We started out this morning in sunshine!
Up through Calcutt locks, pausing between 1 and 2 to fuel up, at a fairly reasonable price, then onwards to Napton Junction. We had decided to stop before we reach Braunston Junction. We will probably have a couple of days off as it is time for washing and boat cleaning and this is a nice spot. This afternoon we did a bit of reorganising and tidying but the washing can wait until tomorrow.
Ray has been catching up with family by phone, a great rarity!
The weather forecast is good for the next few days so we should get some good cruising in. It looks as if it will be the last week of October before we reach Watford.
Today's journey 3.1 miles and 3 locks
This year we have travelled 380.9 miles, 358 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1111.6 miles, 1005 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Friday, 23 September 2011
Thursday, 22 September 2011
1000 locks
We have now done over 1000 locks since Ray retired, that's a lot of winding of paddle gear and pushing of lock gates!
We moved on to reach Calcutt locks today, as we were leaving our moorings we saw a boat approaching from behind. We would wait for them after the second lock as we were hoping to get diesel from the boatyard there. Unfortunately they no longer sell diesel so we will have to get some from Calcutt's tomorrow morning, While we were at the second lock the boat behind caught up with us, in fact there were two boats, one of which was Phoenix, who we had moored next to in Warwick.
They went past us while we investigated the diesel situation, then we followed them up the Stockton flight. We all thought that there was another boat coming but even though we took the flight slowly to allow them to catch up so we could share the locks we were half way up before they reached the bottom. I guess they must have stopped at the boatyard or for water.
Phoenix and their travelling companion stopped for lunch at the top of Stockton but we carried on to Calcutt where they passed us mid-afternoon. We won't see them again this year as they are heading south on the Oxford Canal while we head for Braunston and then south on the Grand Union.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 377.8 miles, 355 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1108.5 miles, 1002 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
We moved on to reach Calcutt locks today, as we were leaving our moorings we saw a boat approaching from behind. We would wait for them after the second lock as we were hoping to get diesel from the boatyard there. Unfortunately they no longer sell diesel so we will have to get some from Calcutt's tomorrow morning, While we were at the second lock the boat behind caught up with us, in fact there were two boats, one of which was Phoenix, who we had moored next to in Warwick.
They went past us while we investigated the diesel situation, then we followed them up the Stockton flight. We all thought that there was another boat coming but even though we took the flight slowly to allow them to catch up so we could share the locks we were half way up before they reached the bottom. I guess they must have stopped at the boatyard or for water.
Phoenix and their travelling companion stopped for lunch at the top of Stockton but we carried on to Calcutt where they passed us mid-afternoon. We won't see them again this year as they are heading south on the Oxford Canal while we head for Braunston and then south on the Grand Union.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 377.8 miles, 355 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1108.5 miles, 1002 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Radford Semele to Long Itchington, almost
After sitting out some wild, wet and windy weather yesterday we woke up this morning to sunshine and so it was time to move on. We need to reach a boatyard in the next couple of days as our diesel is running a bit low.
We travelled through the first three locks of the day, now climbing upwards again, then we stopped to take on water at Fosse Wharf. We seemed to be travelling against the flow of traffic, plenty of boats heading towards Warwick but nothing heading our way. not a bad thing as it meant either the locks were in our favour or there was a boat coming down through the lock so less work for me as they could leave the gate open as they left. We met our first wide-beam, on the move, for over a year.
The rain and wind had brought a lot of leaves and twigs down, and there was a lot of small debris in the canal so, inevitably, our weed filter got blocked. Ray now has clearing it down to a fine art! We completed our journey for the day up through the Bascote and just about half a mile beyond. So not quite at Long Itchington but within easy reach for tomorrow and hopefully getting diesel there.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 373.9 miles, 345 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1104.6 miles, 992 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
We travelled through the first three locks of the day, now climbing upwards again, then we stopped to take on water at Fosse Wharf. We seemed to be travelling against the flow of traffic, plenty of boats heading towards Warwick but nothing heading our way. not a bad thing as it meant either the locks were in our favour or there was a boat coming down through the lock so less work for me as they could leave the gate open as they left. We met our first wide-beam, on the move, for over a year.
The rain and wind had brought a lot of leaves and twigs down, and there was a lot of small debris in the canal so, inevitably, our weed filter got blocked. Ray now has clearing it down to a fine art! We completed our journey for the day up through the Bascote and just about half a mile beyond. So not quite at Long Itchington but within easy reach for tomorrow and hopefully getting diesel there.
Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks
So far this year we have travelled 373.9 miles, 345 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1104.6 miles, 992 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Monday, 19 September 2011
Not very far
I didn't bother to post yesterday as we moved less than a mile, just from Saltisford Basin up to the Cape.
Today we didn't put in much cruising time as it was time for a Tesco stock-up. We left our moorings this morning and headed down through the two Cape locks, then moored again just over a mile further on to go to Tesco. We couldn't get on the Tesco moorings as they were full so we had to lug all our shopping over the bridge, but I now shouldn't need anything much until we reach Milton Keynes. I like shopping in 'local' shops but they can be expensive for a 'big' shop.
After that it was on through the rest of Warwick, past Leamington Spa and out into the country near Radford Semele. I would have liked to see what Leamington had to offer but I think the cats would have gone mad if we had moored another night in town. We will have to visit next time we pass this way.
Tomorrow's weather forecast is for rain and more rain so we will probably stay here until Wednesday.
Today's (and yesterday's) journey 5.6 miles and 2 locks
So far this year we have travelled 370 miles, 335 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1100.7 miles, 982 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Today we didn't put in much cruising time as it was time for a Tesco stock-up. We left our moorings this morning and headed down through the two Cape locks, then moored again just over a mile further on to go to Tesco. We couldn't get on the Tesco moorings as they were full so we had to lug all our shopping over the bridge, but I now shouldn't need anything much until we reach Milton Keynes. I like shopping in 'local' shops but they can be expensive for a 'big' shop.
After that it was on through the rest of Warwick, past Leamington Spa and out into the country near Radford Semele. I would have liked to see what Leamington had to offer but I think the cats would have gone mad if we had moored another night in town. We will have to visit next time we pass this way.
Tomorrow's weather forecast is for rain and more rain so we will probably stay here until Wednesday.
Today's (and yesterday's) journey 5.6 miles and 2 locks
So far this year we have travelled 370 miles, 335 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1100.7 miles, 982 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels
Friday, 16 September 2011
Warwick
This morning it was time to tackle the 21 locks down into Warwick. We got ourselves organised and moved down to the lock moorings to wait for another boat to share the locks with. We didn't have to wait long before being joined by Mike and Sue aboard Ta Jo. They moor on the Stratford canal and I remembered seeing their boat because of it's unusual name.
We soon established a pattern, as Sue has a bike she was cycling ahead to prepare the next lock while I let the boats out and closed up. It worked really well. The two boats coming down behind us caught up with us but that wasn't surprising as they had four crew in addition to their steerers. Once the caught up their crew were kindly closing up behind us allow me to walk on, making it quicker for all of us. We then caught up with the two boats that were ahead of us, who were very slow. We made it down the flight it just over three hours, which isn't bad.
We then parted company with Ta Jo as we had decided to moor in Saltisford Basin and they were going on to the Cape about a mile further along the cut. The basin was very crowded and we breasted up next to Phoenix, who we had met yesterday, very carefully as they have a new paint job which is still a little soft two weeks after completion. No exploring today as I feel exhausted!
Tomorrow it will be time to explore Warwick, probably just wandering as I remember the castle is prohibitively expensive. We might move on on Sunday or maybe Monday.
Today's journey 2.1 miles and 21 locks
So far this year we have travelled 364.4 miles, 333 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1095.1 miles, 980 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels.
We soon established a pattern, as Sue has a bike she was cycling ahead to prepare the next lock while I let the boats out and closed up. It worked really well. The two boats coming down behind us caught up with us but that wasn't surprising as they had four crew in addition to their steerers. Once the caught up their crew were kindly closing up behind us allow me to walk on, making it quicker for all of us. We then caught up with the two boats that were ahead of us, who were very slow. We made it down the flight it just over three hours, which isn't bad.
We then parted company with Ta Jo as we had decided to moor in Saltisford Basin and they were going on to the Cape about a mile further along the cut. The basin was very crowded and we breasted up next to Phoenix, who we had met yesterday, very carefully as they have a new paint job which is still a little soft two weeks after completion. No exploring today as I feel exhausted!
Tomorrow it will be time to explore Warwick, probably just wandering as I remember the castle is prohibitively expensive. We might move on on Sunday or maybe Monday.
Today's journey 2.1 miles and 21 locks
So far this year we have travelled 364.4 miles, 333 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1095.1 miles, 980 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Hatton Flight in view
After a day off yesterday to do some much needed maintenance and a bit of craftwork we headed off this morning in sunshine for Hatton. We intended a very lazy day, just travelling to the top of the flight ready to tackle the 21 locks tomorrow. I took a walk to the village shop in Shrewley while Ray took the boat through the tunnel, there is actually a tunnel on part of the horse path too! I stocked up on a few essentials then met Ray at the other end of the tunnel. A cup of coffee later we carried on to the moorings at the top of Hatton flight. After so long on narrow locks it is quite daunting to see the great flight of broad locks ahead of us down the hill.
We took a walk to see what we would be facing, the paddle gear seems to need a lot of turns but also looks fairly easy. We will probably hang around to see if anyone else is heading down tomorrow morning, sharing locks saves water and will also mean less work.
So far this year we have travelled 362.3 miles, 312 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Up the Junction
After an uneventful night, no loud crashes or tidal waves from falling willow trees, we pulled pins and headed for Kingswood Junction and beyond.
Compared to previous days there were a lot of boats on the move, probably because the weather was better. Progress was slow but we made it to Kingswood in reasonable time and then cut through the Lapworth Link to the Grand Union. We have decided to head 'straight' back to Watford as the long range weather forecast doesn't encourage us to plan any lengthy detours. So it is Grand Union all the way with the possibility of a trip down the Aylesbury Arm when we get there.
We moored for the night about a mile beyond the junction, ending up a mere 1.4 miles as the crow flies from where we moored last night. This is because the Stratford and Grand Union Canals run almost parallel to each other at this point.
Today's journey 3 miles and 9 locks
So far this year we have travelled 358.5 miles, 312 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1089.2 miles, 959 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Compared to previous days there were a lot of boats on the move, probably because the weather was better. Progress was slow but we made it to Kingswood in reasonable time and then cut through the Lapworth Link to the Grand Union. We have decided to head 'straight' back to Watford as the long range weather forecast doesn't encourage us to plan any lengthy detours. So it is Grand Union all the way with the possibility of a trip down the Aylesbury Arm when we get there.
We moored for the night about a mile beyond the junction, ending up a mere 1.4 miles as the crow flies from where we moored last night. This is because the Stratford and Grand Union Canals run almost parallel to each other at this point.
Today's journey 3 miles and 9 locks
So far this year we have travelled 358.5 miles, 312 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1089.2 miles, 959 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)