Onto the South Oxford canal

Sunday 1st July

On Thursday afternoon we took Jaz for walk across the fields to Brinklow and had a couple of beers sat outside the Raven pub, we were under a brolly so it was cool for Jaz and we had taken water & a bowl with us for her. We have passed All Oaks Wood many times but never moored there and we have never been into Brinklow. 

On Friday morning we were away just after 7.20 am while it was cool, when we got to the moorings at Brownsover we moored and went to Tesco for some shopping and when we returned Kev moved the boat across to the water point while I unpacked the shopping. Once we were full again with water we were on our way to Hillmorton locks and there was a lockie on at the first lock, we wanted to get rid of some rubbish and the lockie kindly let us stay in the lock while Kev popped over to the bins, he filled the lock slowly for us. We didn't keep any other boater waiting as there wasn't a queue, it is always difficult to empty cassettes & rubbish here as there isn't any moorings to tie up to while you do it so I usually end up holding the centre line while Kev takes the cassette & rubbish!!

Anyway we were soon up and through the set of 3 locks at Hillmorton and travelled on to Braunston where we turned right onto the South Oxford canal and moored  for the day further along.

Moored on the South Oxford canal.

On Saturday we left about 8am and made our way to Napton where we managed to get moored ok on the visitor moorings. There was a Folk festival at the Folly pub, it was the last day of the festival and it was its tenth year of holding it there, apparently some of the money raised was going to various charities, we could hear the music at our mooring, we had a walk with Jaz in the evening to the Folly, folk music isn't our cup of tea but there were plenty of people there and so there was a good atmosphere.

This morning I walked with Jaz up to the bottom lock while Kev followed on the boat.

Waiting for the lock to fill

We changed places at the first lock.

Up in the 2nd lock.

While I was in the 2nd lock a man walking down the towpath told Kev that after the 3rd lock the pound was very low, when we were up in the 3rd lock we changed places and Kev got on the boat and I went to the next lock to let water down as Kev couldn't get over the cill on the 3rd lock. Once there was some water in the pound Kev was able to exit the 3rd lock. There was a boat coming down from the 4th  lock so I filled it for him and that let a bit more down for Kev. By now there were a few boats on the move so it wasn't long before we were up the flight.

Water Buffalo!

There are 3 fields full of these water buffalo, a man was telling me that the farm shop that sells water buffalo burgers also sell cheese but apparently it is Italian cheese as they aren't allowed to sell the cheese from the buffalo so they export it all!! Crazy!!

Whats that all about then!

Strange residence.

It was getting warmer and warmer but there was a nice breeze at times, we passed through Fenny Compton where the moorings were full, not that we wanted to moor there but it was quite busy too with boats on the move travelling in both directions. We travelled on until we arrived at the moorings at bridge 144 before Claydon top lock, we will stay here until the morning, so out with the bbq shortly!

A good day for washing.

Thursday 28th June
On Tuesday morning we left our mooring and went a short distance to moor at Sutton Road bridge so Kev should go to Ventura Park shops, we needed a new charger cable for my iPad and also a few bits of groceries fro Asda, I cleaned the windows while he was gone and when he returned we had a cuppa the set off once again.

Waiting at Glascote locks.

When we arrived at the 2 locks at Glascote there was a couple of boats ahead of us going up the locks. Once we were up and out of the locks Kev walked to get us both an ice cream from the Co-op at bridge 73 and I picked him up there. It was another very warm day so the ice creams were very welcomed. We pulled over at the services at bridge 48 and filled with water etc and then we headed to the bottom lock at the Atherstone flight and we went up the first 2 locks and moored for the day &  sat in the brilliant sunshine & then we had a bbq.

Yesterday morning we wanted to get away fairly early while it was cool, so about 7.15am we were about to let go when a boat came from behind us so we waited and let them by and they went into the lock which was ready for them. Kev then went to help them up the lock and I waited for him to empty it again for me. The boat that was now ahead of us did open the paddles for us at each lock they left so by the time I was ready to leave a lock the next one was ready. By the time we were at the top lock the volunteer lockies were there. As we left the top locks there were several boats coming to the locks, Kev had got Jaz off and walked her for a bit then I pulled over to get them both back on. When we got to Starline boats at Boot Wharf we pulled in for diesel and filled up. Not a very good price 82pence per litre! 

We were going to moor at Hawkesbury Junction but when we went through Sutton Stop lock the moorings were full so we carried on and finally moored at Ansty opposite the Rose & Castle pub. 

This morning Kev was up at 5.15am and while I was still in bed he washed the boat on the towpath side. As the man on the boat  moored behind us had gone to work we started the engine and I put a wash on and after we had breakfast and the washer was finished we were ready to leave, once again Kev  let the ropes go & pushed the bow off and he walked with Jaz  while I followed on the boat, after about a mile or so I picked them both up and we carried on until we got to the moorings at All Oaks Wood where a boat was just leaving so we were able to get on his mooring. I put another wash on and hung the first wash I had  done earlier onto my whirly gig. We will have a walk later with Jaz into Brinklow for a beer.

Best Laid plans

Monday 25th June
Well we have been home for a few weeks and went to Wales in our caravan, the weather was fab and so were the roads! Not a pothole in sight!! We have never been to Wales apart from on the boat to Llangollen and we were pleasantly surprised how lovely it is and the people were friendly too.
When we were on our way back to the marina on our last cruise on the boat we saw Nb Derwent 6 moored on the Trent & Mersey canal and so we stopped for a chat with them as we haven't seen them for a while, they were heading for Lincoln.

Al had been poorly but was on the mend when we saw her and as usual she always has a smile. It was nice to see you both.

When we left them we didn't travel far before we came across a tree that was almost blocking the canal, it wasn't far from Weston Lock.

We had to go under it.

Anyway it has all been cleared now, so I expect there were quite a few logs for any boaters near by.

On Friday 22nd June we left home about 6.45 am and headed back to the marina and Kev was going to wash the boat & the car too, we have a cover for the car and it has to be clean and free from dust before you put the cover on. I was going to go for some shopping and we were hoping to be on our way that afternoon, unfortunately we had left something very important at home so it completely knackered our plans! Kev had to drive all the way home while I stayed with Jaz on the boat, so by the time Kev got back to Shardlow it was mid afternoon. We decide to stay in the marina overnight and we were up early once again so Kev washed the car and once it was dry he put the cover on and we were on our way out of the marina about 7.45am on Saturday morning. We worked all 5 double locks on our own so didn't share any of them with another boat. When we got to the visitor moorings at Willington we moored and stayed there Saturday night, we went for a couple of beers early evening and a couple of games of pool then went back to the boat. 

 Looking both ways out of the side hatch Sunday morning

We pulled across to the services to get rid of some rubbish and empty a cassette on Sunday morning then Kev walked Jaz while I followed on the boat. The day was lovely and got warmer as the day went on, when we got to Alrewas we moored just after the footbridge and sat in the sun with a couple of cold beers.

Kev took this photo last night, Balloon coming down to land.

R&R this morning.

This morning before we left Alrewas we popped to Co-op for a few bits and then went to the butchers for some steak which we will have on our new little bbq today! As we were about to leave this morning, two boats came up from behind us heading to the lock so when they had passed Kev let go and set off while I walked with Jaz to the lock, a boat had just come down the lock and so one of the boats ahead of us was able to go straight in, there was another two boats coming down so it wasn't long before we were up the lock and on our way towards Fradley. We turned left at the junction onto the Coventry canal, what beautiful weather the sun was getting warmer and when we passed Tamhorn House Bridge we pulled over and moored.

We passed these CRT workers building up the bank.

Kev sat in the sun now were moored.

Our plans have changed for this cruise, We had originally planned on going North West via the Shroppie then across Middlewich Branch but the breach on this branch stopped that. We then booked a passage in to Liverpool but the culvert collapse stopped that so we decided to head South and spend a few weeks on the Thames.

Moving on towards Shardlow

Friday 25th May
On Tuesday morning we left Stoke Golding as we were up and about early, breakfast over with we left just after 6.45am. It was a cooler morning but bright. We had an uneventful cruise but a nice one and when we were approaching the end of the Ashby canal I went to the bow to let Kev know if it was clear to turn right onto the Coventry canal. there was a boat coming through bridge 15 so we waited a few minutes while he passed and then when it was clear we headed onto the coventry canal.

Approaching Marston Junction

Boat now passed.

Always makes me smile.

When we got to the top lock at the Atherstone flight there was a boat just about to leave the lock so we were able to head straight in. There were 2 lockies on this lock who were happy to work the lock for us so I stayed on board while Kev went down to the second lock to set it for me but there was a boat coming up that one too so I waited while it exited the lock and then passed it in the pound, there was another lockie on there too and yet another boat coming up too so it was quite good. After the first 3 locks we were behind a boat going down the locks and no more lockies to help so we had to fill them each time. When we came down lock 9 we moored for the day and I sat in the sunshine while Kev did an oil change! Not a bad deal!!

Moored below lock 9

On Wednesday morning I put a wash on before we left  to go down the last 2 locks. Another cloudy start to the day and pretty cool to what we had been used to recently.

Kev waiting for lock to empty.

 Lock 11 

Approaching Fazely junction

Lots of new building at the junction.

We moored at Sutton Road bridge as Kev wanted to go to Asda at Ventura park for a collapsable bucket while I stayed with Jaz on board. When Kev returned we headed off once more, the sun was out and was getting warmer again so by the time we got to Orchard marina we moored just after bridge 85.

Yesterday we left just after 8am and headed to Fradley and as we got through the swing bridge I got off and went to the junction lock where the lockie said they were letting water down as there wasn't much  further down. When Kev turned right to the lock he didn't have long to wait. By the time we were down Bagnall lock at Alrewas we were surprised to find the moorings were empty until we were through bridge 46 where it was full, not that we wanted to moor and so we went down Alrewas lock onto the river section and moored before  we got to Wychnor lock for a bite to eat and let Jaz stretch her legs. We then headed to the lock where a boat was coming up and when we got to Shobnall fields we managed to moor for the day, Kev washed the boat while I went for a walk onto the playing fields with Jaz.

Well this morning (Friday) was dreadful weatherwise! We put on our wet gear and headed for Dallow lock in the rain,  we stopped briefly at Horninglow basin to empty a cassette and set off again, we didn't see any other idiots  boats on the move until we were getting close to Willington, and when we got through bridge 23 and passed the services we found a mooring and so we will stay here for the rest of the day and we will go for a game of pool and a couple of beers later this afternoon then Kev will go for a Chinese takeaway for us. Tommorow, back to our Marina, then home for a few weeks.

We had some visitors .

Sun, Sun, Sun.

Tuesday 22nd May
We have had a lovely few days on the Ashby canal, the weather has been absolutely fabulous. Last Thursday after Kev had managed to get the boat painted where the damage was on the bow, we had a late cooked breakfast and while Kev washed up I took Jaz for a walk across the field alongside of our mooring.  It was a lovely day again and we had a quiet cruise in the sunshine withe no mishaps!

Trinity Marina

Triumph motorbikes factory.

When we were through bridge 27 we looked for a mooring and we managed to get moored but not ideally as it was close to the road and although it isn't a busy road there is a lay-by next to the mooring and lots of people park here to feed the ducks and have a walk.

Not ideal, with having Jaz.

There were a couple of boats moored further back on good moorings next to the field where you can walk across into Stoke Golding, thats where we wanted to be and so we sat and waited for a while to see if either of them would leave and then both of them looked like they were getting ready to go so Kev walked over to them to ask them if they were leaving to hang on as there were another two boats coming and we didn't want to lose a good spot. They kindly waited while the two boats had passed and so Kev reversed back onto one of their moorings. We spent the next couple of days there and managed to have our first couple of BBQ's there!

Its a man thing!

Misty morning, followed by sunshine again.

Looking towards the road.

We had a walk with Jaz up the road to Dadlington to the Dog & Hedgehog and sat outside in the glorious sunshine, this pub is very popular and apparently the food is very good, it has good views too.

On Saturday after doing some washing, I sat and watched the wedding and then we had another walk over to the Dog & Hedgehog with Jaz, it seemed to be getting warmer each day. On Saturday evening we had a walk into Stoke Golding and went in all 3 pubs, plenty of people out and about too and as we were walking you could smell plenty go bbq's going on as everybody was making good use of this super weather!

On Sunday morning we left our mooring and headed off, there was a boat moored at the roadside mooring and the lady on the boat recognised our boat and said she read Carol's blog and sometimes read mine too. I forgot to take a photo of Nb Sonia Louise!

Anyway we cruised on until we got to the services at Sutton Cheney and filled with water etc, it is a very popular spot here and the car park and the cafe there was very busy.

Heading towards the services through bridge 34.

After we had a full tank of water, emptied 2 cassettes and got rid of a large amount of rubbish we were on our way, as we passed a barge that was tied to a couple of trees, well we thought it was tied up! The bow of the barge started to move across the canal as the rope on the bow had come undone!

Oh dear, it ended up completely across the canal! OOPS!!

Market Bosworth Marina.

We moored just passed Market Bosworth marina to have a bite to eat and let Jaz stretch her legs, there are aome moorings just passed the entrance to the marina with rings to tie onto, there is also a sign saying £5 a night to moor there! So we moored just passed these moorings.

A moorhen in her cosy nest.

Bit shaded but lovely.

This heron was in front of us for a while.

Snarestone tunnel.

The basin, were we turned.

In the above photo you can see the now opened stretch of canal that was previously closed, we didn't go any further onto the new section as we wouldn't be able to turn around as the winding hole further along is only  50 ft wide so we were told and as we are 62 feet long I think we would have been pushing it! We were going to moor in the basin but decided to head back through Snarestone tunnel and moor, as there are good moorings and open fields. Once we had got moored we had a walk to the Globe pub for a cold beer.

Lovely Morgan car.

We left Snarestone yesterday mooring and started heading back along the Ashby canal.

These geese have their hands full.

Managed to spot Nb Sonia Louise, nobody on board.

When we arrived back to the moorings at Stoke Golding there are plenty of moorings so we moored almost in the same spot as we had left on Sunday.

Happy Birthday Jaz

Thursday 17th May
Today Jaz is 3 years old! It doesn't seem 3 years since we got her when Ben & Michelle who bred her delivered her to us when we were on the River Avon.

 
She has grown up lovely.
Yesterday morning it was cold and breezy as we set off, what a difference to the previous day when we were in t-shirts but now we were in sweatshirts and I had my coat on too! After Kev had got through Sutton stop lock I walked with Jaz over to the services while Kev turned onto the Coventry canal and reversed back to the water point where I met him. While he filled with water etc I took Jaz across the fields for walk.

 At the water point.

A nicely decorated bridge.

When we set off from the water point the wind had picked up and it was bloody cold, unbelievable after all the lovely sun we have had.

 This house is still for sale.

A big difference to when it was the pub!

Nothing coming as we approach the junction.

Turning onto theAshby canal.

All clear ahead.

It was still very windy as we were cruising on the Ashby, we passed a few boats heading in the opposite direction, we had a bit of a mishap at one point as there was a hire boat heading towards us and as we got closer to it their bow started to veer towards us and so I went into reverse quickly but we still hit the other boat! The man on the tiller said he was aground and there was nothing he could do, I must admit from what we could see he did have his tiller the correct way but his stern was stuck. If I hadn't gone astern then it would have been worse. 

Only took the paint off.

Kev rubbed it down after we moored and put primer on it, this morning he has painted it and it is fine.

Who said there was no Nessie!

Coal Boat Aurora.

As we got moored we saw the coal boat Aurora coming round the bend towards us so Kevasked him if the had diesel and so he pulled alongside and filled R&R up.

Lovely quiet mooring, bridge 13 behind us.