Built originally by Sir Thomas Cockayne, who was knighted at the battle of Tournai by King Henry VII. In 1847, a coalmine was sunk in the grounds of the Hall and coal began to be extracted in 1850 (The Pooley Hall Colliery).
Today, 62 hectares of the estate and remains of the subsidence ridden colliery, is a Country Park, operated by Warwickshire County Council, but the Hall is still a private residence.
Further along the canal, we came through Alvecote Nature Reserve, where there is a large marina, formerly the coal loading basin for working boats. Nowadays, a pub called the Samuel Barlow (famous canal operator on the Coventry Canal) serves holiday boaters as they pass by.
Glascote locks (2 locks spanning 13feet, 8inchs) proved an interesting obstacle to get through, as the heavens opened once more! We had come across a few boats on our journey that morning, but coming out of the bottom lock, there was a queue nearly around the corner of waiting boaters. The build up wasn't as a result of a woman on an old boat taking her time because she was single handed, it was the fact that the sun had been out and everyone wanted to move at the same time!
Coming out of the bottom lock, I moored behind a boat next in the lock, and then went back to help Richard with the butty. Sometimes when lots of people try to help, it can break the rythym and I felt I was dazed and confused as I moored the motor up, and that I could have been quicker on my own. Not that I wasn't grateful, but when we are used to doing it on our own, each knowing what the other is doing, people helping breaks the cycle and I seemed to spend time walking backwards and forwards, with the windlass as someone had already done the job I was about to do!
Winding our way towards Fazeley Junction, we came out from under a road bridge with an narrow passage above the Tame Aqueduct, with its very own pillbox, to cross. A boat was already coming across the aqueduct, saw us and immediately reversed, so that we could cross. 'Thank you very much' said Richard, as we towed the butty through the channel, you don't get too much generosity these days, but that was beyond anything we had encountered for a while!
A beautifully graceful family awaited our mooring at Fazeley Junction. Only 4 signets, but looking strong!
Filling up with water outside BW offices opposite our mooring at Fazeley.
We walked to the retail park to do some paint shopping for the boatman's cabin, which Richard is currently rescumbling and got caught in the biggest downpour on the way back. One of the few occasions where we had not bothered to take the brolly!
I finished another project ready for varnishing, as the weather was dismal the next day, for a change!
As we left Fazeley, Sue, a friend off the Canal World Discussion Forum, took photos of us as we steered past her.
Thanks Sue, hope the dentist was gentle!
Gorgeous weather yesterday!
Nosey cow.......
After a super quiet night's sleep, despite the rain, we awoke to find that the canal had become a duel carriageway. Don't think moving is an option today!
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