Goodbye to Black Bess- you have been fantastic
Monday 9 July 2018
Posted by Martin at 20:47
Nb Black Bess For Sale
Thursday 21 June 2018
Posted by Martin at 20:15
Through Braunston and now at Crick Wharf.
Thursday 14 June 2018
The lovely converted nb Arcangel |
Passing Braunston Turn - to turn right for Napton |
The turn into Braunston Marina. |
Waiting our turn at the bottom of Braunston locks |
The very uninspiring entrance to the 2042 yard Braunston tunnel. |
The plaque on the wall as you enter the tunnel. |
Entering the first of the 4 staircase Watford locks |
Posted by Martin at 23:15
Through Hawkesbury Junction and now below Hillmorton locks.
Friday 8 June 2018
We continue to make steady progress although the weather has changed its approach. Compared to the last few weeks its been a cloudy and chilly start with the sun finally making its appearance during the afternoon. Last night we were moored at Hawkesbury Junction There are not many suitable moorings as you head south towards Rugby so we had a longish day of nearly 6 hours to do 16 miles. We are now moored just before the bottom lock at Hillmorton. Now all the building work on the new M1 link road has finished for the day it's very rural!
Hawkesbury Junction is a classic canal location. As you approach it the first thing that you see is the old engine pump house that used to feed water into the Coventry Canal. |
At the junction we have to turn left. This means a 180 degree turn under the cast iron bridge. |
Anne closing the lock after I had made a perfect turn - as usual nobody was around to appreciate it. We are now on the Oxford canal. The Coventry canal is behind the building on the right. |
Interesting Mural on an old railway bridge support. |
In the style of the old Brighton Bell train |
Posted by Martin at 20:30
Through Fradley Junction and up Atherstone flight
Wednesday 6 June 2018
Looking up to Fradley from the Trent & Mersey canal which is coming up from the River Trent at Shardlow |
Fradley Junction behind me to Shardlow,straight ahead the T & M to Great Haywood and to the left is the Coventry Canal where we are going. |
The large working boat Hadley approaching the top lock at Fradley. |
It's so lovely to see cygnets taking a ride on mum's back |
A new type of water taxi |
Our mooring tonight past Atherstone and just before bridge 36. |
I missed these two large birds on a wall going through Fazeley Junction last time |
Posted by Martin at 21:18
Great weekend in Great Haywood
Sunday 3 June 2018
A narrow boat anchored out in the middle of Tixall Wide something you do not see at all as most narrow boaters would not feel comfortable unless moored to something solid. |
A lovely evening photo of reflections in the Wide. |
Late evening reflections in the Wide |
A final view as we leave Tixall Wide |
Jeff & Sylvia just before we all say goodbye |
This is the last remaining lock keepers bywashed toilet |
Wolseley Bridge over the River Trent from our mooring tonight. |
Our mooring from bridge 70 tonight |
This is it a Dapol 7mm model of a GWR 59ft auto trailer |
Posted by Martin at 20:35
Just past Acton Trussell next stop Great Haywood
Friday 1 June 2018
Another very humid day but a very pleasant cruise past Acton Trussell where we moored above Deptmore Lock. The only event during the day was a boater having problems with his gearbox who managed to ram a top gate on a lock. Luckily there was no damage done. A similar event this week at lock 4 on the Audlem flight has resulted in a short closure and some heavy Canal & River Trust equipment to sort it out.
This was a trader moored at Penkridge selling coffee and ice creams amongst other things. I was more interested in the bird on the roof. |
The stern of Lady Hatherton a classic inspection launch built for the Staffs & Worcs Canal Co in 1898 - details can be found in the Historic Narrow Boat Club. |
Our mooring tonight in open countryside just above Deptmore lock No 42. |
Posted by Martin at 20:57