
Drizzling rain for most of the morning so went for a walk into Stratford-on-Avon where the heavens opened and we got wet. Purchased some wildlife identification books, one on flowers, one on trees, one on fungi and one on birds. Managed to get a big bone for D'fer
and some provisions for the next few days.
Rosanne took me to the Witchcraft Museum where we spent a couple of hours wandering around. The building was very old and the floors and walls were all over the place, which made it all the more interesting.
Back at Almyne we set off just after two and did just the one lock before we moored over for the day. We did not want to try the flight of eleven locks this late in the day, especially with the intermittent rain.
I had been trying to get in touch with David
all day but to no avail as I wanted to make sure that he arrived in time to go across the Edstone aqueduct.
Quiet evening playing cards and keeping dry.
Wed, 6 Aug 2008
Evening View
4 miles 11 locks
Did the trip up the eleven locks arriving at Wilmcote in time for lunch just after one. Although the leg is very much better it is still giving me some discomfort if I do too much.
Still no contact with David
so decided that we would see how far it was to Edstone Aqueduct and whether there was any decent moorings nearby so walked the two miles along the tow path to see what was what. Rosanne has quite got in to identifying the various plants and on the way back from the aqueduct collected samples of the ones she did not recognise. Back at Almyne, both of us absolutely shattered, Rosanne sat down to check the books to identify the samples she had come back with and succeeded with all of them. While we were walking I practised naming the plants that Rosanne had told me about and by the time we got back I could name four of them.
Rested for an hour or so and then set of again heading towards the aqueduct and the mooring that we had spotted, it took just under an hour, even stopping off on the way to collect a bunch of logs that were at the side of the tow path and offering assistance to a guy who could not get his boat under one of the bridges.
It was a lovely evening and I took D'fer
for a walk in the fields.
All in all the best days weather we have had for nearly a week so topped it off by sitting on the bank drinking a glass of wine and watching the sun go down.
Thu, 7 Aug 2008
5½ miles 7 locks
Spent all morning trying to contact David
to see if he was going to make it to us today. Rosanne employed herself painting the name plate on Almyne while I walked D'fer in the fields and did a little fishing. By two o'clock I had still not managed to get in touch with David so set off anyway.
Got to Wootton Wawen and while approaching the boat yard along the aqueduct asked where I should moor up to get a new gas cylinder and was told to just slow down over the aqueduct. Held Almyne in the middle of the aqueduct while the guy got me a new gas cylinder and I emptied the porta pottie, just glad that no other boats came along while we were doing this.
Carried on towards Lowsonford but stopped two locks short of the target (just before six) as we had had enough for the day and it seemed silly to keep going just for the sake of keeping going.
Fri, 8 Aug 2008
2½ miles 11 locks
Early start as we wanted to get to Kingswood junction today, the weather for tomorrow is building up for rain all day.
Set off just after nine and followed a boat all the way up all eleven locks. This meant that I had to empty each lock before we could go in, so progress was slow. Rosanne got very good at holding Almyne just outside each lock which saved having to moor up and go back to close the gates.
Got to Kingswood just after two, found the local shops and got some more provisions. Still no contact with David.
Early evening a pair of working boats arrived and moored up just in front of us. They were an original pair but had been converted to accommodation boats and for the past forty years have been taking parties of youngsters and parents on trips around the canal system. Based in Birmingham, they are run by the Christadelphians.
During the evening Rosanne and I played cards on one of the picnic benches while the people from the pair of boats exercised D'fer
with a football. We retired to Almyne when it got too dark to play outside anymore to listen to the radio and play more cards.Sat, 9 Aug 2008
Another day of rain. The working pair departed early as they were trying to get to Gas Street Basin before dark. Didn't envy them their journey in the rain.
Clive
and Shelley arrived just after ten, soaked to the skin, and moored up just in front of us.
They joined us for a cup of coffee and we caught up on all the news since they left Wheaton Aston nearly a month previously.
We had meatballs and spaghetti for tea and Shelley brought along a big saucepan of cauliflower cheese for us to finish off.
D'fer
had an unusually large dinner that evening and belched loudly afterwards before settling down to make another attempt to demolish his bone.
Sat up far too long playing cards and drinking wine. I know it was far too long as I ended up having a prolonged fit of giggles. It was so prolonged it carried on till the wee small hours and into dawn.
We had a few funny looks from other boaters the following day.
Sun, 10 Aug 2008
Shrewley tunnel
Dragonfly
5 miles 1 tunnel
The day started with more rain, but Clive
and Shelley set off to go to Hatton so that they could have a good start on the flight the following day. We left it till nearly two before we set off and missed all the rain. The trip down to the top of the Hatton flight was pleasant with brilliant sunshine all the way and we moored up just after two after passing through Shrewley tunnel, which was most impressive with all the stalactites hanging down. During the journey Rosanne spotted a terracotta plant pot on the bank so we pulled over and rescued it.
I went for a walk to suss out the flight and fortunately took an umbrella with me as soon after I started walking the heavens opened. D'fer
didn't need an umbrella as he had his fur coat on. Every now and again he would give it a good shake, usually finding some poor unsuspecting group of people to show how it works. If the rain hadn't soaked them, D'fer did.
Clive and Shelley were moored up on private moorings at the top of the flight but I don't suppose anyone would mind as the owners of the moorings were probably out enjoying their summer trip.
Back from my walk the sun came out again and Clive wandered along to say Hi. We all had a cup of tea and then Shelley arrived somewhat agitated as she had been waiting for Clive to look at some artwork with her.
We all wandered back to their boats and looked through the guys portfolio of work, which I must admit was impressive. We all agreed that we would attempt the Hatton flight tomorrow and try to get to the big supermarket the other side of Warwick.
Mon, 11 Aug 2008
Top Gear
Evening View
4½ miles 23 locks
Set off just after nine and passed Clive
and Shelley on our way to the first lock. Did that all on our own but at the next lock a Challenger boat (No 25, Broadsword) caught up with us. We accompanied them all the way down the first twenty one locks, me helping where I could. The guy on the tiller of the Challenger seemed rather grumpy and would not even look at me when we were in the lock together.
Moored up on the approach to the Saltisford Arm and walked down to it to have a look. No point in going along there as there are no facilities that we want and no decent mooring ether. D'fer
had an altercation with a goose along the arm and found out that geese can bite before he backed off.
Discovered that the supermarket is another two miles so decided that I would go back and help Clive and Shelly down before making the final leg to the supermarket.
By the time I got back to Clive and Shelley they had completed the first six locks so I only had another fifteen to help them with. I lock-wheeled ahead of them most of the time making sure that the lock that they were approaching was ready for them. They were so pleased with the assistance that the following day Shelly bought me a big chocolate medal to say thank you and kept calling me her hero as they had never had assistance like that before.
Reached Almyne and they moored up and had a cup of tea with us. Shortly after that we set off again to get to the supermarket. Moored up by the supermarket and I wandered over there to get something for dinner, which we ate with relish as neither of us had eaten much during the day.
Played cards for a while and then went shopping properly sometime after eleven. Being a twenty four hour supermarket it was really good wandering around with hardly anyone around and we stocked up on all those items the we were running short of. Wine, beer, tinned vegetables, tinned meats and that sort of thing. Took everything back to Almyne in the shopping trolley and after unloading it returned it to the trolley park.
Rosanne spent the next hour or so re-arranging the tins cupboard and organising the food stores so that they are more accessible.
Tue, 12 Aug 2008
A real blue sky
8½ miles 10 locks
Again we waited till the rain subsided before we set off and had a really good run all the way as regards the sunshine. Approaching the first lock we teamed up with a hire boat and once the guy on the tiller and his wife sorted out their differences the rest of the ten locks went really well. The last two were what is known as a staircase lock, the bottom gates of one lock are also the top gates of the next lock.
We had been told that the pub by bridge twenty six sold 'Old Speckled Hen', a beer that I am really rather partial to, so walked along the tow path to it.
On the way spotted the ideal garden shed to tow behind Almyne. Made a note of the phone number of the owner and gave him a ring. I had decided how much I was prepared to pay for it and after some lengthy negotiations decided that the owner wanted more for it than I was prepared to pay, however, it has shown me that I can get the sort of thing that I am looking for if I keep looking.
Later on Rosanne D'fer
and I went back to the pub for another drink and watched the moon through the clouds.
I think I am getting a sense of romance in my old age.
Played cards and drank wine till the wee small hours again. I think the rain does that to us and coupled with a nice warm fire (it was getting a little chilly) we did not get to bed till the sun came up again so slept through most of the rain the following day.
Wed, 13 Aug 2008
Yet another day of rain. Spent all afternoon doing internetty stuff and trying to update the web site, occasionally breaking off to change some of the curtains and sorting out some clothing that I don't really need, you know things like jeans that have big holes in the knees and T-shirts that are wearing thin.
During a break in the rain I sawed up some more logs so that we can have the fire on again this evening and re-positioned the mooring pins as they were beginning to work loose with all the boats hurrying past in the rain.
Thu, 14 Aug 2008
Braunston Junction
Stockton Locks
4 miles 13 locks
5 miles
After a restless night and poached eggs for breakfast set off shortly before ten. Looks as if it is going to be a sunny day, so want to get on as far as is reasonable.
Hit the first lock with another couple in a boat and we soon got in to a rhythm where I was preparing the following lock while the other guy was finishing up on the lock we had just come through. Rosanne was taking Almyne from one lock to the next and did very well at it. Did the first ten in about two hours. The other couple pulled over and we carried on through the last three of the flight and then on to Napton junction and then on to Braunston junction.
Just after Napton junction we were cruising along minding our own business past a field full of sheep when one of them decided to come and join us on the boat. He soon found out that it is easier to get in the water than out of the water. Having tried to climb out of the water on the side it fell in (which was piled so there was no way it could climb out), it swam up to Almyne, bleating all the way, and after butting the side swam back down the length of Almyne and as I tried to grab it, it veered off and swam across to the other bank.
In the meantime I was trying to get D'fer
inside as he was getting very excited by all the commotion, and at the same time pull over to moor up to see if I could rescue the sheep.
There was no need really as the sheep climbed out of the canal on to the tow path, but having seen several dead sheep (and other animals in the canal because they cannot climb out of the piled sides) I had to at least try to rescue it.
After the locks were out of the way I got the washing machine out and got three loads of washing done while we were on the move.
As we arrived at Braunston the heavens opened so we pulled over and moored up while the deluge continued, but after a cup of tea (the universal panacea) the skies cleared and we walked along to Braunston proper to see what was what and if there was anywhere better to moor up (we were under some trees and in the shade).
Found a better mooring just one hundred yards further along (round a bend and under a bridge) so moved along to it and had the sun streaming in the back of the boat for several hours.
Fri, 15 Aug 2008
6 miles 6 locks 1 tunnel
Set off just after nine and reached the first of the six locks outside Braunston to find that the lock operation point was clogged up with boats so held Almyne in mid channel waiting for some boats to go into the lock to make space for more waiting boats.
Eventually a boat came down the other way and told us that the boats at the head of the queue were not going in to the lock. Trundled down to the lock and told the people on the hire boat that they were clogging things up and was told that they were off in five minutes after they had finished their tea! With all the confusion I missed the water point.
Arrived at the lock with a hire boat crewed by eight students. They were happy to do the lock-wheeling so we were free to enjoy the ride. The six locks went very well and as we left the last lock I gave them a can of beer each as thank you and sent them on their way. I was going to travel slowly and they would not want to be stuck behind.
We had been warned by a boater going in the opposite direction that the tunnel gets cold inside so donned our warm weather clothing and hats. Braunston tunnel is 2042 yards long with a slight kink at one end, but not enough that you cannot see the exit from the entrance. Being wide enough for two seven foot boats to pass in the tunnel, boats travel in both directions at once and we met several during our transit. It is strange passing a boat in the dark and with only the headlights for guidance and only three inches of spare space either side. One of the boats coming in the other direction was waving a powerful torch around, presumably to look at the walls covered in lime-scale, but it kept flashing in my eyes ruining my night vision and making it that much more difficult to pass them safely and without bumping.
During the transit the boat following us got closer and closer until it was barely ten yards behind me (about a boats length). Exiting the tunnel we were passing a number of moored boats and anglers, so were travelling at tick-over (as is polite and recommended by BW) at which point the following boat got even closer and the woman on the front yelled at me to pull over or speed up!! I asked her if she was having trouble with her tick-over and was told that they prefer to travel as fast as they can. I explained that we were passing moored boats and anglers, so would neither pull over nor go faster.
A short way further on I spotted Clive
and Shelley so put Almyne into reverse to stop and chat with them. The following boat got into a right pickle trying to avoid me as he was much too close, but I ignored them and carried on with what I was doing. Took a while to manoeuvre to the bank and once there I moored up and suggested to the guy on the other boat that if he wanted to go fast he should get a car. Caught up on Clive and Shelley's news over a cup of tea, and to let the anger over the speeding idiots subside.
Approaching Norton junction BW were dredging the canal with a couple of boats spread over the whole width. The boat that had been following me and causing such a fuss was stuck by the dredgers, so had got no further than we had while stopping for lunch. As we arrived the BW guys pulled the dredgers to one side and let us all through.
Moored up at Norton junction on a private mooring whose owners were off on their summer holiday. We knew this as another BW guy told us and sort of gave us permission.
Walked into Long Buckby Wharf, where Buckby Buckets had been made and decorated for nearly two hundred years, only to find that the original shop was no longer trading, a comparatively recent event as they were trading less than twenty years ago according to a book I have been reading. There was however a canal craft shops that sold all sorts of stuff which was quite fascinating.
Back at Almyne and we set off again, this time along the Leicester arm of the Grand Union canal. This arm is narrow locks again so we have left the wide locks behind us for a while.
Moored up for the day just past Watford Gap services with the motor-way on one side, the railway on the other side and Watling Street (the Roman road) close by. A bit on the noisy side but we were disinclined to tackle the staircase tonight.
Several other boats arrived during the evening and because the lock-keeper actually lock the locks overnight no one could move till the following day.
One of the boats had a couple of greyhounds aboard and when the owner took them for a walk they tried to have a go at D'fer
and in the kerfuffle one of the greyhounds managed to catch its dew claw on its other leg and rip it quite badly. He took it to the vet and as far as we know it is all sorted out.
We really are getting in to a routine of playing cards and drinking wine till quite late, and thoroughly enjoyable it is too.
Sat, 16 Aug 2008
14½ miles 8 locks 1 tunnel
Started off the day with a good breakfast in preparation of the flight of seven, four of which are a staircase. The lock keeper had popped down to unlock the gates and asked if we were going up. I explained that we were happy to wait a while to see what the weather was going to be like and he asked if I could move a little further back to make room for boats waiting in the queue, so I moved us back a bit.
Several boats had already gone up when I wandered along to find the lock keeper and explain that we were ready now and he booked us in the queue. We were to follow a hire boat crewed by a guy in his late sixties and his ninety year old mother. She was really game and handled the tiller very well, a bit bumpy in to the locks, but what the hell.
The flight went much easier than I had expected, partly because the lock keeper was very helpful and prepped a couple of the locks for us and assisted through the staircase.
From there on it was an easy and pleasant journey through Crick tunnel and on to Welford junction where we took a detour along the Welford arm. Three bridges, one lock and two miles further on we reached the end of the arm and turned around and found a mooring place. We had been told that a band was setting up in the garden of the pub, so wandered along to see what it was all about. Had a pint of 'A Bit'er Rough', which was very good, while the band started up. It was an Irish come folk song band and were excellent, so good, in fact, that we stayed for dinner and a few more pints listening to them all evening. D'fer
had fun wandering around the other tables scrounging food and playing with the other dogs until I felt that he was causing too much trouble at which point I told him to come back and lie down. Much to my surprise, he did, and stayed close all evening apart from a couple of little forays to other tables where people were eating.
Staggered back to Almyne with the aid of a torch and D'fer to guide us, where we rounded off a wonderful evening with a couple of games of cards and a few more glasses of wine, eventually collapsing in to bed before the sun came up.
Sun, 17 Aug 2008
Working Horse
6½ miles 1 tunnel
1½ miles 1 lock
After splendid evening at the pub listening to the music and joining in from time to time the day started around eleven when we surfaced and had breakfast. Set off towards Leicester at midday and were amazed to see nearly thirty gliders in the air and more being towed up. As we travelled along the Welford arm towards Welford junction there was at least three planes towing gliders in to the air at any one time and probably eight or nine planes towing the gliders up altogether.
By the time we got to Welford junction there must have been over a hundred gliders in the air, spiralling and rising on the thermals of four or five different hills.
Rosanne missed most of it as she was washing her hair at the time.
Clearing Welford junction there was a statue of a working horse and boatman, which had a timeless air about it.
Through Husbands Bosworth tunnel and on towards the Foxton flight, but mooring up two bridges beforehand as we did not want to attempt two staircase flights each of five locks so late in the day.
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 6½ miles 10 locks 2 swing bridges
Foxton Flight
Foxton Staircase
Set off before noon to do the Foxton flight.
The Foxton flight is two staircase locks, each of five locks in the staircase. A staircase lock is one where the bottom set of gates of one lock is the top set of gates for the next, so boats can only go in one direction at a time through each staircase. We arrived and were told that we could set off into the first lock straight away but must wait at the last of the staircase for a boat coming in the other direction.
The view looking down the flight was something else and made me realise that we had been cruising along the top of a hillside and now we were going down into a valley for the next part of the journey. Looking across to the right over the roofs of the buildings again made me realise just how high up we were, in a boat, not a plane.
Rosanne wandered off to the Foxton museum and to look at the rest of the flight. There was a shop at the bottom and she managed to get a loaf of real bread there while I was negotiating the flight.
Immediately after the flight we turned right into the Market Harborough arm and had to negotiate our first swing bridge since the K and A. This was a very new one, not even shown on the maps yet, followed a short while later by another, more traditional swing bridge.
Carried on into Market Harborough and moored up shortly after three. After waiting for the drizzle to subside we wandered into Market Harborough itself, which is a really pretty town, with a town hall just like the one that used to be in Crawley (but now at Singleton Open Air Museum).
Rosanne found some really good craft shops and managed to get some paints that she has been looking out for since Wolverhampton and I found a fishing tackle shop and got some maggots again.
Back at Almyne the heavens opened so we lit the fire and hunkered down for the evening.
Tue, 19 Aug 2008
Market Harborough Church
Market Harborough Town Hall
Decided to stay in Market Harborough for the day as it would be easier for Jim
to collect Rosie
from there rather than trying to get to Leicester. Rosie and Jim were meant to be going to visit Koren (Rosie's daughter) at the weekend but Jim rang up and said that there was a problem which meant that they could not go, so Rosie is staying on a bit longer with me.
Early on I popped in to the 'Feed Store' and got a bid bag of Field and Trial Muesli for D'fer, it is his favourite.
Walked into Market Harborough again and got some more paints and bits and pieces as Rosie is really getting in to painting roses on cards and there could be a market for them.
Wed, 20 Aug 2008
Love Those Logs
4 miles
Early breakfast and then reversed Almyne to the facilities point in Market Harborough wharf for nine to top up with water, empty the porta pottie and get rid of the rubbish.
Moored up again in the visitor moorings section and set off to Market Harborough again to replenish stores, get some fine paint brushes and food for the week.
Arrived back at Almyne just before the rain set in, so stayed put until it subsided and then set off towards Leicester again.
There was one boat of note along our journey, it had three logs stood on the front and each one looked like a face, with a little help from some paint. I could not resist taking a photo.
Only managed four miles (in two hours) before the rain returned and we pulled over and moored up to settle in for another rainy evening, tucked up in front of a nice warm fire.
Thu, 21 Aug 2008
Unusual Bridge
Saddington Tunnel
5½ miles 3 locks 2 swing bridges 1 tunnel
1 mile
Cleared the Market Harborough arm about midday in brilliant sunshine. I had started the washing on route, so stopped off at the water point at Foxton junction to top up. There was one bridge along the arm that from a distance looked very attractive and unusual with all the little squares round the archway but as we got closer we could see that they were reinforcing tie rods to hold it together. This did not take away the fact that it looked attractive.
Had an absolutely marvellous journey up to Saddington tunnel, the sun was shining and very warm, so much so that I stripped off my T-shirt and spent some time improving my tan whilst darting in and out from the tiller to the galley to change the washing in the machine and the spin dryer.
Negotiated three locks and the weather took a turn for the normal and it looked like rain so we pulled over, moored up and closed the hatch just in time for the heavens to open.
Finished the washing and lit the fire to try and get some of it dry. It was a good decision to stop when we did as otherwise we would have had not only the washing to dry but also the wet clothes that we would have been wearing.
Once the rain eased off I did a little fishing till the light started to go and then we played cards till bed time.
Fri, 22 Aug 2008
Bottom Half Mile Lock
Bottom Half Mile Lock
4 miles 9 locks
Another nice day. Easy travelling apart from one of the locks that had no operation mooring point. so had to hold Almyne with the ropes while running backwards and forwards to close the far gates and then open the near paddles. It actually turned into quite a game.
Rosanne is becoming much more confident and is beginning to work the paddles and gates but most of them are a bit heavy for her as we are back on the double locks of the Grand union. Pulled Almyne into and out of the locks as it was easier than climbing up and down the ladders that seem to be positioned at the most awkward points possible.
Met a farmer and his three grandchildren at Bottom Half Mile lock (just after we had scrumped some damsons from a tree in one of his fields) and the three little girls looked so enthralled with Almyne that we offered them a trip to the next lock. The farmer, Taidy, had his vehicle with him so could not come on board, but two of the girls joined us till the next lock, where Taidy met us.
Got chatting to him and he suggested that we moor up at Kilby as the locks from then on need a key to operate them, so we did.
Had the best afternoons fishing for a long time, so much so that I did not even have time to roll a cigarette between fish.
Found out the the local bus service has been suspended because of roadworks so will have to catch a taxi to see the model village if the weather permits a visit tomorrow.
Sat, 23 Aug 2008
Wistow Church
Caught the taxi to the model village and spent the day exercising D'fer
in the corm field maze and looking round the garden centre and model village. Stopped at the cafe there for a cream tea and D'fer benefited from the left-overs of the previous occupants of the table we were sat at, which included a bacon sandwich, two cup cakes, a sausage and the remains of several pots of cream that had been served with cream teas.
Walked back along the tow path past the damson tree so scrumped some more of those.
While walking the tow path we spotted some little bugs on the surface of the water skittering and flitting across the surface. I think that they were baby water boatmen as they were clearly supported by the surface tension of the water and the little indentations in the water looked like tiny jewels where the sun caught them.
Sun, 24 Aug 2008
1 mile 1 lock
24thview2
Walked into South Wigston to get a few provisions and found a fishing tackle shop but being Sunday they were closed. The Co-op was open so got the basics that were needed to tide us over till we could go shopping properly.
D'fer
had a whale of a time on the way back as there were several places where he could get into the canal and swim. In fact at one point as I was walking him back to Almyne he raced back along the tow path about two hundred yards and leapt in, just for the hell of it.
During the walk I spotted a rather lovely place to moor up and as we had used up our twenty four hour allowance at the moorings we were on we decided to move to the likely looking spot, so we did, only a mile further on and the one lock, but nice enough to spend a couple of days there, and nearer the tackle shop.
Mon, 25 Aug 2008
Jacobs
Walked into South Wigston again, but this time specially to get some maggots from the tackle shop, not realising that it was not just any old Monday, but bank holiday Monday, so it was still closed. Spotted the Jacob's cream cracker factory! actually part of the Pladis group.
Arriving back at Almyne there was a guy fishing just in from of Almyne and I got nattering to him. During the conversation I managed to get in the fact that I had tried to get some maggots but the shop was closed. He immediately offered me some of his, which I gratefully accepted and offered him a cup of tea in return. He refused the tea explaining that he would be off shortly.
Some time later he knocked on the door of Almyne and gave me the rest of his maggots, so I was well set up for the rest of the day.
Tue, 26 Aug 2008
7 miles 11 locks.
CastleParkBridge
CastleParkAtNight
Veg Market
Up early as we had been told that it might be a good idea to go right through Leicester in one go. Progress was fairly slow as all the locks were against us and we arrived in the middle of Leicester about three.
On the way I had picked up a brochure on attractions in Leicester, one of which is the largest covered market in Europe, so we just had to stop off and see that.
Walked to the market and it is truly large, spread over four floors inside a building and over quite a large outside covered area.
Rosanne got a couple of pairs of shoes suitable for the boat as well as a pair of wellingtons that she wants to paint and I got a pair of stout boots. My one pair of boots at £10 cost more that Rosanne's three pairs of footwear. Rosanne also got a pair of jeans, a denim, shirt and a Willen top for £6 - bargain.
Found a fabric stall and spotted the perfect covering material for outside cushions, so then set off in search of a foam stall. Found that and selected some appropriate foam to purchase tomorrow once we have measured up.
The veg stall was really reasonable and we got enough vegetables to last several days, including carrots, peas in the pod, cauliflower, beans and potatoes, all to go with the pork joint already in the fridge.
The meat and fish was also very reasonable so we will be stocking up on that tomorrow as well.
Wed, 27 Aug 2008
Blue Building
House Numbers
Fountain
Town Hall
Spent the day in Leicester so that we could give the market a proper going over.
Walking in to Leicester we spotted a house with a strange number on it. Now I don't know the conventions about house numbering but I have never seen a half anywhere, I have seen 12a and 33c but never 27 1/2. Look closely at the picture, or view the larger version, it is definitely 27 1/2, but the strangest thing about it is that it falls between 25 and 27, if it fell between 27 and 29 it might make some sense.
The fountain is quite spectacular and we are told that sometimes in winter it is left on until it freezes, which must be even more spectacular. The four griffins, facing to the points of the compass, are spewing water from their mouths while the water from the bowls on top cascade around them and when viewed against the background of the town hall make a wonderful picture.
Leicester seems to be made up of beautiful buildings everywhere, most of which you would not notice just walking along the streets and watching your feet. The trick is to look up and suddenly you are transported to a bygone age. I loved the gargoyle on the side of the bank, one of the few that had not suffered too much from weathering and I had to stop and look at the blue building just to absorb the atmosphere and take in just how old it was - and still in the town centre.
Rosanne got some more clothes, she says that there is plenty of room in the drawers that I have cleared out for her and the oilcloth and foam for cushions for the back of Almyne. She has so many projects on the go I don't know when she will have time to simply enjoy the trip.
D'fer
thoroughly enjoyed himself chasing a ball around Castle Park until he was absolutely exhausted and panting for breath.
Thu, 28 Aug 2008
15½ miles 11 locks
Candlestick Factory1
Candlestick Factory4
Candlestick Factory2
Steam Boat
Wooden Dog
Wooden Cow
Traffic Lights2
Set off just after eight as it is likely to be a long days travelling. From here to Shardlow we will be on one river or another. The first is the river Soar, which has a reputation for flooding easily if there is a decent rainstorm. After that we get to the Derwent and then a few stretches of the Trent.
The river Derwent should be OK except that it is so big.
Travelling along the river Soar was quite exciting in its own way as there was loads of water, even though the safety boards said the the levels were low, so I could exercise Almyne's engine with out fear of eroding the banks. In places we must have been doing seven or eight knots, fairly flying along through deep, clear water with reeds waving underwater at us.
When we arrived at Silby lock I noticed that there was a Candlestick factory, which looked interesting so we pulled over for an hour or so.
Doth Rosanne and I had misunderstood the sign as we were expecting to see candles, but no this was really a candlestick manufacturer, and oh what candlesticks.
Having had a good look around and decided that everything was a little out of our price range we took Almyne across the river to the boatyard and topped up with diesel, just enough to ensure that we did not run out on any of the river sections.
The nearer to Loughborough we got the larger the river became and there were several flood locks as well.
A flood lock is one that is normally open at both ends, but in time of spate (high river levels) the locks become operative to help control the flow and allow navigation to continue.
At one of the locks we met a boat coming in the other direction and asked what the moorings in Loughborough were like and were told that they have just opened Loughborough Wharf, which has good moorings and all facilities, and we were told how to get there as it is not sign-posted.
Arrived at Loughborough just before six and moored up in the basin. There were three other boats there and D'fer
soon introduced us to their occupants.
A rough crowd, but very nice people once you got to know them. We though that we must have offended them as we had only been there about an hour when they all upped anchor and left. Apparently they had been there for two days and it is twenty four hour moorings.
Right next to a supermarket and the retails park, everything was available, including a launderette, but that was not open after six so didn't use them tonight.
Did a little shopping, enough to last the night and settled down for a night of luxury. Dinner a shower and bed after a game of cards.
Fri, 29 Aug 2008
1 miles 1 lock
Today's the day for the launderette. All the bedding that is so difficult to get washed and dried on Almyne along with jeans, tea towels, towels and shirts, in fact everything. It was too good an opportunity to miss.
That done got a few more bits and pieces from the supermarket and set off towards Shardlow. Hadn't gone more than one lock when we spotted Jason, Mark, Al, Bill and Grabber moored up so we pulled over for a chat. These were the guys that we had met briefly the previous evening.
D'fer
had a whale of a time with Badger and Boyster, a couple of dogs and Rosanne and I spent the evening in conversation with this bunch of interesting guys.
Jason had been in the army and was invalided out after having been shot. The bullet went in his shoulder, through his lung, out of his groin, back in the top of his leg and out below the knee after shattering the bones in his leg
Having recovered from that he spent some time bumming around before hooking up with Mark and now that he has found rest on the canal finds that he has cancer and was given six months, five and a half months ago. Since being on the canal the cancer has not got any worse. No better either but he still has another six months, which will probably turn into several years at the current rate.
Stories like this make me realise just how lucky I am, as fit as a fiddle, and would be even fitter if I did not smoke. Living on the canal is also so very restful and stress free. The down side could turn out to be the damp. Every now and again I get a twinge of rheumatism, or is it arthritis, whatever it is sometimes the joint in my index finger on my right hand aches, but like tinnitus and migraine I refuse to suffer with it, yet.
Geri
was never happier and fitter than when on the canal and Rosanne seems to be coming alive as time goes on. In the three months that she has been on board we have had perhaps ten days of dry almost sunny weather and that notwithstanding she is enjoying every minute of it. We love the sound of the rain on the roof snuggled up inside Almyne with the fire on if need be and safe from the elements outside, it is a comfort zone that is second to none.
Anyway, enough of this drivel, proceeding on our journey we came across some more traffic lights, but these were not to stop us bumping in to a boat coming the other way, these were to stop us using a river in flood. It was on green so we continued.
Sat, 30 Aug 2008
12 miles 12 locks
Derwent1
River Soar
Shire Foals
Tomorrow is forecast thunder storms in the area, so we want to get off the river before they hit. The stories we have heard about the Soar flooding quickly makes you think of Boscastle and even though I know it is unlikely to be that bad I still don't want to be washed in to a field somewhere and get a crane and lorry to get me back into the canal, so the intention is to press on to the Trent and Mersey and get off the river(s) before the rain sets in.
Superb days travelling and the experience on the river became more and more exciting. As it got wider and wider we could travel faster and faster. The African Queen racing the rapids was an exciting read and when on a fast flowing river gives an inkling of what it must have been like.
We hooked up with another boat, with crew, so the journey down the Soar was fairly easy from the lock point of view and we fairly flew along. They were trying to make it to Trentlock, just across from the Derwent before the end of the day. Then we reached the Derwent. They made it, we saw them cruising across the Derwent and into Trentlock as we motored on along the Derwent amazed at it's width and worrying about it's depth, although there was so much water around us we could open up the engine without creating a wash anywhere - and we were motoring.
What a river, deep, wide, fast - even at this time of year when there has been little rain for several weeks and levels are, according to the safety boards, low.
Fortunately we only had to travel about two miles along the Derwent, and what a two miles, before reaching the Trent and Mersey canal, so we are safe from flooding even if the threatened thunderstorms arrive.
We had just arrived at the first of the six wide locks on the Trent and Mersey when we spotted a boat coming along behind us so we waited for them to join us in it. There were two guys on it, obviously out for an evening and after helping each other through the lock one of them deposited a can of lager on top of Almyne - that was nice.
Chased them through a couple more locks and moored up just outside Willington where I wandered in to the village to see if there were any shops of note. Not really, but did find somewhere to get a pint of milk.
Nearly forgot, spotted a couple of Shire horses with their foals on the way, such stately creatures.
Sun, 31 Aug 2008
Going nowhere. Rain, rain and more rain. No thunderstorms, but loads of wet drizzling rain.
Spent all day sorting out the myriad of emails that I have not been able to deal with and enjoying a well earned rest.
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