Last few days on the Ashby Canal

Higham to South of Limekilns, Ashby Canal, 3.75 miles 0 locks

I nipped into Nuneaton today, had a couple of bits and pieces to do, and while I was there picked up a new pair of walking boots.  My one and only pair had failed me last week as I scrambled through a hedge having taken the wrong route.. I caught my foot on some rather prickly undergrowth which split the top of the boot.  There is a good shop in Nuneaton close to the bus station that sells all sorts of stuff for outdoor pursuits.  I wore them this evening, but only for a little while.. they have done their first mile and a half.. and my feet didn’t complain afterwards… Not the same as my old boots though.. I must persist with them, I am sure we will be the greatest of friends soon.

We left the canopy up today as we pulled the pins on the overnight mooring.  The wind was cold and the weather overcast, in fact while I was in town it was snowing, but we need to get to Coventry Basin by Sunday.  Son Tony is visiting for a few days, catching the National Express up from Portsmouth.  It really is a cheap way to travel, just £18 return non stop to within 10 minutes of No Problem.  I have never been to Coventry Basin before and am looking forward to that.

Mooring at Hinckley this morning to catch the bus to town, a couple of swans decided that Chas and Ann’s mutt Molly was great to play with.. but she gave no ground.. they pecked at her, she barked back her dominance.. but nobody won in the end, the humans stopped the efforts of both parties to come out on top!..

I shall be sorry to leave the Ashby.. I will return though.  British Waterways have made big efforts here over the last year and the dredging sure has paid off, much deeper in places, and they have shored up an awful lot of the banks with wooden planking to stop the erosion.  Bosworth embankment looks great, but the towpaths still could do with a lot of repair and maintenance, they are dreadfully muddy and in places almost impassable.

Tomorrow we will turn left at Marston Junction and make our way to Hawkesbury Junction and a pint at one of our favourite waterways pups The Greyhound, but not before I give another short outing to my new mates.. the boots!