Fair weather cruisers

December 10th

No rush to set off this morning, the junction was but a short journey away. Ian took the helm 'cos in the past water voles had been seen before bridge 2 of the Ashby so I took my place in the well deck and hoped I would get lucky. I was also lookout to make sure the left turn into the Ashby at Marston Junction was clear.

Ah, a boat was seen in the distance, a long way away so I still signalled to Ian to go ahead and make the turn.

I was massively disappointed. No sign of a water vole, it's not as if they hibernate during winter but they do spend a lot more time in their burrows. Obviously this wasn't the right time of the day. The photo below was taken in 2017

After a very pleasant 2.5 hours of cruising we stopped. Rain was in the air, the wind had picked up and it was blooming freezing! Anyway it had gone midday and these days we only do what Ian has worked out in time and mileage to get us to Milton Keynes by 23rd. So TV went on to watch the 1 o clock news. The usual doom and gloom from the newsreader before the weather came on for this region. Blast, the chart showed a mass of blue across the Midland area Saturday, from 11 am onwards. Our plan was to get to Shackerstone in readiness for a family visit on Sunday, we had to leave tomorrow. 

First mooring

Then Ian made a suggestion, get another hour under our belt this afternoon, Hmm, not his best idea, I had warmed up and was quite happy to stay by the stove and do the rest of the journey tomorrow, even if we had to up stakes early. From this mooring it's roughly a three-hour cruise to Shackerstone, but he was adamant, didn't want to cruise in the rain again, so I agreed. Crikey.. I've suddenly realised that we have become fair weather cruisers! Gosh, in the good old days when we hired every year, we challenged ourselves to do go as far as possible and back in a week, even doing rings that should, by rights, have taken a fortnight. It was up at dawn. usually 6 am, stop at dusk around 9 pm. Come rain or shine we ploughed on, but not any more! Nop, those days are long gone and not something either of us would want to return to. So 2 pm the tiller went back on, pins were pulled and away we went.

Bosworth Battlefield could be seen in the distance, well the flag flying anyway.

You can tell that the wind had picked up, blowing almost directly into our faces, not a pleasant experience.

The sun was getting lower and the shadow of FS was being outlined against the hedge.

Ashby canal, nice and open and plenty opportunities to see if anything is coming, especially on long sweeping bends. Such was the case as we approached bridge 32.  Unfortunately this boat was met on the bend and in a particularly shallow spot. As both boats passed each other, Ian went as far to the right as possible and ended up at a jaunty angle. Yep we had found the mud! The rudder had dug into the silt and all steering was lost! The bow, now no longer manoeuvrable, ended up swinging across to the opposite bank. Lots of revs got us free and the parting words from that other boat, "Are you alright mate?" Need any help?", Ian laughed and said "The joys of boating eh." "No we will get ourselves sorted, eventually".

Dredging is long overdue on the Ashby and it will only get worse! Our speed was considerably reduced due to the bottom being too near the top! Some places not even 3mph could be achieved,  and look at the next photo. Passing a moored boat at 2mph and nearly a breaking wash!

Someone must be having a laugh! You would barely move if you kept to this! No, 2 mph is the correct speed passing boats.

Unusual cloud formation

 Hooray, the facilities at Sutton Cheney were fully functional and even though the cassette was only half full, with the family arriving best it be emptied. So while Ian was doing the biz, I had a quick look to see if the pontoon was available for our mooring tonight. Last time we came through in 2020 the pontoon was being repaired. Nice new recycled plastic planking had replaced the old wooden boards but either it hasn't been put together very well or boats have hit it pretty hard, a side plank is missing, and the edge is more wavy than straight. Not only that but because of the material used, a notice asking that no BBQ'a to be placed on the boards. Guess what!!! Obviously someone couldn't read judging by the burn mark on the decking!

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 And wildlife,