UK Canals - Journey reports

Brinklow Marina

What a change this morning.  A little early rain, but the water was mirror smooth.  We got our pump-out and took to our mooring, no problem.  Then home.

Oxford Canal:Brinklow Marina

We set off at 7:00 and made good time to the original site of yesterday’s mooring,  Passed nb Annie there as they were preparing to depart, and then we were tailed.   The wind is increasing again.   As nb Annie seemed in a rush, always on our tail we let them pass.   At Hawkesbury Jct we were a little surprised that Annie's first mate didn’t get off in the Coventry narrows and walk across to set the lock, since it is adjacent.   Pat did, and more or less had the lock ready before they arrived there.   I waited in the narrows and made the turn arriving at the lock just at the right time.   Just seems so obvious to prepare the lock ahead especially in a rush. They wanted to get to Whilton before the bad weather?  Then we passed the same boat later just after Stretton Stop.   Perhaps they were having lunch and it occurred to me how useful the semi-trad stern is, because we can have lunch together whilst still cruising, whilst the trad stern is no so convenient.     By now the wind has become a serious factor.  We are fine in the sheltered cuttings, but the embankments are a nightmare and the wind seems to slow the boat down considerably.   It will be pretty difficult to get onto our mooring, so the plan is to stay outside until the wind dies down this evening.  (The wind didn't die down that evening)

Arriving close to the marina entrance there seemed nowhere obvious to stop.  The canal here is sheltered only by some small bushes, adequate in normal weather but in this wind no real advantage.   The water in the canal at the marina entrance was being whipped into a frenzy as the wind ripped through the bridge hole, but we decided to give it a go, turn in and moor on the wharf on the right hand side, so the wind would blow us on.  The first question was would the wind effectively prevent the boat turning, however, with a bit of power we made the turn in one go and had no trouble getting in.   The marina water had foot high waves reminiscent of the sea and once moored, waves were splashing against the bow and spraying the wharf.   No way we could get onto our mooring like this.   Needing a pump-out Adrian, the harbourmaster of the day, kindly brought us a token and said that we were welcome to stay as long as we needed.

Ashby Canal:Burton Hastings

A noisy night.  The wind generator was working overtime and the yellow warning for wind still in force all day today.   The plan was to move on to Bridge 5 so that Pat could go to Costcutter, then on to a spot where we had moored before near to Burton Hastings.   The wind was strong but not a problem.  Bridge 5 is in a cutting so sheltered, but the water edge is shallow and we struck some under water objects, probably tree debris, at our first attempt.   There were two other boats there separated, wasting the mooring, so at our second attempt at mooring closer to the bridge we still only had two rings and nothing for the bow.   A centre rope tie up was necessary which I hate, however, only for a short time.   Shopping done we moved on.   A boat ahead seemed to be having trouble in the wind, perhaps going to slowly.   Finding our mooring we just stopped mid stream and let the wind take the boat in.   

Due to unforseen circumstances, around 4 pm it became necessary to return home.  As the next obvious winding point was at Hinckley and to be able to get transport in an emergency overnight should it be necessary, we decided to move on to HInckley, wind and be in a good position for a fast return to Brinklow in the morning.    Actually, for the record there is room for a 60 foot boat to wind on the sharp corner just below the permanent moorings at Burton Hastings, but it is not shown in the Nicholsons.   Thus we made Hinckley, turned and moored on the 48 hour moorings by the A5 (and pub).

Ashby Canal:Bridge 3

Rain overnight and fine drizzle this morning.  So we had a bit of a lie in and left after 8 am.    Going slowly we recalled all the usual features.  The garden just before Charity Dock had some new exhibits.  We’ll try and remember to get some pictures on the way back.   I have done the 110 degree turn into the Ashby in one go once, but failed again this time.  Just needed a small bit of reverse while the bow swung round, but this constitutes a failure.   We planned to stop on the first bit of piling which we found about half a mile further on.   It was OK but on a curve.   Pat challenged me to go and get a paper, then added a couple of  other items to the list.   We had stopped previously for shopping at Bulking Road Bridge (5) and as this was about a mile further on thought a walk might do me good, so I took the challenge.   From the bridge the Costcutter convenience store is about a quarter mile further on.  Up onto the road, follow the road in a north direction towards Nuneaton for a short while, first right, first left and first right again, then walk on.   You come across the shop unexpectedly.   On the way back there seemed to be a much better mooring a few hundred yards from where we are moored.   A straight section before bridge 3 with now trees (Met Office has. Yellow wind warning out, remnants of hurricane Helene apparently).   So we moved.  Much happier here.   

The wind generator is working well!   A few jobs to do.  The alternator belt seemed a little slack when pre-starting checks this morning, so that has been fixed.  This usually means it will break soon.

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

A leisurely start after a cold morning.  The fire still going which was good.  After the usual preliminaries got ready to leave.  Fuel checked OK.  Engine start OK.   Left at 8:10.  Coming out of Brinklow Marina, didn’t make the turn into the canal in one!   Approaching Ansty a convoy of opposite directions.  Then at Sutton Stop the sun came out briefly.  Pat had timing issues with her cooking and that needed her full attention, so we stopped on the curve before the stop lock.   Not an ideal place, so as soon as the Normandy Apple tart is out of the oven we will cross onto the Coventry.    Bit of a wind blowing at lunch time and this ruined my usual neat turn at the junction and had to do it in two.  In fairness 3 moored boats didn’t help.  There’s always a mooring on the right with decent piling once on the Coventry Canal after the turn.  It just depends how far you are prepared to go.  This time, not far.   The wind got the fan generating well, but by later in the afternoon it had all died off and the night was quiet.   Crossing the little footbridge by the old pump house, there is a small convenience store and post box.  A short way down Heritage Road, first left, first right and first left again.   Useful!

Supper: Meat pie and veg, and the first taste of the apple tart made this morning.

Autumn Cruise

Saturday 15th September

 

It has been a hot summer with no appreciable rain for 3 months.   Canal levels are low with many restrictions, so we abandoned plans to do a Birmingham trip and instead decided to just slowly cruise the Ashby again.  Although it can be “done” in a week which we have done in the past, it has always been a rush in the end.  So this time we will take longer, possibly two weeks.

Leaving home at 5:15, later than usual but its is a Saturday after all, we had a good run up to Brinklow.  All well at the boat as so far determined.  Temperature inside was 13 C.   The Eberspacher fired up perfectly and we got he stove going.   In keeping with the more relaxed timetable we are waiting to leave until tomorrow (Sunday).  The stern gland bilge which was rusting badly had been sprayed with Fertan and needed a coat of epoxy paint.   This doesn’t dry quickly.   So once the car had been unloaded (we brought all provisions with us) I got on with that.  It was not obvious at the outset that there was a lot of loose rust scale which really should have all been dislodged and hoovered out, but I only discovered this when applying the first few brush strokes.   So did as best as possible and we will just have to wait and see how it works out.   Not at all easy for access though!