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.