UK Canals - Journey reports

Back to Barby Moorings

There had been two boats moored behind us overnight.  Their crew of 'Littel Pea' had been very helpful when we arrived there getting us squeezed in.  This was a hire boat returning to Clifton, so needed to leave early.  We followed shortly after.   There was some room at the 'Tesco' moorings this time, when we don't need it of course, but traversing is always difficult.  The offside vegetation is troublesome again, limiting the width on these tight corners for when opposite direction traffic appears on the left hand bends there is often little room to get the stern over to make the left turn with moored boats to the right.  Little Pea was moored up at Clifton.  No sign of the occupants.  They must have made good time.   Hillmorton Lock 2 was under short term maintenance when we arrived.  Servicable shortly after. There was help from opposite direction boaters, so were were soon at the topp and on our way to Barby.

Oxford Canal:Newbold

Off to a good start this morning.  Pat was able to work the lock while I dropped off a rubbish bag while the boat was rising in the lock.  As the morning wore on opposite direction boats increased in frequency until we met a single stream of 7 boats in line astern and thereafter several stragglers.  With so many boats coming the other way one becomes aware of pinch points where the opposite direction can appear round a blind spot often involving a bridge hole or just a rake of moored boats on a corner which severely limit manoeuverability.   The boaters guide warns against mooring in this position, yet so often these are official designated moorings.   Ansty is a good example.  At Newbold we were pleased to find a mooring slot in pretty well exactly where we had moored on the outward journey.   It was fish & chips again.

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

Wednesday June 15th

Leaving Stoke Golding there was an ASDA van parked up in the lay-by.  I asked the driver if he would deliver to boats here.  Of course he replied.  All I need is a bridge number, on a road obviously.  Useful!

Untied the boat, pushed the front out, put it in gear.  No movement.  Tried harder.  Still no movement.  Got off and pushed the back out.  Still nothing.  Got off and pushed again and then gave it some wellie and slowly we moved the first few inches of our daily journey.   The trip as far as the end of the Ashby went without incident.  Just the usual opposite directions in bridge holes.  I was nicely lined up with the narrows at the end of the canal or so I thought.   I reckon it was the vegetation obscuring the edges that did it.  What else could it be.   Managed the turn with a bit of reverse at the appropriate moment whereby you end up hidden from the bridge and anything that might be there.  The boater lined up for the bridge in the opposite direction was very understanding for my sudden appearance.   Then just for the last mile we found ourselves behind a boat which it seemed was doing its entire cruise on tickover.   This has happened to me before when I was behind such a boat on the Leicester arm pretty well all the way from Crick to Husbands Bosworth.   It taught me that you still arrive where you wanted to end up in the end.   Lovely evening to get chairs out.

Ashby Canal:Stoke Golding

A short day in prospect.    It was only about 1 mile to our intended mooring for the night.  However, the boat will have to be turned for the return journey, and for that we have to continue on to Sutton Wharf, another 2 miles.   The nicest moorings for Stoke Golding, in my opinion, are a little further on from the main road bridge by the hire base, past the off-line marina.  Just past bridge 27 there is a sharp left turn and on the offside there are some C&RT 48 hour moorings with a picnic spot.  There is easy road access from there to the village and the nearest pub, the White Swan.  (Only open at 6pm most days).  Continuing on from there past the church, and sandwiched between the George & Dragon and an excellent Indian Restaurant is a small general store.    I was given a list of provisions to purchase, and with the help of the storekeeper, came through for almost all.

Ashby Canal:Bridge 23 - Farm Shop

Monday June 13th

Not so warm today, especially for Pat as she feels cold.   Actually had to light the fire.   It does certainly make the boat feel lovely and cosy.   Turning onto the Ashby as a “hole in one” can be done, but is certainly a challenge.  Just as I was about to initiate a carefully planned turn with the boat in the right spot, an opposite direction appeared on the Coventry that put paid to my plans, so actually had to use reverse and bow thruster!   Once on the Ashby, progress through the cutting was slow as expected, but thereafter good.   WE stopped at Hinckley water point moorings for an early lunch, then carried on as far as the farm shop.  We have never been there at the right time to have a look before.  The wares were mostly meaty stuff of all description, with a few cakes and the needed milk.  WE decided to stay for the night on the mooring as we are within sight almost of our intending turning point for return.   It was a good opportunity for a few little boat jobs.

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

Sunday June 12th

We set off this morning at 08:00hrs aiming for Hawkesbury Junction.  On turning to line up with Newbold Tunnel a boat was seen approaching from the other direction which turned out to be three boats.  The first reached the tunnel mouth just as we were exiting.   More boats were seen before the Brinklow Marina turning.   What looked like a second hand Viking hire boat came out of the marina a few hundred yards ahead of us and did an Austin Powers manoeuvre to turn ahead.   This boat kept its distance ahead until Stretton stop where the little swing bridge needed opening.  They left it for us to close, no problem.   It seemed though that once past the moored boats on tickover, they forgot to speed up again because progress was very slow not made any better by opposite direction stuff in difficult places.   However, they pulled in at Ansty, so progress improved and by then we had a tail.   We did the stop lock and turned on to the Coventry Canal for the night.  Fitted a new kitchen blind.

Oxford Canal:Newbold

Saturday June 11th

Nuggler is on the move again!   Still suffering from the personal damage of lockdowns, the need for the BSS exam and its result of needing a new stove collar, things are slow to get going.   Couple all this with the fact that Pat, first mate, is not well at present, only short excursions have been possible.  This is the first attempt at something a little longer - just 10 days.   Unusual for us.   So we are trying to get onto the Ashby.  Just the three locks at Hillmorton because I am now effectively single handing and need to break myself in gradually.  No problems so far, except that I still half expect Pat to act, like jumping off at the right moment with a bow rope,  when, of course she isn’t.   The weather has been good to us, but mooring possibilities not.  I was aiming for Rugby because our stores are low and Tesco there is, I suppose, as good as it gets.   The problem at Rugby is that the moorings are on an S bend and it is impossible to judge the possibilities until alternatives are way behind you.  So no moorings at Rugby.  Newbold was the next possibility.  There is a Coop store (and a really good fish shop) just down the road from the Barley Mow pub.   Meals at the pub from 5pm to 8 pm, no need to book for small groups.  Unfortunately this is another popular spot with moorings limited by a longish length of permanent moorings.  However, our space was waiting for us right near the bridge.  Great relief.   We opted for the fish shop which was doing a roaring trade.  (Well it is a Saturday)