Content on the Coventry.

 The sun was shining as we surfaced from a good nights sleep. A couple of boats passed between 0700 and 0830, but we were off about  0945. Mind you Helen walked to the post office to buy stamps. What ever happened to the 'penny post', £6 for 8 2nd Class stamps!! I stopped at the water point at the junction and by the time we were full up she was back. We set of straight away.

I was drawn to turning hard a st'bd at the junction and heading to Birmingham. Tolson's Mill is looking finished as does the Methodist Chapel, both of which have been converted to flats, £150,000 at the mill and £190,00 at the chapel.

We didn't go hard a st'bd but ticked round to port as we are on a mission and continued up the Coventry Canal. The moorings along here look quiet and plenty of morning sun at least I'm not sure why we haven't ever stopped here.

When ever I pass this pill box, and others around the system, I think of those guys that spent many days and nights sat here. It is easy to think of them as the bumbling men of BBC's Dad's Army, but in 1940 it must have been quite something thinking that you may have to face the all conquering Germany Army and Luftwaffe following an invasion. It must have been a very anxious time for everybody. The nation was coloured for a generation or two after WWII. I know as a kid the 'War' figured heavily in our games, our comics and our films etc.

We had no delays at Glascote, which is unusual it seems. We managed to swap with boats at both locks to save having to close gates.

Glascote Basin is not like a 'normal' marina as it seems there is absolutely no room and things would have to be moved about to get out. Alvecote Marina has the narrowest pontoons I have seen and it looks like only a few of them have electricity laid on. Mind you it must have the densest ratio of working boats too.

Another look back was had as we passed Alvecote Priory. There is little there now, and most people will not go and seek it out. I think back to when it was in its heyday and even when it was an agricultural College. 

This picture from the Pictorial Times of 1844 shows that there was much more of the building erect then. Not sure why I am feeling like this but it seems that everything returns to dust. Don't worry, Helen has hidden all the sharp knives.

This is the old Pooley Hall Colliery Load wharf. Nice secluded moorings next to the Pooley Visitor Centre.

The island was only created by 1921, as in this map extract. Twenty years before there had only been the southern arm of it. Mind you the mine had grown a lot too. The mine finally closed in 1965.

The sunken boat at Grendon Wharf is slowly being recovered by nature. It reminds me of those barges a few years ago the C&RT had on the system that were full of trees? The tree is growing out of the very middle of the cabin!

Helen sets to at the first lock of the Atherstone flight. It has been very quiet really on the canal today, but the few boats we have met, most of them have been at bridge holes and with me giving way. The weather is so nice after all the grey we have been having I really don't mind.

We moored up after Lock 6 and I set to to replace the locker tops/seating at the stern. They have done pretty well but are just flaking off at the edges now and are unsightly.

I got some thinner deck board so it was a little lighter and we are trying making the area a little wider near the doors as it will be more room for a cushion at the back and to be able to site with a better posture. I thought that with the over hang once you sat on it, it would tip up. So far it hasn't done so, but I have a plan if we need to counteract that. I have sealed the end curs so hopefully the board will last the 11 years at least of the old one. It is my usual amateur workmanship but eminently serviceable job.

After tidying up we walked into Atherstone and sat out in a very sunny square and had a couple of pints from the Angel pun before calling in at Aldi's and then home once again. A good day all round.

On the Move.

We arrived at the boat about tea time on Monday after not being able to find Macy Cat anywhere. I was just posting her picture on the local missing pets site, when she trips in as if nothing had ever happened.

We couldn't go straight away as we had to talk to the marina staff so had a night alongside.

We set off in the end at 10:00 and the first thing we came across was this 'wide' beam heading towards us. We haven't been in wide beam land for a long time but I think the timings in Pearson's Guides must be well out the window these days. Mind you they are pretty well out as there is all the slowing for many more moored boats than there used to be, that is if you do slow down.

It is strange how the light coloured new towpath surface alters the picture on the way to Woodend Lock. The new gritty surface seems to be quite loosely packed and I can only assume that it is supposed to bond more together with age. There were spots where the material didn't seem to be enclosed by boards or bank and may well ooze away when it rains etc. I'm sure time will tell.

All the pots etc that we had left at Woodend Lock had gone. Whether taken or smashed we will never know. How did the 'originals' last for some many years? All I can think of is that the lock cottage was lived in and may have dissuaded folk. By the time we arrived at Shade House Lock the best Volunteer Lock Keeper on the system had started work. He was busy keeping things moving but took enough time of to have a coffee with us by the boat on the lock landing as we waited for one to come up. It is nice to see him actually doing some work.

All to soon it was our turn and we headed off, leaving him cake and biscuits to enjoy with his flask later on. Judging by the number of boats coming up and down he would need it! If you pass through and meet this guy say Hi and be gentle with him!!

Around Streethay and Kings Orchard Marina the water was very red with clay, not like at Harecastle Tunnel where it is Iron in the water. I can only think that as there are large HS2 working here that with the rain the clay particles are easily washed out and into the canal.

Hopwas Wood had all the red flags flying and the gate at Hopwass Wood Bridge was locked. I didn't hear any firings though. It is a shame as it is a great area to walk in, not that we were stopping today.

On the outskirts of Hopwas this very large dog poked their head out of the window to check us out. There can't be that much room left in the boat when he is moving a bout. I love their ears though.

The vast housing estate is getting close to being completed with the house right by the canal getting close to first fix. They seem to be constructed on some sort of timber frame method and then brick faced. I wonder if there are any new shops, schools, pubs etc in the area. The roads will certainly need upgrading as everybody will be needing at least on car. It did lock like many of them had charge points for E vehicles, but I'm not sure if this was standard. Fradley is also having a massive build going on too.

We moored up at Fazeley Junction as Helen wanted a new carpet for the bedroom. I had a picture of a carpet shop around the junction and looking it up we found that there was a carpet wholesaler close by so we went to see if they had a roll end for us. The long and short of it is that I walked home with a roll on my shoulder. I will have to find the right time and place to get it fitted but it will look great when down and keep our feet, and the boat warm over the winter. Pictures when it get laid.

As a reward we popped back to the road and turned right to try the 'Three Tuns' that is just opposite where we had moored. They had Wye Valley's HPA for me and Helen's eyes nearly popped when she saw they had around 25 different ciders. Better still they did 1/3rd pints on a board so you could try a few, and she duly did. Nice to go back and have tea with a rosy glow!

 

End of The Line.

 We had fish and chips for two between three of us and still had a full portion of chips left over last night. The sun was shining brightly this morning and we didn't rush about on our last day. Still, it was just after 10 am when we let go.

We have passed this way so often that there is little to excite me to pick up my camera. However under the trees, just after Handsacre the Little Chimney Co boat, Tradewind and butty were moored up. If you need anything like a flue of chimney I would definitely recommend them. They refitted my flue and fabricated a stainless steel, double skinned chimney for me.

As we turned into the marina we spotted these tufted ducks (we think). What struck us was the way the ducklings stuck very close to the mother, unlike mallards and moorhens that seem to scatter to the four winds. We did wonder whether this meant if this meant that they were more successful at breeding larger numbers.

We reversed on to the fuel berth and filled up with 100.71 litres of fuel. At 90 p/lt for moorers it isn't too bad for a two week holiday. They did say that they were expecting the price to drop later in the day, but didn't say what to. If not with Aquavista the price would be £1! That makes Wheaton Aston price of 82.9p/ltr look very attractive.

Talking of attractive, with the neighbour away I can get a nice photo of the polished boat.

Our neighbour was away on her travelso as it was a little windy it made it very easy. As it happened all went well anyway and we were soon back moored up. After a few jobs being done, packing and all the other little jobs, we were away at just after 13:00. The motorway was busy but we kept going and weren't too long getting back to East Yorkshire. We are already looking forward to the next time away.

Anson, Handsome and Haddock.

 Whilst we were in Great Haywood, and with Amy not having visited Shugborough Hall, we decided to do that. The gate by Essex Bridge wasn't open so we had to walk up the path to Park Home Farm. Mind you this gave us the opportunity to visit the walled gardens that we hadn't previously.

The main house didn't open until 11 am so we had a stroll round the formal gardens. As the front of the house is sheathed in scaffolding so that the windows can be checked/repaired/replaced and the exterior will be painted too. This garden was set out bu the apprentice gardener in place at present. 

Down by the River Sow the house is pretty impressive from the rear. The money for all this was made from capturing a Spanish Galleon near the Philippines by George Anson when he was on his circumnavigation of the earth. The second Englishman to do so. 

We visited the Lichfield apartments, the main house and the servants areas, as well as the cafe and the shop so we had a full visit. The gate to Essex bridge was open at 1030 so we were able to take a short route back to the boat.

We pushed off just after 1 pm as a boat left the lock and were soon on our way with excited help from an Italian family. Colwich lock and cottage certainly look like a jigsaw picture when the sun is shining. The sun WAS shining as there were no boat waiting up or down today. There is some merit in starting late!

There aren't many photos in this blog as we have done this stretch so many times I have run out of new things to see and say. However as we passed the garden after the Aqueduct I did notice something new. I was just able to take a picture of the 'cave' mid picture. It had steps up to it from the water level but was too small to be a boathouse. It looked like it was made from WWII type concrete etc so I expect that it is an air raid shelter. Just seems strange that it had access to the water.

I also saw this grumpy looking wood pigeon. Either that or he had eaten his fill from the various garden bird feeders.

Armitage Tunnel/Bridge was clear and the Plum Pudding pub had three or four boats tied up alongside. I can only ever remember one being there previously. Trade must be good.

We stopped at the wide tow path before the main road bridge at Handsacre, just in case there was no room further on, as we were going to have a chippie tea tonight. Meanwhile as this was the last chance of a port side towpath I finished the polishing of the port side with two coats. It certainly looks much better for doing. Helen came back with a long face as although the chip shop was open they had no haddock. It seems they can't get hold of it. Haddock is the first preference for fried fish in our part of the world, and we should know as Hull trawlers brought so much of the white fish to the UK at one time. The trawlermen from Hull would never eat cod as they said it was always riddled with worms, unlike haddock.

Stock, Lock and Footpaths.

 We had a very late start as the girls had seen it was market day in Penkridge and they were going to go. It was a 'proper' market so we all bought something in the end. For me it was a new lump hammer, but they made do with clothes and stuff like that! By the time we had got back to the oat and had a cuppa it was time to go and conveniently a boat had just come up Filance Lock

If the wharf had been free we would have stopped to top up with water, after hair washing day, but there were two waiting so we headed onwards.

The girls were doing the honours today, and as luck would have it, and the opposite of yesterday, the locks were all our way and at most locks there was a boat coming up too.

At Park Gate Lock we swapped and I helped Amy at the locks. We had passed Georgie's trip boat with a couple of lads driving loaded up with cream teas and a retirement home on the move. They really seemed to be having a great time.

As we passed Acton Trussell the display of meadow sweet and montbretia was quite something to behold. My photos never do such things justice. There was a big event going on at the big hotel and most were in black so we didn't wave, that is until loads enjoying their snap at the tables outside, waved at us!

After my success yesterday with a heron taking off pick. I thought I may be on a roll, but this one brazened it out. Still, quite a nice picture.

At Deptmore Lock we just missed a boat leaving the lock, and any later we would have missed the lock as another boat was arriving below. We had a good road today, for sure.

At Radford Bridge moorings we spotted the boat's name in sufficient time to get No1. daughter lined up for the snap. Has anybody seen a boat called Tony? There are loads of Helens.

It seems that steady, but slow, progress is still being made with the lock down to the River Sow to link with Stafford. I wonder if the river or moorings at the other end need dredging too.

As we passed Milford I took a picture to remind me to do a little research and this yellow and purple train came passed. It seems that it a West Midlands train livery, but we also saw a grey and green one go past. I think that this colour is for their London Northwestern Service to Crewe, via Stafford.

The view down the Sow valley from the aqueduct is always pleasing on the eye whatever the season.

The contractors are working on the tow path just by Tixall Lock and the girls dropped me before all the plant. The tow path are having demolition rubble placed over a leveled route then some sort of sand place on top. The notice by the lock says it will be finished between the Junction and Milford turn over bridge by 14th July. That is not going to happen.

Amy brings 'Holderness' out of the lock to pick us up and have the pleasure of steering through Tixall Wide.

Always impressive the gatehouse of Ingestre Hall is iconic. I quite fancy spending a weekend there, just to watch the boats on the Wide.

When we approached Haywood Junction Helen saw a little cruiser coming to turn into the Staffs. and Worcester. He lets us come out to turn to st'bd and head towards Fradley but as there was nothing on the services we reversed up and topped up with water and dumped the rubbish. We had intended to drop down Haywood lock and moor up by the Trent, but as a sunny spot before the lock landing was free we stopped and took advantage.

Shropshire and the Staffordshire.

 There were plenty of boats going in both directions before we set off this morning in occasional sunny periods

Looking back at Brewod Church reminds me somewhat of the church at Braunston

Last night Macy decided she wanted to go for a bit of a walk. Somewhat problematic as she is pretty deaf and blind. However I walked about with her just in case a dog appeared etc. This morning she was sitting on the back step wanting to go out so we sat her down. She soon got fed up of the vibrations over the engine I think and went to sit on the front step instead.

The last boat to pass us never really got above tick over once we had passed the moorings and with the best will in the world That speed wouldn't suit us today. I gave him time to speed up, or allow us to pass, but although seeing us, he just ignored us.I don't understand this as it can not be conducive to relaxed boating having a boat close astern. ( I was not this close all the time I assure you), just as it is not relaxing being stuck behind somebody going much slower than you want to. I  believe he should have the right to go as slow as he wants, just as I have the right to go as fast as I want, within the regulations so why not just pullover and let the fate boat past. That is what we try to do. In the end I closed to this distance so Helen could ask him if it would be alright for us to pass! He let us. 

As we passed Wolverhampton Boat club we came across two hire boats go very slowly too. hey were travelling together and doing it slowly, despite only a 6" drop at the stop lock. Obviously the the guy I had overtaken caught us up. He was able to make a sarky comment when they arrived, so I hope it made him feel better. I just thanked him and asked him if had enjoyed the leg. He said no as he kept going aground?

It is a shame that the toll house isn't featured more. I don't know why, but it always makes me think of an Indian bungalow.

The Pendeford Rockings were pretty chaotic as the two slow hire boats had gone that way and there was much traffic heading towards them. For the first time ever that I can remember we paused to let a couple of boats pass at one of the bays cut for that reason.

A boat made use of the winding hole before Hatherton Junction, and by the time he was round and heading in the same direction as us there were three boats behind me.

By the time we had reached Gailey we ad caught up with the two hire boats and there were four boats behind us!. Then wanted to come off the fuel berth and head down the locks. When we got on the landing by the water point we connected to the hose and were full before we had to move off towards the lock.

The round house was looking ice with the roses, and the shop is till open.

I often try to catch a picture of the numerous herons that fly off as we approach and never get the timing right. As we approached Brick Kiln Lock I managed it!

The girls at Otherton Lock Looking forward to mooring up and eating out. Otherton Lock is still like a Whirl Pool with bubbles everywhere.

We were expecting the moorings to be full so took the first one we could after Filance Bridge, despite the armco being well battered. Quite a good idea s it turned out. We went to the Cross Keys for a pint of Banks' mild and then on to the Star before getting food at the Boat. 

Walking back to the boat via the towpath and the horse tunnel at Penkridge Lock meant we could see how good was our stopping as soon as we did, as there was no room up to the service, and one of the two hire boats was on the lock landing!

It is market day here tomorrow, so I am told that we are having a look around before we leave. I am on the look out for a couple of things too, so no argument from me.