Birmingham Explorer Cruise - Week 2

 Monday 4th May - Long Itchington to Radford Semele

Toby and I walked from Long Itchington to the top of Bascote Locks stopping at Bascote Wharf to top up with water.  We met a hire boat heading towards Warwick and shared the staircase locks and all the other locks with them as far as Radford Semele where we stopped for the night.

This boat used to be moored on the offside of the canal just below Radford Bottom lock.  It is now in a very sorry state and gradually sinking into the canal.

After mooring up we went for a walk back up to the lock and across to follow a footpath into the village of Radford Semele, a delightful walk through the woods along the disused railway.

Radford Semele Manor House has an iconic turret, the structure has a 16th century timber-framed core and was used as a hunting lodge in the 1800’s.

As we walked back along the canal we came across our friends Carine and Dimitrios on NbGalene.  We spent a lovely evening together sampling Greek ouzo and wine accompanied by a delicious meze.  They are on their way to Cambridge and hopefully we shall meet up with them again before they return to Brussels later in the year.

5.25 miles, 10 locks, 3hrs 5mins.

Tuesday 5th May - Radford Semele to Cape of Good Hope Moorings

A fox in the field opposite our mooring, below Radford Semele church.  It seemed very happy to stand and have the photo taken before trotting off up the field towards the village.

Waved at Carine and Dimitrios as they cruised past us this morning.  Today they are going to visit friends at Nelson Wharf, Bon Voyage!

Cruising into Leamington Spa I spotted some new art work on the canal bridge wall, a beautiful depiction of a damselfly. 

Carine had recommended a couple of good shops in the town, we found Aubrey Allen a butcher and delicatessen, opened in 1933 and still going strong.

 

Toby was treated as royalty, allowed into the shop and given the tastiest titbits from the home cooked ham by Helen who has worked there for over 30 years!

The next recommendation was The Corner Cottage Bakery, again all very friendly and welcoming to Toby who was also given treats.  The most wonderful sourdough bread, pastries and cakes.  We would highly recommend both shops if you are ever in Leamington Spa.

On the way back to the boat I spotted another mural on the side of a building just beyond the railway bridge, this is ‘Future Synth’ by Void One, part of the Leamington Spa Street Art Trail.  We called into the Portuguese cafe for some Pastel de nata before returning to the boat and carrying on to the moorings at Cape of Good Hope.  Fortunately we shared the two locks with a hireboat and then moored up for the night.

4.25 miles, 2 locks, 2hrs 24mins

Wednesday 6th May - Cape of Good Hope to Rowington Bridge 62

Toby and I walked round to the locks from our mooring and then worked the first 5 locks together.  We were joined by a volunteer lock keeper after the 3rd lock and he stayed with us all the way to the top.  This is the lock cottage at the bottom of the flight and the little building to the left is the ‘hovel’ where the lock keepers come to collect their equipment for their shift on the locks.

The first part of the flight has locks separated by fairly long pounds, then you get to this part where the locks are much closer together and the pounds are much shorter.  I love this shot of the locks - staircase to heaven!

Just before the last 4 locks is the Canal and River Trust yard, where the personnel for this area work.  On the other side of the lock is the bin compound where we got rid of our rubbish.  Toby and I worked 16 out of the 21 locks, a distance of 2.2 miles, at the end of it all, poor Toby was exhausted!

Dave bringing the boat into the top lock where he had to wait for another boat coming down.  Throughout the whole journey we only passed 3 boats, and all the lock keepers were saying how quiet it is.

This is John our friendly lock keeper, he has been volunteering for 4 years and enjoys working the whole flight of locks.  Many thanks go to John and all the volunteers who were out to assist boaters through this wonderful set of locks.

We stopped for water at the top of the flight and saw these ducklings.  Dave bought a breakfast roll at the Hatton Locks Cafe, a delightful place for food and drink watching the boats going about their business.

We continued on to a mooring looking down over Rowington Village and moored up for the night.  Very quiet and peaceful, several other boats moored nearby but generally a lovely spot.

6.25 miles, 21 locks, 1 tunnel, 4hr 54 mins

Thursday 7th May - Rowington Bridge 62

Today we have spent the day cleaning the outside of the boat, so when you look at her, she is clean on half the roof and down one side.  We also washed the centre line ropes, they are much cleaner and softer to work with now!  This is the clean side.

I used the stunning outside space for my outdoor gym, ably assisted by Toby!

Friday 8th May - Rowington Bridge 62 to Lapworth 

Today we moved onto the bottom of the Lapworth Locks, turned left off the Grand Union Canal and then right to join the North Stratford canal.  As we moved towards the first of the line of locks we met a solo boater who kindly let us go ahead of him so long as we helped reset the lock for him.

As we worked our way up the locks we came across another solo boater coming down the locks.  He had 4 volunteers helping him, none of whom seemed keen to help the solo boater coming up behind us and certainly weren’t interested in helping us.  So after resting a while on the lock gate, Colin continued down the locks with their solo boater.  To say the least, Dave and I were flabbergasted!

Passing the solo boater in the pound between the locks, with the army of volunteers preparing the lock we had just left.  Amazing!

We stopped for the night before the last 2 locks and moored up just past Lapworth Cricket pitch.  After lunch we went for a delightful walk across the fields to Lapworth Village.  The photo doesn’t really do the scene justice but this field was covered in a mass of buttercups stretching as far as the eye could see, it was stunning!

St Mary the Virgin church is unusual in that it has a detached tower built in 1380.  It also has a porch on the side, the room above the passageway has been known as the West Chantry Chapel since 1373 and was once used as a place to display holy relics.

Returning to the canal we passed a field of cows and calfs, the farmer thoughtfully keeping them separate from the footpath with a strategically placed electric fence.  We thoroughly enjoyed exploring Lapworth, very much a country village although it is only 13 miles from Birmingham and acts as a commuter village for the surrounding towns.

3.5 miles, 16 locks, 4hrs 18mins

Saturday 9th May - Lapworth to Warings Green Wharf

A beautiful sunny day as we made our way towards the final 2 locks on our journey to Birmingham.  At the first of the locks we passed a pair of hotel boats, a powered boat and a butty which was being pulled through the locks.  As we approached the second lock we were surprised to see that a whole crew of girl guides were busy turning the lock so they could come down without checking to see that we were coming up.  I guess they were on a mission!

Dave worked the next lift bridge, a manual bridge operated with a windlass…

…and walked on to operate the next one only to find it was already open!

The tree canopy as we approached Warings Green was quite beautiful.

We found a mooring opposite the permanent moorings at Warings Green Wharf and after shuffling backwards and forwards managed to find a spot which wasn’t too shallow and we could get closer in to the side. A lovely family of ducklings floated past as we had our lunch and then we went for a walk round to the Bulls Head where we sat in the sunshine with our drinks.

3.25 miles, 2 locks, 2 lift bridges, 2hrs 42mins

Sunday 10th May - Warings Green Wharf

Today we are staying on our mooring and are going to spend the day cleaning the other side of the boat.  This is the roof finished now, certainly looks a whole lot better!  We also went for a walk back along the canal to Wedge's Bakery, they do the most amazing bread, filled rolls and sandwiches, and various cakes and pastries.  Well worth a visit!

Birmingham Explorer Cruise - May 2026

Thursday 30th April - Worcester to Ventnor Waterside and Marina

Today we have packed up the flat for the month of May and driven over to Ventnor.  Unpacked the car and settled on to the boat.  We are in our new mooring in Sunset Basin and a beautiful sunset to welcome us back.

Friday 1st May - Sunset Basin    

We waited around the marina during the morning as Simon Pollard was due to carry out a full service on the engine.  Dave liked Simon’s Landrover Defender parked beside our Landrover Discovery!  As you can see, the weather was delightful and it was no hardship to sit in the sun and read!

We also met the swans that had been nesting near the boat when we moored up in March.  Delighted to see that they have hatched 4 gorgeous cygnets.  They return to the nest each evening to sleep and most of the day is spent exploring the canal.  

We did our final shop in Daventry, returned to the boat, packed everything away and tidied round ready for leaving the Marina tomorrow morning.

We are booked on the Birmingham Explorer Cruise leaving Birmingham in the middle of May to explore some of the lesser used canals.  There is a group of about 8 boats travelling together with visits to historical places and talks on the history of the canals.  

Saturday 2nd May - Sunset Basin to Long Itchington

Final preparations before we set off, empty rubbish, fill water tank and then we are good to go!

We passed our swans from the Marina, Mum and Dad and the 4 cygnets, they had come quite a long way and were having a quiet moment opposite this boat.

At the Stockton Locks we met another boat, nbGin O’clock, they were heading for The Blue Lias where there was a music festival happening.  It was good to be able to travel side by side between the locks and then share the lock working with their crew.

We parted company at the Blue Lias and continued down the next two locks into Long Itchington.  Walking along the towpath was a troop of Morris Dancers heading for The Two Boats Inn.  Loved their hats, very colourful!  The Earlsdon Morris Dancers perform north west clog dances and are based in Coventry.  The North West Morris style originated during the industrial revolution, particularly in the cotton mill towns of Lancashire in the north west of England. The ordinary working men of the time danced in their everyday clothes - knee breeches and heavy iron shod clogs.  To add colour to their drab costumes, bright sashes were worn and flowers were woven into garlands and placed around the traditional bowler hat.

After mooring up and lunch we went for a walk into Long Itchington.  Unfortunately Toby found a lovely stream which was more silt than water and came out looking like this!  I think it’s time for a shower!

In the village we came across a beer festival in the garden of The Harvester, it was very busy and jolly, everyone enjoying the sunshine on this bank holiday weekend.  After our walk back Toby had his shower and is now a clean dog.

3.25 miles, 10 locks, 2hrs 30mins

Sunday 3rd May - Long Itchington 

Today we have decided to stay put and enjoy a bank holiday.  

We set off for a walk along the disused railway line, now known as The Lias Line Greenway.  We are heading for the bridge in the picture and will turn left over the bridge and see how far we get.

The tarmac path soon turned into a path through the woods, all very picturesque with lots of smells for Toby to explore.

Then we came across more and more trees down and scrambling under and over them became more of a challenge until finally the path disappeared into a swamp and we gave up and headed back to the canal.

We continued along the Greenway towards Long Itchington until the junction with the Millenium Way where we turned right and walked into the village.  Toby didn't like the look of these gates and we had to put him back on the lead to get him through them.

A very narrow bridge over The River Itchen, again keeping Toby on the lead as we didn’t want a repeat of yesterday,  and a very pleasant walk through woods and farmland into the village.

After calling into the village shop for bread and milk we continued on to The Harvester and watched the Morris Men doing one of their clog dances, very noisy and hugely energetic and all great fun!  We treated ourselves to a buffalo burger from Napton Buffalo Farm and I also had a buffalo milk ice cream, quite delicious!

The Coventry Mummers performed ‘St George Play’ in the garden, the first Mummers play I have ever seen.  Coventry Mummers was formed in 1966 to promote the performance, research, study and public awareness of Mummers Plays or 'English Ritual Drama'.

Valentine’s Cruise 2026 - Week 6

 Monday 16th March - Goodacres Bridge to Hawkesbury 

A much nicer day, warmer and with lighter winds.  So, we decided to move onto Hawkesbury Junction.  Dave did most of the driving and he negotiated the left turn back onto the Coventry Canal beautifully.  

As we were approaching our moorings for the night I spotted a sofa in the canal, you do have to ask yourself how it got to be there?  No direct access to a road, did someone carry it and dump it?  I wonder why?

After mooring up and having some lunch, we went for a walk back up the canal to the Newdigate Arm.  It is still in water for a short while and a footpath runs alongside it and then follows the route of the disused railway.  Beside the canal is The Miner’s Welfare Park which is a 1920’s established public space created on reclaimed colliery land to provide recreation for miners and their families.  The wrought iron gates to the park are still in existence.

Good to see the trees beginning to come into bud before the leaves appear.  Spring is definitely on its way.

The end of the Newdigate Arm, the footpath continues as the Coventry Way.

7.25 miles, 0 locks, 2hrs 42mins

Tuesday 17th March - Hawkesbury to All Oak Wood, Brinklow.

Today we left our moorings quite early, stopped to put  on water and then Dave drove round the Hawkesbury Junction turn and I prepared the stop lock back onto the North Oxford Canal.  The stop lock is all of 6 inches, but meant that water levels could be managed between rival canal companies.

A canal side house by Bridge 4 Tusses Bridge.  The garden is littered with remains of cars, vans and caravans, but I wonder how they got there?  There were several old VW Beetles, Ford Cortina, Saab and even a Porsche in the bushes.  Amazing!

We moored up at All Oaks Wood after a very pleasant cruise and after lunch we walked into the village of Brinklow.  The village sign even has a narrowboat going under a bridge, signifying the time when the canal used to pass through Brinklow.

The view from the top of The Tump is spectacular with a 360 degree view of the whole of the county of Warwickshire.

Brinklow was a timber castle built as part of William the Conqueror’s northern campaigns in 1069 but it was needed as a defensive site for a relatively short period and hence was never reconstructed in stone as happened at nearby Warwick castle.  Locally the site is known as ‘The Tump’.  It is unusual as it has two enclosures with double ditches.

8 miles, 1 lock, 2hrs 54mins

Wednesday 18th March - Easenhall Lane to Kent Road Bridge 69

Today we left Brinklow and headed towards Hillmorton.  A lovely sunny day with a real feel of spring in the air.

Newbold Tunnel, wide enough for 2 narrowboats to pass, it has passageways both sides of the canal although the one on the left is gated and no longer in use.

We eventually arrived at a quiet mooring just before Hillmorton Visitor Moorings below the locks.  We moored up for the night and Toby and I walked on into Hillmorton.

7miles, 0 locks 1 tunnel, 2hrs 36mins

Thursday 19th March - Kent Road Bridge 69 to Bridge 103 “Green Sheds”

The next morning we climbed up the three Hillmorton Locks and headed towards Braunston.  We were blessed again with beautiful weather making the last few days of this cruise a real joy.

Following the contours of the canal, the church spire in Braunston seems to move around, this is a good shot of the church and the windmill to the left.  Once in Braunston we turned right under the wrought iron bridge and headed out towards the “green sheds”.

We moored at our favourite spot, but the tree has been cut down, so it looks a little different.  The “green sheds” can be seen in the distance.

The weather was fine enough to sit out on our chairs for lunch and enjoy the afternoon sunshine.

In front of us was nbShear Maddness, they sell go-kart tyres as fenders.  We already have two which we salvaged from various canals, but they are getting very squishy now so we decided to buy 2 new ones.

10.25 miles, 3 locks, 4hrs 18mins

Friday 20th March - Bridge 103 “Green Sheds” to Ventnor Marina Sunset Basin

The final day of this cruise, a gentle cruise down to Napton Junction, right turn onto The Grand Union Canal and the final 3 locks at Calcutt.

This is the entrance to Sunset Basin where we have our new mooring.  Turned right and right again onto the service pontoon where we filled up with diesel and bought a replacement gas bottle.  Then a gentle reverse into the new mooring.

The resident swans have built a nest behind our pontoon, the female is sitting prettily on the nest whilst her mate keeps an eye on her and the surroundings.  They didn’t seem too worried about Toby and to be fair, he wasn’t too bothered by them either.

Here is Ella between the silver boat and the blue boat, second one in from the left.  We have a lovely view of the open water from the front of the boat and also the sunset at the end of the day.

From the front of the boat the sun is setting on this cruise.  We are returning to Worcester for about 6 weeks and our next cruise in May, will be exploring the waterways of Birmingham.

4miles, 3 locks, 2hrs 12mins