The point of no return.

 30th Dec

Oh dear, the day did not start well. A plan had been formed yesterday about how long we would cruise  today. The end of the Ashby was roughly a couple of hours from Limekiln so we would turn onto the Coventry and stop at bridge 17. The canal there, is wide and open with loads of good moorings, and we have always had good TV, Wi-Fi and phone reception. Anyway we got up late, had a leisurely breakfast and then, before we set off, Ian thought he would get the tar marks off the paintwork where it had run down from the chimney. I was in charge of putting the tiller on, but my usual job of untying the stern rope, in readiness for the off, was taken over by Ian. So he has only himself to blame for what happened next! 

Ian still had the cloth in his hand and decided to remove the pigeon poo splattered on the back deck and rope. Unfortunately, having already loosened the stern rope, as he lent over the deck, FS started to move out. In an instant he got up but in doing so over balanced, teetered on the edge and with the cry of "Oh no" went feet first into the water! I was beside myself, how was he going to get out! Only yesterday we took our safety ladder from around the seat as one of the straps was in need of repair and a good clean was in order. Blooming typical! 

He's strong, even at his age, and managed to pull himself out. He stood onto the small 'wing bit' that sticks out from the hull, grasped the seat leg and with me also heaving on his arm, got himself out. There was he, lower half covered in mud, water pouring off him all over the back counter and wondering how he was going to strip off without showing everything to all and sunder! Anyway, strip off he did with me holding a towel to protect his modesty. Everything was dumped on the deck and off he went to have a warming shower. 

Meanwhile, I placed his clothes in a bucket, got everything rinsed the best I could and put the machine on for a hot wash to remove the rest of the mud. Once Ian was out of the shower, in I went with his boots to deal with them later. Our eventual getaway, then, was late morning. I worried about him being cold, but this man never feels the cold, and all I could do was insist he stayed inside in the warm. But this man of mine is also very stubborn and insisted that he was okay to steer the boat, so who was I to argue and left him too it. I instead went to do something with his boots, took loads of scrubbing inside and out and plenty of rinsing. A tap will have to be found sooner rather than later now, to top up the tank.

Nothing more untoward happened today, thank goodness. We did make it to Marston Junction, turned right onto the Coventry canal and stopped where we had planned at bridge 17.  

And seen on route

Sparrow Hawk?

 

Mud and a branch, not a good combination.

 28th Dec

Pins were pulled by 9 am. The plan was to head to Snarestone, use the facilities, wind and head on back down the canal.   Warm clothing was necessary, the wind had a real bite to it. 

It was to be an hour's cruise, took longer than that due to the canal being shallow in places.  Another large  branch across the canal had to be passed too, and in this instant I should have kept the revs up instead of slowing our pace. This branch may have come down recently and the only way past was to get over as far as I could towpath side. If more boat traffic had been present, no doubt a channel would have been gouged out by now, but instead FS tried to dredge it herself and failed. So increasing speed was required, that did it! Something to remember on the way back.

Ian had the tiller when Snarestone tunnel came into view. It's only short, and the end could be seen easily, It also showed a kinky bit due, I believe, to subsidence and not the way it had been dug out. 

 Not far from the North Portal, the terminus came into view. Through a small foot swing bridge were more visitor moorings. There is a shop for visitors run by volunteers selling ice cream, souvenirs and where you can find out more about the ongoing work to extend the canal. Click HERE  for more information. 

FS was winded and then reversed back towards the facilities. 30 minutes later we were on our way back.

 

 

 

That blasted branch on the way back was even more of a problem. This time we couldn't get past without getting stuck in the mud. The only way off was to reverse and then head into the branches, Hopefully our paintwork hasn't suffered too much.

 So would have loved to stop once back at Shackerstone. That wind chill had found nocks and crannies I thought to be covered up and was beginning to shiver. Ian took over so I could warm up a tad.

 We got no further than Bosworth, by now 5 hours had passed. We kept taking turns on the tiller but the cold was getting to us and a hot shower was needed and boy did that do the trick. Tomorrow we hope to reach Marston junction, again it all depends on how cold it is, not wanting a repeat of today.

 Dec 29th

With the wind having turned into a gentle breeze, the day felt much warmer. High hopes then on reaching the junction.  Stopped at Sutton Cheney to empty the cassette and top up with water again. After a wash load and two showers yesterday, it would be silly not to fill the tank. At Ashby boats, we called in for diesel. At £1.10 litre, it was a penny per litre more than when we had filled at Rugby boats. 

 With supplies on the low side, we thought a stop at bridge 23 and Spinney Bank farm shop would be beneficial. So FS secured, tiller removed, got a shopping bag, checked we had money and set off to the farm. Notices all said it was open, and the thought of sausage rolls for lunch spurred us on. But, oh no...the shop was shut! With great disappointment, it was back to FS, tiller back on, engine started, untie and set off with only a measly cheese sandwich to look forward too for lunch!

We didn't go much further, getting too cold to continue even though it was still early afternoon, so stopped opposite the Limekilns Pub. The road was nearby, (A5) thankfully the wind direction blew the sound away from us. Tomorrow we will definitely get off the Ashby. Not sure how far we will get though, no longer in any hurry because the stoppage on the Coventry planned from the 6th Jan has been postponed until the 19th.

Festive days

 Dec 26th

Christmas was fun, Kev came to collect us on Christmas day, our dinner was a Spaghetti Bolognese! Just to clarify though, the main event would be held on Boxing Day as Colin and Iwona were having a Polish Christmas day with her family first.

Boxing Day morning Colin, Iwona, Oscar, Oliver and Toffee arrived along with Kev's mum and dad, Gunda and big Kev. With them was Harvey, a lovely Staffy rescued several years ago but now showing his age as well as the 'convenient hearing' problem. What with Christine and Kev's dog, River, still an overgrown puppy, the place was in uproar for the first 15 minutes, dogs tearing around and generally causing mayhem! Once things had quieted, it was time for presents.

A bit meagre on the present front, but most of the Grandchildrens presents had been opened the day before.

Grandson Josh in the doorway and Christine being Santa. Harvey and Toffee photo bombed the picture.

Toffee got well and truly stuck in, she adores present opening! River on the other hand waited for someone to come to her aid in opening her present!

 

Christine had dinner timed to the nearest second, she made lists, which had to be meticulously followed, and what a great job she did. Two Turkey Crowns had been purchased, OMG enough meat once Kev had carved, to feed the five thousand! They will be feasting on Turkey for some time! It was agreed between Christine and me, portion control was the way to go. Apart from the Turkey slices there was to be roast potatoes, parsnips, stuffing, pigs in blankets, sprouts, red cabbage, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower with cheese sauce and gravy. As much as we were both ridiculed by doing that, the family agreed in the end the portions were just right.

 

Adults in the dining room and the four boys in the conservatory. Shame no one thought to take a photo of the full plates.

 Games were played (as is the Jameison way), pontoon and then poker. Bed beckoned late, somehow Kev and Christine managed to squeeze 4 families and three dogs for an overnight stay in their 4-bed house, a total of 12 to find beds for. Amazing what can be achieved with organisation, and I must say, Christine and Kev had loads of that.

The morning of the 27th was clean up day, well it was for those of us that woke early!  After a sausage and bacon breakfast (also traditional) two families set off for home. Kev was to take us back to FS, but before we left, we were given some Turkey leftovers and a loaf of bread for our tea, well I suppose we did have to help them get rid of all that food.

FS was freezing on our return. The diesel heater went on, then the stove lit, and it took a good hour for FS to feel warm. Having eaten and drunk too much over the festive season, that night we had a glass of Port and settled for an early night. I'm to get used to forgoing my usual glass (or two) wine every night because in my drunken state agreed to a dry January. Apparently, I also agreed to no alcohol until the end of March. Hmmm, let me think on that, that could be one resolution I don't keep too! 

It was too much of an ask!

 Dec 23rd

Moorings by Bridge 2 were so very, very quiet. In fact, our plan to get away early went by the wayside as it was after 8 am when we woke. With 18 miles to do, it was a rapid wash and dress, breakfast would be on the move, and we managed to get underway by 8.30am. Initially the going was good, plenty of water under FS's hull and we made good time. Then conditions changed, even with the revs at 1800 we couldn't get much speed. Also, vegetation became an issue, plenty of branches down and bushes lying across the water. In some places it was like driving a chicane, going from one side to another.

 We took turns in steering, that icy wind was blowing directly in our faces, and doing a long stint wasn't fair on either of us. So it happened that I was below when lots of clattering came from above. Rushing to see what was what, Ian had tried to avoid another fallen bush but failed to see the overhanging branch on the offside. Consequently, it nearly took our Wi-Fi aerial from where Ian had laid it to rest. I took over while Ian walked down the gunnel to make it more secure, hoping he wouldn't lose his footing and end up going for a swim!

 By the time we reached Market Bosworth, enough was enough. We could have gone further, at least until the light faded, but it was now 3 pm. I was ever so glad to see a mooring free at the end of the 2-day mooring. So we never did make Shackerstone, only another 3 miles to do tomorrow, and fingers crossed a mooring would be found there.

Market Bosworth visitor mooring.

 

Dec 24th

Another cold and windy day. The only difference to yesterday was the sun was out, if only that wind would die down, it would be a great day for a cruise.

 Anyway, I was at the helm for those last three miles. Ian was making a banana cake! It's usually something I do, but he has a bread maker recipe, so who was I to say no. 

Not bad. 

Passed another moored boat with no sign of anyone on board, the stern seemed to come a long way out from the bank. Maybe slack rope, I thought? I was concerned at what I saw. A chain around a board which had come away from the bolts. As I came past, the board rose out of the water and the chain was but a few inches from the end. I do hope it holds, otherwise this boat may end up across the canal.

 

At a blind bridge hole, a boater was met. Both of us saw each other at the same time and brakes applied rapidly. I was further through the bridge so got waved on, the other boater had to breast up with a moored boat to allow me to pass. Then as I got through yet another boat appeared. Gosh, it was tight passing each other, but having two boats coming away from Shackerstone bod well for a mooring to be found. And coming through Bridge 52, a space appeared just about long enough to slot FS in. 

 

So here we are, moored safe and sound and all ready for Christmas Day to celebrate with the family, It  just remains for us both to say to you all,

Have a very Merry, Wonderful and Happy Christmas 

m 

Early starts and long days.

21st Dec 

 Gosh, I can't remember the last time we got away early, 8 am, we pulled pins and crept past the line of boats. Our reasoning was to get through Braunston Tunnel without meeting anyone. This tunnel is notorious for the 'kinky bits' and sods law says one always meets another boat at these points. Anyway, it was a relief to look through the entrance and see a small pinprick of daylight at the other end and not a headlight!

j

A kinky bit

  

Took a tad under 20 minutes to get through. Ian was at the helm, and he certainly didn't hang around!

 

 At Braunston locks, I was told that we had just missed a boat going down. Oh well, maybe that person would see us and hang fire at the next lock until we came, and yes, that was exactly what happened.

Top lock

No  one was with it, strange, but turned out he had gone down to set the next lock while waiting for us.

Beautiful staffs

 

We only managed two locks with him. In the next lock a boat had just entered, must have been moored in one of the pounds.  Our 'locking buddy' jumped ship, so to speak, left us behind and went down with them.

 Braunston had plenty of spaces had we wanted to stop, still too early to do that, and I was determined to get to Rugby for a last shop before Christmas.

 

 So onwards, down the flight of 3 at Hillmorton Locks.

 

  And then the long cruise to Rugby. Only spaces at the end of a line of boats were found, the towpath was almost impossible to walk on, thick squelchy mud which tried sucking your shoes from your feet! Walking to Tesco was a challenge, coming back with heavy bags was even worse! Having cruised for over 6 hours, the decision was made to stay overnight, not ideal as it was very noisy, a roundabout right opposite the mooring and everyone rushing in cars to get those last-minute gifts.  Thank goodness it was Sunday and the shops closed early.

22nd December

A favourite place of mine is Old Oak's Wood. I have seen this in every season now, but a wish to see it in the snow. Maybe one day, but due to climate change, I'm not holding my breath.

New moorings past the wood

Anyway, it was another early start, the wind had picked up and a real icy chill in the air. As mentioned above, Old Oak Wood was passed. We reached a section on a long straight where slippage had occurred a year or two ago, blocking the canal and towpath. It appears that the towpath is now permanently shut along this section. There are gates on one end and Harris fencing on the other, although we did notice that people have been climbing the bank to get around. Another observation. Seen on the slope before the slippage, loads of rabbit holes and one of the culprits in plain sight! As much as I hate to see wildlife removed from their homes, this is one place where more slippage could occur if they are not evicted.

Where the slippage was. A massive amount of work has been done to make it stable.

 

All day, not another boat on the move, but typical...we meet one at Stretton swing bridge!

At Sutton Stop, the original elsan was out of action, but CRT had put in a temporary one. Massive mistake made, though.... no water to rinse the cassettes! If we had known, a bucket with canal water would have been used to do the job, and rinsing could have been done that way. As it was, we had to put a dirty cassette back, not ideal and not pleasant to the nose!

Sutton Stop lock. A rise of about 6 inches.

Bringing FS into the lock, a huge branch came in with me. It had to be removed!

 It's usually me who does the turn onto the Coventry Canal, Ian shuts the gate and walks to where I pick him up on the narrow section, but today....a very nice gentleman offered to close the gate, so no excuse for him not to do it. I relinquished the tiller and waited to see how he did.

 

Blast...it was a textbook manoeuvre, no reverse required. Is there nothing my 'man that can' can't do?

So we did make the Ashby Canal. Another brilliant turn made by Ian, I stayed at the bow looking for water voles. In the past, I have been lucky, but not today. 

 

Just past bridge 2, we found a lovely quiet mooring. Tomorrow we hope to make Shackerstone, our destination for Christmas. It's a good 18 miles away, and the Ashby has always been shallow in places, slowing us down, so there is no guarantee of making it. We will see!

And seen on route,

Bank collapse and towpath closed before bridge 19 if I remember rightly