Big Trip Home Day 3 - Brief encounter at Hawkesbury and Electronics take a dip.

A slightly earlier start today at 8:45am leaving lovely All Oaks Wood behind after a really quiet night.

The canal hereabouts follows the new cut of the Oxford canal so long straight stretches are punctuated with winding bends.  Signs of the old course abound with numerous arms and sidings along the way.  Some now used as moorings and alas some now no more than a weeded up winding hole.  If these arms were ever restored the overnight mooring spots would be superb.  In places the canal narrows considerably that makes passing other boats a careful manoeuvre.

Narrows and definite line of clouds

We stopped of at Rose N Boats wharf to drop of some rubbish and topped up with water just after their swing bridge (our first)

Swing bridge at Rose N Boats

One needs to take care here as there is an arm of to the right (just out of shot) which is wide could fool the unwary the cut follows round.  The swing bridge is narrow so could convince the traveller this is not the way but in fact is indeed the main course.  A careful check in the Pearsons confirms the way is straight on.

The cut continues its way under a high and imposing M6 motorway bridge.  At the same time the main line railway thunders under the bridge meters from the canal, joining three modes of transport together in the same place.

Virgin trains court the canal for several miles
passing under the M6 bridge right next to the canal

M6 skyway.  We have driven over this bridge countless
times unaware the canal is below.

Later, after a few miles and right a tight right hand bend the village of Ansty hoves into view but blink and you will miss it as you will be busy steering pass the moored boats there.

Another long run of straight canal you are confronted with a series of tight turns until more moored boats herald your arrival at Hawkesbury  junction. 

The Junction is just around the corner to the left

Right of passage to the junction is via the Sutton Stop lock that lowers you from the dizzy height of 9 inches to the Coventry canal.

Sutton Stop lock and a boat about to ascend

Once through the lock Hawkesbury junction reveals itself to the right.  Just as I was leaving the lock a familiar bow swung into view.  Straight away I recognised the lady in the bows waving cheerfully to me.  It was Fiona and John Slee on nb Epiphany (click).  As things were happening fast and other boats were waiting turns it was a real shame we could not stop for a chat and catch up.  We quickly exchanged hellos as I turned AmyJo inside Epiphany's turn and then we were on opposite sides of the junction.  

Epiphany appears from the Coventry canal.

and  Epiphany heads off towards the stop lock

Unlike John and Fiona we were lucky as just a few yards from the junction a boat pulled off leaving a space for us to slot AmyJo into.  We walked to the local convenience store for supplies and then could not resist a baguette and pint in the Greyhound watching the passing canal traffic.

After lunch we continued on our way skirting North of Bedworth.  Arriving at Charity dock the blog famous garden of shop dummies placed in various positions makes a humorous and some what eccentric display.

From here the canal winds it way to Nuneaton where with the weather deteriorating and wind picking up we found decent mooring on the outskirts of town.  I do not care for urban moorings but time and weather made mooring up here sensible.  In our efforts to moor up Chris's walkie talkie that was clipped to her blouse slipped off and landed in the cut.  Looks like a trip to Currys or Maplins is now on the cards.

Our mooring for tonight

and our route today.

Total distance:13.21 miles Elapsed time:7h9m33s Locks:1 Bridges:42 

Average speed:1.85 mph (1.99 lock/mph) 

Big Trip Home Day 2–Slow going from Braunston

We left Braunston a 8:50am this morning and crept past Yarwood. Lesley and Joe appeared at the side and rear doors as we got along side and waved us off wishing us well on our journey.  Hope Yarwood's work is as you wish Joe and Lesley.  You'll have to show us the changes one day.

We cruised slowly past the Braunston stop house as a boat had pulled out in front of us, moved 200m and pulled back in just to the right of this picture.

Braunston stop house

At Braunston turn we found it was tight as a hire boat with what sounded like Polish crew on board came towards us and turned right at the double bridge leaving little room for us to squeeze past. I managed to hold AmyJo back until they completed their turn then proceeded slowly round continuing on the Oxford canal.  We asked them if they were being followed and was told no, only to be confronted with an on coming boat just round the corner.  Perhaps they did not understand our request.

Not even looking where he was going

Moored boats for quite a distance out of Braunston

The going was very slow for the first couple of hours due to all the boats moored up on the way out of Braunston, clearly everyone was out enjoying the weekend.  We lost at least two hours running at tick over as we passed the boats not wanting to go too fast in case we pulled a mooring pin.

Once clear of moored boats we managed to make some good ground though slowing frequently for the occasional moored boat of which there were several.  By now a light drizzle had set in so the rear doors and hatch were pulled to and the boatman’s hat and coat were pressed into service.

Ominous grey clouds herald drizzle that started after this was taken

We stopped briefly at the canal shop just before Hillmorton to stock up with a few toilet essentials, a tiller pin tassel and replace a couple of go-kart fenders I lost cos I tied them on in a hurry (lesson to self - tie em proper!)

By lunchtime we made Hillmorton locks and in the middle lock we met briefly with the new owners of nb Caxton.  Whilst they ascended and we descended we managed to exchange pleasantries then we wished them well on their trip.  

I know that boat

Its Caxton and her new owners with Sue at the helm and George lock wheeling

Later a passing boat called out that they had read our blog whilst eating breakfast.  God we have a reader Chris, so better smarten up our act and spelling!

Hillmorton lock beams have been carved with some short phrases. Not sure if it in keeping with the canal history but looks interesting none the less.  These single boat locks come in 3 sets of pairs making it possible for boats to pass each other in opposite directions whilst locking at the same time as happened when we met Caxton.  They in one lock and us in the other beside them.

After that we made better time towards Rugby.  We knew we were headed that way by the artwork present in the bridge ‘oles, some of it quite good.  Shame the graffiti taggers had to spoil it.

Guess where we are headed

We had intended to stop to shop in Rugby but all the mooring spaces were spoken for so we continued on.  We have plenty of food aboard for now so no urgency.  By now we had caught up to a Rose Narrowboats day boat full of young things clearly enjoying the day out.  It was very apparent they were also enjoying a drink or four as their manoeuvres were becoming more and more erratic and slower as time went on.  We followed them at tick over for several miles until just as we reached the arm that was the old route of the Oxford canal they decided to wind just as a boat coming the other way and us behind them were going converging on them.  Both the other boat and ourselves gave them plenty of space as they ricocheted of both banks in their attempt to turn.  Thank god they missed us as they came past us,  I'm not even sure the helmsman was even aware we were there as he could barely hold his beer can without spilling it!  Should we have reported that to the hire boat company or just let them all enjoy their outing?

Next was Newbold tunnel, we knew this 189m long tunnel had been lit with different coloured flood lights at one time but sadly now only one light remains working.  It must have looked ethereal when they were all lit.

The one remaining light at the end of the tunnel
 (sorry could not resist)

We carried on past Brinklow Marina but time was now against us as it was 3.30pm.  We knew we could not make Hawkesbury junction as all the moorings would be taken time we got there so we found a lovely quiet spot under the shade of some beautiful trees in All Oaks Wood just short of Brinklow village and spent a hour or two cat napping in the front of the boat.  Apart from the occasional car not a sound can we hear other than the wildlife hidden in the woods.

Our mooring for the night well away from the maddening crowds

 This spot is so peaceful and the sun shining though the trees left these lovely dappled highlights on the water.  So far this is one of our favourites spots of the trip.

 Our route so far today

Total distance:14.34 miles Elapsed time:6h50m51s Locks:3Bridges:42 Tunnels:1
Average speed:2.09 mph (2.53 lock/mph)

Big Trip home Day 1–Goodbyes and Penguin surprise

Well we’re finally on our way.

Having arrived at the marina yesterday we stowed our bags and got AmyJo ready to set off in the morning cruise. After a meal in the Red Lion at West Haddon we returned and spent a pleasant evening aboard nb Outlaws Dream moored next to us. Barbara and Andy have just returned from Banbury so we were really please to catch them before we left.

This morning we were ready to leave but just had to say our goodbyes to Barbara and Andy and our other neighbour Brian who had looked after AmyJo whilst we were at home.

Barbara and Andy with nb Outlaws Dream currently being repainted

Brian and Milly who looked after AmyJo for us.

After fuelling up so we had a full tank and paid our last months mooring fees we reversed back and then turned for the marina entrance. I'm pleased to say no alarms this time. It should have been a time of joy but actually we’re quite sad to leave. Everyone there made us very welcome during our stay and if we’re not happy at Tattenhall we’re definitely going straight back.

With everyone waving to us we slipped past and they were gone, hidden by the trees.

Now the really journey had begun.

Space for someone else's boat

Leaving the mooring for the last time

No looking back

We had not gone far though, just by the Moorings Pub in fact, when we were greeted by some wild life that was clearly on its holidays too

A penguin scarecrow complete with ice burg! Turns out this weekend is Crick’s scarecrow weekend and this is the moorings entry! Quite a character.

We got through Crick tunnel and then Chris took AmyJo down the Watford locks with just one bump that knocked the kettle off the side (fortunately it was both empty and cold).

After an un eventful turn at Norton Junction we entered Braunston tunnel. In the past we have not met many boats in the tunnel but today it was busier than the M25 at rush hour. We passed 6 boats in succession with only minor bumps and scrapes. I must ask, why is it some boaters insist on using a hand lamp and why must they shine it straight at you?  One boater had a really bright hand lamp and shone it straight at us He even complained because we nudged him until I reminded him the light should have been shinning where the sun does not as I could not see a damned thing. He apologised an adjusted the lamp downwards.  Another elderly boater complained to us we should not shine lights in his face but after we explained it was the boat ahead of him (the guy with the hand lamp) not us he went on his way.

We locked down the Bruanston locks with another boat and made good time. As the chandlery was open at the bottom lock we politely asked the adventure fleet staff if we could moor oon their mooring overnight to which they agreed.

Just as we tied up fellow bloggers Lesley and Joe were mooring up on the offside in their boat Yarwood. (click)

They are going to have some work done on Yardwood so were staying on Braunston boats moorings. We were invited aboard for a look around Yarwood and she feels much bigger inside than she looks on their blog. She's a lovely boat and clearly Lesley and Joe have a nice design after learning from their ownership of Caxton.

Later in the evening we took the opportunity to visit the Admiral Nelson pub that we had passed earlier as there is a lock right outside that we had passed through earlier. It was our turn to gongoozle (for the guys at work, a gongoozler is a boaters term for an onlooker)

Outside the Admiral Nelson

A welcome pint slipped down too easily, time for another!

We have passed this way a couple of times without trying out the food and ale. Lesley, I can report it was well worth the visit and they do indeed serve good food. They even had my favourite pint on tap too so happy days!

I can also report the engine has behaved impeccably with the temperature now holding a little over 95dec C.  I topped up the antifreeze this morning and will check with the hydrometer in the morning now its had chance to circulate.

So we’re moored for the night and for those of you following us for the first time the red dot is our location.

Total distance:9.09 miles Elapsed time:8h48m11s Locks:13 Bridges:26 Tunnels:2
Average speed:1.03 mph (2.51 lock/mph)

Birthday Surprise and two sleeps to go

Hi all
We are now we're planning our trip to bring AmyJo home to Chester starting this weekend.  We have the route planned that should, all being well, see us cruising the length of the Shropshire Union to Tattenhall with any luck.

It the meantime time we travelled south to Essex to celebrate my mother's xxth birthday.  We did her proud with a great birthday surprise, complete with a ride in a limousine that she has wanted to do since a child. She was totally taken aback and the beaming smile she wore all afternoon said it all.

Surprise!  She had no idea we were all in the limo

All set and comfy

All on board and the  brother Andrew opens the shampers

Amy, Joanne and Chris

A great afternoon tea was laid on and it was so nice to catch up with all our cousins, aunts and uncles, some we have not seen for 20 years.  Some we did not recognise at first and some introducing their children we have never met until now.  

Birthday mum cuts the cake made by her granddaughter Gemma

Dad lends a helping hand

Then it was in another Limousine for the ride back to mum's but not before a chance for a photo shoot.  After all its not often we're all together like that.

Mum's immediate family, sons wives and grandchildren

Its as shame we only get together for weddings, major birthdays and funerals but when we do the reunion is the best time ever!

We are now looking forward to our trip in AmyJo to Chester and have only 2 sleeps to go.  Like Halfie (click) does for his summer cruise, we too have a route in mind and would appreciate any pointers that we should be aware of too.  Our route will probably be

Grand union to Braunston.  Oxford canal, the Coventry canal , Trent and Mersey, the Staffs and Worcester, then all the way up the Shropshire union to Tattenhall.  If time permits we'll got through Chester to Ellesmere Port then return to Tattenhall to finish.

All that though may change as we go along.  After all there are plenty of alternatives on the way.  So if you do see us passing please do give us a shout if only to say "get out the bl006y way"