Coven

 Penkridge is where it  all started, in 1987 we had a hire boat from here, we didn't intend to, we had hired a boat down on the Birmingham & Worcester canal at Dunhampsted as I wanted to visit my daughter in Malvern, a short train ride from Worcester, but when we arrived the yard told us the boat was broken, however they had one for us a Penkridge. I expected it to be a yard close by, but luckily Diana is good with maps so we drove about 50 miles here, remember we had just driven from Suffolk so a good day out and to cap it all it rained every day except when I visited my daughter Our boating has continued in a similar vein ever since, ether the plan changes or there isn't one and we still get wet.

This morning it was a little after 10 when we got away passing this house with a trampoline in the garden and a slide down into the canal. We had to turn most of the lock today even if it did include one with a boat who was waiting to come down. Otherton lock was offering a free hull wash as you went up, at Boggs and Brick Kiln Lock they have some nice new stop plank huts, but the stop planks themselves are probably only half as deep as the ones I have seen in the past, this obviously makes them much easier to handle. 

Otherton Marina still have all their online moorings closed, I assume they belong to the marina, but I see they are installing new water pipes and standpipes, so I expect there will be boats back there soon.

Up at Gailey lock there were two Volockies on duty, I take it this must be a regular thing because there is also a loop of white cord, not blue string to hold the bottom gates closed as you walk to draw the top paddles. There is a rather futuristic looking white Narrowboat under construction in the yard at Gailey, being behind other boats I couldn't get a good look or decent photograph but it has large windows with a leading sloping edge to them, I hope its not another Whitfield.(behind the grey boat)

We chugged past all the No Mooring Chemical works, I do note there is not a single C&RT no mooring sign there, but I wouldn't want to moor there anyway, just beyond the no mooring end you come to the recycling establishment, I definitely wouldn't want to moor there, I could see wafts of smoke coming from a pile of chopped something as we passed. 
Just before you reach Hatherton Marina there is an outdoor activity centre, I have never seen any sign of life there before, but today the kids were out in the canoes and looked to be having a great time. we carried on to moor for the night just before the Fox and Anchor pub.

7½ miles. 6 locks in 3¾ hours

Penkridge

 Yesterday I reported the metal sticking of Colwich lock out to C&RT via their web site, a short time later I received an email from them saying that it had been reported earlier and was now sorted out. I wonder?

Woke to a beautiful morning but it didn't last. Away at 10am. and a boat was just leaving Tixal lock as we arrived, so that worked well. The lock cottage or house reminds me of the Ecluse houses in France with the name of the lock above the door and then indication how far it is in each direction to the next lock or  junction just below. I feel certain this is something than has been added by  one of the occupants and not the British Waterways Board, but if you know different of course you know where to send the answers. On the off side of the lock beside the name board is a company boundary marker to show the boundary of the canal companies land. About quarter of a mile above the lock there is a very large house on the off side, in the grounds not far from the canal, there was quite a disturbance. It looked like two Buzzards on the ground fighting or maybe just one trying to cover a kill, lots of flapping involved, but the strange thing was a Magpie kept trying to put his two penneth into the affray. I still think it was two Buzzards, I tried to photograph them but couldn't get a clean shot.

We stopped at Baswich the site of the Stafford link https://www.stafford-riverway-link.co.uk/, they have made a lot of progress since we were last here with most of the basin walls and the entrance to the lock well on their way to completion. I guess once that bit is done they will be able to flood the basin and moor boats in it while they continue to work towards the river. They have even planted a new hedge along what presumably will be the route of the canal section.

Next stop was Deepmore Lock, although we had met 4 boats between Baswich and the lock there was still a hire boat ahead of us going up the lock, as they left the lock they closed the top gate in the face of an oncoming single hander. Due to the rate of leak on the lock Diana had to draw the paddles before the gate would open  to help the single down. When we left the top gate closed with quite a slam. From hear on the weather detreated and after Teddesley we had rain, hail, snow and more rain which didn't make traveling that comfortable. Once through Longford lock it improved greatly but leaving the lock was slow, the next pound was down 9"and the boats moored in the pound were aground, I don't think I would have stayed there, they could well be listing by tonight but the ones we saw seemed happy. The lack of water also made getting into Penkridge lock slow. A real deep boat would have had problems. Once through the lock we moored for the night just passed the winding hole.

Todays Journey 9½ miles, 6 locks in 5 hours.

Tixal

Thanks to Tom for pointing it out and Nick for sorting me out the link now works to show our planned route for this trip,    https://canalplan.uk/journey/14752_cp and will be updated from time to time.

 Well its been a sort of stop start day, the weather was better than yesterday  but it was a rough old night, today has ben showers a little sunshine and quite a bit of wind.
We shoved off a little before 10am and didn't meet anyone in Armitage tunnel which was handy. One of the boats on the long term moorings has a rather interesting figurehead, but it looks a bit venerable to me.

 Our first stop was for water, unfortunately there was a boat there well before us so we tucked in behind it getting our stern rope on the last bollard and a pin for the bows.  We had to wait quite some time until he moved off as he was using an expanding hose, people just don't realise the amount of restriction they cause, but just look at the pressure behind these leaking joints, with a straight hose there would have been a dribble at the most. Once they had gone, relocking the tap before they left we moved back and filled up in probably half the time we waited for them.

Then it was off to Rugeley, on the way we passed this Swan just titivating her nest of eggs, we managed to moor right outside Tesco for Diana to get a couple of bits and pieces we had forgotten to bring with us. One or two boats went by but nowhere the amount of traffic as Sunday again there were no where near the number of boats normally moored in the area, non at all beyond bridge 67. Just along from her a house on the offside has started displaying manikins and the collection is growing. They even have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/naomislanding .  It wasn't long before we met a boat and the steerer advised me that there is a piece of iron sticking out below the gates of Colwich lock on the water line and below. One of the houses a short way before Colwich lock has had a tree felled in their garden and instead of felling the trunk they have had it carved into a Woodpecker with a hole through the trunk where the beak is.

At the lock we had to wait for a boat going up, so I went to look at the iron sticking out. Its a vertical guard iron just in front of the heal of the gate. it has come detached just above the water line and the section below is now bent out into the mouth of the lock. I have reported it to C&RT with their online form, but you can't include photos.
We didn't meet any and there were very few boats moored between here and Haywood lock, once through the lock there were only four boats moored all the way to the junction. A brief stop at the junction to dispose of the rubbish and recyclables before heading along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. There was plenty of room to moor on Tixal wide but it was very exposed so we continued on to moor a short way before Tixal Lock where its a lot moor sheltered. Since we have been moored up the sun has been shining and no more rain.

Todays Journey 8.6 miles,2 locks in 4¾ hours

Armitage

 What a difference a day makes, yesterday blue sky's, bright sun and no wind. Today it started raining when we got up and its still raining. We were away a little earlier at about 9-30 as the first boat went past at 6-30 and at least 8 had gone by before we set off, having said that we didn't meed any boats all the way to Fradley

Junction. At the junction we swung left up the locks both manned by Volockies, one of them said he had been there since 8-30 and we were the only the second boat to pass through. 

HS2 are making progress at Woodend, they have now cleared the off side  between Shadehouse and Woodend lock where the track will be crossing the canal and planted dozens if not hundreds of trees above Woodend lock behind and beyond the moorings. We met a few boat on this pond, one of them just as I was about to go under Bridge 60 with a right angle bend just the other side, where it wraps round the churchy yard. I had dropped my speed but a touch of reverse to my bum into the silt, but he was able to slide through on the wrong side. We only went a short way after this to moor to the heavy piling opposite the allotments just before the Plum Pudding, no Italian for us tonight, lets hope they are open next time we come this way.

Due to the heavy deep profile piling we have wheelbarrow wheels down as fenders, this turned out to be very fortunate as we had a day boat go by, somewhat faster than I would have liked which pulled us over shooting things out of the cupboards, but thanks to the wheels no banging.

Todays Journey 7½ miles 3 lock in 3¼ hours

Brookhay Pumping House

 Firstly apologies for the link to CanalplanAC that I posted yesterday to show our route, Tom has pointed out to me that this doesn't work, I suspect that you have to be logged in to CanalplanAC for it to function. If you go to the route planning and load a route, this key 14752_cp  should open my route for you.

We had a great takeaway from Peninsular Cantonese, we have used them before and the flavours and portion sizes are both very good. The Tuns was busy until closing time last night with people sitting out drinking, lets hope its enough to keep them going.
We set off this morning at about twenty past ten and its been quite a busy day boat wise, definitely the most we have seen on the move. One boat of note is this one with tyre art all over it, there is a new piece sitting on the bows from last time we saw it.

Coming through Hopwas The Red Lion was very busy but The Tame Otter looked closed. there was some very interesting boat handling taking place near the Lichfield Cruising Club and lots of moored boats all the way from there well passed The Plough at Huddlesford. Our planned destination was the waterworks at Brookhay, there is a length of piling just long enough for one boat, nice and deep. There use to be a sign saying reserved for BWB work boats but that seems to have disappeared although the nice shiny black post is still there.

Todays Journey 10 miles in 3¾ hours with no locks.

Fazeley Junction

 Well as you can se we are away again heading for the Walsall campaign Cruise with the BCNS, As we have time in hand we wont be going the most direct route but probably this ONE as we have to meet them on the 14th. but of course with us that route could change.

We had slight rain on our way here but no holdups, its just on 185 miles so we were onboard just after mid day, After unpacking the car we had lunch before setting off a 2pm. I had to wait while a boat came down the length of the marina to moor in a couple of slots down, but then we were away. The timing worked quite well because we cleared the bridge just before Glascote Locks as a moored boat started his engine, but unfortunately the lock was against us. As we dropped down the first lock a boat came into the second, so that was with us and we could leave the gates open, as we entered the second another boat arrived below so again we departed leaving the gates open. There was a nice little gap on the straight piling right opposite The Three Tuns who are doing a good trade in the garden.

Todays Journey 3¾, 2 locks in 2 hours.

 Map courtesy of  https://www.waterwayroutes.co.uk/

Home.

Not much to report today as it was les than 3 miles back to the moorings. Last nights Indian Takeaway was just the job, I walked up and collected it. This morning we were away at 9-30am. on

probably the warmest morning all week, needless to say the wind freshened slightly as we entered the marina, just to help me reverse back down to our slot. Of course there was no one to watch my get it right. We had just moored up when the C&RT  man walked by checking licences in the marina.

Todays Journey just two and three quarter miles in one hour

This weeks trip 6 nights, 24 locks and 67 miles

Polesworth

 It was very fortunate that we moored where we did last night, overlooking the hills with all the lambs and sheep,  because I was  looking up the hill this morning and saw four legs waggling in the air. There was a ewe flat on her back on the top of the hill. We pushed off and I drove Harnser's bow through the offside mud so that I could get ashore and help her. I think she had been there quite some time and if the legs had not been kicking when I looked out I wouldn't have spotted her. I pulled her back onto her feet but she was very unsteady, in the past when I have done this they have just run off, but she was far to unsteady to go far, I stayed and watched for a bit and she finally wandered off, hopefully she will make, at least I gave her a chance.

 

We extracted ourselves from the mud and were on our way at 10am. heading for the Atherstone Locks, on the way we saw a single pair of Swallows, the first I have seen this year on the canals but I have seen some in Suffolk. When we arrived at the top lock we found one boat in the top lock, a single hander in the second lock, a boat waiting to enter the lock and then us, it was a slow journey. There was one Volockie on at the top lock as two had called in sick. Just below the second lock there are some allotments, I wonder what the allotment committee's view is on this one. 

We got down to Lock 6 and I spotted this notice about 5 Yards from the lock, do the Canal and River Trust not realise these are Atherstone Locks?

The boat directly ahead of us pulled in for lunch in the long pound below lock 7 so we now had a bit of clear water plus a boat came up lock 8 which helped us on our way as he left the top gate for us. The long pound between 9 and 10 was down a bit but still enough water, by lock 11 we saw the 2 boat in the convoy leaving but we didn't see the first any where. We pulled over at the services and topped up with water, this is a nice fast tap with good pressure and once full were on our way again. We hadn't gone very far when a bucket of fire ash came straight out of the side hatch of a moored boat, straight into the cut just in front of us, I don't think they knew we were there. A steady chug saw us moored up at 3pm. at Polesworth. There was only one other boat here when we arrived but we now have at least one behind us. Tonight is an Indian Takeaway which we will collect from Ratna Indian takeaway which we have ordered on line but will pick up.

Todays Journey six and a half miles in five hours

Mancetter

 For some reason the chap who moored directly behind us last night started his engine around 7am this morning not leaving until 8-30am. there were only 3 of us moored here last night, if he wanted to fire up early why not moor at the other end of the moorings alone.

We made the normal 10am. start just going about 100 yards to the water point where we sat for a good half hour while the tank filled before proceeding through the lock and hard right onto the Coventry canal. It was a lot cooler this morning requiring a coat in place of sun tan lotion. As we made our way along the Coventry Canal a boat was catching up to us, as we were in no hurry I pulled over and waved him passed, we in turn passed in in 500 yards as he was only going to Charity Dock for blacking. As we passed I photographed the cartoon cutouts that have appeared since our last trip.    

It wasn't far past here where I spotted a Blackbird with a white collar round its neck, apparently you often get Blackbirds with some white feathers. 

It's interesting to see what some people do with their gardens, some grass them all over, one we passed was all gravel with some flower beds set into them, others just let them run wild. But just a few set them out to amuse others and I suppose themselves, like this one.  

When I first saw this house looking up at the balcony had me quite puzzled and I wasn't sure what I was seeing, it really plaid tricks with my brain. Now knowing what it is it still plays the same trick.

It's actually a mirror mounted at the end of the balcony against the side of the gable end above the locker. I am not sure I would like it on my balcony, but I am not that keen on looking at myself.

When we came through the other day there was a rather laid back dog just watching the world go by from his chair, ignoring  any one or thing passing him. I did photograph him but it was too out of focus to post, he was in the same spot and pose today.

We pushed on a bit further passed Hartshill maintenance yard and Sarval pet food manufacturers, it didn't smell as bad as it sometimes does to  moor in the sunshine at Mancetter opposite a very large field of sheep and lambs, I hope they don't snore.

Todays journey nine and three quarter miles, one lock in four and a quarter hours.

Hawkesbury Junction

 We were away a little earlier today at 9-30am for some reason. I little bit further south to wind by the entrance to Rugby Wharf were I got it slightly wrong and almost did an Ever Given across the cut, I have never winded here before and didn't realise the tip of the hole was so far out of line with the arm, so it was all a bit late. The reason for going back now is that Diana and I have been called for our second Covid jab.
It was some time before we met another boat, its been unusually quiet for some reason. Yesterday I noticed so signs on the towpath each end of the 14 day moorings at All Oaks, so today I took a picture to see what they said, I have no idea who put them up.

As we approached the bridge at Rose Narrowboats a cruiser came the other way, pity he didn't mention the ex working boat Princess Anne was a short way behind. When we came through yesterday one of Rose narrowboats employees crossed the swing bridge to the workshop and opened it for us as he left, today another chap crossed to the slipway but he just looked at us and carried on so I had to drop Diana off to do it.
Rose Narrowboats still have their old manual spoon dredger, I don't know how much work would be involved in restoring it to full working trim.

We were to see very few more boats all the way to Hawkesbury but passing the fields just before Tusses Bridge are well flooded, they were like this last time we came this way but don't remember them being flooded say 10  years ago.

There was only one other boat moored at the junction when we arrive, can't remember last time I saw it this quiet, I can only thing that the Continuous Cruisers who were moored her all through lockdown have now moved on, leaving it empty.

Todays Journey 14 miles in four and three quarter hours with no locks.

Maps curtesy of Waterways Routes.

Newbold

 It's been another cracking day, but boy was it cold overnight. It was a bit of a surprised to be able to hear the motorway in the distance. When we moored up there was just three of us, overnight that had gone up to seven. 10am. this morning we were away down to Hawkesbury Junction were we turned hard back on ourselves on the North Oxford canal. We did see a few more boats on the move but not as many as we expected.  The offside buoys have been removed in the cutting just before All Oaks Wood but there has been a good landslide towpath side since we were last this way.

The moorings at All Oaks were full as expected but we were heading to Brinklow Marina, this has recently been bought by Castle Marinas and they are spending quite a bit of cash bringing it up to 

standard. After thanking Dave for taking the trouble for showing us round we set off again to moor overnight at Newbold, where we were lucky enough to get the last set of mooring rings. When I checked the phone we had received texts about our second covid injections with a link to make an online appointment. Needless to say the links didn't work, so I rang the surgery and they booked us in for Saturday afternoon.

The injections sorted we decided to go for a short walk, it started well but we were soon lost and had to retrace our steps several times making it quite late getting back for dinner.

Todays journey 13.5 miles, one  very small lock in five and a half hours, but we probably spent three quarters of an hire at the marina. Map curtesy of Waterways Routes.

Between Bedworth and hawkesury Junction

We set off at our normal 10am. to find the first lock we came to with us, but the next against us, it was unusual to find the pound between locks 9 and 8 actually full of water. This memorial was beside Lock 8 to a lady who died there a few years ago.

The rest of the locks were with us and from lock 4 we were assisted by Volockies, the ones at lock 4 were under instruction but at lock 3 our friend Terry, a long term boater was on duty, round the bend to number 2 there was another who informed me that voles have been seen in some of the side pounds and finally onto the top lock the Volockies  were still being trained but an experienced one help us up while the other were being instructed. At the hop of the locks this swan decided that a garden would be the best place to build her nest and lay her eggs. Not a very good photo because the focused was set wrong. this has resulted in the rest of the photos getting dumped as well.

T

We met a few boats today, but no mad rush that we were expecting, the marina where we moor was half empty when we left but the new one at Mancceter looked quite full, as did Springwood Haven which I understand is under new management. We carried on in the sunshine, treading our way between the boats moored at Boot Wharf, Nuneaton. Round by the collection of cutouts, which now include the 7 dwarfs as well as the Simpsons at Charity Dock, Past the entrance to the Ashby Canal at Marston Junction to moor for the night between Bedworth and Hawkesbury Junction just after 3 35pm. so we have done 9 locks and 12 miles.
Once moored up we walked back to bridge 13 and crossed over to explore the Newdigate Colliery Arm, it doesn't actually go very far now, probably 150 yards to a dead end just before the railway bridge.

Todays Journey 9 locks 12 mines in five and a half hours

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Map  courtesy or Waterway Routes

Atherstone Locks Sat 17/04/21

We set off from home at just on 9am and had an excellent drive to the boat, stopping at Bury St Edmunds to top up with diesel. Its been so long since we have done a journey of any length I can’t remember how to link the phone to Tom Tom.

We arrived at the boat and everything was in order, batteries fine with the small solar panels I have onboard. Rick on Coal Auriga from https://www.alvecotemarina.co.uk/canal-carrying/gravenor-boating-co/ did give her a look to make sure all was OK during the shutdown for us. The engine started first time and no water leaks from the plumbing so all looking good. We unpack and had a bit of lunch sitting out on the front deck in the sun shine before setting off towards Atherstone. A short hold up at Polesworth as a large branch went through the prop and wedged between the skeg and the bottom of the rudder having a very bad effect on steering.

We stopped at the services at Grendon to fill with water, while we were doing this I was aware of Atherstone locks being dropped with the surge of water, sure enough just after setting off we met a boat,as we arrived at the flight a second boat was almost down in the bottom lock so I just had to hover a bit. Just as I entered the lock a boat arrived behind us and walked up to help. The had come from the Llangollen and had only had two locks in their favour and now they were behind us. We were about half way up when a boat coming down turned the next lock against us and we were out of the lock and waiting for the second as they entered the lock. They didn’t gain anything as the boat behind us turned the bottom lock so holding them up, they didn’t gain ether as they had to wait for us to leave the lock so they could then turn it. We moored up above the second lock from the bottom behind another boat, through the bridge ahead of us its now nose to tail with moored boats.

The day has been a real cracker with no coats needed, clear sky’s and sunshine. We have done 6 miles  and 2 locks in 2 hours and 40 minutes 

Map courteously of Waterway Routes

Home Moorings

 

This report covers two days as I didn’t take the computer with me as we only really visited Harnser to winterise her as we wont be able to get back until December at the earliest.

The plan, where have you heard that before was to go over first thing yesterday morning, in the end we didn’t leave until 11 am as Diana had a filling break out of a front tooth leaving a pin sticking out into her mouth, so that had to be sorted first.
I am not sure how long the A14 bridge over the Great Ouse has been open but one lane is already closed for repairs, other than that and rain we had a good run to the moorings and almost immediately left the moorings. By now the weather had improved greatly but it was quite cool. We met a boat a short way before Glascote Locks so they were both with us although they had leaked off slightly, as I left the top lock a boat coming up was readying the bottom lock for us. At Fazeley Junction we turned left up the Birmingham & Fazeley canal to top the diesel tank up at Fazeley Mill Marina arriving shortly before 4pm. I did wonder if we would be in time but they didn’t close until 4-30 pm. As from today they are on reduced opening days so it pays to check before you travel. With just 55 litres added we headed back to Fazeley Junction for the night so that we could have an Indian Takeaway for dinner.

Over night the temperature dropped to just above freezing and this morning the sun was bright, the sky blue and the wind had gone. Since we were last here two more birds have been painted on the wall at the junction.

We didn’t have such good luck at the locks going up with a boat going up ahead and a single hander slowly coming down, but after that it was a warm steady run back to the moorings.

This time I winded inside the marina and then reversed down into our moorings, once tied up there were only a couple of things to put in the car before I drained the domestic water system and removed the batteries from the CO and Smoke detectors so they don’t go off while we are away.  Then it was in the car for the drive home.

 

Last 2 Day's Journey 

7 miles, 4 locks 4.5 in hours.

  Map courtesy of Waterway Routes https://www.waterwayroutes.co.uk/

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE All of the above is my personal opinion and does not represent  those of any official body or notices. All comments made to this blog are checked for spam before being accepted any made anonymously are accepted but if you leave a name I could say thanks.