Hartshill to Brinklow

Fri 9^th Sep  Hartshill to Bedworth

The boat behind us was called Kings Gambit II. They set off but very quickly stopped. They reversed back onto the mooring, saying that their steering was impossible, and they thought they had unseated their rudder. They had checked the propeller and it was clear. We offered to give them a tow to Springwood Haven, just over a mile further on. However, we said we were going for a coffee on the boat in front first. Meanwhile, their skipper was down the weed hatch to investigate again.

We went on Ocho for a coffee with Rob and Trish before we went our separate ways. Meanwhile, Kings Gambit set off once more, showing us a huge piece of carpet that had gone around their rudder. Problem solved.

We said farewell to Rob and Trish as they set off before us. They had further to go than us. We went just a few yards initially, to fill the water tank at Hartshill.

Farewell to Rob and Trish

Ocho (Number Eight)

The water point at Hartshill

The canal continued its contour course with several bends, passing the remains of old wharves and bridges, where mining and quarrying had taken place. The weather was uncertain, and we experienced a short shower. We noticed that the grass was now green again from rain instead of the dusty brown from the drought.

Old wharves and bridges

A light shower

The famous telegraph pole

Greener grass

We passed Boot Wharf, where we had filled up with diesel on the day of Diana’s funeral in 1997. Then we passed through Nuneaton and its many allotments, before coming across a huge warehouse under construction next to the old entrance to the Griff colliery.

Boot Wharf

Huge new warehouse

Marston Junction with the Ashby Canal

We arrived at Terry and Chris’s house in Bedworth, and we moored alongside Grace. Hazel and Chris went in her car to Tesco. James stayed on board and experienced a very heavy downpour. We had a meal later with Terry and Chris.

Heavy Rain

Moored with Grace

Terry and Chris

0 locks, 7 miles. Dep 1105, arr 1400

Sat 10^th Sep  Bedworth to Hawkesbury Junction via Foleshill Winding Hole

We didn’t have far to go today, as we were to be measured up for a new pram hood at Hawkesbury Junction. We stopped by the facilities, on a mooring marked for CRT work boats only. We figured that as it was Saturday, they wouldn’t need the mooring for a few hours. John, our craftsman, was there before us, and he soon set to work, making a template out of polythene.

Approaching Hawkesbury Junction

Our ripped hood

John making a template

Taking shape

A view of the junction from the bridge

When he had finished, we moved the boat a few yards to a proper mooring, and went to the Greyhound to meet Jasmin and Rob for lunch. We had a very pleasant meal, and then we took them for a short cruise for two miles each way to a winding hole at Foleshill. Thankfully, the weather was fine for the cruise, but when we returned, there was a dark sky.

Under the M6

Underneath the M6 bridge

The winding hole

Rob at the helm

Jasmin and Rob

James Hazel Jasmin Rob

Stormy skies over the Greyhound

We moored almost opposite Exhall Basin, which was a pleasant place , with a large grassy area alongside the towpath. There were pylons with cables overhead, and there were interesting reflections at sunset. There was rain later.

Moored under the pylons

Reflections

0 locks, 6 miles. Dep 0905, arr 0945 Facs. Dep 1535, arr 1715 Exhall Basin.

Sun 11^th Sep  Hawkesbury Junction to Brinklow

We awoke to a misty morning, with dew on the cobwebs. We emptied a cassette before passing under the bridge at the junction going up through the shallow lock onto the Oxford Canal.

Misty morning

Cobweb

Hawkesbury Junction

Onto the Oxford Canal

This part of the Canal is not somewhere we have ever wanted to stop, as there is a large electricity substation with its associated pylons, two busy motorways, and the village of Ansty which must have changed drastically since the arrival of the M69 and M6.

Electricity substation

M69

M6

Despite all this, we managed to spot a water vole, which came close alongside the boat for a moment, when another boat was coming towards us. There was no time for a photo until we had left it behind a bit.

Water Vole

We passed though the small swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats and then through the cutting where the Brinklow Arm has a cast iron footbridge at the entrance.

The swing bridge

Rose Narrowboats

A sign exceeding its authority

The Brinklow Arm

We moored a little further on, where we have stopped a few times before. Kairos arrived as planned 30 minutes later and we had a light lunch on Gabriel, followed by drinks and nibbles later in the evening. Chris had had a few mishaps, including bicycle punctures, dropping an electric bicycle battery in the water, and hitting his head on the boat. He had managed to get his car from Rugby so they could go back to Folkestone for an appointment tomorrow.

Chris and Sally

Moored with Kairos at Brinklow

1 lock, 8 miles, 1 swingbridge. Dep 0920, arr 1220

Next: Continuing our journey south through Rugby and Braunston, wondering if we can find a place where we can return to Aylesbury by bus, to join in the 50 years celebrations this weekend, or the BCF fellowship weekend at Fazeley which clashes.