Fazeley to Alvecote

Fri 2^nd Aug  (continued) Fazeley to Middleton Lakes.

On arrival back at the boat from our two days away, we quickly stowed everything, and set off due south, past Jubilee and Springwater, who had arrived recently. We passed Fazeley Mill Marina, where we will need to empty cassettes on the way back. Then the unusual footbridge at Drayton Bassett.

Leaving Fazeley

Fazeley Mill Marina

Drayton Bassett Footbridge and swingbridge

The canal is fairly straight, with pleasant views on either side. Once the main road leaves the canal, it is peaceful.

We moored by Fishers Mill Bridge, as it looked as though it was due to rain. There were seven boats here eventually, right by the entrance to the RSPB reserve.

Moored below Fishers Mill Bridge

0 locks, 2 miles. Dep 1625, arr 1710

Sat 3^rd Aug  Middleton Lakes to Fazeley

It was a beautiful morning, slightly misty, and James went for an early walk around the RSPB Middleton Lakes reserve.

Middleton Lakes map

Dawn at Middleton Lakes

Lake view

Reeds in the mist

Web

He spotted several interesting birds, apart from the usual. Included were lapwings, Little Egrets, Great White Egrets, Herons, a Hobby, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Green Sandpiper, Snipe, a Green Woodpecker. He met two keen guys with long lenses, otherwise he may not have spotted the lesser whitethroat or the snipe.

Lapwing

Lapwing

Great White Egret

Great White Egret with Heron

Great White Egret with Little Egret

Snipe

The view from the hide

Hobby

Magpie

After a leisurely breakfast, we set off to find the winding hole at Curdworth, which is closer to the locks than the one marked in the Nicholson Guide. Having turned the boat, we headed back to Fazeley.

Curdworth Lock, plus a winding hole somewhere here

The winding hole

Gravel conveyor belt

Drayton Bassett Footbridge

We visited Fazeley Mill Marina to empty a cassette. We found that the diesel price was good, so we topped up. We also discovered that they sell our favourite toilet blue, so we bought one. We returned to Fazeley to moor up beyond Jubilee, and opposite Springwater and Chyandour, all empty.

Fazeley Mill Marina

Diesel price

Springwater, Chyandour and Jubilee

John and Jan turned up later, having walked from Tamworth Station. David and Mary came across the footbridge, and the six of us went to Fazeley Park for a very pleasant curry.

We went to David and Mary’s for coffee afterwards. We retrieved the spinner that Hazel had made many years ago.

0 locks, 4 miles. dep 1120 arr 1235 marina. dep 1300 arr 1315

Sun 4^th Sep  Fazeley to Alvecote

Springwater Jubilee Chyandour Gabriel

We went to the 11am service at St Pauls, which included a baptism, and several kids songs. The lady vicar was excellent at communicating and brought the service alive. The worship was using prerecorded songs.

All age service at St Pauls

We left straight away after the service, saying farewell to David, Mary, John and Jan. We returned to Fazeley Junction and turned right, going over the River Thame on an aqueduct

Tolsons Mill

Fazeley Junction

WWII Pillbox guarding the River Thame aqueduct

River Thame

At Glascote Locks we could see that people were working the upper lock. We went into the lower lock and as Gabriel was rising in the lock, we could see a lot of activity, and suddenly we saw a white cruiser appear, bobbing up in the lock. When we caught up with them, it seems that their boat had got stuck as the water rose, and the novice crew had not shut down the paddles as they should have done. They nearly sank the boat. As it was, they flooded the outboard engine, which needed a lot of drying out before it would start again.

Approaching Glascote Locks

The cruiser that nearly sank

Glascote basin

By the Gate Inn, the willow tree had been trimmed like an umbrella. Most unusual, but probably very practical.

Umbrella cut

We moored at Amington just before Bridge 67, and had an afternoon doze. The road nearby was very noisy, so we moved on to just before Alvecote, which was much more peaceful.

Moored at Amington

2 locks, 3 miles. Dep 1250, arr 1420 Amington. Dep 1715, arr `1735 Alvecote.

Next: moving on through Polesworth to Atherstone, where we might take part in a folk club singaround.