UK Canals - Journey reports

Oxford Canal:Brinklow Marina

Not far to go again.  It took an hour going slowly.   However I did manage the turn into the marina "in One" this time.   Virtually no wind on the canal, but the marina is very exposed and there was a constant breeze sufficient to get about 3 amps on the wind generator.   No wonder the cratch cover was shredded.   Steps are in hand to get a replacement.

This report ends this short cruise.   More hoped in May.

Oxford Canal:Newbold

Much colder this morning.  We didn't move very far, just to Newbold so that we can try out the pub (Barleymow).   A surprising amount of passing traffic for this time of the year, but I suppose the recent sun has flushed them out.

Oxford Canal:Clifton Cruiser's Winding Hole

I suppose we could have gone to Braunston & back, but as this is only a boat proving cruise and we will be back home on Saturday we elected just to turn the boat and essentially stay where we are.    So a very leaisurely dawdle up to the winding hole.  However it was not straightforward.  The offside has been used as a mooring and the winding hole was almost completely obstructed by three abreast moored boats making a traditional turn impossible due to the position of the gap.

With the stern inserted into the small gap between moored boats we wait for a passing boat before attempting the turn

  So rising to the challenge I thought it best to reverse into the gap and then nothing for it but to use the bow thruster to push the bows round trying to keep clear of the offending boats.  Without the bow thruster it would have been necessary to put the crew ashore with a bow rope and pull it round since there was no manoevering room for the stern.   Once achieved we returned to the towpath moorings opposite our previous spot.    Cooler today and little wind, so the wind generator remains untested.

Oxford Canal:Rugby

Not a serious cruise, but just a boat checking few days.   We were planning a cruise to Chester again in May provided that no other issues cropped up.   However, the boat must be de-winterised and clened, so we thought what better than a couple of days or three going nowhere at the same time.   So we arrived at Brinklow Marina early in the morning and started washing out the water system.   Just filling the tank takes ages.   Then assembling the wind generator and re-installing it on the roof with its new nylon board base took very little time.

The new wind generator base

 The old wooden base made out of MDF was a bit worse for wear from water damage, but useful as a template for a new one made out of solid blue nylon.   The bathroom was a mess when we arrived the only thing missing were fish in the shower tray but the water weed made it look like an authentic aquarium anyway.   The front cratch cover had been literally shredded on the right hand side such is the strength of the wind up here.  So somehow we will be needing to sort out a new one

Once the major items were sorted we set off for Rugby to enable a visit to Tesco to refresh the ship's stores.   It is only the perishables of course.   Everything else is still there from last year.  However, I must ensure that the "Fray Bentos Steak Pie" which we keep in the back of the larder is re-cycled as it must have been there for three years or more.

Once shopping was done we moved across to the picnic field for the night.   This is a 24 hours only mooring, so we will have to move on tomorrow but at least we can sit out.  The weather is sunny and warm.

Rugby moorings from the towpath side. The picnic field is opposite by the willow.