WEDNESDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2008
The good news is that Jacquie is feeling much better and when I tied up at bridge 58 in Rugby, she trotted off to the very convenient nearby Tesco Extra for some essential stores. Just three locks at Hillmorton and Jacquie was happy to take the boat in to them as I operated the locks. We finally arrival at Wigrams Turn at 4.30 and the sun had shone for almost all of the way. A tiring but invigorating return journey.
We don’t expect to be doing much cruising over the next few months, but if and when we do, I will again post our adventures on the blog.
About Me
- Mac & Jacquie Court
- 70 now and our five wonderful years aboard our narrowboat Skyy seem along time ago. Jacquie, allowed me to build my replica three wheeler kit car, which was a great success. Now it's time to start on a bigger project and that is to make a good Triumph Stag even better, here goes.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
NEARLY THERE
TUESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2008
Another early start, through Nuneaton and passed the junction with the Ashby Canal where we spent some time back in May. I left the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction for the Oxford Canal, with Rugby as tonight’s target. Nineteen miles but only one lock and I tied up the boat at seven pm. At Newbold on Avon, just short of target, but it was getting really dark. Nearly home.
Another early start, through Nuneaton and passed the junction with the Ashby Canal where we spent some time back in May. I left the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction for the Oxford Canal, with Rugby as tonight’s target. Nineteen miles but only one lock and I tied up the boat at seven pm. At Newbold on Avon, just short of target, but it was getting really dark. Nearly home.
THE PACE QUICKENS
MONDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2008
The forecast good, and a early start was planned, but not before a quick visit to the local stores and the chemist for some more jollop for Jacquie, who was beginning to feel a little better, but was still confined to the cabin.
It was a long day, twelve miles and sixteen locks, the sky was clear blue and so many people helped me through locks that I just whizzed through Tamworth, Polesworth and Atherstone, to eventually stop by the delightful BW Hartshill Yard. When we came this way last May, I didn’t stop, but this time I was able to take some photos of this atmospheric working yard.
The forecast good, and a early start was planned, but not before a quick visit to the local stores and the chemist for some more jollop for Jacquie, who was beginning to feel a little better, but was still confined to the cabin.
It was a long day, twelve miles and sixteen locks, the sky was clear blue and so many people helped me through locks that I just whizzed through Tamworth, Polesworth and Atherstone, to eventually stop by the delightful BW Hartshill Yard. When we came this way last May, I didn’t stop, but this time I was able to take some photos of this atmospheric working yard.
GOT IT TAPED
SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2008
An extremely wet morning with a forecast for better weather after midday persuaded me to delay departure until that weather arrived. It did eventually, but only left me a couple of hours to reach Fazeley Junction. We had been through this junction before, on our way back from Birmingham, but coming in from another direction it looked quite different. It provided a quiet, attractive mooring, right in the centre of the town opposite Peel’s Wharf, named after Robert Peel, who transformed this area and was the father of the Prime Minister. Another point of interest is that Cash’s name tapes were and are still made in the canal side mill, I am sure that we have all had those tapes sewn inside our PE kits in the past.
An extremely wet morning with a forecast for better weather after midday persuaded me to delay departure until that weather arrived. It did eventually, but only left me a couple of hours to reach Fazeley Junction. We had been through this junction before, on our way back from Birmingham, but coming in from another direction it looked quite different. It provided a quiet, attractive mooring, right in the centre of the town opposite Peel’s Wharf, named after Robert Peel, who transformed this area and was the father of the Prime Minister. Another point of interest is that Cash’s name tapes were and are still made in the canal side mill, I am sure that we have all had those tapes sewn inside our PE kits in the past.
SICK & SINGLE
SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2008
Jacquie woke feeling decidedly unwell, so I said I would press on single handed to get back to Napton as fast as possible so that Jacquie could visit her own doctor.
My first time working the boat single handed and I was overwhelmed by the help that was given by other boaters as well gongoozlers. The first time was through the last lock immediately before the junction and the very nice lady also opened and closed the little swing bridge for me, many thanks.
The wind and rain hit hard by early afternoon so I stopped just before the Wryley and Essington Canal. A main railway line passes over the canal here on a brand new bridge, in fact the whole line and other visible bridges all looked brand new. There was a yellow contraption on the track which stopped every few yards and made strange noises before moving on and repeating the process. I assume that this is a new high speed track but has anybody got any ideas where it might be going to and from.
Jacquie woke feeling decidedly unwell, so I said I would press on single handed to get back to Napton as fast as possible so that Jacquie could visit her own doctor.
My first time working the boat single handed and I was overwhelmed by the help that was given by other boaters as well gongoozlers. The first time was through the last lock immediately before the junction and the very nice lady also opened and closed the little swing bridge for me, many thanks.
The wind and rain hit hard by early afternoon so I stopped just before the Wryley and Essington Canal. A main railway line passes over the canal here on a brand new bridge, in fact the whole line and other visible bridges all looked brand new. There was a yellow contraption on the track which stopped every few yards and made strange noises before moving on and repeating the process. I assume that this is a new high speed track but has anybody got any ideas where it might be going to and from.
HOMEWARD BOUND
FRIDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2008
Apologises for the long delay in starting to get the blog underway, but there has been a lot going on, but here’s hoping I can remember what we got up to each day, here goes.
First of all, thank you Martin for your comments, I now know what drinks to avoid in my little protest at Coors decision to close the visitor Centre.
Our destination for today was Fradley Junction, where the Coventry Canal leaves the Trent & Mersey and heads back down south. We passed on route, Branston, where the famous pickle comes from and we also realized that Marmite, that ‘Love It or Hate It’ spread, is made in Burton from the left over brewer’s yeast, of which there must be plenty. In fact we have only just seen on the TV program ‘How Do They Do That’ how in fact they do, do that.
We stopped off at the very smart Barton Turns Marina for the usual services and although it was extremely windy, we entered and left the marina without disgracing ourselves.
The final approach to Fradley Junction is rather strange as the lock gates are immediately behind a very narrow bridge and gives the appearance of the canal coming to a complete end. The junction is very attractive with a BW yard with crane and the popular pub The Swan. A good place to stop for the night.
Apologises for the long delay in starting to get the blog underway, but there has been a lot going on, but here’s hoping I can remember what we got up to each day, here goes.
First of all, thank you Martin for your comments, I now know what drinks to avoid in my little protest at Coors decision to close the visitor Centre.
Our destination for today was Fradley Junction, where the Coventry Canal leaves the Trent & Mersey and heads back down south. We passed on route, Branston, where the famous pickle comes from and we also realized that Marmite, that ‘Love It or Hate It’ spread, is made in Burton from the left over brewer’s yeast, of which there must be plenty. In fact we have only just seen on the TV program ‘How Do They Do That’ how in fact they do, do that.
We stopped off at the very smart Barton Turns Marina for the usual services and although it was extremely windy, we entered and left the marina without disgracing ourselves.
The final approach to Fradley Junction is rather strange as the lock gates are immediately behind a very narrow bridge and gives the appearance of the canal coming to a complete end. The junction is very attractive with a BW yard with crane and the popular pub The Swan. A good place to stop for the night.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
CHOCOLATE CHUMS
THURSDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2008
Another sad farewell as K & J’s taxi picked them up, to whisk them back to Barrow-upon-Soar, before their onward car journey back home. At least they left some chocolate behind!!!
We walked back into Burton town to buy me some PJ’s this time, and paid more attention to the buildings, which are universally related to the brewing industry, which was started by some clever old monks way back in the thirteen hundreds, because of the suitability of the well water, which has a high gypsum content. 
A very well placed Lidl store enabled us to shelter from a sudden squall as we wandered back to our now empty boat, but at least there was still chocolate to comfort us in our loneliness.
Another sad farewell as K & J’s taxi picked them up, to whisk them back to Barrow-upon-Soar, before their onward car journey back home. At least they left some chocolate behind!!!
We walked back into Burton town to buy me some PJ’s this time, and paid more attention to the buildings, which are universally related to the brewing industry, which was started by some clever old monks way back in the thirteen hundreds, because of the suitability of the well water, which has a high gypsum content.
A very well placed Lidl store enabled us to shelter from a sudden squall as we wandered back to our now empty boat, but at least there was still chocolate to comfort us in our loneliness.
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