Fradley Junction - nearly home

Wood Anemones in Hopwas Woods

On the canal through the woods

Our last full day on this trip, and so the last blog entry until we set off again around mid May.

Reasonable weather for what was one of our longer travelling days this trip. Set off at 10 stopped for lunch at Huddlesford Junction and then on to moor at Fradley Junction where the Coventry Canal joins the Trent & Mersey. A total of just over 8 miles. Parts of this stretch are attractive, particularly as the canal goes by Hopwas Woods.

We will be eating in the Swan tonight with friends.

Tomorrow its a short journey to our marina and so we should be back home by the afternoon. And then there's the lawn to mow....

A short cruise to Hopwas

The morning looked pretty grim to start off. Heavy mist and generally chilly and damp. At about 10:30 it improved greatly and it has now turned into a very pleasant day.

We left our mooring near Fazeley Junction at 10:45, filled up with water at the nearby BW facilities which also, unusually, have recycle bins for paper, bottles etc. Then westwards in inceasingly warm sunshine along what is temporarily the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal for a couple of miles to our next moorings at the small village of Hopwas, where we had stayed on the outward journey.

After lunch, we had a short walk to post my latest Open University assignment and then strolled through Hopwas woods which looked wonderful carpeted in wood anemones. There were a very large number of bluebell leaves showing so the woods should look spectacular in a few weeks time. Hopwas woods are also used as an army firing range, but today there were no red flags to be seen.

Then back to the boat via the Tame Otter pub where we enjoyed a quick half pint.

Tamworth and Fazeley Junction

Alvecote Priory near Tamworth

Renovated old working boats at Alvecote

We now feel very much on our way home. There is less of interest from here on, and is part of the canal system we know very well so the Blog entry is rather limited.

We did remember to reset our clocks but that did not prevent a late breakfast this morning. The weather was rather cold so we didnt start moving until nearly 11am. We had lunch in Polesworth and after a 90min break set off again. After going down the 2 Glascote locks we have moored just before Fazeley Junction on the outskirts of Tamworth.

Down the Atherstone locks

It looks like the good weather is over. This morning was rather cold. We were in no great hurry to move so we started the morning by shopping in Atherstone for meat for the next few days - there is a good butcher just off the High Street - and also getting our weekly newspaper for the crossword. The rest of the morning was spent on the computer taking advantage of the good reception in Atherstone.

One small step.... crossing a lock on the Atherstone flight to open the other gate

After lunch we set off down the 11 lock Atherstone flight. Progress was fast as there was little other traffic and many of the locks were set in our favour. So by 15:30 we had finished the last lock and moored up for the night. That's 11 locks and 2 miles in 2 1/4 hours which is pretty good going.

Return to Atherstone

Today started as a toned down version of yesterday. Sunny, but not so warm and a little hazy. The mooring and countryside were attractive and some birds singing, but not many. Still it was pleasant, with the London-Birmingham main line not far to the north east and in the far distance, just visible through binoculars, the M6. By contrast on the canal all was quiet and rural.

After breakfast I had a walk along the towpath. Another bird to add to the list - bullfinch. Also remembered that yesterday's list should have included reed bunting. It was possible to climb the bank by the towpath and get onto a farm track bridge over to the wooded side of the canal.

Here it was obvious that the landscape had been heavily affected by centuries of quarrying the local volcanic rock, here apparently quartzite used for road stone. Nearer Nuneaton granite is quarried. Much of the gentle slopes were covered in bumps, hollows, and hillocks suggesting that perhaps the whole area overlooking the canal was originally a waste tip. Now it's a haven for nature with large numbers of young trees and bushy undergrowth.

We left the mooring at 9:45 and travelled the 3 miles to Atherstone stopping by at Hartshill to fill up again with water. Back to birds again - on the trip we were delighted to see a group of 6 buzzards gently circling on the rising air currents over the hills.

We have moored up at much the same place in Atherstone where we moored 2 weeks ago on our way out. After lunch, a trip to the local Coop replenished our nearly empty fridge. Afterwards Denise took the opportunity to wander round the shops for a while.

Oh what a beautiful morning

Our mooring this morning

This morning reminded us of why we love boating on the canals so much. After breakfast I sat out at the back of the boat in the sunshine looking at the wooded hillside opposite our moorings. It was full of singing birds. In half an hour or so I had seen a pair of jays, long tailed tits, robins, great tits, blue tits, chaffinches, warblers (I think willow warblers, but I am not very skilled at distinguishing the various types), and a yellowhammer. There was noone else about and little sign of the busy outside world although Nuneaton was only a mile or so away. Perfect!

Today Densie's service was due. Sevicing is recommened avery 250 hours, we had travelled about 245 hours since the last service in October. After leaving our moorings (a quarter mile south of Bridge 16 on the Coventry should any boater wish to find the place) at 10:00 we travelled through Nuneaton. The weather even improved our impression of the town, although this was soon dispelled when we had to stop the boat to remove a length of cloth wound around the propeller.

Substantial flotsam in Nuneaton

Rubbish in the canal can be a problem in some towns and cities. The example in the photo was a bit larger than the norm. It was labelled "forestry safety equipment", but I have no idea what it was.

Soon after leaving Nuneaton we stopped at Valley Cruises just before lunch for the engine service. This was efficiently and thoroughly carried out. The engineer pointed out that one of the fan belts was worn and I agreed that it should be replaced. As far as I know this is the first time that a fan belt had been removed and examined during a service in the 5 years we have owned the boat. So a bill rather higher than I expected did not upset me.

A half mile up the canal took us to what is hopefully another idyllic mooring out in the countryside with a wooded hill on one side and a good view of the pendolinos travelling the west coast main railway line on the other.

We leave the Ashby

Swan nesting by the Ashby Canal

After eating out last night we were late getting ready to move on. Nothing wrong with the meal, it was very good. The Simla in Coventry Road Hinckley if anyone is in those parts.

We left Trinity Marina moorings at 10:50 in glorious sunshine and for the first time this trip without our fleeces on. By 12 we were at a spot where we had moored overnight on the way up a week ago and so decided to moor for lunch. That over we set off again - passing the swan in the photo. The first swan's nest for this year.

By 2:30 we were back on the Coventry Canal and have moored just south of Nuneaton, again near where we spent a night last week. The sun is shining and the thermometer in the boat is showing 25deg C, all very pleasant.

We really have enjoyed our week on the Ashby, it is a delightful canal to cruise slowly. The lack of locks and many places to visit is more than compensated by the wildlife and the attractive canalside scenary.

Hinckley again

Densie's engine needs a service which has been booked at Valley Cruises just north of Nuneaton for Thursday or Friday. Also our loo tank is getting full and needs to be emptied. So we had to get moving .

Fortunately the weather was warm and intermittantly sunny all journey from when we started at 9:30. A quick stop at Sutton Cheney provided a refill of water and the dumping of rubbish and then back to Stoke Golding for lunch. Unusually we set off again pretty quickly reaching Trinity Marine in Hinckley at 2:30 after a total journey of nearly 9 miles - the longest one this trip.

The journey was a little slow and hard work because the canal seemed more shallow than when we were going north. The water level against the canal edges did look a bit lower but I guess the ballast of our full loo tank didnt help either. Despite this nature continued to provide much of interest. The highlight was seeing a water vole grazing (they are herbivores) on the canal side when a stoat turned up. The water vole promptly disappeared down a hole reappearing in the water a few seconds later. The stoat then ran off along the bank.

At Trinity Marine Densie got her pumpout and we also bought 2 new bags of smokeless fuel. Afterwards we moored up for the night. Denise is walking/bussing into Hinckley centre whilst I stay on the boat to have a shower and write up the blog. This evening we are off to an allegedly very good indian restaurant.

On the way back - Market Bosworth

Morning encounter on the Ashby

We awoke to another sunny morning. The temperature is now warmer than it has been all journey and so we didnt need our central heating.

Approaching Shackerstone Tunnel

We left our mooring early for us at 9:20 and travelled back to Shackerstone for lunch after passing through the 250 yard tunnel beneath the village.

Water Vole

On the way we were lucky to get our best view so far of a water vole and a slightly blurred photo. After lunch we decided to make best use of the good weather and go past our intended destination of Congerstone ("scattered village of small interest" according to the guidebook) on to Market Bosworth. Unfortunately the interesting old market town itself is about a mile's walk away but the mooring conditions here are good.

Violets by the canal

Apart from the water voles, all along the canal there is plenty of wildlife and plants to enjoy. We have seen a wide range of birds, many singing from the trees and hedges alongside the canal. Spring flowers are just beginning to emerge, of particular note have been the violets and the early spikes of butterbur.

The end of the Ashby

The end of the canal

Today's journey took us to the current end of the canal at the village of Snarestone. The really nice weather is over, it's now cloudy with a chill wind. We set off at 10 and reached our destination in time for lunch - just a gentle 4 miles. At the end we filled up again with water, turned the boat round and moored up for the day. No point in hurrying, we have plenty of time. It's a good place to stop - despite being some distance from anywhere particular I am getting a 5 bar 3G internet connection, the fastest on our whole journey so far.

Formerly the canal continued for a further 8 miles into the coalfields on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire boundary. However subsidence from the coal workings led to this section of the canal being abandoned in the 1970's. Thanks to an active Canal Society and the desire of the local councils to increase tourism into the area there are detailed plans to reinstate the canal as and when funding becomes available.

Two sections have been restored, an isolated 1.5 mile section near National Forest visitor attractions at Moira and a very short stretch at Snarestone. The photo shows the end of the Snarestone section which was only completed last year.

The Battlefield Line at Shackerstone

An extra from yesterday. We walked to the Battlefield Line station at Shackerstone which runs steam trains to the Bosworth battlefield site some 5 miles south. They were having a GWR steam festival , so we took the opportunity for some more photos.

Shackerstone in the sun

Moored at Shackerstone

Today really was a beautiful day, perfect conditions for a leisurely boat trip. But first things first...

A very cold night which our fire only just managed to survive. But as we the weather forecast had prewarned us about the cold we had programmed our central heating to come on at 7. So we were able to get up in the warm. And then breakfast: bacon and croissants, delicious. The bacon had nearly expired so we had to eat it.

Now progress on the batteries and their voltage. In the morning before the heating had kicked in we were down to about 12V. Once the boat had warmed up, the meter showed 12.2. It was the cold affecting the meter, nothing wrong with the batteries - hooray!

After breakfast we were on our way in beautiful sunshine. We were soon rewarded by another, better, sighting of a water vole. They really look odd in the water darting around like little electric toys . After half an hour we moored at Market Bosworth for a small amount of shopping.

After lunch we set off again up the canal with continuing perfect weather. At several points on the journey we had a good view of a steam train on the Battlefield line, which added to the interest and attractiveness of this canal. Just another short journey took us to the small village of Shackerstone. We have planned to eat in the local pub, so had no wish to go further.

Our early stop has enabled Denise to finish the repainting.

Before.......

After

Good weather at last

Today has been good. Up in the morning and a quick walk into Stoke Golding to post a card. Back on the boat we were soon ready to set off. Fairly soon after starting we saw our first water vole of the year as a V shaped wake crossing the canal to disappear in the reeds.

Water voles used to be very common on the canals but the spread of mink has killed off about 90% of them. The Ashby however has provided a refuge as it is reasonably far from any rivers the mink use as highways into the countryside.

A couple of miles up the canal under cloudy skies took us to Sutton Cheney where there are good moorings, a water tap and a long needed rubbish skip.

We filled up with water again, had lunch and then slowly continued on our way. The sun had burnt through the cloud and the weather was glorious. We are under no time deadlines and there is little other canal traffic so we were able to travel slowly and really enjoy the experience.

We have moored a mile south of Market Bosworth. We will visit the town tomorrow to buy a newspaper and some bread. It's the last opportunity for any shopping for the next day or two.

After mooring Denise was able to catch up with some urgent paintwork repairs as conditions havent been right til now. The rusty patches on the edge if the gunwhales are now grey with primer.

Hinckley

This morning started off as a repeat of yesterday. See yesterday's blog for details!

We are running short of provisions - our meal list finishes today when we will eat the 19Gales beef pie we bought in Atherstone. One thing that wasnt yesterday all over again was Denise's first view of a Kingfisher for this year - it flew down the canal past the saloon window whilst she was making breakfast.

As there are no shops along most of the length of the Ashby we had to plan a menu for the next 4-5 days and put together a shopping list. The final opportunity for serious shopping is Hinckley, so that's where we stopped after 2 miles travelling northwards with some delay whilst we filled up again with water.

Although Hinckley is a necessary stop for most boats visiting the Ashby, mooring is rather limited. All the visitors moorings were taken when we arrived, but Trinity Marina helpfully allowed us to use one of theirs. Unfortunately the canal is some way from the town centre so we had a 1.5 miles walk to Tesco where we were able to buy everything we needed. A 1.5 mile walk back with a heavy load of groceries did not appeal so we phoned for a taxi.

Moored at Stoke Golding - note the white sacking

Soon after getting back to the boat we were on the move again. The weather had much improved with some sunshine, although the temerature was cold and the wind speed was rising. An hour and a half's gentle chugging took us to Stoke Golding when it became apparent that something was amiss with the boat.

The symptoms were those familiar to all boaters, vibration in the tiller, sluggish performance, odd looking wake - something was wrapped round the propeller. I slowly steered the boat into the nearest mooring spot which was where we were planning to stop anyway. Once tied into the bank and the engine turned off, open up the weed hatch which gives access to the propeller and plunge a hand into the cold water. Yes - a length of plastic sacking wrapped round one of the propeller blades. It was easy to unwind and remove - the evidence is in the picture. Debris round the prop was a common occurence when we started boating perhaps 30 years ago, but as the canals have become much cleaner the need to examine the prop is now fairly rare.

Onto the Ashby Canal

Densie moored on the Ashby - pity about the power lines

Another murky morning - cold and foggy. Other things were looking up - the fire survived the night successfully, just requiring a bit of a poke and opening up the air vent to get the stove hot. Also our battery power was OK although the inverter had been left running overnight. So, 2 out of 3 isnt too bad.

As the weather didnt look inviting we stayed in the boat reading and doing fiendish level Sukoku problems. The former Denise, and the latter me. By quarter to eleven we were getting bored so we decided to set off down the canal. The weather was still foggy, a bit damp, and cold - not too pleasant for boating.

Within half an hour we were at Marston Junction where the Ashby Canal joins the Coventry. We turned left up the Ashby. Moorings can be difficult to find because of shallow banks but we were lucky after 3 miles and an hour and a half or so to find a stretch of bank exactly the same length as our boat where the edge was firm and the water deep.

Where are we? Difficult to explain exactly because the Ashby canal can be remote from anywhere and seems to follow a route deliberately avoiding all habitation. The nearest landmark is the A5 near Hinckley, about a mile away but quite audible.

After a lunch of mushroom and red onion omelette (we were hungry after a couple of hours standing in the cold at the back of the boat) we went out for a 3 mile walk. First stop was the site of the medieval village of Stretton Baskerville where there was little to see besides various lumps and bumps in a grassy field. We then took a circular path to the nearest village, Burton Hastings, described in the guide book as a quiet village. A good description, nothing else to say really, no shops, no pubs and the partly 13C church was locked.

Dinner this evening is a bit more basic than usual - sausages, potatoes & veg. We arent too hungry, perhaps we shouldnt have had the omelette.

Through Nuneaton

Hartshill Yard - covered dock

When we struggled out of bed and looked through the window what we saw was a heavy damp mist. And the boat was cold because the fire had gone out overnight. We have just started a new bag of fuel , "Taybrite", whereas previously we were using "Supabrite" and the burning characteristics are rather different.

Last night, as an experiment in saving battery power we turned off the inverter which supplies 240V AC, mainly for the fridge. This morning the batteries were still showing a high level of charge and the fridge temperature had only risen a couple of degrees. So something we will do again, at least during the cold weather.

By the time we had breakfast, the weather was much the same so we decided not to move. I relit the fire, and whilst waiting for it to have some effect turned on our rarely used diesel central heating. This worked well quickly bringing the saloon up to a more comfortable 19degC. So we kept snug til lunch time.

Even with the inverter running the battery power stayed high the whole morning - what this means I dont know. Perhaps turning the inverter off and on had reset something. We will see.

After lunch conditions had improved sufficiently for us to start moving, though first we had to moor at Hartshill yard to fill up with water. The scenary remained attractive for the following couple of miles with our first sight of fresh hawthorn leaves. However the canal water was steadily getting dirtier with floating bottles, wooden posts, plastic bags and other assorted rubbish. We were approaching Nuneaton.

As I have noted on previous travels many large towns and cities are surprisingly attractive when seen from the canal. Nuneaton isnt. The only sight of possible interest was the allotments with ramshackle huts and a few men digging the rather fertile looking soil.

Out of Nuneaton we passed into open and rather bleak flat countryside where we have moored for the night. Our progress is getting rather slow - only 2 miles yesterday and 5.5 miles today. We will need to get a bit of a move-on!

Shopping in Atherstone and a short cruis

Coventry Canal near Hartshill

Main job for today was a visit to our favourite Atherstone shop - 19Gales farm shop - for one of their delicious steak pies. This will provide a good dinner in a couple of days time. That was the plan...

We awoke to a very cold morning. The temperature in the saloon was about 12 degC. The stove was just alight but not contributing any heat. I was able to resurrect it by the standard routine of opening up the air vent and, the key technique, opening the front and pushing a kindling stick into the reddest part of the fire. Then close the front, wait an hour and we have a passable fire.

Again our battery voltage was low at 12.1 volt. So after breakfast I decided to investigate further. By removing the earth cable from each of our 4 domestic batteries I was able to check each one individually, having thought one possible reason was a failure of one of the batteries. But no, they were all fine and the voltage on my voltmeter (rather more accurate than the one on the boat control panel) indicated that the batteries were about half charged - which is reasonable. So the current theory is that the boat voltmeter is affected by the cold temperatures. Perhaps all is really OK.

Then the rest of the morning was spent shopping for the pie and a few extra provisions, coming back to the boat for a read until lunch time. Well I came back to the boat, Denise continued shopping!

The weather was good all day so we set off after lunch for a short 2 mile cruise to Hartshill where there is an impressive BW yard with georgian buildings topped by a small clock tower. The section of canal from Atherstone to Nuneaton is very attractive being cut into the hillside overlooking the wide Anker Valley as it rises to the east, with open rough pasture and trees on either side of the waterway.

We have now moored at Hartshill for the night and are looking for to our dinner of chicken and haricot bean stew, reheated from Saturday.

Atherstone

Pooley Hall, Polesworth

The morning started badly. It had rained heavily overnight and our fire failed to survive the night so the temperature in the boat was down to 12 degC. Also of concern was the voltage supplied by our domestic batteries - down to 12.1. Anything below 12.3 tells us that the batteries a long way way from being fully charged - normally the voltage is 12.3 in the morning. I am hoping that this is an effect of the cold weather, but we will have to keep a careful eye on the situation.

Fortunately the rain stopped soon after breakfast and we started on our journey. Just after the motorway we passed by Pooley Hall and then along the Anker Valley into Polesworth. The weather steadily improved and after passing through attractive countryside we were on the outskirts of Atherstone by lunchtime, having just ascended the first 2 of the 11 lock Atherstone flight. On this section we were pleased to see our first very young lambs of the year.

Densie ascending the Atherstone flight

After lunch we completed the flight. These locks are attractive, well maintained and easy to operate. A couple of the lock pounds (stretch of canal between 2 locks) were shallow seemingly due to the lower lock leaking more than the upper lock, but we didnt run aground. By 15:15 we had reached the moorings at Atherstone where we are stopping for the night.

Through Tamworth

Densie entering Glascote top lock in Tamworth

We started early (for us) this morning at 9:10 as we were getting low on provisions. on the outskirts of Tamworth A couple of miles cruising took us to Ventura Park, a large shopping centre. A half mile walk took us to Sainsburys where we stocked up for the next few days.

On the move again at 11:45 we travelled the mile to FazeleyJunction where we filled the water tank and then moored for lunch. Fazeley is where the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal turns south towards the centre of Birmingham. Our journey continued east back on the Coventry canal where we crossed the Tame and then ascended the two Glascote Locks. After leaving Tamworth the scenary much improved as the canal travelled through pleasant woodland.

We have moored within sight of but fortunately sufficiently far from the M42 for some peace and quiet.

Moored at Hopwas

No Blog yesterday because we stayed at Fradley. There was a strong wind blowing which makes boating uncomfortable and hard work as the side of the boat acts as a very effective sail.

We had lit the solid fuel stove when we arrived on Wednesday, fortunately it stayed alight overnight and with the windows closed and the fire fed we managed to raise the inside temperature from about 8degC to a more comfortable 19. So apart from an hours walk we stayed in the boat reading.

This morning again the fire had remained alight. Keeping sold fuel fires going takes a bit of practice to adjust the air flow. Too much and the fire burns all the fuel during the night, too little and it goes out. To make matters worse, the appropriate setting seems to vary a lot with the brand of coke. But it looks like we have cracked it, at least until we start on the new, different, bag of fuel.

After breakfast we checked the weather - much quieter. So after my customary check of the engine to ensure there were no worrying pools of liquid anywhere we set off down the 2 locks to Fradley Junction where the Coventry canal joins the Trent & Mersey. Fradley is often very busy with boats moving, mooring and generally faffing around and moored boats along side the canal, sometimes double banked constrict the waterway. Today was no exception. We waited before the junction until the route was clear and moved quickly onto the Coventry Canal.

We know this stretch of canal well having travelled it many times. Its not unattractive but its not a canal that people remember. After Fradley the traffic was fairly light and so we made good progress stopping at Huddlesford Junction for lunch on the boat. Huddlesford isnt a real canal junction now as the first of mile of the closed link to the Wyrley and Essington Canal around the north of Birmingham is used as a boat club. However there is an active Society, President actor David Suchet (Hercule Poirot), devoted to reopening the W & E under the name of the Lichfield Canal.

After lunch we carried on through Whittington where the canal changes to the Birmingham & Fazeley. The only difference a boater would notice is that the bridges have names rather than the more usual numbers. The weather was becoming darker and more windy so we moored after 1.5 hours at the unusually named village of Hopwas where we will spend the night.

Hooray! Out again.

After a hard winter cooped up in the house we are out on the boat again. It feels wonderful.

First thing in the morning, off to the supermarket to get our provisions for the next few days. Back home and packing completed we set off for the Marina at 12. Before unpacking on the boat we turned on the electrics. Major problem with the invertor which generates 240V for our fridge and radio. It appeared to start OK then there was a buzzing noise and the invertor cut out with the error light bright red. I tried turning it on again - same result.

We could not consider a long journey with no fridge so we feared we would have to get someone out, and in the meantime go back home. Fortunately half an hour later it started with no problems - I think the buzzing noise was a relay which got corroded or damp during the winter. Everyting else seems to have survived the cold weather with no problems.

Excitement over and unpacking completed we had lunch and despite the strong wind decided to start on our way. Forunately the canal was sheltered from the wind so we had a very pleasant journey - just a couple of miles of gentle cruising and one lock to the visitor moorings just before Fradley Junction. We will probably eat out tonight at the famous Swan Inn overlooking the canal junction.