Doing the distance

We did not move on Sunday and enjoyed a roast lunch before joining the Coventry canal. Then we were slightly ahead of schedule having got past the Nuneaton rubbish and down the Atherstone flight on Monday.

The lock keepers house is up for sale here and perhaps CRT should ask any buyer to become a volunteer! At least the locks are easier to operate than those on the Oxford. After a quick dash to the Co-op by Watling Street, John helped us down to Bradley Green. He and Rosemarie from Devon Maid first met us before we got on the Thames earlier in the year.

While mentioning friends it has surprised us how many we have met on our journey north. Even before we set off Jill and Graham from Armadillo said hello to me at Banbury. While at Cropredy we met Dave and Georgina. When we got to Braunston Dave n Lyn paid a visit. Then at Rugby our friends John n Militza on Mud Skipper were seen. At Ansty there was Reg n Elaine on Relaine.

Just past the locks at Glascote there was Knot Normal with Mark and Margaret on board. Mark is a boat fitter who helped us with modifications on Moore To Life, our second boat.

Vegetation over growth is just as bad on the Coventry as it is on the Oxford canal. Our journey through Hopwas was a one-way street what with shallow edges, overhanging trees, bushes at bends, and blind bridges. Going slow was the only option to avoid possible head on collisions. The occasional moored boat forced us to travel on the wrong side with no room to pass.

The two bridges

You know, those two north of Braunston on the Oxford. Been left damaged for years but now at last work to mend them both has started. Not just Canal & River Trust but also Waterway Recovery Group are working on them. The foundations have been dug out and filled with concrete. Vegetation has been cut back so you can see round what were blind bends as you approach.

 The bridge back in 2009

 Rebuild in progress in 2012

A clear view

Over the top

The new marina at Cropredy is being dug out with huge machines. There is a lot to do to get it open by early next year.

Rock n Roll met us here for tea and a chat. Then they followed us up the Claydon flight of locks. With several boats coming down most locks were ready for us, so we got up quickly. Ann would lift a bottom paddle to prepare the lock for Rock n Roll but George was often there already. At the top we moved on a bit but realized they had stopped for the day. So we said our good byes on the phone. They were a day early for leaving their boat at Fenny Compton while we needed diesel there. 

 We passed Nuneaton towing Brighton with a broken rudder!

Then we went on to that mast and stopped for the night lit the fire and set up the TV. Found the signal easily pointing northwest for Birmingham. Thankfully it then rained over night and we were off again next day in sunshine. Heading down the Napton flight with boats coming up. Many boaters were coming up, some more helpful than others. Presumably heading to Banbury for the weekend gathering.

We are pushing ourselves on, doing about 5 hours a day. Trying to meet up with Sue n Vic and to get past some of the stoppages up north. We have reached Braunston. That for us is the start and end place for our travels, but it is full of boats and we were lucky to find a mooring for the night.

Am I on a promise ?

Ann is back with me after going south to see the grand children and family. I have cleaned the pad and now look forward to a real roast dinner on Sunday.

While at Banbury I got John the engineer to check over our fuel system. He cleaned the water trap, changed the fuel filter, tightened up the greasy gland and changed the alternator belt. The fuel system was clean this time. The belt had been squeeking a bit despite being tight enough. Must be at least 2 years ago since we had a 110 amp alternator fitted and a new belt then.

We have now moved up a few locks to Cropredy with Rock n Roll not far behind. A new marina has just started to be dug out here, to be open early next year. On Sunday the site is open for inspection and we may go to see what it is like. Boater's facilities will be available including diesel. At least private enterprise is still trying to improve our lot on the canals.

It is such a shame that so much government money (taxes from us) has gone down the weirs into the pockets of 'fat cats' in government employ. Now that a charity is 'in control' they are appealing to the public to help pay for damage caused in the main from lack of maintenance. Do the public care? Why be a friend if you are still not sure where the funds are going.

As boaters I am sure that our costs will rise, hopefully to pay for more maintenance. It is in our own interest that we pay a bit more. Perhaps boaters should pay for damage caused by them. After all we are obliged to have insurance to cover any claim.

It is quite noticeable how much damage boaters going too fast have done. The canal banks are falling in and bridges damaged. The 'Health n Safety' brigade will have a fit if they walked the Oxford canal towpath.

Moore pictures

I have uploaded more pictures to Picasa.  They are 800 x 500 so are bigger than those on our Blog.  See our website for slide show pictures of the Thames and Middle levels.

River Wey pictures

I have just added pictures of the river Wey to our collection in Moore 2 Life website.  Go to the River section and click on Wey.  I have put the pictures in Picasa so that they are presented in a slide show. Captions to be added.

Stopping for a while

We have arrived at Banbury so that Ann can head of on the train for her medicals and another chance to stay with the grand kids. The fridge is full of ready meals for me. I can do some cooking so have plenty of fresh veg to add. I must not forget to feed Molly and she will be taking me out for walks!

TV reception has failed us here since we have lost our sat dish in the Thames. Most boaters here have difficulty because there are so many trees. Our spiky aerial has been pointed in all directions and the TV retuned several times without success.

Ann is off for a walk with Molly

I have plenty to do updating the contents of our web site with the new pictures taken while on the Thames and Wey. I can listen to my music and watch a few DVD's again.

Our journey back on the southern Oxford Canal has reminded us how bad it has got. There is just too much vegetation that blocks the view ahead. It will take a lot of effort for Canal And River Trust to CART it all away! They know that the weather conditions have caused rapid growth so why not get on and cut it back. More donations and volunteers please. Most locks at this end of the canal have huge single bottom gates that are heavy to open. Luckily some willing walkers helped Ann open them.

A review

A look back over the last few months that have been so different compared to our usual travels on canals. We were so grateful to Carol and George for showing us the way down river and enabling us to visit both Hampton Court and Windsor Castle, for they had looked after Molly. We have also enjoyed the company of Del an Al as well on this journey of discovery down the Thames and Wey.

Hampton Court

Windsor Castle

We have seen houses

and houseboats.

We have seen big boats,

steam boats,

and trip boats.

This is a typical Thames Conservancy lock keepers house.

A few clever boat names were spotted. ‘Nauty Lass’ and ‘Shelfish Beach’ to name only two.

Oh such haste now to get off the wide river because we are on a mission. In a way we shall miss the river scene but must admit to feeling more comfortable back on the canal system. Back to the narrows and shallows.

Moving every day

Yes, including a Sunday, all of September since leaving our friends behind. The Tesco mooring was not a place to stay long. Travelling about 3 to 4 hours maximum is as much as we like.

The busy Thames gets quite dynamic with boats moving up and down. Guiding our heavy boat into locks with other boats inside is done slowly and with care. Ann usually throws a loop over a bollard at the front or the lock keeper catches it. At the back I sometimes use a hook to get the rope round a bollard that I can see. If not, the lock keeper gets my rope as well. The other boaters seem to manage with their taller boats. Once secure the engine is stopped.

There is more traffic at weekends. We got to Beale Park only to find most spaces taken and had to drift on looking for a suitable edge. Got the front in with the back out, stuck the pins in and had lunch. Tried to get a TV signal with no success. BBC channels were not available here so we reluctantly decided to move on. Two more locks at Goring and Cleeve to pass through.

Between Goring and Cleeve hundreds of canoes were heading towards us and nowhere for us to stop. There was the promise of moorings with a £4 charge above Cleeve. As we came out of that lock we saw a busy scene. Sailing boats all over the place racing up and down and still nowhere to stop! Just had to keep moving slowly on the left away from the sailing course. Soft sandy edges made it impossible to moor despite the invitation.

Finally there was a hard edge just for us and we put the pins in. “Well at least the TV found BBC here!”

We got to Day’s lock near Dorchester after a few more locks and long stretches of nothing but wide river and trees. We have seen many Red Kites flying, those with feathers rather than strings! Clouds and dampness made us realize how lucky we have been during August. Next day the destination was Abingdon. With just us and another small cruiser for company in the locks.

How wonderful it has been to enjoy the Olympic events this year. It is all over now but with the expectation of more support and participation in sport. Murray did well in the USA. The locks at either end of Dorney Lake have had their control boxes painted gold. I had wondered about the proportion of medals won to the size of the teams. According to Boris Johnston we have done better than most.