Is was good to get away from the really busy Crewe railway, but it hadn't kept us awake overnight.
Looking across, we could see Coventry. The Coventry arm doesn't hold any appeal for us as apparently the local youth have not a lot to do except torment boaters. Reputations like that are hard to clean up.
Ansty was very busy with moored boats and lots of oncoming as always! The bridge before the bend, we met a hire boat determined to get through the bridge hole before us. Now 'Numb and Echoes do not reverse well, more like jackknife! So reversing hard, Richard had stopped a collision in the front, (as well as the hire boat stopping and pulling back for us), but had put me into the bank! Behind me coming around the bend, I observed a boater steaming towards us without any clue as to what laid in his path. I gave him the slowdown urgently signal which sent him all over the place as he realised he was about to hit me!
All good fun, so as soon as we left the village, after crawling around the tight bend and meeting 2 other boaters, but not hitting anything - amazingly, we pulled over to let 'speedy' get round us.
We arrived at Hawkesbury junction (Sutton Stop to boaters) and moored quite a way around the bend before the junction, as all the moorings up to the lock had been taken. We umm'ed and arh'ed about stopping, as we had planned to stay over the weekend, so after a quick nicotine visit to the shop for Richard, we set off again.
The lock at Hawkesbury is only a shallow difference in water level, but was used to stop traffic and take a toll in the old days. After going through the lock (twice for us) Richard joined the boats back together and faced the U-bend with commendable confidence. ROUND in ONE!!!! with a butty on the back. I did expect the people outside the pub to give him a standing ovation. Many boaters don't make the turn, including us in years past!
Emily Anne, an old steam narrowboat was moored on the Coventry Canal as we came out of Hawkesbury. We had met them at Newark, when they had just come off the sandbar on the tidal Trent and were seeking the peaceful refuge of Kings Marina, where we were moored at the time.
The signpost at Marston Junction directing the boater to go right for the Ashby canal, straight on for Nuneaton or Coventry behind us. We again in ONE turned into the bridge hole for the Ashby Canal. He was taking photos as well!!!!!
A celebratory can of pop was in order, so I dived into the shop, grabbed 2 cans and jumped onto the cabintop to pass Richard his drink. I decided to crawl back once my bravery had run out and Richard thought this was a fitting tribute! Nice, thanks for that!
The Ashby Canal was opened in 1804, currently at a length of 22 miles and having no locks. It winds its lonely way to just beyond Snarestone, where successive mining tunnel collapses meant the original canal length to Moira was abandoned. It was built to carry coal originally and flourished when a new coalmine was established at Moira, 20 years after the canal first opened.
Triumph factory at Hinckley, about 6 miles along the route. The canal is quite windy, but very pretty and very quiet. It is rural, apart from Hinckley, and we have found it relaxing to steer along each section. Overnight moorings have been more accessible than we thought and very secluded.
The model village like setting for Ashby Narrowboats. When we passed here the next morning, it was bedlam as the previous holidaymakers were returning their narrowboats. We would get fuel on our return back next week!
Now that is just silly! I thought our butty was ugly when we first got it, but this one, bobbing about like a cork, takes the prize!
Between heavy downpours, we have taken a few days to drift up this canal, with virtually no incident. Yesterday, however, just coming up to a bridge, Richard lost propulsion and steering and had to venture down the weedhatch. Is someone a jumper short in their wardrobe?
Earlier in the day, we had been going around a bend past a collection of moored boats, when a man let his bow line go and we found ourselves in full reverse trying not to T bone his boat! 'Sorry' he said ' I didn't realise my boat had drifted out so far' . Luckily we were going at tick over so we can stop fairly swiftly,again the butty jackknifed but not too badly, Richard accepted the apology with confusion, as the boat was nearly broadside on the canal by the time we had stopped 'Numb! How had he not noticed?
Anyone know what these triffid like plants are? Seem to be growing in lines like they were planted as a boundary...
We moored at Market Bosworth last night and walked uphill into the village. Very unspoilt, but obviously relies a lot on its location (Battle of Bosworth and Richard Third) for its prosperity.
Market Bosworth has a station allowing passengers to alight the 'Battlefield Line' steam train. This short 9 mile loop takes the train on to its terminus at Shackerstone, where we were headed this morning.
We needed to be in a location which would suit us for the shop, should the sun ever make an appearance, and be accessible for Richard's parents coming down on Sunday to visit.
After about 2 hours cruising (rainfree virtually) we moored up and it is still raining, but the train is tooting, we must go and have a look!!
Hi Ruth, I'm not certain, 'cos it's not aways easy to see from a photo - but I think that your triffids may be giant hogweed. In which case keep very clear of them. They can give you very nasty burns to the skin - just google for images of giant hogweed burns - the scars can last for many months.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Cath. I have just found them in my 'weeds' book, huge great things! Only seen them at Market Bosworth so far. Ruth x
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