Coventry and beyond

As we had arrived in the basin quite late, we decided to treat ourselves to a takeaway. So after sorting out the boat we headed off looking for food!

We headed towards the town centre, it was just starting to get dark and after a very quick look, we decided we were too tired to explore further and headed back to the Kebab shop we had passed.

The next morning, after changing our mooring slightly, we had a quick look around the basin before heading off.

Our first destination was the Transport Museum (free entry!!) Gary would have spent hours in there!

It was interesting and we also went on the simulator for the Thrust SSC World Land Speed Record – I’m glad I wasnt in the real thing!!

They also had a huge display of toy cars and a fantastic model railway – something to aspire to Terry!!

After all that transport, we were in need of lunch, so headed off to the Wetherspoons we had found.

The next item on the agenda was a trip to the top of the tower of the Cathedral!

Gary was amazed that I made it to the top – the small spiral staircase seemed to go on for ever!!

We really should have taken the binoculars!!

Back at the bottom (phew!!) we had a look round the old and new buildings.

We then had a wander around the shops – just to see what was there!!

Totally exhausted we made our way back to the boat for the evening.

It is only 48 hrs mooring in the basin, so having decided that it was worth the journey and we could return at another time, we did the usual services and left the basin.

We retraced our steps back up the canal, this time I remembered to take a photo of Cash’s Houses.

I noticed a strange phenomenon along the canal – rubbish filled carrier bags hanging on the fence – and only one rubbish bin!

As we passed Swan Lane Wharf and had a good look in we saw Steam Narrowboat Hasty on its mooring.

As we passed the allotments we spotted this comfy fishing spot!

We had decided to stop at Tescos for some shopping, so pulled in on the “unofficial” mooring spot!

We were soon on our way again, and no sooner had we pulled away than fuel boat Auriga was heading towards us.

As we were still passing the mooring rings, we took the opportunity to top up the main diesel tank – only first we managed to get something round the prop and were stranded mid canal as Auriga approached.

Auriga passed us slowly and tried to push us to the side, and as Gary put Muleless in reverse the obstruction moved and we were able to gently make it to the side to tie up and fill up!

The prop seemed clear, so we were then able to carry on. We were soon passing under the last bridge – phew we had made it out with barely any problems!

We then turned right onto the Oxford canal, and for a change I was still on the boat!

Of course I then had to get off to work the stop lock! Gosh a lock – we hadnt done one of those for four weeks!

Just round the bend there was a nice spot – so we moored up for the night!

Now we were back on the Oxford Canal our destination (eventually) was Banbury – one last visit this year before the stoppages!

We moved on this now familiar bit of canal and once again moored by the golf course at Ansty.

Whilst we were there, Gary spotted some engineering trains! (Sleepers for a track renewal and auto-hoppers of ballast)

The next night we moored by All Oaks Wood, were it was very busy and we only just squeezed in.

As we moved on the next day we passed Brinklow Marina.

Chance and Oakapple were both in there somewhere!

Just a bit further on we went through Newbold Tunnel, and stopped straight after it to fill with water, and whilst we were there a boat came through the tunnel – guess who!

NB Oakapple with Richard and Sharon!! They thought we were still in Coventry as the blog is so far behind!!

After a quick chat, we changed our immediate plans, and agreed to meet them at Hillmorton for a proper catch up!

We were soon full, so were on our way behind them, squeezing through between workboats and dredgers that were working along that stretch!

We caught up with Oakapple just before Clifton Cruisers – we thought they had a problem – but it was only that they had stopped to collect some floating fenders – we think Richard has a fender fetish, they are always collecting them!

We were soon moored up together at Hillmorten, and the chairs were deployed on the towpath and drinks were poured!

A rare photo taken with the timer!

After a great afternoon, we retired to our respective boats for dinner, and then reconvened on Oakapple for more chat and refreshment!

 

A brilliant evening – thanks again to Richard and Sharon.

A detour and then in to Coventry!

The plan had been to head straight down into Coventry when leaving the Ashby Canal, but after mooring just before Hawkesbury Junction and having a small breakage with our shower shampoo dispenser, and realising that it was Friday (and not wanting to head into Coventry at the weekend!), we had to turn round and head north towards Atherstone!

Just before the Ashby Canal junction, we came across this sunken boat that hadnt been there just the day before!

As we headed through Nuneaton we took it really carefully – we didnt want a repeat of our “free willy” impression that we did almost a year ago when we first headed south!

We found a nice spot just above Nuneaton to moor overnight.

The next day we moved on to Atherstone and moored at the top of the locks. We didnt explore here on the way down, so had a good look round this time, and discovered there are two large Co-op stores in the town! How strange for a small town!

The next morning our “neighbours” had a fuel delivery and NB Auriga got very friendly with Muleless again!

We had to go right to the top of the locks to turn round and fill with water, we wont be heading down the Atherstone flight this year!

We then headed back to our nice spot just north of Nuneaton – only someone was moored there and we had to moor just round the corner!

The next day we headed back through Nuneaton. There are a lot of new build houses right next to the canal, and a lot of them are making use of their canal connection!

We then spotted what might have caused our “free willy” impression last year – you can see the shape of a boat bow in it!

Just below Nuneaton we moored by Bridge 16.

The next day we made the dangerous journey on foot to the Bermuda Business Park, where we had to collect our replacement shampoo dispenser from the Bathstore there! Mission accomplished, we also checked out where the Odeon Cinema was, just in case we needed it in future!

Back at the boat we pulled pins and set off towards Hawkesbury Junction again!

After stopping to fill the water tank we finally headed down the canal in towards Coventry, by now the time was 3.30pm!

It is 5 1/2 miles down into Coventry, and as it was now Wednesday we wanted to have all day Thursday to look around before heading back out on Friday – still avoiding the weekend!

This was totally new territory for us!

Just on the first bend we passed these nice little marina type moorings.

Then we were heading under the M6!

There is a good towpath all along the canal, and also some unusual “comfy” seating – a concrete settee!

The natives were eyeing us up – but they seemed friendly!

There are a lot of quite new flats, not far from the Ricoh Arena.

Just through the next bridge there is a stretch of mooring rings – right opposite the Ricoh Arena, and Arena Park Shopping Centre, access from that bridge.

At the end of that section, just before the next bridge is the “unofficial” Tesco mooring site – as there is armco, but no rings! Access to Tesco over the bridge – or you can reach it from the previous bridge if you moor that end!

Just down the next stretch there is a lot of building works going on – and since receiving a stoppage notice from CRT we now know that Persimmon Homes are working here – they will be demolishing this bridge (7a) between 3 Nov and 14 Dec with the canal and towpath closed!

Round the bend, it turns very industrial for a short stretch.

The canal now runs next to a very main road, but it is the other side of a line of bushes. Opposite the bushes are joined by a variety of very large leafed ivy.

The canal passes under several road bridges – the main one is more like a tunnel!

and several of them have this strange sculpture – eventually I realised it was a “map” of the canal into Coventry!

We passed Swan Lane Wharf, and despite the lovely blue sky, it started to get chilly as the wind blew and clouds started to move in.

At this point one side of the canal is industrial, and on the other is housing – complete with floating plywood sheet!

As we got to the last mile, we spied this huge renovated office building

and just before the bridge an interesting sculpture – complete with local art!

A bit further on we passed lots of new student accommodation – though they didnt all have a clear view out of the windows!

Opposite is another large housing development area.

Dont know what broke these windows opposite though!

A lot of the buildings here have been renovated for the University.

This snazzy new bridge crosses the canal here.

More newish flats – right opposite the current building site and show home.

Round the last bend and the entrance to the basin is in sight.

A tight squeeze – and we are through!

We turned round and reversed on to a nice spot – joining quite a few other boats in the basin!

Arrived at last at 6pm!