Ring Completed

Marston Junction. Ashby Canal.















Coventry Canal.

I've decided I'm going to stop blogging about this canal trip as we have completed the ring and the last few days are really just messing about.

Yesterday having moored near Bedworth we took the train to visit Rachel's mum near Hinckley.

Today we have arranged to met a friend at Hawkesbury Junction. We continued from Bedworth to the next winding point which was Marston Junction where the Ashby canal starts. We turned round, headed back to Hawkesbury Junction and went down the Coventry Canal towards Coventry. We turned at the first winding point and then moored and cycled into Coventry. Having returned to the boat we then motored back to Hawkesbury Junction and moored on pretty much the last mooring on the Coventry Canal.

This ends this blog!

Best Wishes

Nick

20th May. Day 18. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Oxford Canal Bridge 81 (near Barby) to Bridge 26 (near Brinklow)

Hillmorton Top Lock.

Newbold Tunnel

Swan Family.

All Oaks Wood.

8.20 leave moorings. We were planning to stop near bridge 58 for Tescos. We did this stopping just after the bridge and topping up with water at 11.30. We then pulled ourselves forward to moor for Tescos shop. When we got back we discovered we'd run out of gas. Since we were only 200 yards from the entrance to Rugby Wharf we couldn't have run out at a better time!

We phoned the wharf and they said "pop in" for some gas. We set off after lunch about 13.30 and by 14.15 we'd got 2 new gas bottles which I'd attached, checked out, relit the boiler and we were back on the main canal again.

We stopped as planned just after Grimes Bridge (26)  at 16.30 with the back and middle of the boat on pile moorings and the front on a suspect pin.  

I've got the canalplan website to work out the total mileage etc for the ring we completed today. Its 191 miles and 194 locks and at 6 hours a day should take 18 days. Its the 18th day today.

Tofay 13 miles and 3 locks = 16 lock miles

19th May. Day 17. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Stockton to Oxford Canal Bridge 81 (near Barby)

Stockton Locks. An empty pound.

Turning left at Braunston Junction.

Set out at 7.50. Rachel went off and set the first 3 Stockton locks. We were pleased with our progress until a woman walking her dog said the pound between locks 5 and 6 was almost empty.  Rachel had commented she couldn't understand how all the locks seemed set up for us going up when yesterday evening they hadn't been. Yes indeed this pound was very empty. I tried seeing what one lock load of water from the lock above did. It actually made a significant difference. So we moved about 2 lock loads of water from the top lock into this pound and proceeded upwards and very slowly through the top 2 pounds. Anyway we finished this flight at 9.45.

We stopped for water at the top of Calcutt locks. The shop there looked closed for the season (empty shelves).

We turned left at Napton Junction and felt like we'd suddenly hit traffic. I think I've had more boats coming in the opposite direction than almost the rest of the trip after Napton Junction. We stopped for lunch at 12.30 between bridge 101 and 100.

We set off again at 13.15 and turned left at Braunston back onto the Oxford Canal where we'd been 2 weeks ago.

The plan was to moor for the night around bridge 81. In fact due to an oncoming boat I ploughed into the tow path bank just after bridge 81....so we stopped there anyway. Loads of boats in this area. Its good bank for mooring after a mile or 2 of bad bank.Perhaps that's the reason.

11.25 miles and  11 locks = 22.25 lock miles.

18th May. Day 16. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Warwick to Stockton.

Canal Paddle Boarder

Daisy resting.



Bascote Staircase lock.

Stockton Top Lock

8.45 start. Did the 2 Cape locks. Several supermarkets right next to canal going out through Warwaick then Leamington Spa. Tescos, Lidl and finally Morrisons. We were still happy with our overnight mooring although we could have had less of a walk to a supermarket.

We passed several people on a 12 mile sponsored walk for a local Hospice.

Trying to manoevre into the first of 3 Fosse locks I suddenly lost all power. We moored and I checked the propeller. A hoody and a large piece of carpet was wrapped round it! Once removed power back to normal. A paddle boarder passed us while we did the first of these locks.

We moored for lunch at 13.10 after lock 20 (the top Fosse lock) and set off again at 14.00.

When we got to the Bascote Staircase lock (15-14) Rachel drove into the bottom lock immdeiately after 2 boats left. I went to look at the lock immediately above and it looked pretty empty. The intructions said to make sure it was full when going up. A boater about to come down said it was fine. Having emptied it into the lock Rachel was in and then opened gates between the locks Rachel proceeded slowly forward. I was not surprised when she stopped. She'd hit the bottom. Letting a small amount of water in via the top paddles sorted that out and then we proceeded as expected.

We moored for the night opposite the Blue Lias pub on long term moorings at 16.15. A man on one of these mooring said all the long term boats were already in so we could use the one space left. The bottom of the Stockton locks was straight after this mooring.

It was a lovely evening and I fancied a little walk but in flipflops to give my feet an airing. However Rachel decided that once we got to the bottom of the Stockton locks its a rule that you have to walk to the top. In flipflops! I walked most of the way in bare feet in the grass at the side of the tow path.

We had wine and spagetti bolognaise on the boat as when Rachel explored the pub menu she found it uninspiring for the price.

10 miles and 14 locks = 24 lock miles

17th May. Day 15. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Kingswood Junction to Warwick.

Hatton Locks.

Cape of Good Hope pub.

Hatton locks. These are double width locks and somewhat leaky thus hard work.

We set out at 8.20 and reached Hatton top lock at 10.15. We did them on our own as there was no one going in our direction. Even on the 2 occasions we came across boats going in the opposite direction that only helped for 1 lock as by the next lock it needed filling to set it right.

The water flow once the paddles were up was rapid. At the top lock Rachel noticed a baby moorhen frantically paddling while being sucked into the channel by the mouth of the lock at the top. I managed to get it out and put it on the bank. It scurried off tweeting for its mum into the bushes.

There were 2 CRT volunteers by a hut between 43-44 who were cleaning off a blackboard and preparing to write on it but not helping us! Rachel said she was obviously struggling closing a gate after I'd taken the boat and the man just watched. Later we did have a CRT man help us. He had the usual inflatable life jacket while the others didn't so I suspect the other weren't supposed to help.

It was lovely and sunny and therefore hot. I got increasingly exhausted.

We stopped for lunch between locks 30-29 at 13.10 and set off again at 14.00. The last 4 locks Rachel stayed driving the boat as her back was hurting.

We moored for the night just after bridge 50 in Warwick at 15.05. We had a 15 minute walk to Sainsbury's for provisions- including 14 ice lollies! We had supper at the Cape of Good Hope pub on non tow path side at the lock of the next lock. It was lively and we sat outside in the warm sunshine.

7.5 miles and 21 locks = 29.5 lock miles.

16th May. Day 14. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Hockley Heath to Kingswood Junction.

All photos in Kingswood Junction in the beautiful evening sunlight.

Set out at 9.05. Reached the first lock in the Lapworth flight (which is numbered 2 because of the stop lock yesterday) at 9.45. We were much assisted by a Canals and Rivers Trust volunteer who set each lock for us ahead of us. Gave him a cup of black tea in payment! We did 16 locks in 2 hours then slowed down for the last few (and collected water).

We turned left at Kingwood Junction and moored on the link to Grand Union Canal at 12.30 on 48 hour moorings.

We decided we'd not go any further as Hatton locks need to be done in one go.

3 miles and 19 locks = 22 lock miles.

15th May. Day 13. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Oozells Street Loop to Hockley Heath.

Gas Street Basin.

Birmingham University from Aquaduct.

King's Norton Junction.

Guillotine Stop Lock.

Shirley Draw Bridge.

No locks and no rain. 

Took 30 minutes to get us heading in the right direction. I thought I'd be able to go round or turn in the Oozells Loop but the second entrance too tight and sharp an angle. While trying to negotiate Daisy got off and had be dragged back on. It was just a little ledge she got onto. Had to drive on a couple of hundred yards and turn in a canal offshot. I made a meal of that too. 

Then motored through Edgbaston, and Birmingham University.

King's Norton Junction is pretty with toll house. Left here and through the guillotine stop lock (Daisy escape number 2 also) onto the Stratford on Avon Canal. Short tunnel - Brandwood- 352 yards. 

We stopped for lunch at waterpoint just before bridge 5.

Rachel operated Shirley draw bridge (electrically operated).

We stopped at bridge 20 and I and then Rachel went to Wedges bakery and delicatessen which is 100 yards from bridge. It has an amazing selection of various attractive provisions and opens at 7.00am.

We drove a couple more miles to stop close to Hockley Heath. Chips from local chip shop with our own sausages. Good chunky chips.

15.25 miles.  No locks. This was supposed to be laid back so I didn't time it but we set out 9.20  and moored for night at 17.45 but had 2 reasonably long stops and going the wrong direction to start with!

14th May. Day 12. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Curdworth Top Lock to Oozells Street Loop.

An Aston Flight lock.

Newhall Street Bridge Lock.

A Farmer's bridge lock "emerging".

Oozell Street Loop moorings.

Today was all about locks and the weather was good.

We set out at 8.00 and having done 3 locks arrived at the bottom of the Aston flight of 11 at 11.15. We finally finished the top lock of the Farmer's Bridge locks (13) at 15.00.

The Aston flight is well maintained and pretty unsurprising. The 1/2 mile or so between the 2 flights was perhaps the most "threatening" area. There were 3 sections of mooring posts here, 1 was close to the Aston Road bridge and very much to allow boats to pass each other. The other 2 seemed to be being guarded by some of Birmingham's outdoor drinking fraternity and we didn't fancy stopping at either - and that was just for lunch.

Farmer's Bridge locks are much more interesting. The first 3 or 4 are almost subterrean built just after or under deep bridges and then under a newer building. Victorian brick work hidden under modern building. You would imagine period murders set here.

Anyway after the locks comes Cambrian Wharf which seemed to be pretty all long stay although it did talk about visitor moorings. We went on and moored on the Oozell Street loop and so far I'm very happy with the spot. Hopefully the bikes will still be locked to the roof in the morning!

9.25 miles 27 locks= 36.25 lock miles.

13th May. Day 11. Leicester => Birmingham Ring. Fradley Junction to Curdworth Top Lock.

Drayton Manor Footbridge.

Overnight mooring after Curdworth top lock looking back to M6 Toll.

Curdworth Tunnel.

We have decided we are going to branch off the Leicester Ring and go to Birmingham and Gas Street basin then return to Rugby via King's Norton junction. To achieve this we wanted to get to the small area after the top of Curdworth locks before the conurbation of Birmingham starts. This meant a long day so we set off at 8.10. 

The weather was much better today. At one point I took off a warm layer after walking with Daisy to a lock and Rachel didn't recognise me and thought I was a boater from the opposite direction. There were of course some showers!

We stopped to fill up with diesel at Streethay Wharf after bridge 86 for 15 minutes at 9.20. 81 litres of diesel (£91), a mooring pin (£10.06) and a mooring "big safety pin" (£7.60).

We had planned to stop for lunch at Fazeley Junction and fill up with water at the same time. I nearly missed seeing a water point on the non tow path side at Peel's Wharf but backed onto it. Stopped at 12.45. Got water, got rid of refuse and went into the Canals and River Trust office to ask about mooring in central Birmingham. The Birmingham staff member was in Fazeley that day and was able to mention Star City moorings at Salford Junction which I hadn't found in my internet searches (but too soon with are current plans).

Left lunch mooring at 13.25 and turned right onto Birmingham and Fazeley canal.

The Curdworth flight of 10 locks took us about 2 1/2 hours although I tried to moor for night between locks 1 and 2 but the banks didn't have enough water depth. We actually moored at 17.15 after the top lock well towards Baylis Bridge to put us as far from the M6 toll as possible. As I sit inside the boat now I'm getting 40 dB noise on my iphone  (which it says is "quiet home") and the birds and the fridge give a higher reading than the background traffic when they kick in.

Today I have again been surprised that its been almost totally rural feeling.

16.75 miles 11 locks = 27.75 lock miles. 8 hours 10 minutes

12th May. Day 10. Leicester Ring. Burton-upon-Trent to Fradley Junction

Butcher Shop in Alrewas

Trent and Mersey mile marker at Fradley Junction.

Lots of boats at Fradley Junction.

Set off from Horninglow basin area at 9.20 as we walked up Horninglow Road to a Sainsburies express for provisions.

We spent the morning with Rachel in full waterproofs while I pretended it wasn't showering frequently. Made it to Alrewas for 13.50 and stopped for lunch. Rachel realised she needed an onion for corn beef hash so we walked into the village on the hunt for a Co-op that the internet told me existed. Came across a proper local butcher first which also sold veg. So the onion, a pork pie and 2 chicken breasts were bought there.

Set off again at 15.40 due to the shop visit and much research into which direction to go when we reach Fazeley.... largely about overnight mooring in Birmingham or a long day through it without stopping. We both wore full waterproofs and it rained all the way. By the time we reached Fradley even though the sun came out I decided I wanted to stop so we moored at the first mooring having turned left onto Coventry Canal at 17.15.

Walked around Fradley junction in the early evening sunshine! Pretty and full of boats. 

10 miles 11 locks = 21 lock miles in just under 7 hours

11th May. Day 9. Leicester Ring. Shardlow to Burton-upon-Trent

Shardlow Lock.

Stenson Lock.

Horninglow Basin.

Set off from near Shardlow at 8.40. Shardlow is pretty and full of repurposed warehouses from its canal heyday. It has loads of pubs...but we couldn't find a shop!

As is now usual the weather forecast was rain and more rain. There were spells of heavy rain and we spent the afternoon in full waterproofs but it wasn't that bad. 

Getting out of Shardlow was slow due to loads of moored craft (where do they buy supplies). The locks were sparse but getting increasingly deep until Stenson Lock which was 12 ft 4 in and is the last of the double locks.

We stopped for lunch at 12.30 at Swarkestone at the water point so filled up while having soup and garlic bread. 

We started again at 13.20 and although we considered stopping at Willington and there was good mooring we continued to Horninglow Basin on the outskirts of Burton-uon-Trent. we moored on the visitor moorings for the Bass Museum just after bridge 32 at 17.10. Fish and chips from the shop 100 yards north. Just right. 

16.75 miles and 5 locks = 21.75 lock miles  in 7 hours 40 mins.

10th May. Day 8. Leicester Ring. Near Loughborough to Shardlow

Ratcliffe Power Station. Windy

Looking back towards Trent Valley Sailing Club.

Trent Wide and Windy.

When we woke it was raining and horrible. So was the weather forecast. During breakfast it stopped raining and the sun came out. We decided we'd go for full day's boating but stop if it got too wet.

Set out at 9.20. Thoughout the day we'd put on waterproof tops when it started drizzling then 15 minutes later they'd be off again when the sun came out. It never really amounted to proper rain. The wind however was another matter. Lots of planning ahead, shutting Daisy in thne boat during locks, working out which side the wind would blow us to, trying to get 2 ropes on the bank as soon as possible to get boat control. So some anxiety but no major problems. 

We stopped for lunch at 12.35 on a straight section which was a bit sheltered just before Kegworth Deep lock. A good choice. We decided we'd "go for it" and aim to moor just after Derwent Mouth lock on the Trent and Mersey (which is precisely what we did). Set off again at 13.20. On the River Soar just after a flood lock we had to turn left (big weir on the right) turning from downstream to upstream and straight into the wind. Much engine power required. There was a whole lot of activity at this 4 way junction. There were 3 rowing eights coming towards us through the chop. An outward bound centre to the left with canoes and looked pretty active. There were a whole load of posh boats moored on the right. Anyway we ploughed on upstream (and upwind).

Sawley locks are a pair of lock keeper operated locks. We went up with 2 keepers controlling us with 2 ropes. Much appreciated. Much wind and many many moored boats on both side exiting lock into the area of Sawley Bridge Marina- a very active marina in appearred. At the end of this section is a flood lock. So far these have all been drive through open. This one was closed, opening under bridge for pretty busy road. Anyway we got through this and the waterway begins to narrow and look less scarey.

Moored for the night at 16.15.

11.25 miles and 8 locks=19.25 lock miles

9th May. Day 7. Leicester Ring. Castle Green Moorings to near Loughborough

Castle Green Moorings ducklings

Daisy fell in.

Sileby lock and Weir.

Quite an exciting day in canal terms. We awoke to no rain and a lovely morning. The weather forcast was light then heavy rain later so we decided to get an early and stop if we got too wet.

We left the Castle Green Mooring at 8.00. The canal follows a winding path with several weirs for the unwary. The first lock (42) was very slow to empty and a single handed boater (David) caught us up. We'd asked his advise in Kilby Bridge and he was on the moorings with us last night. We did the locks until Birstall (45) with him.

At Limekiln Lock (43) Daisy dog possibly tried to follow Rachel across the lock gate. Whatever she did she rapidly ended up in the mouth of lock swimming round in circles until Rachel pulled her out. After that she didn't want to jump on or off the boat unless the gap was less than 6 inches.

Once you get to Birstall its remarkably rural again. We overtook and were then followed by a group of teenage girls with an instructor in canadian canoes. The wind was getting up and I managed to run aground on one corner and needed a little help from Rachel with a pole to get us off. 

As we approached Cossington Lock (48) the wind really got up and I was heading straight into it. Rachel's bike lifted up on the matting we are using to protect the roof and only avoided blowing into the canal because its padlocked to the rail. We managed to get it temporarily sorted but as soon as we were moored up before the lock I strapped both bikes down with straps I'd brought but not used.

At the bottom of Sileby lock (49) a weir runs in on the right and there is a boatyard with moored boats after this on the right. My attempt to moor up on the left was messed up by the wind blowing  my bow off and I very nearly managed to get the boat stuck with the bow in a moored boat and my stern across the canal in the bank. I gave Rachel a stern rope and I jumped onto the bank with the middle rope and pulled it in and got control. We stopped for lunch once we'd moored were it was at 13.00.

Set off again at 14.00. The rest of the afternoon was far less eventful, the wind dropped a bit and never did rain properly. It drizzled a bit for a few minutes while we filled the tank with water between 15.00 and 15.30 just before bridge 28 at Barrow upon Sour. 

We moored for the night just after bridge 34 within walking distance of Loughborough but still rural feeling at 17.00

13.5 miles and 10 locks = 23.5 lock miles

8th May. Day 6. Leicester Ring. Gee's Lock to Leicester Castle Green mooring.Wet

St Mary's Mill Lock.

Leicester Castle Green Moorings.

Left moorings at bottom of Gee's Lock  at 8.45. First it started to drizzle then to rain hard. We donned full waterprorf trousers, jackets and silly but sensible hats.

The canal remained remarkably rural looking much of the time.

At Freeman's lock Rachel's lock handle slipped off in the wet and she slipped over landing on her back.

There was only one short term boat on Castle Green moorings and we moored there at 11.15. We'd got so wet and it continued to rain for most of the rest of the day so we decided to stay put. Small purchases from John Lewis  and Tescos. We also visited the Newarke Museum which is very close to the moorings.

Leicester has a reputation of being somewhere boaters don't want to linger in. The "straight mile" leading up to the Castle Green moorings (which are on the non tow part side) has plenty of tow part mooring. Since De Montford University has pretty much taken over this area it didn't feel unsafe to me.

4 miles and 4 locks = 8 lock miles.

7th May. Day 5. Leicester Ring. Newton Harcourt to Gee's Lock

Rachel's first lock helming.

Cute Waterways Board Boat

Friendly helpful Waterways Board Guy

Ervin's Lock. The city begins...

with runners...

and graffiti.

Moored for night below Gee's Lock.

Walked to the medieval packhorse bridge

5 minutes walk later on Lutterworth Road.

Fridge working (ie new batteries fixed the problem) and only needed to put a little water in engine coolant tank. Its all good!

Set off from near Newton Harcourt at 8.40 . The first 3 locks (23-25) were all set in our direction. Lock 26 and 27 were not only set in our direction but the gates had blown open. It seemed like an ideal oppurtunity for Rachel to helm her first locks- which she did without any problem. 

We moored at Kilby Bridge to fill up with water and have a coffee at 10.45. Since reading that a "handcuff key" was required around Leicester in our Nicholson's guide (copyright 2003) and several more recent blogs said either "yes you do need one" or "no you don't" we were anxious! In discussion  with a boater on the opposite bank (of the "yes you did" school of thought) it transpired that the T shaped thingy on the boat was the key we needed! Great. We set off again at 11.25.

I'd read all about the fear associated with Leicester and I wasn't wearing my glasses. Were those 3 youths setting about vandalising Kilby Lock? No they seemed too purposeful, all had matching blue tops on and the real giveaway - a cute blue waterways board tug. They were all very friendly BWB guys sorting some bank out. As far as they were aware it was only a BWB key that you needed at some of the ground paddles and that was all. 

My photos give examples of my thesis. The closer you get to a city centre on a canal the more grafitti and runners you see. The first significant graffitti was on  Knight Bridge (90). Not to be confused with Knightsbridge where I guess grafitti is rapidly removed unless its by a bankable artist. 

By Ervin's lock one side of the canal became urban. It started very suburban with views into back gardens- from the beautifully tended (including a substantial chicken house in one), to the neglected, to the untouched- a few had what I guess were 1950's railings at the bottom of the gardens. 

We moored for lunch having come down Bush Lock (33) at 13.15. After lunch 2 Canals and River Trust volunteer lock keepers came up to me asking what our plans were. They were Pete and John  (if I thought they were helpful- which they were). Pete gave me a useful map of Leicester he had produced with recommended restaurants and the position of a places of use on it. I said our plan was to moor just after King's lock. They said there was good mooring between it and Packhorse Bridge (we later checked on foot - there is). Or we could moor between Gee's Lock (36) and Blue Bank Lock (37). We set off again at 14.15.

In fact having missed a good mooring yesterday by waiting for something better we moored immediately after Gee's Lock at 16.00. Its very rural feeling at this point and with a little background traffic noise and of course rather more runners than usual.

We actually walked up to King's Lock then over Packhorse bridge (turn left to see the original 15th century packhorse bridge) and into some shops. Wine and garlic bread needed.

8 miles and 15 locks = 23 lock miles in 5 hours 40 mins cruising time.