Wind, rain and river

Since that lovely sunny weekend it has rained every day. As we climb back up the canal we see that the river Cherwell is filling up fast. Just north of Aynho the river joins and passes through the canal between two locks. Our concern is that we may not get under the low Nell Bridge if the river is too high. But before that we had to get up Somerton deep lock. It is in a very exposed location and the wind blew our boats away from the towpath before we could secure them properly. It was a real struggle pulling the boats back to the edge against that wind.

Above the lock was no easier as Vic lifted a bridge for us to go under. Sue followed but the wind took the boat to the wrong side when stopping to pick him up. We stopped further on and walked back to help. They had actually got their dog Lucie to take a rope across the canal so that Vic could pull the boat back to the towpath side. Three other boats got stuck there during the afternoon.

The old quarry

The old quarry at Kirtlington is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a safe place to run around and explore. The stone and clay was made into cement on site and transported away by narrowboat on the Oxford canal. The site is littered with small rocks some of which contain shell fossils while some dinosaur bones have been found here.

Chris, Tracy, Josh and Ben arrived and stayed a night with us while Sue n Vic also entertained their guests. On Sunday we were joined by Kiera and Niamh and enjoyed a sunny day running around and climbing rocks. Some of the small rocks had been arranged to form faces and a maze on the ground, adding interest for the children.

Ice n low bridges

Arrangements are being made for family to visit us somewhere below Lower Heyford. Access to the canal is limited along this end of the canal. However there is a bridle way making it possible at Kirtlington. Left Aynho on a bright sunny but cold day after a few boats had passed breaking up the ice. Arrived at the deep Somerton lock and while waiting for No Problem to go down we watched all the ice moving towards the lock as it filled up. Crunching up in the moving water and flowing noisily down the byway. When both boats had got down the 12 feet two other boats were approaching to go up.

The bridges are all very low and narrow so we were obliged to remove our chimney and as a precaution, let the fire out as it does not burn well without a chimney. S n V had lowered their canopy to avoid damaging it. We passed down through 5 locks and travelled 9 miles before stopping just short of our intended meeting point as it had got much colder. Got inside, relit the fire and set up the sat dish.

By next morning the ice had reformed its hard flat surface but then a boat came crunching by. We were then able to move on to our mooring at the old Cement Wharf at Kirtlington. I walked up to the village to post the news letters while the girls went off for one of their long walks round this quiet countryside.

Heading south

We are travelling south on the Oxford Canal and have arrived at Banbury. On the way we stopped at Napton, Claydon and Cropredy. Slow n easy just waiting for the locks to open back at Braunston. BW are installing 'back pumps' which will pump the water up 36 feet to the top of the flight of 6 locks. Should be open again by the middle of March when we plan to go east this year.

The 9 locks between Napton and Marston Doles got us up to the summit. These were the first flight of locks seen since before Christmas last year. We tackled them together with No Problem helping each other with the paddles and gates. Next day we continued on and on past Fenny Compton and down the Claydon set of 5 locks and stopped near the bottom lock. Both boats moored on a good edge where a gap in the trees enabled our satellite reception. On the way we noticed that an old wreck of a wooden converted 'butty' called 'African Queen' had sunk. Then we moved down to Cropredy. With the lack of rain this winter the river Cherwell was very low. Remembering that back in December 2002 it was flooding over the road and into the fields. While Sue n Vic entertained their visitors I spent the time making a wooden base for our satellite dish and solar panel during four lovely warm sunny days.

After that we moved on into Banbury. It was a Saturday and the centre was full of boats and shoppers. While the girls went off to the shops the guys stayed on guard. It is a sad fact that some members of the public will show a lack of respect. Later in the week we noticed that the centre was empty of boats. The winter moorings and residential boaters had been moved out. Apparently the shoppers complained about their washing and smelly smoking fires. We stayed down by the wood yard just out of town near Morrisons.

Limited hours, Limited service

I had applied for a Gold Licence by post and after a month the licence failed to arrive. So our boat is not displaying a licence because it had to be returned. When in Braunston on a Friday I called into the one day a week open BW office. My application was sent to the Watford office but could not be found. Despite their wonderful computer system they were not able to issue a licence at Braunston. So I was obliged to reapply with all the paper work that applies. I tried the Waterscape web site but that could not handle Direct Debit arrangements. We need the licence to travel on the rivers this year.

Solar Panel

Have had a 'Solara M. Series' semi flexible panel, which claims to be 40Wp, on the roof for a few weeks now. It is about 2 ft. 6 in. by 1 ft. 6 in. and were amazed to find that its regulator indicated a charge from sunrise to sunset even when cloudy. Boat batteries are usually at their lowest in the morning and I was in the habit of running the engine for about 2 hours and a further hour in the evening before 8 o'clock. I now find that there is no need to run the engine in the morning as the voltage is generally higher than before. 2 hours in the evening seems to be enough for the lights and TV. In order to run the lights and TV in the evening you need enough battery capacity to store the power. You can generate and store the power with more panels during the day. Get it right and you wont need to run the engine! But then you wont have hot water!

Braunston

Got to Braunston and stayed a week. The ice came and went regularly. Sue n Vic headed off to Calcutt and Napton for an appointment with the boat yard. Our friends Mary & Ray came up in their 'campervan' and stayed in the marina car park. We all got on the bus into Daventry to shop and see the dentist. Those two days were warm and sunny and we enjoyed catching up with their news from back home.

Then we visited Bob & Jane on 'Hobo'. Bob was pleased to see Molly again. Jane told us about Mr. Finch a known criminal who keeps on breaking into narrowboats. He was fished out of the canal in a drunken state and promptly arrested and is now back in jail for two years.

On a day when the ice had cleared we moved through Braunston and turned. On the way we saw a familiar boat called 'More To Life'. The owners have changed the spelling of the name and as we passed greeted us with a cheerful wave. Then we got some more diesel from Ivor on 'Mountbatten' before mooring up for another night.

On our way out to Napton a boater enquired if our boat was painted differently on the other side. I explained that another boat with a similar name was in Braunston and that it was our first boat. Many boaters say to us that they have seen us often where we have not been!

A long cold stretch

The north end of the Oxford canal is very remote and exposed, passing a golf course and open fields. Once past Ansty the railway is very close following the canal all the way to Stretton Stop where Rose Narrowboats operate. Next through All Oaks Wood which is quite bleak at this time of year. On through the illuminated Newbold Tunnel and stopped just past the water point and the 'Barley Mow' pub. 12 miles done in 3 hours, one of our longest travelling days this winter. "Get inside for a warming cup of tea".

The next day our friends on No Problem found that their engine would not start so we towed them to Brownsover. An engineer arrived to replace the starter motor. After shopping we continued to our journey up the locks at Hillmorton.

No Problem being towed

Just a quick Blog to show the bow end of No Problem.  See http://www.choiceforum.co.uk/blog/noproblem.html

Coventry Basin

We arrived end of January and squeezed under the low Bridge No. 1. The original Wharf buildings are fully restored and now used by the artists of Coventry. Plenty of room here for at least ten narrow boats. The general public have access by a bridge over the ring road but only the local residents come by. So it is very quiet and secure. The Rangers provided information and a map of the city. The canal on the way in was deep and clear and had far less rubbish than we saw back in 2001.

The location is north of the city and just a mile from the centre. A bus and coach station, Motor museum, the Cathedral and the hospital are all within about ten minutes walking. Plenty of big shops are here including Sainsbury's. So all in all a great place to stay for a couple of nights once you have travelled the 5 miles down the canal through the old industrial heart of Coventry which is considered to be the birthplace of the British motor car industry.

Public Transport

We are moored at Snarestone which is as far as the Ashby canal gets. Snarestone is just north of Birmingham and Leicester. Sue & Vic on No Problem are with us and will look after our cat and dog so we can travel home. Sue made the bus schedule for us using the internet and even printed the ticket for National Express. It amazed us that a bus was passing this way at all. The journey to Southampton required just two busses and a coach. Considerably cheaper than train or hire car. This was to be an enjoyable trip with no driving on our part. Had two large bags and hand luggage which is travelling light for us.

No.7 arrived on time as did all the vehicles throughout the journey. So we left at 5 past 9 having changed into clean shoes after walking through the wet muddy tow path. Sue kindly returned our dirty boots to the boat. We were the only passengers on this dumpy little bus which travelled through several villages and Atherstone, on the way to Nuneaton. Picking up one other person on the way. Did some shopping as we had about an hour before the next bus. The next bus, No. 775 took us all the way to Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station, arriving at midday. A clean place with shops and facilities. Just enough time to use them before the coach arrived. Several people with their printed tickets were waiting. After loading luggage and finding two seats two rows back on the left the comfortable coach left at 20 past 12. Stopped briefly at Royal Leamington Spa to pick up one passenger before heading for Banbury where the Oxford Canal passes through. We were able to eat our sandwiches on the coach while the driver tried to rest during his short break at Oxford. We caught sight of the River Thames and had previously passed under the bridge in our boat. Many young people here riding bikes in front of the coach as it tries to weave through Oxford. Then back on the open road and on to Newbury where we had started our adventures on the Kennet & Avon canal. The coach arrived at Southampton just before 5 so we got off and waited for a taxi to take us to our destination.

The return trip a week later left at 11:15. George n Ann getting us to the Coach Station. A slight delay was caused by one gentleman having too much luggage. He could not possibly carry it on his own. After much discussion he was allowed to get on board with his huge 'hand' luggage. It was getting dark by the time we reached Coventry. The bus station was full of school children and various busses were full up as they left. Our bus left an hour later with a few passengers heading for Nuneaton where we waited in the cold shelter for our last bus. Another short dumpy one with a conductor for our trip in the dark. "Oh the last bus for Snarestone left at 5. We don't normally go that far, but just for you we will." Another passenger travelled with us. The conductor kept telling the driver to go strait on rather than short detours to small villages. "There won't be anybody there at this time of night." The other passenger got off and we were transported through the darkness to Snarestone. We carried our luggage across the field over the canal tunnel where we met Sue and changed into clean warm boots. Back along the wet muddy tow path to the boats by half past seven and a welcome roast dinner.

A long walk

Moved the boats up to Congerston Bridge 47. A short trip on a mild dry day along a deep clear canal section. A proper 'Visitor Mooring' with rings and that horrible stony surface but at least it was flat and not all mud here. Set off on a 4 mile walk to Shackerstone, following one of Sue's walking maps. We headed off west to Bilstone where a fine old mill was being converted to live in. The water wheel long since gone but the mill pond, race and sluice gates still existed. Reminding us that 'renewable' power is not a modern idea. Local Millers used wind or water power directly to grind the grain. Turned north to reach Castle Farm only to find the footpath diverted away from our intended course. Eventually getting to Shackerstone across some very muddy fields. Once there we followed the canal back to the boats for a mile and a half.

Start of a new year

A bright sunny morning for the first day of the year. Our bird feeder full of nuts has been attracting the birds while we have been here at Stoke Golding. We are able to watch them through our galley window. Have seen our pet robin which was so tame it almost came on board. Then there was a blackbird, wren, chaffinch, great tit, blue tit and others hiding in the hedge row waiting their turn on the feeder. Bread crumbs on the ground soon go, but if the birds don’t get there first the dogs get it.

We are waiting for our friends Sue and Vic to return. Have been looking after their boat while they've been away. Lit their fire and got the boat cosy n warm. A kettle on the fire for a hot brew when they arrive. They had missed the bus from Nuneaton so an hour later we moved the 'Ferry' over to pick them up from the wharf.

It has been over two weeks since we had our diesel tank filled and found it to be only 3/8 full. The local boat yard is still shut and last we heard they were waiting for another delivery. 'Ghosty Hill' is due up here later if they can fill their tank! All is well because the boat yard opened next day and have fuel to sell. So we moved on down, filled up with diesel and water and asked about disposal of our old engine oil. They refused to take it.

Moved on further down the canal to the turning point and 'winded' the boat. The Tesco van arrived before we could get back to Stoke Golding wharf. Luckily Sue n Vic were able to sign for our delivery when they collected their own. So having stocked up again we were all able to travel up the canal together. While dumping our rubbish at Sutton Wharf we were told about a possible closure at Shenton Aqueduct. BW had been working up there before Christmas and they confirmed that the work is now finished. The going gets more difficult past the wharf due to shallow waters. Some dredging is actually taking place but not much coming out. Wet sloppy mud is being dumped on the tow path and grass seed spread over it.

We stopped at the 'Battle field' moorings which have not improved for many years. Mole hills all over the place and the ground lower than it could be. After a quick snack we walked round 'Richards Field' and the village of Shenton. Back in 1485 Richard III was killed by Henry VII marking the start of the Tudor Dynasty.

Post Christmas

The day after our guests left was a bit colder and it had snowed overnight. Our water tank was half full and two cassettes needed emptying. There was a good possibility that more snow would fall so we decided to move up to Sutton Wharf. It may get colder later so left early. Ploughed through slushy ice in places along the canal and it did snow again. "Hope it doesn’t get any worse cos we want to get back to the mooring". Managed to turn and back up to the water tap by pushing the thin ice away. The tap was frozen so got the kettle off the stove and poured hot water over the pipe to melt a plug of ice.

While the tank was filling I emptied the cassettes and Ann dumped the rubbish. The sun came out to make a cheerful warm run back and several boaters were out moving up and down the canal as well. But by the time we had returned to our mooring the grey clouds blocked out the sun and it was snowing again.

 

Pre Christmas week

We had moved up to get water on a mild sunny day. On the way back we stopped so that Sue n Vic could cut up some more wood for their fire. Then the temperature fell to zero and ice formed on the cut over night. So we were forced to stay put. Sue came round with another of her 'walk maps'. "Come on Annie, we're off with the dogs to explore". "Please get back before it gets dark" I pleaded. Vic and I are left behind to look after the boats and make our own sandwiches. Passing the time reading our favourite books. The girls returned by 3:30 just as the sun went below the horizon.

Next day John and Jean arrived by car from Braunston in less than an hour, a full 5 days by boat! Good to see them again and we talked about plans for next years cruising.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS

Saint Nicholas

He was a 4^th century bishop in Asia Minor and is buried, circa 346 AD, in his cathedral at Myra. He has become a patron saint to many categories of people over the years. He is honoured throughout the canals of Europe as the boat peoples special saint. In Britain he is known as Father Christmas while in America they refer to him as Santa Claus. In France he was called Papa Noel.

The giving of presents results from the saint learning of a poor man who considered selling his three daughters. St. Nicholas visited the property anonymously and tossed a bag of gold through the window. It landed in a stocking hanging up to dry.

A winter day

The sun rose at about 8 this morning and slowly made its way along the horizon not getting much higher than the trees before dipping down and setting at about 4. The day was clear bright and warm as the girls went for their walk with the dogs through the country side. The fire was allowed to go out to be cleaned and relit just as the temperature started to dip down with the sun. On the other boat the chimney was modified during the day. The girls returned with wet dogs having made them jump in the canal to get clean. As the boat warmed up inside we all enjoyed a hot cup of tea and the dogs dried off in front of the fire.

Christmas shopping

The village of Stoke Golding claims to be the birthplace of the Tudor reign. Crown hill is where Henry Tudor 'found' his crown and became Henry VII in 1485.

We were able to moor on the off side where we can gain access to the village. The Post Office was very busy with people and their Christmas mail in a never ending queue. Next day we went to Nuneton to do some shopping. An interesting ¼ of an hour trip through the countryside and villages in a small bus. Thankfully a dry mild day making for a pleasant trip. We saw a statue of a lady called George. George Eliot was born Mary Ann Evans in 1819. I wondered what she would have thought of this town now. Much changed since the loss of the coal mining industry.

'Gosty Hill'

Iain & Alison came up the Ashby with their coal & diesel supply boat 'Gosty Hill'. Recently back in the water after having a new bottom fitted. Plying their trade on the Coventry Canal and coming up the Ashby when called. Their price is considerably cheaper than the local marina. Both No Problem and Moore 2 Life needing at least a hundred litres of diesel each.

Not Moving

Still moored between bridge 17A and 19 just north of Hinckley. We had left No Problem behind and next day the ice prevented Sue n Vic moving the boat up. Only 2 miles apart and next day they both walked up to visit for tea and sandwiches. Vic did very well walking that distance and was very stiff the next day. Then No Problem managed to move up through a channel of broken ice made by a hire boat moving down earlier. Hire boat companies have been making the most of the relatively mild winter so far.

Air pressure is very low making for unsettled stormy weather. But at least it is mild with no ice now. The girls have been out exploring the countryside and coming back with two dirty dogs. The tow path has been chewed up by the hedge cutters during these damp days. A dangerous job now as in places the path is a bit narrow and the vehicle could slip towards the canal!

We have contacted a coal / diesel supply boat which is expected to return here next week. There are of course plenty of boats on private moorings on the canal. Some are occupied by their owners who have cars to go to work. They are therefore able to get rid of their disposables.