UK Canals - Journey reports

Stoke Golding

A hot day threatened, but a chilly morning.  Sam was due to arrive later today and stay overnight before returning with his family tomorrow, however, as he was able to arrive earlier than expected and given the expected temperatures it was decided that he would be best leaving today.  A crowded boat not a very pleasant place in the heat with dog and 5 year  old. We needed to turn the boat ultimately, so we could get in a morning jolly going to Sutton Wharf, turning and getting a water top up at the same time.  The canal seems very shallow between bridges 30 and 33, progress being quite slow.  No point in trying to hurry.  On arrival at Sutton Wharf we discovered that the water point was actually a little way up the canal further on.  There was a boat there having a wash but there are two taps, though the mooring is a little bit random requiring a cats cradle of ropes to maintain some sort of recognisable position.    Good flow of water though, so soon done.  Reversing was another matter.  First of all a boat appeared behind just as the boat was finally untied, that put the plan on the back foot.   Then, with one side bowthruster still inop. The wind was a problem, so getting near to the bank stirred up all manner of rubbish and blew it into the channel for other boaters to enjoy.  Finally we were off and found a better mooring at Stoke Golding by the benches.  While all this was going on, phone calls were getting made to try and resolve the gas problem we have.  A very strong smell emanating from the gas locker and getting worse.   I have had to turn the gas off.  Another reason why Sam should not stay; we have no means of cooking.

My gas engineer daughter had put a message on the Facebook Gas Group that we needed someone, and so there were a couple of offers.  One led to a non starter really as it wold have meant an hour drive each way, but the other a referral leading to another referral and a local Guy who came, diagnosed a regulator problem after a thorough examination and test, but was unable to offer a quick repair.  Finally Jim turned up and offered to find a regulator and fix it on a Sunday at Hawkesbury.   What a nice Guy, and into steam engines as well.  Long chat!

So the next surprise was to order a take away for delivery from Mango Tree and to accept the location (no street addrsss or post code) as the road on the end of the High Street at the corner where all the ducks are, and to actually deliver on time, the best curry we’ve had in ages.

Ashby Canal:Stoke Golding

We arrived here yesterday having changed plans to get our guests collected from here today as its a much nicer spot to spend a few hours.   It gives an opportunity for a short cruise to Sutton Wharf to turn the boat ready for our return to the marina over the next few days and to get water.   So it was.  The water point(s) are up the canal a little way from the turning point which would mean reversing.  The first point was hosting a boat being washed.  The second was on a mooring a little too short for the boat but all things are possible.   A bit of a cat’s cradle.   Then don’t you love it!   By the time this arrangement of ropes is undone, the front has swung out in the wind and the stern finally out a boat has appeared from behind expecting us to go ahead.  Friendly guy who soon understood our problem And cleared the way.   Reversing is always tricky in a wind.  There is no steering until you get some speed on and then the bows will obey the wind.  So a bit messy, but at least the shallows will have been scoured of rubbish.   Now while all this has been going on we have our gas problem.   Over the last few days there has been an increasing smell of gas emanating from the gas locker.  I have checked for leaks by painting with dilute detergent on several occasions and found none.  It has now got so bad that the gas just has to be turned off - end of.

Meanwhile my daughter in Kent has put a message out to her gas engineer colleagues and we have had a couple of replies one led to a local guy who diagnosed the problem as the regulator, but couldn’t get access to a replacement quickly and another, a mobile guy, who thought he might be able to source and fit one on Sunday at Hawkesbury.  We shall wait and see, but we are only a day away from the marina so not a major problem.   It will have to get sorted one way or another.  The phone has been ‘hot’.

So no cooking; run the engine for a cup of tea; a meal booked at the Greyhound tomorrow.

Stoke Golding

Planning to arrive at Stoke Golding at a time when moorings might have been vacated at this popular spot, we left Burton Hastings at 8:20.  A boat caught up with us at Hinckley, so we encouraged it to pass by the the  marina entrance.   He soon disappeared, so we must have been slow!   Not needing the farm shop we carried on.  Ashby Boats wharf was deserted with a sad looking chap sitting outside the gift shop.  All the boats out.  Passing Ashby Canal Centre on the other side it always seems a long way to the offside moorings, but yes.  There was a space, and it was only 11:00.   Opinions seemed to merge to favour a walk into town.  The church is closed due to virus concerns, but the White Swan was open and well organised for business in the garden.  So we availed ourselves.   Gemma’s turn to cook dinner.  A vegetarian Halloumi burger, sweet potatoes and corn on cob.

Oxford Canal: Hawkesbury Junction

Canal plan gave our journey time as 3.5hours to Hawkesbury.  It took 3.0 at our normal or less speed including a slow section following a pair of boats.  Again very few boats moving to start with - about 4 opposite direction.  But then we start early. On arrival at  the  approach  to  the  stop  lock  to  our  surprise  the  moorings  were  empty.  Normally  we  would  do  the  turn  and moor  up  on  the piling  round  the  corner  on  the  Coventry  because  on  the  Oxford  the piling  is  of  an  older   variety  and  the  hooks  don’t  work.  There  are  some  rope  loops  there  to  stop  mooring  lines  getting  trapped.  Once  moored  there  appeared  a  continuous  stream  of  opposite  direction  boats  waiting  for  the  lock.

Oxford Canal: South Bridge 34

Return to Barby for a “re-run”.  We are due to meet Gemma again on Wednesday this time with dog and Albert (Age 5).   First the reverse of our unloading the three crates, two cool boxes plus fridge contents, personal luggage, wine, etc.   It was raining to start with but dried up quickly only to resume later in the day.   It was very windy and there were some concerns about the ability to manoeuvre once reversed off the pontoon, but being bows in made it easier (electric is at the rear of the pontoon, water at the head).  The wind was actually helpful in turning the boat and exit from the marina was easy in comparison to Brinklow.  We only passed a couple of boats on the way to Hillmorton and one was exiting the top lock as we arrived.  The bottom gate at lock 4 was surrounded by men in HiViz, hard hats and gear which was not at all surprising as my impression last week was that it was falling to bits.  It has caused trouble recently apparently.  From the bottom a clear run through to our night stop, again virtually no other traffic.  Just the rain!   As we passed the line of moored boats one was waiting to leave, so not an ideal arrangement especially as we were being approached by an opposite direction.  It means slamming the boat in reverse to get some movement, trying to get the stern over to the bank to get off and then using the central rope.   It took two (or was it three) goes.   Then a quick kip, (2 hrs) by which time the sun had come out.

Barby Moorings

We had been asked to give notice of our first arrival at Barby.  So we thought 10:00 would be a good time which meant we had to stop en route somewhere and chose the last bit of piling before "the straight".   The entrance to the marina off Barby Straight is narrow (no widebeams here!) so I was looking forward to the challenge.   There is a throat, so I was not expecting problems: the really unplanned one - an opposite direction boat at exactly the wrong time!   It just meant a bit of doodling!   We had asked for diesel, gas and pumpout on arrival.  Once we had estimated the length of the diesel filler pipe and worked out which way we should moor, confirmed by shouted instructions we winded in the basin and tied up.   Our pumpout port was now on the wrong side, but fortunately the pipe was long enough and I got that going whilst awaiting arrival of the boss.   Soon all done and our pontoon was ready.   A straightforward curved approach and all done.  Then just the electric and gas to sort out.  The gas store is at the entrance office, so it means a wheelbarrow but no rush and soon all done.  Our new collapsible trolley worked well getting luggage back to the car nearby, then settling up and setting off home

Back to Bridge 100

Sunday 19th July

We need to return up the N Oxford tomorrow so will have to wind somewhere.  The nearest is the wide at Bridge 107.   When we set off at 08:00 we found almost continuous line of moored boats, so progress was slow, not that it mattered.  Between bridges 103 & 104 there is no metal piling, so no moored boats.    It was good that we set off early this morning.   Winding proceeded without any problem, but returning back towards Braunston boats were already on the move and being on a corner, and by a bridge to boot, our choice of winding hole would have been much more problematic due to the traffic.

We settled down in our favourite spot and dealt with one little problem.   Last night there was heavy rain and I was awoken by the feeling of water dripping on my face. On close inspection in the morning, it appeared to be coming from the wind generator roof connector where the cable ran into the plug.   Later, a similar episode where the horn electric supply goes through the roof, this time leaking into our “larder”.   This will need a bit of ‘slx”,but none to hand just now.   Next to no wind today so as we have scarcely cruised far today, more engine needed this evening!

Bridge 100 GU

We left Hillmorton Top at 07:30 planning to arrive at Braunston Turn at 10:00 in time for the opening of Midland Chandlers and the possibility of getting a mooring there.  Only two boats passed us on the way until just past Willoughby.   Braunston was busy though.  Two boats on the water point and the shop mooring occupied.  However as luck would have it the last spot in the line opposite before the turn was free.   So we stopped there and walked round.   In all the freedom of the waterway life and the inherent social distancing I had forgotten that shops all have to obey the rules so we joined the queue (max 3 in the shop) outside.   A car drew up and who should appear behind us but an ex colleague from London who has the same name as I do.   Running into people we know on the canal seems a frequent occurrence.   We are looking into acquiring a replacement oven and cooker hob for the boat.   The existing one is 20 years old.  The ignition no longer works and the oven is rusty in places.  I have searched the internet but found nothing of the right size.   The guy in Midland Chandlers pointed out instantly what we needed and even gave us a card for a marine gas qualified engineer to boot.   Then Pat saw a folding four wheeled luggage trolley which could be very useful.  So there we are!   One more piece of stuff to store away somewhere.

Moving on we returned to our favourite stop just before bridge 100 on the GU Oxford section.  For the second time since last May 2019 we have been able to put the “fan” up.  Low hedges and open country make this a windy spot!

Leaving Brinklow

Promised to be a lovely warm sunny day.  Gemma was returning home today, but as a favour she agreed to give me a lift back from Barby Moorings having positioned the car there in readiness for our taking up a mooring on Monday.    Then back at Brinklow we said goodbye to our friends there and set off back to Hillmorton again.   The plan is to have a look in Midland Chandlers for a suitable oven/hob replacement.   Ours is 20 years old.  The spark no longer works and the metalwork is starting to rust.   Then we will doodle around until Monday and see what awaits.   Over the last couple of days we have had an odd smell sitting in the front well deck, reminiscent of dog poo.  There were, after all, a couple of bags on the front courtesy of Dolly the puppy.   However, it transpired that it was gas.  The smell was strong on opening the locker lid.   The bubble tester showed no leak and the only site of any leak detectable with dilute washing up liquid was a very minor one at the connection to the gas bottle itself.   Fiddled with it, but cannot totally eliminate the smallest “ouze”.  I guess that’s why the bottles are in a vented locker!

Thursday 16th

We left Willoughby at 7:20, stopped at Tesco for lunch and arrived Brinklow at 13:30 after a straight run down Hillmorton Locks with no delays.

Return journey

Wednesday 15th July

Bit of a miserable morning.  Colder than yesterday with drizzle in the air.   The “fan” which had been humming yesterday was now silent.   No wind.   NO rush to get away, so we left just after 8:00.   After Braunston Turn we found ourselves in a small queue, though making good progress.  Pat suggested that we stopped at Willoughby.  We have all day tomorrow to make it to Brinklow, so no problem.   Let’s hope the weather is a little more encouraging.

Napton turn around

Tuesday 14th July

 

Weather forecast flat overcast all day with max temperature 15 degrees.   So we set off early as usual and didn’t run into traffic until halfway to Braunston.   The turn was crazy with boats everywhich way making me wonder if there had been an event.   Gemma needed to get the dog off from time to time which needed a little planning in view of trailing boats and some OD.  En route it was determined that we would go to the bottom of Napton and wind there ready for the return journey.   It always seems to take much longer than expected I find.   Anyway the winding hole was unobstructed and we actually had wind.  So a gentle slow turn and reverse onto a free mooring just beyond.    We did light the fire in the end.  Just that little extra comfort.    For the first time in a year I erected the “fan”.   A lot of water came out, but it all seems to be working just as normal.   Now our solar panels have gone (since the paint job) it is our only source of “green” energy.   Not enough to cook by.  Possibly enough to keep a light burning and keep a trickle charge on the batteries, but not much else.  Overall not recommended, although in its defence, it does work at night (if the wind blows).

Later on we walked along to the bottom lock and the Folly pub.   The publicans have made a great effort to make the pub welcoming and have moved their operation to the garden setting up marquees for the bar and sitting area with tables distanced all over the grass.   All rather reminiscent of a wedding reception, but so attractive that we simply had to have a drink (or two) there.   As if getting ready for the advent of some kind of police surveillance we had to record all manner of personal details on a paper form though strangely not how we had got there.  Order and pay (contactless) at the bar.   Drinks delivered to your table.  All very nicely done.   I would imagine that on a sunny day they would be over run.

Hillmorton Top moorings

Monday 13th

Monday 13th

SHORE POWER

10:30 -> 11:55 Rugby park mooring for Tesco

13:15 -> 15:15 Hillmorton Top

 

Pleasant morning with high cloud broken.   More cleaning!   The curtain retaining rails have all been badly tarnished with verdigris where the curtains have touched.  Likely due to the fire retardant used.   Needed Brillo pads, Jif and finally Hotspot to make them look respectable.  Bathroom sorted.  Gemma arrived dead on time at 10:00 with Dolly (new baby bitch).

We left shortly after and met convoys of opposite direction boats, obviously the slowest first.   As usual it seems, we met a single in the bridge at Newbold.   There was actually plenty of mooring by the park at Rugby, so we stopped on the park side to make a few last minute purchases - things we didn’t know we needed until we needed them.  Then off to Hillmorton.   Lunch time so little other traffic until we got to final approach to the locks when we came up behind a tugging looking boat towing a narrowboat on cross straps with nobody at the stern.  Going very slowly.   We all had to wait for the bottom lock as a boat was coming down and only the one side was in operation.   So once our turn came we found out that the two middle locks were available.  The boatman ahead decided this time to put the “butty” in first but missed a trick in my opinion by not positioning for a quick ascent in the second lock and retrieving the “butty” from the first lock with the line.   Instead he pulled the butty out by hand and then cycled the lock.   We took the other one and left them to it.   We moored up for the night above the top lock.   Pat has been doing what she does best and Gemma and dog helping.

 

 

 

Back to Brinklow

Sunday 12th

We awoke to a pleasant Sunny morning.   Lots to do today getting the boat respectable for our guest arriving tomorrow, but first job was to turn the boat to be able to make it back to the marina.   Not wishing to try reversing back to the winding hole just before bridge 58 the next opportunity is at Hillmorton according to the book which would take us an hour and a half - unless...   I have turned before at Clifton Boats using the old arm, but it is used for moorings and is not ideal.    So we gave it a go by reversing gently into the arm and using the bow thruster and it worked. I would have been much more concerned if there had been any wind because the principal method of winding is to fix the bows on the bank to power the back round either with the engine or the wind (or even the pole).  The moored boats blocked that possibility.   Having gained some time, we stopped on a nice bit of piling and set about the work.   A boat wash and internal cleaning which took most of the morning, returning to the marina for a late lunch.   After which, lots more cleaning and then the boat version of Yoga - topping up the batteries.   Pat has been very busy with the cleaning.  With the boat having been unused for a year not surprising that everything needs looking at.   The amazing thing is that everything still works.

Regaining the boat!

Hard to understand, but it is almost a year since we took the boat anywhere.  Sure there have been one or two “maintenance visits” during that time, firstly to winterise, then de-winterise and the last time preparing for cruising.  But then came the Covid19 Lockdown.  So, three months or more later we can gingerly go out again.   Amazingly really, the boat is in good shape.   Everything we have tested works (so far!  Let’s not tempt fate!).   It does, however, need a very good clean internally.   Probably time too for a bit of internal varnish over coating again. So, having re-victualled the kitchen, made up the bed, we set off on a short trip just for an overnight and return.   Batteries will need attention as a matter of routine when we return.   The rudder was stiff to start with, but the engine fired up no problem.   It has had a couple of half hour runs while laid up, but still!   Lots and lots of traffic.  Just under half hire boats.   Our plan was not to go very far, maybe just to Newbold,overnight there and return tomorrow.  Ultimate fallback reverse at Hillmorton.  However, Newbold was full but we did find a mooring, rather unexpectedly at Rugby - on the Tesco side.   This does mean revering course at Hillmorton unfortunately.  An extra hour plus on the trip tomorrow