We decided against moving yesterday as the weather was rather miserable but for once the weather forecast for today was right. It said that the wind would ease after lunchtime and it did.
So we made a late start and headed for Lowsonford, only seven locks and within striking distance of the junction for tomorrow. We made reasonable progress, got rid of our rubbish and negotiated the last lock of the day. I could see a nice gap in the moored boats, opposite the pub, looks like a good spot I said. We manouvered into the space, pulled the boat as far forward out of the shadow of the large willow tree on the opposite bank as we could, so our solar panels would get the sunlight and then the landlord of the pub appeared. He pointed upwards at the willow, explaining that it was in danger of falling into the canal after the strong winds, discretion was the better part of valour and we moved a bit further up the bank.
Hopefully we will make it up to the junction tomorrow.
Today's journey 4 miles and 7 locks
So far this year we have travelled 350.5 miles, 303 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1086.2 miles, 950 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Monday, 12 September 2011
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Back to Wootton Wawen
The promised improvement in the weather failed to materialise so we set off this morning still battling with the wind. The Laughing Cavalier, who was moored behind us, set off at the same time as us, they offered to let us go up the locks first but I was glad we declined. They had a booking for lunch and the gentleman very kindly reset the locks for me before moving on except when we met oncoming boats.
After the eleven locks we did a bit of offside foraging as there were some apple trees and plum trees overhanging the canal. The plums were past their best, several had rotted on the tree but we managed to get a few. I forgot to mention we also got some wild greengages a few days ago which I made into jam. We now have damson jam, bramble jelly, greengage jam, damson vodka, damson gin and damson brandy. Sloe gin and vodka to follow, also apple and blackberry jam and plum jam.
At our last lock of the day we met a party of walkers who were eager to do the lock gates for me, well I wasn't going to complain was I!
We moored up in the same spot where we stopped on the way down to Stratford, luckily before it started raining.
Today's journey 5.4 miles and 12 locks
So far this year we have travelled 346.5 miles, 296 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1082.2 miles, 943 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
After the eleven locks we did a bit of offside foraging as there were some apple trees and plum trees overhanging the canal. The plums were past their best, several had rotted on the tree but we managed to get a few. I forgot to mention we also got some wild greengages a few days ago which I made into jam. We now have damson jam, bramble jelly, greengage jam, damson vodka, damson gin and damson brandy. Sloe gin and vodka to follow, also apple and blackberry jam and plum jam.
At our last lock of the day we met a party of walkers who were eager to do the lock gates for me, well I wasn't going to complain was I!
We moored up in the same spot where we stopped on the way down to Stratford, luckily before it started raining.
Today's journey 5.4 miles and 12 locks
So far this year we have travelled 346.5 miles, 296 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1082.2 miles, 943 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
On the edge
After a couple of days on the 48 hour moorings in the basin at Stratford we did the short hop out to the A46 bridge on the edge of Stratford.
Stratford has gone downhill since last time I visited. It was, inevitably, always touristy but 20 years ago it maintained some historic town charm. In the past it did have some interesting shops and pubs but now you can't move without falling over a souvenir shop or someone offering a walking tour of the town. It's alright if you have lots of money to spend and want to eat out, which we don't. I was happy to abandon the town center and moor at the foot of the eleven Wilmcote locks.
Tomorrow will be washing day, then another day to try and get it dry so it will be Saturday before we move on.
Today's journey 1.6 miles and 5 locks
So far this year we have travelled 341.1 miles, 284 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1076.8 miles, 931 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Stratford has gone downhill since last time I visited. It was, inevitably, always touristy but 20 years ago it maintained some historic town charm. In the past it did have some interesting shops and pubs but now you can't move without falling over a souvenir shop or someone offering a walking tour of the town. It's alright if you have lots of money to spend and want to eat out, which we don't. I was happy to abandon the town center and moor at the foot of the eleven Wilmcote locks.
Tomorrow will be washing day, then another day to try and get it dry so it will be Saturday before we move on.
Today's journey 1.6 miles and 5 locks
So far this year we have travelled 341.1 miles, 284 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1076.8 miles, 931 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Monday, 5 September 2011
Stratford-on-Avon
The weather forecast for the next few days is not nice, today is better than most but tomorrow gusts up to 45 mph are forecast, not a day to be cruising!
Based on the above we decided to do the run into Stratford today, lots more locks and not a lot of miles. The wind was making life difficult, the lock gates either blew shut and were impossible to open or blew open and were impossible to close. Twice an oncoming boat 'stole'our lock, the wind caught Morgana at a bridgehole, taking her off course, causing Merlin to swing and hit the bridge breaking one of the towing straps. When we reached the last lock before the basin, I had walked back to close the gate at the previous lock behind Morgana only to hear Ray shout, someone was about to raise the bottom paddle to empty the lock we were about to enter, the wind had closed the gate. What made it worse was the fact that the top paddles were still open so she was in danger of draining the pound! They had brought their boat under the bridge below the lock without checking that they could enter the lock. This meant they had to reverse back out from the bridge so we could go through the lock. All good fun!
When at last we entered the basin, struggling to manoeuvre because of the wind, there was suddenly smoke and an electrical burning smell!! In the short time it took for me to grab the tiller as Ray rushed to find the problem the wind took us and we were blown alongside another boat. The electrical fault was only a switch that had shorted but it was very scary! We then had great fun trying to reach the pontoons to moor, a case of 'if I was going there I wouldn't start from here', but with the aid of a couple of other boaters we eventually got moored.
We are definitely staying here tomorrow!
Today's journey 6.9 miles and 17 locks
So far this year we have travelled 339.5 miles, 279 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1075.2 miles, 926 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Based on the above we decided to do the run into Stratford today, lots more locks and not a lot of miles. The wind was making life difficult, the lock gates either blew shut and were impossible to open or blew open and were impossible to close. Twice an oncoming boat 'stole'our lock, the wind caught Morgana at a bridgehole, taking her off course, causing Merlin to swing and hit the bridge breaking one of the towing straps. When we reached the last lock before the basin, I had walked back to close the gate at the previous lock behind Morgana only to hear Ray shout, someone was about to raise the bottom paddle to empty the lock we were about to enter, the wind had closed the gate. What made it worse was the fact that the top paddles were still open so she was in danger of draining the pound! They had brought their boat under the bridge below the lock without checking that they could enter the lock. This meant they had to reverse back out from the bridge so we could go through the lock. All good fun!
When at last we entered the basin, struggling to manoeuvre because of the wind, there was suddenly smoke and an electrical burning smell!! In the short time it took for me to grab the tiller as Ray rushed to find the problem the wind took us and we were blown alongside another boat. The electrical fault was only a switch that had shorted but it was very scary! We then had great fun trying to reach the pontoons to moor, a case of 'if I was going there I wouldn't start from here', but with the aid of a couple of other boaters we eventually got moored.
We are definitely staying here tomorrow!
Today's journey 6.9 miles and 17 locks
So far this year we have travelled 339.5 miles, 279 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1075.2 miles, 926 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Wootton Wawen and beyond
After our exertions of yesterday we started out a little later today.
We had a slow journey as there were lots of boats on the move and the locks here are slow to fill and empty. It looks as if the blackberries may be worth picking in about a week so we may get some on the way back, there are some elderberries that look about ripe too. I seem to have missed the rowan berries though, maybe next year. I found a few cob nuts, but they aren't ready for harvesting yet either.
We managed to reach Wootton Wawen by about three, paid a visit to the farm shop and craft centre, then moved on about half a mile so we were away from roads so the cats could go out. As we are planning a couple of nights in the basin at Stratford they will probably be stir crazy before next time they have their freedom.
Today's journey 4.5 miles and 9 locks
So far this year we have travelled 332.6 miles, 262 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1068.3 miles, 909 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
We had a slow journey as there were lots of boats on the move and the locks here are slow to fill and empty. It looks as if the blackberries may be worth picking in about a week so we may get some on the way back, there are some elderberries that look about ripe too. I seem to have missed the rowan berries though, maybe next year. I found a few cob nuts, but they aren't ready for harvesting yet either.
We managed to reach Wootton Wawen by about three, paid a visit to the farm shop and craft centre, then moved on about half a mile so we were away from roads so the cats could go out. As we are planning a couple of nights in the basin at Stratford they will probably be stir crazy before next time they have their freedom.
Today's journey 4.5 miles and 9 locks
So far this year we have travelled 332.6 miles, 262 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1068.3 miles, 909 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Saturday, 3 September 2011
27 locks before lunch
OK, it was a late lunch, but still not bad going.
We started out this morning at about nine and I had to pause to take a photo of Morgana (formerly Nanshe) passing Nanshe as we approached Lapworth Top Lock.
After that it was the long haul down the first eighteen locks to Kingswood Junction, a pause for dumping the rubbish and then on again down another nine locks. The Stratford Canal isn't very mooring friendly, I don't expect, or want beautifully mown banks with mooring rings everywhere but foliage less than five feet high so you can actually find the bank would be useful. It is a very tranquil canal though. We eventually moored just short of Lowsonford at about two thirty. I was feeling rather tired even with Ray helping me at many of the locks. I actually abdicated from lock duty at a couple of locks and took the tiller instead.
We are now a couple of days from Stratford-on-Avon where we will spend a few days.
Today's journey 3.2 miles and 27 locks
So far this year we have travelled 328.1 miles, 253 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1063.8 miles, 900 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
We started out this morning at about nine and I had to pause to take a photo of Morgana (formerly Nanshe) passing Nanshe as we approached Lapworth Top Lock.
After that it was the long haul down the first eighteen locks to Kingswood Junction, a pause for dumping the rubbish and then on again down another nine locks. The Stratford Canal isn't very mooring friendly, I don't expect, or want beautifully mown banks with mooring rings everywhere but foliage less than five feet high so you can actually find the bank would be useful. It is a very tranquil canal though. We eventually moored just short of Lowsonford at about two thirty. I was feeling rather tired even with Ray helping me at many of the locks. I actually abdicated from lock duty at a couple of locks and took the tiller instead.
We are now a couple of days from Stratford-on-Avon where we will spend a few days.
Today's journey 3.2 miles and 27 locks
So far this year we have travelled 328.1 miles, 253 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1063.8 miles, 900 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Friday, 2 September 2011
An interesting meeting
We have had a couple of 'cruise-free' days and enjoyed a visit from Mandy, Tony, Mikey and Dani. We went for a picnic, played games in the park then went for a meal at the pub, a good time was had by all! This morning I woke up feeling a bit achy but that isn't that unusual.
We paid a brief visit to the craft centre and then decided to head for the top of the Lapworth Locks. It wasn't very far but we plan to work our way through the locks tomorrow. I did my good deed for the day at the first of the two lift bridges as having lifted the bridge three other boats went through saving them some work. The favour was returned at the second bridge when one of the other boats worked the bridge and we cruised straight through. We moored just short of Lapworth Top Lock and wandered back to chat to the chap on 'Warwick' who sells fenders and other boat bits, I treated us to another mooring hook which I have been intending to buy for ages.
As it was a sunny afternoon we decided to take a walk down part of the flight, just for a stroll to buy an ice cream.
Moored by the top lock was a narrowboat called Nanshe, noteworthy because that was Morgana's name before we renamed her. I didn't think much more of it at the time. When we got back Nimue had managed to get herself into the garden on the offside of the canal so Ray coaxed her back to the lock so she could get back to our side. After a coffee Ray went to pick some sloes we had seen and I went to relax to ease my aches. As I lay on the bed reading there was a knock on the boat. I emerged to be greeted by a pleasant couple who said "You must be Lez". I did a bit of a double take and they explain that they were Clive and Helen,(hope I remembered the names right) the second owners of Morgana, when she was Nanshe, and that Jill Sweeney the third owner had been following our blog and told them we were here.
We had a nice chat, they are the owner's of Nanshe that is moored near the lock and had seen Gwynie in their garden, I think the cats must recognise boat lovers. It is nice to know that Morgana's former owner's still care about her, I have always felt she was a cherished boat and obviously she was (and still is).
Tomorrow it will be time to get to grips with all those locks!
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 2 lift bridges
So far this year we have travelled 324.9 miles, 228 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels.
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1060.6 miles, 873 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
We paid a brief visit to the craft centre and then decided to head for the top of the Lapworth Locks. It wasn't very far but we plan to work our way through the locks tomorrow. I did my good deed for the day at the first of the two lift bridges as having lifted the bridge three other boats went through saving them some work. The favour was returned at the second bridge when one of the other boats worked the bridge and we cruised straight through. We moored just short of Lapworth Top Lock and wandered back to chat to the chap on 'Warwick' who sells fenders and other boat bits, I treated us to another mooring hook which I have been intending to buy for ages.
As it was a sunny afternoon we decided to take a walk down part of the flight, just for a stroll to buy an ice cream.
Moored by the top lock was a narrowboat called Nanshe, noteworthy because that was Morgana's name before we renamed her. I didn't think much more of it at the time. When we got back Nimue had managed to get herself into the garden on the offside of the canal so Ray coaxed her back to the lock so she could get back to our side. After a coffee Ray went to pick some sloes we had seen and I went to relax to ease my aches. As I lay on the bed reading there was a knock on the boat. I emerged to be greeted by a pleasant couple who said "You must be Lez". I did a bit of a double take and they explain that they were Clive and Helen,(hope I remembered the names right) the second owners of Morgana, when she was Nanshe, and that Jill Sweeney the third owner had been following our blog and told them we were here.
We had a nice chat, they are the owner's of Nanshe that is moored near the lock and had seen Gwynie in their garden, I think the cats must recognise boat lovers. It is nice to know that Morgana's former owner's still care about her, I have always felt she was a cherished boat and obviously she was (and still is).
Tomorrow it will be time to get to grips with all those locks!
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 2 lift bridges
So far this year we have travelled 324.9 miles, 228 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels.
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1060.6 miles, 873 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
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