We are leaving our marina and heading out towards Calcutt Marina where we can put on diesel. We would normally put diesel on in our own marina but it is closed today so we are locking up two of the Calcutt Locks to put diesel on across the canal!
This is Chris who filled the boat with diesel and helped us get wood and kindling. She was very helpful and cheerful and sent us on our way with a big smile. She is pushing us off the wharf side so that we could make a 180 degree turn and head back down the two locks.
Dave is working us down the Stockton Locks, although there are very grey skies it didn’t actually rain on us which was a real bonus.
My turn now, working these locks is as good as a gym workout!
Beside each of the wide locks there is a narrow lock which is derelict. The narrow chambers beside the wide locks at the Stockton flight (on the Grand Union Canal) are the remains of the original 18th-century narrow locks, which were replaced during a 1930s modernisation project. The wide locks (or "double locks") were built alongside them to allow for more efficient commercial traffic, specifically for wide-beam boats or to allow two narrowboats to lock through together.
In the afternoon we went for a walk across a very boggy field into Long Itchington to post some letters at the Coop. This is the Church of the Holy Trinity which dates back to the late 12th century and was restored in 1928.
3.25 miles, 10 locks, 3hrs
Tuesday 10th February - Long Itchington to Radford Semele
Dave and Toby both ready to set off for our cruise today. Weather was drizzly so plenty of wet weather gear on.
We got to the top of the Bascote Staircase locks where there is a lovely lock keepers house with a boat moored outside. There was a boat coming up the locks and we thought we could work the staircase together to save water, but the other boat owner wasn’t prepared to do this so we had to wait until they were through.
One of our first sightings of catkins this year. This is the Hazel tree which has catkins in February, long, soft and golden yellow, they hang in clusters.
Beside the locks just as you come into Radford Semele there is a raised bed which has been provided by the Primary School in the village. Although not much there at the moment there is evidence of various herbs and will be a delightful source of fresh herbs in the summer.
We moored up opposite the church on the hill in the village and Toby and I went for a walk along the towpath. These bushes were just coming into bud, little white buds against the grey skies reflected in the canal.
5.2 miles, 10 locks, 4hrs 24mins
Wednesday 11th February - Radford Semele to Jephersson’s Farm Bridge
A short cruise to moor in Leamington Spa. We found a lovely Portuguese Cafe and Deli on the way into the town centre and enjoyed coffee and a Pastel de nata. We also treated ourselves to a lovely blanket for the lounge area.
On the way back we stopped in Pump House garden where Toby could have a run around off the lead. Lovely snowdrops and the unmistakeable scent of winter jasmine, heavenly!
We then continued on until we reached the moorings before the Avon Aqueduct where we tied up for the night.
2.5 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 24mins
Thursday 12th February - Avon Aqueduct to Cape Top Lock, Warwick
This was taken from our mooring, Jephssons Farm Bridge. Not sure if this related to the gardens in Leamington.
This is the aqueduct over the River Avon. The Warwickshire Avon extends from the source of the river Avon, east of the town of Rugby, to its confluence with the river Severn near Tewkesbury.
We passed under the road bridge near the Tesco supermarket and pulled up for a short stop to do a quick top up of food. When I saw this photo it looked like we were coming out of a tunnel, but no just a wide bridge on a sharp bend.
This used to be another outlet for Kate Boats at Stockton but the signage now suggests that it is Warwickshire Narrowboat Hire. The boats all looked very new and shiny!
Just two locks to take us up to the moorings near the Cape of Good Hope pub where we moored up for the night.
1.75 miles, 2 locks, 1hr 12mins
Friday 13th February - Cape Locks to Hatton Top Lock Visitor Moorings
Today we are going up the Hatton Locks and have arranged for a group of volunteer lock keepers to help us up the flight. As the forecast is for cold temperature and rain we have dressed accordingly - 2 coats with 2 layers underneath!
We are approaching the bottom lock of 21 locks. Dave is going to do the first 5 locks and then we shall swap over. Our volunteers arrived as we were coming up through the lock, well timed!
This was Ron who has been volunteering for about 10 years and uses a bike to cycle between the locks. The flight stretches over 2 miles so it is a great way to keep fit, either walking or cycling.
At the beginning of the flight, the locks are well spaced with a decent walk between them, but eventually they become much closer and begin to look rather like a staircase. The pounds between the locks are short with just enough room to pass another boat, but today we didn't pass any boats.
Tony and Anne were our other two lock keepers and saw us all the way up to the top of the flight. They were very friendly and said that if they were available they would be happy to help us on our return journey.
This is the inside of The Hatton Cafe, very cosy and a welcome stop after working the locks. We treated ourselves to bacon baps and cake! Once out of the top lock we moored up on the Visitor Moorings just as the rain set in fr the rest of the day.
Relaxing on the sofa with Toby and the new blanket, very cosy!
2.75 miles, 21 locks, 3hrs 24mins
Saturday 14th February - Hatton Top Lock to Tom o’ the Wood Visitor Moorings.
A beautiful start to the day, bright blue sky with shining yellow sun, such a rare sighting!Dave drove the boat whilst I tidied up and tried to deal with the dust created by muddy footprints!
Approaching Shrewley Tunnel, one of the wettest tunnels in the area and after all this rain, it was the wettest we had ever seen it. Dave navigated his way through the tunnel and fortunately he could see that there was nothing in the tunnel.
We arrived at our chosen mooring and moored before the bridge in order to make the most of the sunshine on the solar panels.
We decided to go for a walk whilst the sun was shining and walked the road between the Grand Union Canal and the Stratford Canal. A robin entertained us, singing heartily as we stood and listened.
The Lock cottage beside the lock has recently had a new roof, keeping the barrel roof and making the thing look a lot smarter.
We continued walking until we got to the junction back on the Grand Union Canal. Two boats met at the junction, neither sounded a horn and they only just managed to avoid a head on collision!
4.25 miles, 0 locks, 1 tunnel 1hr 35mins
Sunday 15th February - Tom o’ the Woods.
We woke to very persistent rain and decided that we would stay and sit out the rain. By early afternoon there was a break in the clouds and we went for a walk. The goats on the other side of the canal had taken advantage of the lull and come out of their shelters.
We walked along the canal to the first bridge which goes up to the Navigation Inn which appears to be closed from about August last year. All boarded up and advertising for a new tenant.
As we were returning we spotted a boat coming under the bridge, the second one today. We also saw two more whilst we were having lunch.
As we walked back to the boat the heavens opened and it rained once again. As you can see the towpaths are just a line of very muddy puddles!
Later on in the evening the sun did come out, a super shot of the pub highlighted by the setting sun’s rays.
