A day out in Rugby and Coventry

23rd - Clifton to Rugby, Oxford Canal, 1 mile 0 locks Today - Moored Rugby

Waited for the rain to pass over yesterday before moving up to Rugby, and a visit to Tesco for some milk and bread, I did a Tesco order yesterday, and that was duly delivered to the boat this morning, and packed away by Vic while I went off to Coventry armed with believe it or not a chip pan!

I had a letter from Matalan you see, saying that the chip pan I owned was dangerous and the handle might fall off and would I bring it back please for a refund. Anyway I wanted those jeans, so a refund on the chip pan would pay for the trip and one leg of a pair of jeans.

Life is so busy out there off the cut, everyone is in such a hurry, pushing and shoving to get on crowded trains, people jumping bus queues because they don't have time to catch the next bus cos this one is gonna be full........ sheeeeesh tis hard to keep up with the pace but you sort of have to try go with the flow or get trampled on. It is easy to see why people who spend a couple weeks on a canal holiday get all hot under the collar having to wait at locks and come charging passed our boat in motorway mode trying to 'get there' before the light is gone.

Had a look at both Rugby and Coventry town centres today, Rugby I liked very much with its old buildings still dominating the centre. It was market day today, the stalls were packed very tightly into the centre, and it was very noticable that it is a very friendly town, people were saying hello to each other in the street, which showed a close community.

In contrast Coventry has obviously gone through a lot of change, the city centre was extremely busy, and there were an awful lot of arcades off arcades and shopping centres leading to other shopping centres. A very clean city, well the centre was, but travelling today to the outskirts, they have been left to suffer, with closed up shops and rubbish strewn around.... pity the Council can't see to put money in the city outskirts as well.

Lucy was as pleased to see me as I was to be back home...... I had a good day out there in the ratrace today, but it sure is nice to be back.

Hillmorton and Onward

19th - Moored Braunston, Grand Union Canal 20th - Braunston to Willoughby, Oxford Canal, 1.5 miles 0 locks 21st - Moored Willoughby 22nd - Willboughby - Clifton, Oxford Canal, 7 miles, 3 locks

Picked up the cover from AJ's and they have done an excellent job, at last some proper zips that are Lucy proof!

Braunston, as ever, was really busy, not only with moored boats, but a constant stream of movements through the village much as we had seen the last few days. I can only guess people are moving early to position themselves for the winter, there are a lot of stoppages this side of Christmas in this area.

Just slowly moving along the Oxford Canal at the moment, I want to go to Matalan in Coventry, my stock of jeans is looking a bit worn out, and maybe a new shirt wouldn't go amiss either.

Today a visit to Tescos at Rugby me thinks, and maybe tomorrow into Coventry. Just waiting for this band of rain to clear before moving up.

Heard on the grapevine that our old friend Finch is in the area, seen last week just north of Newbold. Apparently he has a large cut on the left hand side of his face, his hair looks to have been shaven off, and he was wearing bikers boots and a thick black coat, so watchout!

For those not knowing who Finch is, he is a guy that has been a pain to narrowboaters, he breaks into narrowboats and takes up residence for short periods, he eats and drinks whatever is aboard, and leaves. He'll have any torch type batteries he finds, and this guy actually washes up before leaving! Well the rain of this morning has passed over, and Vic is on my back to move up to Tescos, not that I think he is going to carry my shopping bags, I have an idea there is a B&Q nearby?

Decisions, Decisions and Back to Braunston

17th - The Folly to Nr Napton Junction via Calcutt Locks, Grand Union Canal and Oxford Canal, 6 miles 0 locks
Today - Napton Junction to Braunston, Grand Union Canal, 5 miles 0 locks

The rain didn't want to stop yesterday, we waited as long as possible until in the end we had to leave Napton well after lunchtime to meet with Roger at Calcutt Marine. He produced his spec and estimate, and it was close to the figure we had in mind. Booked No Problem in for a new engine first week of October. We have been having what I can only describe as a cavitation of water round the prop, a noise that is quite annoying to Vic, although I don't find it too bad myself. I think he has been worring that it was more than cavitation, maybe bearings gone.... but I'm sure if it was that then we would have had problems with it earlier, it has been going on for quite some time.

Roger had a listen, and was almost certain that it was the prop needing a 'feathering off'. Of course that means out of the water. No Problem is due for a blackening of the hull at the beginning of next year anyway, so now we have more decisions to make, shall we ask Calcutt Marine to 'feather' and do the hull? Or do we wait 'till next year to do the two together? Ummmmm decisions, decisions. On top of that, we still haven't decided on whether we will have a go at doing it ourselves yet!

We settled for the evening just up from Napton Junction, but with no phones and no internet connection and no satellite decided to move up to Braunston today. The weather was beautiful early this morning, then after walking Lucy the heavens opened again, so I settled in to do a bit of computer work for an hour or so until the skies cleard and we moved on down to Braunston.

I couldn't believe how many boats passed us this morning in either direction, for sure there were over 50, the most we have ever encountered in all our time on the system in such a short time, no wonder I had reservations about the building of that new Marina at Napton, good grief, how many more boats can the canal take round here?

We don't normally move at the weekends, and I was worried that Braunston would be chocker block full with all the boats around this morning, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a really nice mooring opposite the church on the northern side of the village.

I popped up to AJ's just on the off chance that they would be open so that I could get the front canopy, but my luck wasn't in, never mind, will call in on Monday to collect that. Sticking the rod out this evening, caught a superb roach close to the boat just as two boats were passing in opposite directions. I had to wait to reel in until after they had passed and was pleasantly rewarded with a good 6-8 ouncer.

Napton, Coalman Ivor and The Folly

Calcutt Locks to The Folly - Napton, Grand Union Canal and Oxford Canal, 3 miles 0 locks

It's getting chilly, autumn is definately in the air. I wished we had kept the fire in last night, this morning was quite cold. The sun was shining though, and we spent a pleasant relaxing morning at Calcutt before filling up with water and moving just a few miles south on the Oxford Canal to rendevous with Chas and Ann on NB Moore 2 Life who were moored at the visitor moorings near The Folly at Napton.

As we passed Napton Narrowboats and Marina I looked ahead expecting to see The Napton Bridge Inn fully renovated, I can't even remember the last time I have seen it without some building work going on over the years. I couldn't believe it, yet again we pass and still work is in progress.

Arriving at the visitor moorings we were lucky that a boat was just leaving as we reversed backwards after turning at the winding hole. A hire boat was coming the other way though, and tried to sneak into the mooring as I was nearing myself. Good job I had some friends standing by! ......... The hireboat 'kindly' went back themselves to try to get into another space which was much smaller than their boat! No worry though, once No Problem was moored everybody on the boats around moved fender to fender which left a gap for the hire boat to slide in, so everybody was happy.

It wasn't necessary to go to the village for supplies as it was nice to see the shop beside The Folly open for business again, and I managed to get some milk and a couple of other bits from there. It was also nice to see Ivor Batchelor again, in fact the last time we saw him was very close to here, between Napton Junction and Braunston, and that must have been last April. His boats were well stocked with coal, well it is chilly for sure, and we took the oportunity of putting our first bags of coal on No Problem in readiness for the Autumn.

He is now on his way to Oxford, so those in need of coal, Ivor is on his way! The motor boat and butty look great, he keeps them well, paint gleaming as usual.

The rest of the evening was spent fishing and playing 'find the satellite' before setting off for a pint and pie at The Folly. As usual, the food was excellent, always one of our favourite spots on the system. Tomorrow it's back to Calcutt before settling somewhere between Napton Junction and Braunston for the weekend. Hope the wind drops a bit.

Quiet Time Pondering at Calcutt

13th Sept - Moored Napton Junction, Grand Union Canal
14th Sept - Napton Junction to Calcutt Locks, Grand Union Canal, 1 mile 0 locks
Today - Moored Calcutt Locks, Grand Union Canal

Popped round the corner on Tuesday and visited Calcutt Marine to discuss the new BMC 1.8 engine that we are having fitted in October, and to talk about what spec we require. Gonna pick up the estimate and final spec on Friday, and if we are happy will book No Problem in for some time in mid October.

Spent the last few days quietly. We have been discussing our final choice of spec for the engine, and spending some time walking with Lucy. There are some lovely walks around here, a footpath goes off at Calcutt Top Lock, and there are many different walks from there for miles over the surrounding countryside. Very enjoyable. Fishing has been a bit hit and miss as the weather has been very blustery with plenty of showers each day, not conditions I enjoy

Tomorrow I think we will trickle on down to The Folly at Napton and treat ourselves to one of their delicious pies with a pint in the evening. I need some milk anyway, and the shop in the village does have some supplies.

AJ have said that the canopy will be repaired by tomorrow night, but by the time we have come back here to pick up our estimate, I guess we won't be back in Braunston until Monday......... Anyway, on the way back to Braunston, I want to stop where we did last weekend, ummmm that super fish I caught might be there again with some of his larger friends!

Marinas around Braunston and A good fish!

9th and 10th Sept - Moored at Braunston, Grand Union Canal
11th Sept - Braunston to Napton Junction, Grand Union Canal, 5 miles 0 locks
12th Sept - Moored Napton Junction, Grand Union Canal

Delivered the cratch cover to AJ's, hopefully it will be ready for collection at the end of the week. Unpacking the satellite system, I realised there was a lead missing from the box, and managed to persuade Roadpro to bring it down to Braunston which they kindly did. The curtains didn't get done, Braunston Marina putting up their laundrette charges by 50%, the cost of the dryer is the most expensive I have seen anywhere in the country (£1.50 for 20 mins) and the one washing machine that was working didn't clean the clothes very well. I went into their office to get some money back on the tokens I hadn't used, and asked (not complained!) if they realised the boaters dryers were not at the going rate, then had a lecture about how the machines were abused, how it costs a lot to keep them going, and that anyway, I didnt HAVE to use them! Not a good attitude in the Marina Office, unfortunately I have always found them unfriendly, maybe if I was to buy a boat Tim's attitude might be better.

In contrast, the people in the chandlery at Braunston Bottom Lock could not have been more helpful and friendly. I reversed No Problem from Butchers Bridge back to the bottom lock, and No Problem was very good to me indeed, not once did I have to put her in forward to straighten up, so many gongoozlers too! I have found that once I have 'got her going' she steers extremely well backwards, pointing the tiller full over in the direction I want the back to go, then gently back to the centre again.......

We left the plants from the top of the boat on the towpath along with Annie on guard, hoping to get back to that mooring after picking up the fridge. Not only did the shop put the fridge on, but they took the old one away, and will be taking it by van to Daventry Tip were there is a proper recycling place for fridges. Many, many thanks to you all at the Chandlers, first class service.

Leaving Braunston on Saturday we had a pleasant trip down to close to Napton Junction, we are going to Calcutt Marine to have a new engine fitted in October, and we shall call in this week to discuss what we would like and whether we can have it! So yesterday was spent setting up the new satellite system, men and screwdrivers, women and pass me this and that....... why is it the men get to just twiddle a few nuts and bolts while the women have to run around them finding this screwdriver or that spanner?! Teehee. In the end a great job was done and hey presto after a bit of 'woman fiddling' a superb picture via the astra satellite made us both smile.

After quiet an eventful few days, I was very glad of a bit of 'doing nothing' stuff today, and took off this morning with Lucy for a walk to alert Calcutt that we would be arriving on Tuesday to discuss No Problem's new horsepower. I didn't realise there was to be a new Marina at the junction here, and was amazed at the size of it, huge it is! Here is one half of it, the other half is in the Sept Pics, a link to the pics is on the left. The pilings or scaffold in the ground is the bases for the pontoons by the way.

So with 7 miles of each other there are marinas at Napton, Calcutt, Braunston, the one just after Calcutt on the right as you go towards Stockton, I can't think of the name at the time of writing, and now this one. It is going to be one of the busiest places on the whole system during the summer and weekends once this one is up and running, I must make a note not to be here in future during summer weekends!

When I got back from Calcutt, stuck the fishing rod out, peace at last.......... errrrrrr no......... within 5 minutes of feet up fishing, a huge fish managed to find my measly bit of bread on the hook, reeling in to see a good one and half pound bream stick it head out of the water and into my catch net! Nice one!

The weather has detiorated this afternoon, so I think it will be feet up to watch some TV with a perfect picture.

Busy at Braunston

Moored at Braunston, Grand Union Main Line

After a visit to the excellent butcher here in the village, jumped on the bus and visited Roadpro this morning to pick up the satellite system for our boat. A Kirsten sky dish, very small that works very well on narrowboats. Even with movement of the boat it will still lock on to the signal and produce super pictures. Just got to be in line of sight of the satellite for it to work 100%, so probably mooring in the woods would not be a good idea!

Branunston is very busy with most mooring spaces taken up. We have a 48hr mooring here, so will have to vacate the main centre on Saturday and move to the outskirts where there are 14 day moorings if we want to stay for the weekend. There are wardens who patrol daily and note the names of the boats moored, so I dont think we will get away with more than we are allowed.

Also today have seen the fridge we would like, and after a check on internet prices for the fridge, we were pleased to see that the chandlery here at the bottom lock is the cheapest, so tomorrow we will back down and get that on board.

As for the canopy, AJ are so busy at the moment they have asked me to take the cover to them and come back in a weeks time for the repairs to be done....... darn that means no front cover for a week and it is due to throw down some of that wet stuff again. So tomorrow early it will be carpets up and items stowed away inside the boat. It will feel strange not to have a cratch cover on the front I am sure! Still got to get all the curtains down for their wash, sheeeeeesh it's non stop at the moment.

Lucy gets lost at Braunston

Balls Bridge (3) to Braunston, GU Leicester Section and Grand Union Main Line, 5 miles 6 locks

Diesel was the first order of the day, and before setting off, a quick phone round the area told us that Weltonfield Narrowboats just up the cut was the cheapest today at 35p. Braunston Marina didn't know how much their diesel was when I phoned! The rest in Braunston were a few pence higher. When you have to put in 100 litres every penny save soon mounts up.

Braunston Tunnel next, ummm three boats in a row to pass right on the kinky bit sent my adrenalin running sky high, but soon we were back out in the georgous sunshine and ready to stop for a cuppa and a bite to eat.

Down Braunston Locks meeting boats coming up at each one today, it was very busy.

A choc ice at the bottom lock, found a space to moor and then realised Lucy was not with us. We have never lost Lucy before, and I was suddenly thinking about yesterday and the conversation about keeping dogs on leads. Quickly walked back to where I think I had last seen her, and sure enough there she was sunning herself by the bottom lock watching the boats go up and down. Phew! Collies are like that, if they loose sight of their 'Mum' then they stay put at the last place they saw them, knowing of course, that 'Mum' would be back, how right this collie was!

Strolled round the Marina and bought some laundrette tokens for the various washes I have to do during our stay here. I want to get all the curtains washed, and the seat covers, hope they don't shrink!

Gonna be quite busy here for a few days, the zips need doing on that canopy, and AJ said they could do that within a day, also I want to pop down to Roadpro and purchase the satellite system that we promised ourselves last year, oh and then there is the fridge to replace, which has been on it's last legs for the last nine months, then of course there will be items for the new refit of the kitchen Vic has promised me, ummmmm.........

Hills, Tunnels and Doggy Attitudes

Bridge 15 (Crickish) to Balls Bridge (3), GU Leicester Section, 5 miles 7 locks

I did it! And all before breakfast too.... The short, sharp walk up Crack Hill had me panting at the top, but the view was smashing. Here are a couple of pics, the village in one of them is Crick.

Another tunnel today, this time Crick, and with two boats to pass as well. I came out the other side not only soaking wet, but a bit shakey, I really do hate tunnels. Still there is just Braunston to do now, which will probably be the last one this year depending on where we decide to base for winter. At least Braunston is fairly dry, and that is for tomorrow, maybe I should send Vic over the top and stop all the boats from entering....... Oh I wish.

I was happy that nobody was waiting at Watford Locks when we arrived, we have always been lucky at this spot. I would hate to have to wait in the queue under the motorway bridge, you can taste the fumes from the road, a horrible place. I had to walk right down to the bottom to find the lock keeper while Vic did the services.

Lucy was off her lead as usual, walking beside me but the lock keeper was not too pleased. Lucy was not on a lead you see, and that is not allowed at Watford Lock, all dogs have to stay on the boat or be on a lead. He tells me that there is a 'pack', which he will give me when he gets to the top, produced by British Waterways about dogs, and were they can and cannot be on or off leads........ wow! He tells me that he has to inforce the rules, so I smiled best I could, and trapsed back up the flight with Lucy even closer to heal to give Vic the news that there were about 6 or 7 boats that the keeper wanted up before we could go down.

I never did get that pack from the keeper, I shall have to investigate the BW website. I wonder if I will find it in their search engine 'dogs watford' should do it!

Clearing the flight in half hour we moored up close to Weltonfield Narrowboats and spent the afternoon sunning ourselves on the towpath with a bit of fishing thrown in. Can still here the M1 over the hill in the distance, I really don't know how the people in this area can live with that constant drone day and night seven days a week, for sure I couldn't do it. It's bad today because the wind is in the wrong direction, but I fancy here rather than close to Norton Junction, it can get quite busy there with moored boats this time of year.

I'll let you know about the dog and her future on the waterways when I find out, no doubt I shall be going to bed tonight wondering whether I am going to have to purchase a thing called a lead!

Hot Weekend and Yelvertoft

4th Sept - Welford to Br. 39, Welford Arm and GU Leicester Section, 2.5 miles 1 locks
5th Sept - Moored Br. 39 GU Leicester Section
Today - Br. 39 to Br. 15 (Crickish), GU Leicester Section, 9 miles 0 locks

Phew, hot weekend!

Big change today though, the cloud came over early and the wind sure did pick up some. Need food, well we have plenty of tins, but our freezer is empty and yearning for some fresh meat. Lucy and I abandoned ship at bridge 28 and enjoyed a 2.5 mile walk across some very pretty countryside to Yelvertoft, while Vic took No Problem the long route round the contours (3.25 miles). I picked up milk from the Post Office/General Store, and was told that the butcher did not open on Mondays or Tuesdays, so I grabbed some frozen fish and chips from his freezer and arrived back at Yelvertoft Wharf with Vic only just coming into view.

Poor Vic, he had an eventful trip, a hire boat with a large very happy-go-lucky crew had gone into hysterics as they went into the bushes passing him. Vic was laughing along with them, watching them try to extricate themselves from the situation when suddenly he went aground the other side!

Moored for the evening near Crick, I did intend to walk to the top of Crack Hill, but took one look at it and decided that after my march across country today, I would leave that for a 'do it tomorrow' thing. Instead I fired up my internet connection and purchased a couple of walkie talkies from ebay. All I have to do now is to teach Vic how to use them instead of our bizarre sign language at locks, and they will come in useful to stop him worrying about me being out far to late walking!

Completion of our Summer 'Ring'

North of Husbands Bosworth Tunnel to Welford, GU Leicester Section and Welford Arm, 5 miles 1 locks

It was at North Kilworth Narrowboats that we had new engine mountings fitted in the spring before our summer spent in the north, from leaving there we went to Braunston and on up my favourite Maccy, from there to the Bridgewater to join the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Eventually going as far north as Ripon, and the glorious return via the fabulous River Trent. Today we passed that boatyard and completed our summer 'ring'.

Leaving our mooring of last night around lunchtime we headed for Husband Bosworth Tunnel.

I hate tunnels, and even more so if I have a boat in front, I can never seem to recognise how far away other boats are in the tunnel, and it does cause me some stress, but I always insist on doing them, I would hate to see a day when my cruising was restricted because I couldn't do a tunnel, and anyway if I am really, really not in the mood we wait a day or so until cope levels are good! I did try a pic in the tunnel as we came out, and was delighted with the result, now able to show off my new buckby can purchased at Foxton a few days ago.

The Welford Arm sure had some growth along the towpath since we were here in May, but oh what a delightful little branch it is, the wild flowers are in abundance, and the walks around Welford itself are breathtaking. After packing away the Tesco order which arrived around 5.30pm right to the boatside here in the wharf, and a quick tea, wandered over to close to where the River Avon has it's source, tomorrow I shall have another wander around through the meadows before we leave the arm and find a nice quiet spot somewhere to the south on the main line for the weekend.

Foxton Staircase and the Inclined Plane

Foxton to North of Husbands Bosworth Tunnel, GU Leicester Section, 4.5 miles 10 locks

Foxton flight of 10 locks was a delight, I really enjoyed the trip up, mind you I was just required to keep moving the boat forward when the gates in front were opened for me, a skippers delight! Vic did well today, especially as I shouted into the boat that the lock keeper was ready for us to start our accent, and we were required to enter the bottom lock in about 2 minutes time, well he still had shaving foam on his face at the time, and he emerged within a minute with no cuts! Teehee

It didn't take long to 'do' the flight, and had time to make a cuppa for us both and for the lock keeper who helped us through the first 5 before disappearing back to help Moore 2 Life with the climb.

Mooring at the top, went back to have another look at where the inclined plane actually was, and there are still remenants and tracks on the hillside. Then a visit to the museum showed exactly how it was all those years ago, a very interesting half hour browsing round and looking at all the excellent models, some working models too, a fantastic feat it was to build that in just 2 years. When it was dismantled, in 1928 I think I remember it was, the scrap metal sold for just £280!

Time to leave Foxton then, but not before doing a Tesco order which we will pick up at Welford tomorrow evening. I hope next time we see this flight, something will have been done with the British Waterways buildings at the bottom and the on-going restoration work of the inclined plane itself will show a little more detail.

Did a few miles this evening and stopped short of Husbands Bosworth Tunnel for the night. Just had enough time for some fishing, but alas, the fish were not very hungry.

Hope tomorrow the weather continues as it has done for the last few days. Oh yes, by the way, I have just put up the first of the September Pics in the albums, the link for that is to the left.

Foxton

31st Aug - West of Sedgley's Bridge (9) to Foxton, Market Harbro' Arm, 2.5 miles 0 locks 1st September - Moored Foxton

A phone call from Chas and Ann yesterday morning gave us the good news that they would be arriving at Foxton that evening, so we spent yesterday catching up on one or two 'jobs' such as getting the washing machine out, no way could I wait until Crick or Braunston to use their Laundrettes! Running out of things to wear! A very pleasant day, very warm and for the last day of the month the sun shone all day long.

We left our mooring of the last few days promising ourselves to return one day, and made our way up to Foxton in the late afternoon. Chas and Ann arrived just before us, and met us just as we moored up, it was just great to see them again. Spent the evening in the pub that I had promised Wendie I would visit on the way back, and yes it was called the Shoulder of Mutton, and yes, the tucker was excellent, the staff so friendly too, a great night out.

Today we moved down to the junction hoping to get up the Foxton Staircase Flight this afternoon, but we were unlucky with so many boats coming down the flight we had no chance when the last boat from the top emerged at just after 4.20pm, the last entry to the flight today was 4.15pm, so the lock keeper padlocked up. Tomorrow is fine, we are in no hurry. It gave me time to have a look around Foxton this evening, a very sad place it is, Foxton Boat Services in their temporary home looks a shambles, although they are still trying to trade.

The work due to be done here by BW has not materialised, although planning was passed in 2001 for a supa dupa new area to attract tourists, with a new 'BW Pub' and information area, nothing has been done, its a very very sad sight.

With most of the day taken up with 'wait and see' the four of us chatted and talked about where to base for winter, we will spend it together again this year. Looking at the winter stoppage list, there is an awful lot of maintenance going on to the south of Braunston, so we might have to re-think our original idea of the Southern Oxford Canal, but as long as I have a decent signal for my internet connection then I don't really mind which area..... Oh as long as the fishing is good too of course!

Another fine day is on the cards tomorrow, although I am not keen on staircase flights, I hate sitting behind those very high gates, but hopefully it will seem nothing to me after the awsome Bingly Five Rise.