Sunday 3 November 2024

Looking for King Richard - Week 8

 Monday 28th October - Just before Dunchurch Pools Marina to Bridge 88

Just short cruises over the next few days. We are on the stretch leading into Braunston and just taking our time.




There were a lot of sheep in the fields, all of varying shades of brown and cream.  They reminded me of the Herdwick Sheep in the Lake District, but I’m not sure the head is the same.



The land here is made out of the ancient ridge and furrow system, the distinctive pattern becomes discernible on land that underwent ploughing during the Middle Ages but has since remained untouched by subsequent ploughing activities.  A fascinating thought.




Dave walked up from the next bridge and across the field into Braunston coming out on the footpath beside the church.  Looking back you can clearly see the line of the canal with the boats moored along it.




An iconic view of the double bridges at Braunston Junction, left onto the North Oxford Canal where we are moored and right into Braunston and the Grand Union Canal.






Back at our mooring and you can see Braunston Church spire directly over our boat, there are two tiny moorings with piling just outside Braunston and this is the first time we have been lucky enough to get one.



Sunset over the fields with the cows looking directly at the camera, possibly sensing Toby’s presence behind the hedgerows.

3 miles, 0 locks 1 hr




Tuesday 29th October - Bridge 88 to Bridge 103





Sunrise on the opposite side of the canal, obscured slightly by the low cloud.  We left our mooring and headed slowly into Braunston.





We are using the entrance to Braunston Marina as a winding hole, turning the boat round so we can get to the water point, buy cake at Gongoozlers Rest and visit the Fender and Rope Shop.



Unfortunately the Gongoozler’s Rest was closed, so no cake there today.  However, we did fill the water bottles and I went to the rope shop.  Our bow line had begun to unravel, so I took it in to have the end rebound and just so happened to find new 1 metre bow fenders to protect the front of the boat.




We moored up just in front of Bridge 103, near the Green Sheds, usually this part of the canal is full but today we are the only boat.  There has been a steady stream of traffic going past in both directions, many hire boats as this is the half term holiday, lets hope the weather is set fair for them.  




I found a field edge, which would have been a wild flower patch, with some surviving sunflowers, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if we enjoyed them over the next few days.

3 miles, 0 locks, 2 hrs 24 mins




Wednesday 30th October - Bridge 103 to Ventnor Marina

We left our mooring and headed towards the Calcutt Locks and ultimately our home Marina.



We passed a lot of work being done to the towpath where it has virtually been washed away.  There are two new areas with piling which will increase the amount of suitable mooring on this stretch of the canal.  These guys were moored under the bridge in order to reload with materials, but it did make passing them quite tight, they were impressed with the skill of the driver - well done Dave!



We arrived at Calcutt Locks and there was a boat ahead of us going down the locks.  We were really pleased to see that they waited for us so we could do locks 2 & 3 together.  They are also moored at Ventnor Marina but in the other basin.  Here we are passing one other boat going up the locks.






Sharing the locks together, the boat is only 41ft long, makes ours look huge!  After turning into the Marina we moored forwards onto our pontoon, so that the exhaust for the Webasto is not on the wooden pontoon side.









Thursday 31st October - Ventnor Marina

Today we are cleaning and tidying the boat before leaving her for the winter.  Dave went and bought some provisions and I cleaned and tidied the stern area.  Dave washed one side of the boat and we worked together to polish it as soon as it was dry.

Friday 1st November - Ventnor Marina

A visit to Daventry to get birthday presents for my Mum and Sister as we are visiting them tomorrow.  Once back on the boat, Dave touched up the blacking on the rubbing strip and above and I varnished side hatch door and wooden seats on the back of the boat.

Saturday 2nd November - Visiting Bedford

A drizzly drive to Bedford, an hour visiting my Mum in her care home and then lunch with my sister who has just celebrated a significant birthday!

Sunday 3rd November - Ventnor Marina

More sorting and cleaning, all the windows done now, last few bits to put through the wash, Dave booked the car in at Kwikfit for a new tyre, and going through the cupboards. How is it you end up with three of one thing and none of something else?

We shall be finally closing the boat up and leaving on Wednesday, after Bonfire Night as it is so very peaceful here and Toby doesn’t seem to be aware of any fireworks.

Many thanks for reading and accompanying us on our adventures, our next cruise will be March 2025, so until then - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Sunday 27 October 2024

Looking for King Richard Week 7

 Monday 21st October - Hawkesbury Junction to Coventry Basin

Today we decided to carry on with our planned cruise and head off down to Coventry Basin.



We left our mooring spot and carried on past the junction, the turning is on the right under the bridge.  Yesterday Abi had suggested that we kept the engine bay well aerated to disperse any fumes left from the dud battery.  It meant that there was a gap which we were very careful about stepping over and we kept Toby well away from it.  We are delighted to report that there is no more rotten egg smell!

This is Cash’s One Hundred Cottage Factory.  It was a development of 46 weavers’ houses built in 1857 in Coventry. A shared driveshaft ran through the upper-floor weaving studios, powered by a collective steam engine, allowing home-based silk weavers to operate power looms and therefore compete with their factory-based peers. Such buildings were called ‘cottage factories’.  The large windows allowed for the maximum amount of light in for the workers and they lived in the accommodation below.


We arrived in the Basin and moored directly in front of the statue of James Brindley.  It looks as though he is peering into the boat but he is very good natured!  We went for a walk into Coventry and were amazed at the difference from the last time we were there.  



This 57ft high Coventry Cross is the latest incarnation of a 16th century sculpture located on Cuckoo Lane in the city centre.  The stained glass windows let visitors see inside the cross which now features a 3D-printed statue of King Henry VI.


The statue of Lady Godiva.  The original Lady Godiva was an 11th century noblewoman married to Leofric, the powerful Earl of Mercia and Lord of Coventry. As the story goes, Godiva was troubled by the crippling taxes Leofric had levied on the citizens of Coventry. After she repeatedly asked him to lessen the burden, Leofric quipped that he would lower taxes only if she rode naked on horseback through the centre of town. Determined to help the public, Godiva stripped off her clothes, climbed on her horse and galloped through the market square with only her long flowing hair to cover herself. Before leaving, she ordered the people of Coventry to remain inside their homes and not peek, but one man, named Tom, couldn’t resist opening his window to get an eyeful. Upon doing so, this “Peeping Tom” was struck blind. 

After finishing her naked ride, Godiva confronted her husband and demanded that he hold up his end of the bargain. True to his word, Leofric reduced the people’s debts.

5.5 miles, 0 locks, 2 hrs 30 mins

Tuesday 22nd October - Coventry Basin

Today we are having another day in Coventry and hope to sort out our WiFi provider.  We have been with 3 ever since we started using a router onboard and have always been happy with the service.  However in the past year we have noticed a steady decline in adequate coverage to watch TV, open emails, check weather forecasts.  So time for a change?





Yesterday, this boat arrived in the basin soon after us.  It is nbMinuet, the boat that we originally owned 2 shares in before we decided to buy our own boat.  The people onboard had owned shares since 2018, after our time, and are also the oldest owners of shares in the boat.  The boat is now moored at Dunchurch Pools just up from Braunston, so we shall possibly see more of her.

These doorways in Coventry Basin were built as coal storage areas.  Two large vaults of brick construction, linked at the back, were built into the retaining wall on the north-western boundary of the canal basin in the middle of the 19th century. They were built for coal storage for the nearby gas works, when after 10 years the Coventry Canal Company won back the business from the railways.  The Tin at the Coal Vaults is now a venue which has two main rooms, one of which contains a stage and performance area; the other has a bar and seating. Next door in Units 1-4 is an office, rehearsal space, artist studio and large community room which is used to host a variety of community activities.


After successfully changing our WiFi provider from 3 to EE we returned to the boat to install the new SIM card and check that all was working properly.  Download and upload speeds are better than we have ever seen, so very happy with that.  We went along to the cafe at the end of the Basin, The Playwrights and had lunch there.  Chantelle and Sharon were delightful and more than happy for us to sit inside with Toby, so if you are ever visiting, they are well worth a visit.



In the afternoon we walked back into the city to visit the two Cathedrals.  This is the modern Cathedral built at right angles to the Old Cathedral.  Visiting both Cathedrals was a hugely moving experience, the silence and serenity of the ruins and then the bright light filled space of the New Cathedral has left a lasting impression upon us.



The “Charred Cross".  In the January after the Blitz, Reverend Howard asked the cathedral's stone mason, 'Jock' Forbes to make an altar from the rubble and place behind it a cross made from two charred oak beams that had fallen from the roof. Forbes obliged with a sublime piece of craftsmanship and this has become the focal point of the ruins ever since.  The words ‘Father Forgive’ are inscribed into the bricks behind the altar.  







Two of the huge steel strengthening straps from the roof of the Cathedral had fallen into the shape of a cross during the fire.  
They were lashed together and put where the ruined altar stood.  It is now inside the New Cathedral.  Three surviving medieval roof nails were also formed into a cross, the Cross of Nails, now located at the centre of the altar cross in the new cathedral. 






Interior view of the new cathedral showing the soaring nave with its modern echoes of Gothic vaulting and Graham Sutherland’s vast tapestry, depicting a risen Christ, hanging behind the hammered concrete altar.  
Graham Sutherland’s tapestry was one of the biggest in the world at nearly 80 foot high. It was woven in France in one piece over two years on a huge 500 year old loom.




This is part of the ruins of The Old Cathedral.  On the evening of Thursday 14th November 1940 at around 7:10pm the air-raid siren sounded just as it had done on many occasions that year. Little did the people of Coventry suspect that this was about to become the most prolonged and devastating attack on any city in the history of warfare to date.  9 hours later the Cathedral had collapsed inwards leaving some exterior walls and the tower still standing.







Wednesday 23rd October - Coventry Basin to Ansty

Decided to move on today and return the way we have come.  Once out of the basin we stopped at the water taps to top up the water, but neither tap was working, so we continued heading for Hawkesbury Junction where there is a water tap before the junction.


This is Electric Wharf, a mix of modern housing and historic warehouse buildings.  The bridge is a 
modern pedestrian and bicycle bridge.



Daimler Wharf, the site of the disused Daimler factory has been earmarked for development with an Arts Complex, housing and community spaces.





On the front of this building is ‘Coventry Canal Company’, this final stretch of the Coventry Canal is known by the locals as ‘five ‘n half’ referring to the distance into the city centre.



We moored for the evening at Ansty and Dave took this picture of Ella from the pub garden directly opposite the boat.  The moorings were very busy and we were lucky to fit in right on the end.

9.5 miles, 1 lock, 4hrs 12mins




Thursday 24th October - Ansty to Brinklow Moorings

A lovely sunny start to the day and Dave drove the boat whilst I put the hoover round.




We passed CRT hard at work dredging the far side of the canal.  They paused working whilst we went past, I think they were using the dredgings to bank up the new towpath on the other side.  







As we were approaching Bridge 27, Johnsons Bridge, the gearstick began to fail, I couldn’t get forward or reverse propulsion and the gearstick was spinning round.  We managed to pull the boat in through the bridge hole and secure her to the bank and called RCR and also Dave walked down to Stretton Stop where the Rose Boatyard is to see if there was anyone who could help us.  An engineer from the Boatyard arrived before RCR and soon sorted the problem.  The spindle had worked loose and gradually became completely detached.  All he did was tighten the spindle and hey presto we had a connection.



We carried on past the Brinklow slippage and this area looks worse than it did when we came this way 2 and a half weeks ago.  Any more heavy rain and this could end up in the canal, hopefully they will continue the retaining wall to stop this happening.





This is the offending gear stick, now in neutral and pointing straight up to 12 o’clock.  Ever since we have had the boat neutral has always been at about 2 o’clock, so it took a little getting used to.  At least we know what to do if it works loose again!

4.25 miles, 0 locks, 2hrs 24mins.







Friday 25th October - Brinklow Moorings to Rugby




A pleasant cruise through to Rugby, the leaves are definitely beginning to drop off the trees now and land in the canal.  Much ‘chucking off’ the leaves from the propeller as we are going along.  The colours really do look stunning.  





How lucky are we?  A delightful mooring in Rugby on the park side just before the water point, 1 day mooring but that suits us fine as we shall move on tomorrow. We had a wander back into the retail park in the afternoon and replaced essential items of clothing and then a quiet time on the boat.

5 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 54 mins







Saturday 26th October - Rugby to below Hillmorton 

We had a slow start this morning, Dave went back to M&S and stocked up on food for the next few days until we get back to the Marina.  He also found the iced spiced buns which had sold out yesterday!


We moved the boat forward to use the water tap and once we were full again we began our short journey towards Hillmorton.  We are both amazed and very happy with the gearstick as we have got used to the new position.  For as long as we can remember it has always been fairly wobbly, but now it is firm and very responsive, meaning that the slightest movement increases or decreases the engine speed very quickly.




We passed Clifton Cruisers and they were very busy getting boats ready to go out for this week.  It is half term week for many schools and as the weather is so good at the moment it is a perfect choice for a late holiday.



We passed this boat under the bridge, not moored but being held by the rope by the lady and the gentleman struggling to undo his weed hatch.  His propeller must have become fouled and he needed to get down to it to free it before carrying on.  Dave checks our weed hatch each night but fortunately we haven’t had any problems.




We found a pleasant mooring spot below Hillmorton, out in the country, with the sound of trains passing at infrequent intervals.  Plenty of sunshine on the solar panels which is just what we need! 

2 miles, 0 locks, 48mins

Sunday 27th October - below Hillmorton to above Dunchurch Pools Marina

A stunningly beautiful start to the day, bright blue skies, with light wispy clouds, the clocks went back an hour last night so ready for darker evenings.





We were moored up ahead of this boat ‘nbSilver Fox’ of Foxes Afloat fame.  Colin and Shaun sold the boat 2 years ago and moved to the highlands of Scotland.  Our thoughts and best wishes go to Colin over the next few weeks.
We cruised up to the water point below Hillmorton Locks and filled up with water before beginning the ascent of the locks.  




Dave took a sneaky photo of the Volunteer’s Hovel, just to compare with ours back at Diglis.  It seems much larger than ours but with a whole lot more stuff!  Today is the last day of the season for these volunteers so they were tidying up around the locks.






Ella approaching the last lock of the day, not a breath of wind, so able to hover safely mid stream whilst the lock was being made ready for us.



We moored opposite open farmland just past Barby Farm, sun all day on the solar panels keeping the batteries nicely topped up during the day.  Dave went for a walk down to Dunchurch Pools Marina.  This photograph shows the service pontoon we moored at a year ago when Dave was taken off the boat with his broken leg, it was blowing quite hard that day, not like today.  

4.25 miles, 3 locks, 2hrs 30mins

Sunday 20 October 2024

Looking for King Richard Week 6

 Monday 14th October - Snarestone Terminus to Snarestone Tunnel Southern Portal




Coming through Snarestone Tunnel and you can see how wonky it is, very strange as it is only 250yds long.  It also is much lower at the northern portal than at the southern.





We also had a problem with the top drawer in the kitchen, the drawer front fell off on one side and we could see where the screw was and where it fitted on the front but couldn't see how to get to the head of the screw.  A quick picture to our son-in-law, a talented joiner who also fits kitchens and the problem was solved.  The drawer is now fixed!







We walked through the village of Snarestone and out to Lodge Farmshop where we stocked up on fresh produce for the next few days.




Another boat coming through the tunnel, you can see the headlight shining in the distance.  They moored up soon after the tunnel and it was several hours before they turned the headlight off.
When we were moored at the terminus, only a short distance away, we had perfect Wi-Fi, but here we have no Wi-Fi and no phone signal! Very strange!

0.5 miles, 0 locks, 30mins






Tuesday 15th October - Snarestone to Market Bosworth

A gentle cruise back to Market Bosworth where we moored in exactly the ame place as before but facing the other way.  Dave did most of the driving and I cleared all the floors to give them a good hoover and then a wash, a job well done!

Once moored up, Dave walked into the village to get his hair cut, but the barbers was closed and would be open tomorrow.  However the zero waste shop was open so he decided it was worth going back in tomorrow.

5.75 miles, 0 locks, 2hrs 12mins

Wednesday 16th October - Market Bosworth



A pretty miserable day, wet and windy so decided to stay in Market Bosworth, Dave went back into the village where he had a shave and haircut and visited the NextGen - The Refill Station and restocked our cleaning materials.  The lady was saying that there doesn’t seem to be much interest in eco-friendly products in Market Bosworth, she has even tried the Marina and that doesn’t appear interested either.  So, if you are in this area please support the shop, a local business supporting the environment.



Thursday 17th October - Market Bosworth to Duck’s Corner, Stoke Golding

A much nicer day, bright sunshine and a warm breeze, so we set off for Sutton Cheney Wharf stopping to top up with water just outside Market Bosworth.




A beautiful blue sky with fair weather clouds, a very pleasant cruise and an ideal opportunity to tidy up the inside of the boat.







We moored on the visitor moorings and after changing into suitable footwear (it was very muddy in places) we set off for Bosworth Battlefield heritage Centre. 







The walk took us through Ambion Wood, a beautiful stretch of footpath through a mixed woodland, very still and peaceful.





We had a wander around the Heritage Centre and found this amazing sculpture.
The sculpture entitled 'Piecing together the Past'  is about the archaeology and putting together the clues from the past that come together rather like a jigsaw.  It portrays both Richard III and Henry  VII on a two sided coin. The coin is held in a large, solid oak frame and takes centre stage in the courtyard at the Battlefield centre.  The artist is Stephen Broadbent.






We left the Heritage Centre and headed back towards the canal passing this well on the way.  This plaque suggests that King Richard III drank from this well before the Battle of Bosworth and his subsequent death.







We carried on down towards the canal following the course of the old railway, the same one we visited at Shackerstone, but it has been turned into a pleasant greenway through the trees.

 


Walking back along the other side of the canal we passed our mooring, and Ella sitting in the sunshine, below the trees gradually changing their leaf colour.



We stopped at Sutton Wharf for our lunch, a busy spot midway on the walk from the Heritage Centre.  Whilst we were there a coach load of elderly tourists arrived having already visited the Heritage Centre, and settled down for afternoon refreshments.  Wonderful!  We returned to the boat and after disposing of any rubbish we moved onto Duck’s Corner, Stoke Golding where we moored up for the night.






We went for a walk into the village and found this majestic looking church.  It is possible to just make out the band of lighter stone just above the parapet on the tower.  The spire was taken down to this level in World War II so that Wellington Bombers could land safely at RAF Nuneaton / Lindsey.  It was rebuilt in 1947.





This plaque mounted on a brick pillar at the entrance to the aptly named ‘Crown Hill Bungalow. on Station Road, commemorates the Coronation of King Henry Vll the first of the Tudor Monarchs, on Crown Hill, following The Battle of Bosworth Field, on 22nd August 1485.


This is the original Hall’s Sock factory.  The Hall family have been selling socks from Leicestershire since 1882.  The first Hall’s factory was built in 1882 in the rural farming community of Stoke Golding, Leicestershire. It employed just 16 people and had a monthly turnover of £32 4s 4d.  The original goal for John Hall was to provide warm, long-lasting hose for the farming community in which he was brought up. The first socks he produced were pure Scottish wool, grey half-hose. These were recorded in 1892 as costing 2s 7d for 2 dozen pairs. John was renowned for his honesty and integrity and became known as Honest John (which is where the HJ comes from).  It is now residential accommodation.  

5.5 miles, 0 locks, 2hr 24mins


Friday 18th October - Stoke Golding to Hinckley

We woke to a very foggy morning and waited at our mooring until the fog had lifted and we had a pleasant sunny morning.  In front of us was a hire boat which needed to be back by early this morning so they left in the fog!


This was the Marina where the hire boat had come from, we passed it on the outside.  The couple had enjoyed their time on the boat, wishing only that the weather had been better.


Beautiful colours on the trees now, the autumn colours really coming into their own.

3.5 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 48mins






Saturday 19th October - Hinckley to Hawkesbury Junction

We left Hinckley and pulled into the water point to top up water and dispose of rubbish.  When I got back from the bins I noticed a peculiar eggy smell, we decided to carry on and do a complete engine check when we got to Hawkesbury Junction.



Once we arrived we did a check and couldn't see anything amiss and the smell had gone, so we decided to do another check tomorrow morning.  We met up with friends, Di and Mark, and went to The Greyhound Inn for a late lunch and a long catch up.  It was wonderful to see them again!

8.5 miles, 0 locks, 3hrs 12mins





Sunday 20th October - Hawkesbury Junction


Today we are staying in Hawkesbury Junction as the weather is meant to be pretty bad, catching the end of Storm Ashley.  We put the engine on to top up the batteries mid morning and the smell came back even worse.  We shut everything down and called RCR, who were most helpful and we eventually spoke to an engineer who talked us through how to isolate the domestic and engine batteries.  Half an hour later an engineer arrived, found the offending battery, isolated it but couldn’t remove as it was too hot to lift out of its tray. Abi was very helpful and assured us that we would be safe to carry on and have the battery removed when Simon Pollard replaces the complete bank of batteries with new ones.  Poor Dave couldn’t eat his egg mayonnaise for lunch, the smell was so bad!  

An eventful end to this week!


Looking for King Richard - Week 8

  Monday 28th October - Just before Dunchurch Pools Marina to Bridge 88 Just short cruises over the next few days. We are on the stretch lea...