Another week goes by!

Where does the time go? Wednesday last week we were at Fazeley Junction having our first engine service – and now we are at Braunston!

Right then, what happened this week? We left Fazeley Junction on Thursday after Mark and Rachel spent a good few hours with us servicing the engine and making a few minor adjustments.

We passed the turning to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal – we will do that another time!

It wasnt long before we reached our only locks for today – Glascote.

The Little Chimney Company boat and butty had just come down, so they were set for us.

We passed a house with amazing plants outside – they were plastic!

We only managed to get to the Samuel Barlow/Alvecote Marina and the heavens opened, so we decided to stop and wait out the rain – by the time it stopped we decided it was too late to move on, so stayed for the night.

Friday saw us moving on, passing the multi-coloured pit wheel by Polesworth.

We passed some strange looking ducks -

 

And the Virgin train sped past reminding us of the “real world”!

We found the water point below Atherstone locks – so of course we had to fill up!

Atherstone was our first proper long lock flight, so we decided to try out the electric drive to save fuel.

We started up the flight at 12.30 and reached the top at 3 pm. We only used 2% of our electric power in all that time, and Gary enjoyed the silence whilst traveling and waiting in the locks – which meant he could chat very easily to the people that asked how the boat was so quiet!

We stopped at the top of the flight for some restorative fish and chips, and to wait out the rain showers, and then decided to move out into the country and moored for the night at Hartshill Green.

We have been staying put for the weekends so far, but decided to keep moving this weekend so that we could get onto the Oxford Canal to meet up with family.

As we passed through Nuneaton, Muleless decided to do an impression of “Free Willy” as we passed over “something” in the canal – we really did nearly leap out of the water as we ran over the obstruction and slipped off sideways! This was just after bridge 21, travelling south! Watch out if passing that way!

We started breathing easier again when we left Nuneaton behind!

We passed the turning to the Ashby Canal – another one to do later!

We have only done this stretch of the Oxford canal one other time (there and back) whilst one one of our hire boat weeks, so as we approached Hawkesbury Junction and saw the water point, we thought we would stop to fill up (!) and check out the junction at the same time!

For anyone that doesnt know this junction, it is a complete “U” turn, in front of a pub, and straight into the stop lock! Gary was confident he could manage the turn in one go, so he set off, and I nipped up to the junction to take pictures and ready the lock!

Gary made a brilliant job of the turn, and we were soon through the stop lock and on our way.

The family had decided to walk down the canal to meet us and were waiting at Bridge No. 5 – unfortunately the canal was too shallow at that point to pick them up – so they had to walk back up the canal until we found a point that we could get the bow of the boat near the bank so that the younger members – Riley (who wasnt feeling well) and Freddy could come aboard with their Nan (Yvonne) to save their legs!

We managed to find a mooring at Ansty Bridge, as the family were parked there and we decided to go for dinner and a drink in the Rose and Castle, after the youngsters were taken home!

Next morning, whilst I was in the shower, Gary discovered the local swan had a liking for soapy water – and decided to have a shower too!

As it was a lovely sunny day, but we were moored in the shade, we decided to move on to find a nice open spot to spend the day. We moved about a mile and found the perfect spot – so I soon had some washing out!

Although we were fairly close to the railway line, it was a lovely spot to do some washing down and (later, when it cooled down) some polishing of the boat!

After all, we do have to keep up with “Chance”!

Monday saw us on the move again,  passing under the M6 – all those poor people rushing about!

Then we did our impression of “African Queen” as we passed through some rather overgrown stretches of canal!

We stopped for water (!) at Stretton Stop and were closely watched by a couple of residents.

We moved on, with our eyes peeled – looking for some fellow bloggers that we knew were around here somewhere!

We passed through our first tunnel – Newbold – shame about the coloured lights mostly being out!

At the moorings just past the water point (no we didnt stop to fill up again), we spotted Waiouru – and decided to moor there ourselves for lunch and pop along to say hello.

Whilst we were eating lunch, Tom had spotted us, and popped down to invite us for a cup of tea, so as soon as we were sorted out, we walked down to pay a visit to Tom and Jan.

We spent a very pleasant couple of hours chatting about all things boat – toilets, builders, batteries etc and Tom and Jan seemed impressed with our battery capacity!

As darkness was falling, we left and returned to cook dinner on our electric appliances!

Next morning when we pulled away, we spotted Jan at the side hatch, but no sign of Tom – thanks for a pleasant afternoon guys, and if we dont see you for a whilst have a good winter!

We decided not to stop for shopping in Tesco, as the moorings at Brownsover were full, so we continued on to Hillmorton Locks, where we found a water point!

As I said earlier, we have been this way before a long time ago, but neither of us remembered the twin locks at Hillmorton! But we glided through again on electric drive – Gary is really getting the hang of it now!

We pottered on, making fairly good time, promising ourselves a drink when we arrived at our destination, when we passed this boat! What a brilliant name – and thought!

Just round the bend was a familiar sight – even if we were more used to seeing it from the road than the canal!

We had reached Braunston! During the summer we remember people saying that there was loads of mooring space free – but not today – it was choc-a-bloc!

We ended up turning round in the Marina and just as we passed the Gongoozlers Rest we spotted a free space that someone must just have left – so we nipped in and moored up!

Here we are right up the top of the picture – just past the water point!

We decided to stay at Braunston for a couple of days, so Wednesday morning we treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast at the Gongoozlers Rest – they were very busy, so we had to wait a whilst, but it was worth it.

We then had a walk up to the Co-op and butcher to stock up, and after unpacking the shopping decided to walk up to the locks and tunnel – as we have never been through them on a boat but will be doing them sometime soon we are sure.

We were just about to set off, when a passing boater stopped to ask about the hybrid system (we have a magnetic sticker inside the cratch and he had spotted it as he walked by). We had a quick chat, then walked up passed the water point where his wife was just packing away the hose, and we realised the boat was The Cats Whiskers – so stopped to say that we read their blog, and just then there was a blast on a horn and Free Spirit swept by – they pulled in to chat to the crew of The Cats Whiskers and we left on our walk. Unfortunately when we returned they had both moved on and we didnt get a photo.

The lock flight and the Admiral Nelson pub looked quite attractive, but we decided to wait until we were actually doing the flight to stop for a drink.

We have to stay at Braunston to wait for an engineer from Beta, as we have been experiencing some problems with the diesel engine not running smoothly, so we probably wont move on until Thursday afternoon (after pulling back on to the water point of course first!!).

Where did that week go?

I had intended to blog twice a week – I think it might take a whilst to get into the habit!

So what has happened this week?

Last Tuesday night we were moored by Spode House, so on Wednesday our first stop was the water tap! (I see a pattern emerging here!) After a quick fill up we plodded on towards Rugely – passing the power station, which looked a bit grey and ominous.

We moored at Rugely town centre to do some shopping in Morrisons – the new Tescos didnt look open yet.

We  pottered on and headed for the aquaduct over the River Trent after the sharp right bend!

We moored up at Wolseley Bridge for the night – along with loads of other boats!

During the evening there was a load “crack” and the sound of a tree crashing down – everyone rushed out of their boats and we discovered a very large branch had broken off of the tree in the left of the picture above and was still caught in some of the branches – but was looking very precarious! Boats were shuffled along and a gap was left opposite the tree – just in case! But in the morning the branch hadnt moved – keep an eye out for it if you are mooring there!

Thursday saw us moving on towards Great Heywood Junction – we found this “floating garden” along the way!

Of course, we cant pass a water point without stopping – so we paused to fill up and then carried on up the Trent and Mersey, passing Great Heywood Marina, and Hoo Mill Lock and then mooring up just past Bridge 77 – our destination for this first leg of our great adventure.

We walked over the railway footbridge towards Hixon – and found our destination – Nick Thorpe Boat Building – We had promised Nick and Wendy when we saw them at Crick that we would bring the boat up for them to see!

There was plenty to see in the workshop – both a wide beam and a narrowboat, both sailaways, just about finished. Nick is then expecting the steel for his next build – another boat for MGM!

Nick and Wendy came over to the boat and had a look around and stayed for a natter – by then it was 6pm so we decided to stay put for the night.

On Friday there was a change of direction. Since we had reached our destination, we had to turn around, so just after bridge 78 we found the winding hole (turning point) and made our first turn!

First you put the nose of the boat into the winding hole and then pivot on this point bring the back end right round – easy – not!!!

Gary concentrating hard – and doing a fabulous turn! Well done!

So having travelled 39 miles from Shardlow, we now started to head back!

We decided to pop into Great Heywood Marina for a (toilet tank) pump out, so had to negotiate the tight entrance!

Phew! We did fit – but then once we were done, we had to get out again too!!

With an empty loo tank, we just needed one more thing – a full water tank – so again we stopped to fill up with water at Great Heywood Junction, and then slipped down the lock and found a mooring just a bit futher down, overlooking Shugborough Hall where we could stay for the weekend!

Lots of boats arrived during the afternoon and by Saturday morning there wasnt a mooring spot to be had!

We picked a nice spot in the sun, so that I could hang some washing out – but after a while discovered we were on a bit of a tilt, so had to let the boat move away from the edge a bit to stay level!

We had a walk up to the Canalside Farm Shop, but didnt buy anything and whilst we were out managed to get to the other side of the canal to get a good picture of our mooring.

Gary had to hold the bushes out of the way for me to take the picture!

The weather was fantastic again – Sunday was sunny and hot all day!

Monday we moved off again, the batteries needed a good charge up, so after another quick shopping stop in Rugeley, this time trying out the new Tesco, and stopping for lunch whilst we filled the water tank, we thought we would do a full day cruising and go all the way to Fradley Junction.

We had hoped to be able to moor above Shadehouse Lock, but unfortunately the moorings were full. We moved on to the Junction and turned onto the Coventry Canal, hoping to stop there – but again the moorings were full – apart from the odd half a boat gap being left between boats. We tried to pull in on the end, but the bank had collapsed into the canal and we couldnt get close enough to moor – so with dark falling we had no choice but to move on.

Luckily we found space on some armco  below bridge 90 and pulled in as the light was fading in front of “Comfortably Numb”.

Tuesday we were on a mission to get to Fazeley Junction, so that Mark from MGM could come to do our first engine service.

The Coventry canal is not new territory for us, but we dont know it as well as the Trent and Mersey, and we havent travelled it for a few years.

We passed Huddlesford Junction (where hopefully the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal will be restored one day).

We passed some nice spots on the way through.

We reached Fazeley at about 2pm – just in time for lunch!

After lunch, we walked around to the CRT Office and water point, whilst checking where Mark could park his van to come and do the service. Here we are moored at Fazeley – where there arent many boats moored at the moment.

Getting used to the slow pace!

We have been moving along at about 5 miles a day – what a difference to driving a car at 60 miles an hour!

On friday we left Willington, stopping first to top up with water and dispose of rubbish.

We are getting used to the hybrid system now, and when motoring along with the diesel engine the hybrid turns into a generator to charge up our huge battery bank!

Since leaving MGMs yard we only run the engine when we are travelling (even if we only do a couple of miles) and havent had a problem with power – even though we have an induction hob, electric oven, electric kettle,  fridge, freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer which are all being used on a daily basis – not to mention the TV and DVD player that have been getting a fair bit of use!

Whilst motoring towards Burton we were looking out for Bruce and Sheila on Sanity Again as we knew they were on their way back to Mercia, and low and behold we passed them!

We thoroughly enjoyed motoring along the Trent and Mersey Canal in our own boat – we have travelled it countless times in hire boats!

We stopped just before the first narrow lock and settled down to a cozy evening in with a couple of drinks!

Saturday saw us moving on through Burton and passing through the first of the narrow locks in our own boat – it seemed so different to doing it in a hire boat!

As you can see, the sun was out and it was T-shirt weather! Lovely.

We decided to stop at Branston Water Park for the weekend, and since the sun was shining I put out some washing!

We had a thoroughly lazy weekend, Gary wiped down the boat, I did even more washing, and we went for a walk around the water park – something we have never done as we had always motored on by before! We rounded off the weekend with a roast beef dinner – and still the batteries were fine!

Monday started off a bit drizzly and grey, but by the time we moved off the drizzle had stopped and although the sun didnt come out, it was still quite pleasant motoring along!

We passed more of our holiday boating landmarks -

Tatenhill Lock – such an attractive setting!

“Chicken Bridge” (so called by our Shakespeare friends as so many new hirers were too “chicken” to go through!)

And Alrewas River Section

In Alrewas we found a nice spot to moor up – just before the water point!

We decided to visit Coates the Butcher to try out his wares – everyone seems to rate his meat, hopefully this will prove correct.

We treated ourselves to dinner in the George and Dragon and returned to the boat thoroughly full and settled down to watch TV – using the aerial recommended by Doug and James – it is fab – barely needs lifting on its pole or moving about to find a signal!

This morning as we left Alrewas, the sun started to peep out again, making our journey really pleasant. We headed on to Fradley – passing Percy on his mooring!

Through Fradley, a constant stream of boats at just the right moment meant that we passed through really easily – and  without queuing!

The last lock of the day – Woodend, meant easy cruising for a couple of hours.

We had intended to moor by the Plum Pudding – but a hire boat was stuck in the middle – so we moved on through Armitage tunnel and moored opposite Spode House having given the batteries a good charge today!

Moving at a snails pace!

Well, after our massive trip on Saturday all the way from Thurmaston to Shardlow in 10 hours – we have now moved 10 miles in 5 days!

We stayed in Shardlow on Sunday and only pulled pins on Monday about mid-day after being ready to go – and then it rained, so we had a cuppa instead!

Our first trip was all of 500 yards to the water point, where the tap seemed to be on a go slow and we didnt leave there for another hour!

Then, as it was quite windy, and we were in no rush, after going through the lock we decided to pull over and moor again. A total journey of 3/4 mile!

Tuesday we decided to get some miles under our belt and moved through two locks and stopped at Swakestone just as it started to rain.

Wednesday was bright and sunny but quite breezy, so after doing the last two big double locks on the Trent and Mersey, we moored just outside Mercia Marina – phew!

Today we have stayed put to wait out the rain and to visit our friends Donna and Steve who run Shakespeare Classic Line Canal Boats – we became Shakespeare Groupies when hiring from them 4 times in one year whilst our own boat was in the planning stages!

We are currently sitting in The Dragon Pub in Willington using the free Wi-fi but having to pay for the drinks!! Must get the wi-fi sorted!

And I promise to get some better pictures to include on the blog!

We are back!!

In two ways – back on the blog and back on the canals at last!!

In the time since I last blogged we have been at MGM boatyard having snagging and teething problems sorted, moving out from our rented flat and becoming water gypsies with no fixed abode, and having our bespoke furniture made and delivered.

So where shall I start – here are a few pictures of inside the boat now we have the furnishings and all our bits sorted out.

This is our bespoke furniture – it may look like a sofa, but it is in fact two separate chairs with cushions (and storage under the seats), that we can move or turn as required and  a coffee table/foot stool with flip top containing cushion. This was designed by us and built by Martin of MGM Boats and upholstered by Darren at Whalin Upholstery. They have done a grand job!!

Just as we were planning to leave MGM, who should turn up but Doug and James on Chance for some work to be done.

They gave us some hints and tips for boating off of the River Soar and waved us off on Saturday morning – whilst taking pictures for their blog of course!

Having had our wrists slapped for not blogging for a month (or polishing the boat to James’ standard), we made an effort to clean the boat before departure and take some pictures of our “great escape” off the River Soar back to the safety of the Trent and Mersey Canal before the promised bad weather on Sunday.

We were ably assisted on our journey by Garys Sister Yvonne and her husband Roy and their dog Tilly, without whom we would not have made it off the river in one day.

Here are some pictures of our journey.

and finally arriving on the Trent and Mersey Canal at last!

As we passed through Sawley Cut, we were reminded of our canal beginnings 15 years ago – yes it was us on one of those “Canaltime” boats all those years ago – please forgive us!!

We are now moored at Shardlow, I am writing this during a heavy downpour – how glad are we that we made it all the way yesterday!

Just off to the pub now to use the free wifi to post this blog.

We promise to keep it up now!

The Shake Down Cruise at Last!

Sorry for the delay in posting – we have been so busy moving on board and getting all the last minute bits sorted we havent had time to sort out the new computer so that we can post the blog.

Just a quick post with a couple of pictures today to test everything is working and to let you see Muleless on the water!

A sigh of relief as we start cruising at last!

Making our way down the River Soar.

 

Our first nights mooring spot  at Barrow on Soar, just before Barrow Deep Lock.

I will post more details and photos later!