Celebration Cruise Summer 2022 Week 3 25/07/22 - 31/07/22

 Monday 25th July - Radford Semele to Long Itchington

We set off from Radford Semele at 9am in cool and cloudy conditions.  This is the scene of total devastation caused by the HS2, it is both side of the canal as the railway will cross the canal here.  So much of the landscape has been destroyed and if you consider this is what it is like along the whole line, you must begin to ask why?

Waiting at the bottom of the Bascote Staircase Locks, no problems this time but it was very busy.

Our two boats side by side ascending the Bascote Locks.  We then cruised on as far as Long Itchington and moored up before bridge 25.  We had a walk into the village and a drink at one of the 6 pubs and went back later in the evening for a supper with Fraser and Di.  

A beautiful Tudor House on the main road through Long Itchington.  Originally built as an inn in the fifteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I slept in one of the bedrooms when on her way to Kenilworth Castle in 1572.  It is believed one of the cellars was used by two of the gunpowder plotters.

Tomorrow we part company as we will be mooring in Ventnor Marina for a few days whilst we go down to Annie’s and Di and Fraser will go on to explore the Oxford Canal and the Upper Thames.

8 miles, 10 locks, 3hrs 48mins.

Tuesday 26th July - Long Itchington to Ventnor Marina

We set off from Long Itchington with Di and Mark and headed for the Stockton Locks, these are picturesque locks and are even nicer when done with another boat and extra crew! 

Plant and wildlife flourishing inside and around the lock, this bee was so busy it didn’t even notice me! 

This used to be The Willow Wren Training Centre, but there was no sign of them this time, it is now Nelson’s Wharf private moorings.  We carried on to the entrance to Sunset Basin, Ventnor Marina, and took on diesel before finding our mooring for the next few days.  The mooring was lovely and quiet, and later that afternoon Di and Fraser popped by for a cup of tea and biscuits.  

3 miles, 10 locks, 3 hrs 30 mins.

Wednesday 27th July - Friday 29th July

We hired a car and drove down to Totton where we looked after our granddaughters for a couple of nights whilst their mummy and daddy went away to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Saturday 30th July - Ventnor Marina to Napton on the Hill

This adult grebe was swimming around the water in front of the boat with a baby following on behind, each time the adult dived, the baby set up the most raucous noise filling the whole Marina with its call.

We came home with these gorgeous sunflowers as a thank you from Annie and Pete and I have put them in the Buckby can on the roof, they look really cheerful! 

We got to the Calcutt Locks and joined the end of the queue, fortunately we had another boat behind us which was able to share the lock with us.  Does make the lock work so much easier.

We turned right onto the Oxford Canal and passed Napton Marina.  They have a large hire fleet there and were in the process of moving the boats around, this one ahead of us came out and reversed into the pontoon moorings, we weren’t that close to it!  

The Oxford Canal is a contour canal, so the canal winds around the countryside, this is Napton Windmill which seems to move around as you head towards Napton.  We were lucky to get a mooring before the flight of locks so we shall spend the night here.

We walked up into the village and then called in at the pub for a drink before returning to the boat.  There have been quite a lot of changes at the pub from the last time we were here.  

Today a helicopter landed in the neighbouring field and stopped for a swift drink before taking off again, some people arrive by boat, some by car and then others by helicopter - why not?  

3 miles, 3 locks, 2hrs 18mins.

Sunday 31st July - Napton to Bridge 124, Spurfoot Bridge

We left our mooring after the rain had stopped and head for the services before beginning the ascent of the 9 Napton Locks.  Some of the pounds between the locks were quite low and we took them very gently and had no problems.

We know there used to be a herd of water buffalo on the fields to the left of the canal, but the only evidence was this one solitary buffalo.  You could also buy the products from the buffalo in the local shop, but again there was no evidence yesterday when we called in.

This is fascinating, a landlocked narrowboat!  It raises so many questions, how do they get water? Do they pay a CRT licence?  How did it get there in the first place? And Why?  

We have moored up for the night just before bridge 124, it is on the 11 mile pound between coming up the Napton Locks and descending the Claydon Locks.  Very peaceful with open views across the canal.  

We walked across the canal on the bridge and along the fields into Priors Hardwick, Toby found the wettest, smelliest cow pat and rolled in it, he was disgusting and is heading for a shower as soon as we get back to the boat.

The Butchers Arms used to be a 14th century inn but is now a fine dining modern European restaurant specialising in Portuguese food.  It looked pretty busy if the carpark was anything to go by!  

Walking back across the fields we spotted three yurts dotted around the fields, they looked luxurious and were certainly away from it all, with a little wooden hut for a toilet!  Wonderful! 

4 miles, 9 locks, 3hrs 30mins

Celebration Cruise Week 2 18/07/22 - 24/07/22

 Monday 18th July / Tuesday 19th July - Stratford

We are sitting out the heatwave in Stratford beside the river under a number of trees. The shade helps to keep the boat cool inside and we are camping under the trees in the shade as well.

We have everything open hoping to catch the breeze, our pigeon box is propped open with pegs!!!  Toby is keeping cool with frequent visits to the stream which flows into the Avon, so long as his paws are cool he seems quite happy!  

Wednesday 20th July - Stratford to Wilmcote

Today it is much cooler, so we made a move from Stratford. We stopped to put on water before turning off the river and heading up the first few locks in Stratford.  The water levels are quite low and it was difficult to get through the silt below some of the locks.  We had to make sure we stayed in the centre of the canal. 

This is one of the most difficult locks to work on the canal, the beam is at right angles because of the position of the bridge. Dave had to ask for help to open and close the gate!  

We worked our way up the Wilmcote flight of locks ably assisted by Mike, by the time we got to the last two locks he told us we had to stop as there was a boat stuck under the next bridge along.  We waited almost two hours for the boat to be floated off the object it was wedged against and we were able to continue.

The boat has finally been released and is making its way up the canal towards us, past the jam of boats heading the same way as us,  as we passed under the same bridge we came to halt and eventually got through using a pole to push our way through.  We moored for the night at Wilmcote and spent a quiet evening aboard recovering from all the excitement.

3.5 miles, 17 locks, 5 hrs 54 mins

Thursday 21st July - Wilmcote to Lowsonford

Today we are meeting up with our friends Di and Mark just outside Preston Bagot and they are going to help us up through the locks to Lowsonford.  This is one of the bridges where the rope is passed through the centre of the bridge to avoid unharnessing the horse, they are generally peculiar to the Stratford canal.  

Di and Mark are waiting for us on the bridge before the first lock, there are two day boats ahead of us so we could be waiting a while!  

Having a lovely chat with Di as we are waiting for the lock to fill. 

We were lucky to get a mooring opposite the Fleur de Lys, the whole stretch of canal was full of narrowboats and we were able to secure a space after a man returned from the pub with his lost glasses!  Excellent hovering from Dave so we didn’t lose the space!  We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the garden with Di and Mark and look forward to meeting up again with them on Saturday on our descent of the Hatton Locks.

7.5 miles, 9 locks, 5 hrs 36 mins

Friday 22nd July - Lowsonford to Tom o’ the Wood

Much cooler day and still very overcast.  We set off up the last 9 locks to Kingswood Junction, all very gentle and Toby and I enjoyed the walk and doing the locks.  

Toby has been an excellent companion during the walk between the locks and sits beautifully beside the lock whilst I am working it.  He really is a star!  

One of the barrel roofed lock cottages only found on the Stratford Canal.  Barrel-roofed cottages are a very rare feature on Britain's canals and the South Stratford canal has one of the best sets to survive. Six were built originally, between Lapworth and Preston Bagot. Landmark's cottage at Lock 31, now known as Lengthsman's Cottage, is the least altered from its original form.

We stopped at Kingswood Junction to fill up with water and met Di and Fraser on nb Ange de l’Eau, we are going to buddy up with them to go down the Hatton Locks.

We turned right at the junction and right again onto the Grand Union Canal.  I was intrigued by the algae covering the canal and the swathe we cut through it as we went along. Algae is a natural occurrence that often appears in canals, particularly in the summer months and after a period of warm weather and reduced rainfall, such as the one we are currently experiencing.  The algae is not a cause for concern as it is a natural process and will eventually disappear naturally.  We moored up at Tom o’ the Wood and had lunch in the pub.  When we got back to the boat, nbBilly with Clare and Pete arrived and moored up just ahead of us.  We haven’t seen them since they left our Marina at the beginning of the season.

3.25 miles, 9 locks, 2 hours 24 mins.

Saturday 23rd July - Tom o’ the Wood to The Cape Locks

We left bright and early, 9am, to get to the top of the Hatton Locks and meet up with Di and Mark.  This is Fraser following us on nbAnge de l’Eau, we are going to share the locks with them and will make a team of 6, 4 working locks and 2 driving, Dave and Di.

Pretty little goats below the pub, love the way they like to sit on platforms above the ground.

We have passed these boats several times over the years and the degree of deterioration has changed each time, now the butty on the outside is almost completely overgrown with vegetation and the engine boat remaining intact on the inside.

Both boats coming into the lock, side by side, most impressive.  This is the first time Dave has driven these locks and to accomplish such impressive driving is brilliant!  We completed the locks in 3 hours and moored up above the Cape Locks and had a celebratory drink all together at the Cape of Good Hope.  Many thanks to Di and Mark for giving up their day to helping us down these locks, an excellent day and very much appreciated! 

7.25 miles, 21 locks, 5hrs 30mins.

Sunday 24th July - Cape Locks to Radford Semele

We set off from our mooring and descended the two Cape Locks and then cruised gently through Warwick and Leamington.  This is the new access walkway for boaters to cross the road to the large Morrisons on the other side of the road, plenty of mooring available.  

An example of the new signage for canal and river trust, there are large amounts of these signs all around this area, gone are signs with the little swan on it!  

We passed these two boats, beautifully presented, a motor and a butty, look back at the photo of the two boats lying in the canal, and compare what can be done to lovingly restore these boats!  Well done to this couple.

Several examples of street graffiti alongside the canal in Leamington Spa, beautifully done.

An old favourite.

And two artists at work on a piece further down the canal.

These two are new to us, both striking in their different ways.  We moored up just passed bridge 41 to get a few staples from the Coop but unfortunately the shop was closed and we couldn’t be bothered to go back to the large supermarkets we had already passed by!  We shall survive!  We carried on to Radford Semele and moored below the church in another of our favourite places for a quiet afternoon.  

4.5 miles, 2 locks, 2hrs 24mins.

Celebration Cruise Summer 2022 Week 1 11/07/22 - 17/07/22

 Monday 11th July - Diglis Basin to Tewkesbury Marina

We left Diglis Basin at 11am, Dave from Cafe Afloat opened the swing bridge for us and Gill, Keith and John locked us down the Diglis Locks onto the river.  We turned left and into the Diglis River lock and then we continued sedately down river towards Tewkesbury.

We waved goodbye to Worcester and the new bypass and carried on towards Upton-on-Severn, with a possibility of mooring there over night.

A heron just taking off ahead of the boat, we saw three or four during our cruise today.

After a little rest out the front of the boat, Dave was feeling up to taking the tiller and we took it in turns throughout the cruise.  I think he is happy to out on the boat again!  

Severn Bank is an early 19th-century country house in the Gothic style built for Lord Deerhurst, the heir to the Earl of Coventry, as part of the Croome estate. There are several ornamental buildings and features. The property was used as a retreat for fishing parties.

At one stage we were overtaken by a hire boat from Napton Narrowboats going at quite a speed, he soon disappeared around the next bend!  

These arrows mark the site of a railway bridge on the route of the Tewkesbury and Malvern Railway.  This was a Midland Railway branch line from Ashchurch that made a connection with the Hereford and Worcester Railway at Malvern. The line opened in the 1860s but was not a great success.

This is one of the aggregate barges, Pike, being filled with aggregate which is then transported downstream a short distance and is the sole manifestation of commercial trade on the River Severn today.

Upton-upon-Severn was very busy with boats moored three abreast on the visitor moorings, so we continued on our way to Tewkesbury.

Myrtle Bridge and the water works on the left bank, once under the bridge we begin to look out for the turning to the left for the River Avon, taking care to avoid the sandbank on the inside of the turn!  We locked up onto the River Avon and as there was no where to moor we took a berth at Tewkesbury Marina where we also filled up with diesel.

16.75 miles, 4.5 hours, 4 locks

 Tuesday 12th July - Tewkesbury Marina to Eckington Wharf

We spent a very pleasant night in the Marina and left by 9.45 to make sure we had done the cruising whilst it was overcast and slightly cooler.  These are two imposing buildings overlooking the River Avon, possibly Shuthonger House and Abbots Court Farm, both must have stunning views!

We passed beneath the M5 just before Bredon.  We often travel this road by car and always look down to see if there are any boats!  

A family of swans, one of them had swum right up to the boat to warn us off, which is why it isn’t in the photo. I should think these cygnets are 8 - 10 weeks old.

We moored at Eckington Wharf and as you can see it was still very overcast.  We went for a walk across the meadow to a bend in the river called the Swan’s Neck and sat by the river before walking back again.  And then it began to rain, would you believe it?  

7 miles, 1 lock, 2hrs 36mins.

Wednesday 13th July - Eckington Wharf to Pershore Recreation Ground

Woke to another overcast day with quite a breeze blowing, holding us against the river bank.  When we tried to cast off, we couldn’t get off the bank and the boat in front of us helped by pushing the bow out with the long pole.  This is the Swan’s Neck we walked to yesterday and sat on the bank in front of the sign.  I wonder how many years it will take to form an ox-bow lake?  

We collected another boat as we approached Nafford Lock which meant Dave had help to open and close the swing bridge in the middle of the lock and work the paddles and gates.  Always appreciated. The picture is of a sunken narrowboat the other side of the weir.  I wonder what happened there?

We shared Pershore Lock with the same boat and then moored up on Pershore Recreation Ground.  We took the last mooring available just before the water point and under a lovely weeping willow, providing plenty of shade for the boat and Toby.

6.5 miles, 2 locks, 2 hrs 54 mins.

Thursday 14th July - Pershore Recreation Ground to Evesham

Woke to a sunny morning, Dave went and did a small shop at Asda before reversing the boat onto the water point and filling up with water, emptying rubbish and using the elsan.  We then set off for Evesham.

In a very short while we arrived at Wyre Lock, the only diamond shaped lock on the Navigation.  We managed to secure the boat fore and aft and had a very smooth ride up the lock!  It is believed locally, that the diamond shaped locks were built in an effort to reduce erosion of their earth sides by water from the top paddles when they were opened.

As we left Wyre Lock we passed this double decker narrow boat with a floating decking area in front of the boat. Looked very impressive!

We then passed Smith’s Island, a tiny island with a lovely treehouse nestling among the trees, the only way on and off the island is by boat, delightful!  

Once we had moored up in Evesham we had lunch then walked up into the town and found the remains of the Abbey.  There is a lot of work going on at the remains of the Abbey, it would be good to see how that progresses.

We could see Ella on the other side of the river, still looking very smart!

10.25 miles, 3 locks, 4hrs 18mins.

Friday 15th July - Evesham to Bidford-upon-Avon

We decided to make an early start today hoping that we could secure a mooring for the night at Bidford.  This is Evesham Lock, the first of 6 locks today!  Dave is happily getting to grips to working the locks on his own now which is excellent progress!  

On the island next to the lock and the weir, is the very striking and iconic triangle shaped building. Constructed in the 1970s as a Toll Station and lock keepers cottage, it is one of Evesham’s most recognizable landmarks. The Evesham Lock Project is an ambitious plan to revitalise and repurpose an iconic building and key piece of land in the heart of Evesham into a new Activity Centre focussing on provision for young people, the community and all users of the River Avon.

Billington Tower which resembles a squat lighthouse without the light is at Offenham Lock, the work here was completed in 6 weeks so that it’s donor George Billington, who was terminally ill could see the effect of his benefaction before he died.  As we left the lock we were joined by another boat which meant we could share the locks all the way up to Bidford.

A car submerged nose first in the river, no idea how it got there as there doesn’t appear to be a road nearby!  

Both boats tied up and waiting to enter the lock which needed to be emptied.  Very different to being on a canal, you need to secure the boat front and back or you run the risk of it being swung round by the force of the water.

We made it to Bidford and very surprisingly there was a space plenty big enough for us so we moored up and spent a pleasant evening by the river.  This boat had a notice on it saying that it had over stayed and was about to be removed!  As there are only 3 moorings at this pretty popular village, I’m not really surprised!  We even treated ourselves to fish and chips - 2 small fish and a small chips which we didn’t come anywhere near finishing!  

8.75 miles, 4 locks, 4hrs 24mins.

Saturday 16th July - Bidford to Stratford

Today we decided to continue and make our way to Stratford in order to find a mooring with trees in shelter under because of the predicted heatwave for Monday and Tuesday.  This is the old bridge at Bidford, a former packhorse structure built in the 15th century.

One of the 6 locks we have done today, half of which were set against us which was difficult for Dave.  

The entrance to the new Marina outside Stratford,  Shakespeare Marina was opened by Tim in May 2022 and will be open for business from 20th July.  However we could see that some boats had already taken up residence.  

We found a mooring just above the final lock of the day in Stratford and moored the boat under several large shady giving trees.  The river was busy with pleasure boats, boat trips, paddle boards and rowing boats.  We shall stay here now until Wednesday to sit out the heatwave and then resume our trip up the Stratford Canal.

9.5 miles, 6 locks, 5hrs 54mins

Sunday 17th July - Stratford

A quiet day, a walk into the town for some shopping before it got too hot for Toby to walk on pavements and then back to the shade of the trees.