Beating the rain.

It was raining when we woke up but by the time we set off it was fine and warm if no sun as yet. As I walked to the first lock of the day I saw Merevale Hall in the distance. The hall was rebuilt in 1840 and in the 17th Century the family of Merevale Hall, the Stratford Family joined in marriage with the Dugdale family of nearby Blyth Hall. Both estates are still in the hands of the family and the houses are also privately owned.

Merevale Hall taken at a long distance.

We are on the move for another day of fun and keeping our fingers crossed that the rain holds off.

By the time we were away boats were coming up and down regularly so there was a good chance to leave top gates open but this also meant a little waiting for boats to come for the full lock. 

The ballet dance of crossing in the pound between locks.

We made it to the top lock where we stopped to take on water. They haven't really done anything with the wharf on the offside as yet but they have painted up the buildings and the area at least looks tidy. I can't say the same about the old hat factory just after the bridge.

Once out of Atherstone there is a nice run of canal, with plenty to keep the steerer on their toes. Lots of blind bends and plenty of moving boats too. There are some nice views of the rolling countryside.

We got to the maintenance yard at Hartshill and as the weather was holding fair. There must have been lots of traffic at one time from the quarries in this area but other than a few built up banks and mineral railway bridges there isn't much to see. One very obvious landmark though is Mount Judd which is actually a spoil heap from Judkins Quarry

http://www.nuneatonhistory.com/brickyards-quarries--collieries-extractive-industries.html

The quarry was for granite and in the photo above you can see that the stone was graded and the boat moved along to pick up the required size and it was mainly used for road building. The stone was brought to the canal by horse drawn tramway. Narrow gauge locos took over in 1911. The quarry was linked with the rail system on the opposite side of the canal via a bridge. There was also a crushing unit over there. Sadly all that is left is the Spoil heap as the quarry itself was filled in with the refuse from Nuneaton.

After Hartshill the battery on the camera ran out. Mind you it wasn't too much further to Marston Junction. We turned in and after a couple of bridges moored up. Once again as we got inside it started to rain again, but not for long. A little later I went off to find some brambles to go with a Bramley apple we have for a crumble tonight. It is just about ready now so that is it for now.