Tunnels and Taxi Cabs

The Story So Far -
Total distance travelled 213 miles,  151 locks negotiated, some with more finesse than others!.  5 movable bridges pushed, 22 small aqueducts looked over  and 5 tunnels sworn a lot in.


30/04/12

Westport Lake, Stoke on Trent – Bridge 71, Congleton, Macclesfield Canal

Well. How to describe today? Surreal, exhilarating, humbling and surprising?  Quite diverse descriptions just to tell you about a trip through a tunnel and to get the weekly shopping.  But I can’t really think of any others that will do today justice.

Firstly,  The Harecastle Tunnel

My favourite and least favourite tunnel so far.  We arrived at just gone 8am and were met by a very pleasant and professional BW Tunnel Keeper who advised us we had a 20 minute wait as there was a boat on their way through.  As this is a one way tunnel we had to wait for them to emerge before we could go in.   On the approach to the tunnel it appeared that the tunnel entrance was to the left of the building with the big black door.  I was wondering how on earth we were going to turn Silver Blue a full 90 degrees to get round the corner to the entrance?  It was only after we had tied her up and walked towards the building that we realised that the big black door was in fact the entrance to the tunnel!

Then it was our turn.  We entered the tunnel and the BW man closed the big black door behind us.  It wasn’t too dark as I  had already opened all the curtains and turned on the lights inside the boat while Yog had turned on the headlight.  It was the fan that then came on, a terrifically noisy fan.  When you’re not expecting it it’s pretty scary.  It sounded huge, as if someone had just started Boeing 747 behind us!!!  Luckily the further into the tunnel we got, the quieter it became and it did provide a lovely breeze. 

We had been given a leaflet with do’s and dont’s.  It also advised that the headroom varied from section to section and it can go as low as 5’9” depending on the water level.  We were OK though, chugging along occasionally getting soaked by the drippy bits.  Then after a while a yellow painted crescent came into view at the front of the boat, it was marking where the roof of the tunnel was getting lower.  Not too bad, just a few inches, then another yellow crescent and another few inches, then another, and another….

This is where it started to get surreal.  When you are going through a tunnel, sometimes your eyes get confused and it looks like you’re not moving, the tunnel is.   Add this to the tunnel getting smaller, or is it you getting bigger?   It felt like a weird crossbreed fairground ride.  Not quite the hall of mirrors, or the tunnel of love.  A touch of a water ride with added essence of ghost train lol.  It got to the point where Yog was literally on his knees the roof was so low.  I was panicking that he would hit his head and get knocked out as once the headlight had gone past the point where the roof lowered you couldn’t tell where it was along the boat.  The back deck was pitch black and you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.  I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened.  I didn’t like it, not one bit.

But then, you look at the tunnel itself.  This thing was hand dug.  No automated tunnel drilling machine did this, men did it and probably spent a large part of their lives doing it.  It is a thing of beauty and should be cherished.  Every so often you would see a carefully bricked alcove, or water chute.  The roof of the tunnel was perfectly irregular and captivating to watch as it sailed past you on your way through the hill it was dug out of all those years ago.

Towards the end ‘someone with an odd sense of humor’ has painted a life size skeleton that looks as if he is climbing out of one of the alcoves right at you!  It is very good and had the desired effect on me when I saw it!!

Yog also had an X file moment at the exit of the tunnel when he ‘lost’ the whereabouts of the throttle handle and managed to hit the door at the exit whilst he was fumbling around in the dark trying to find it.  He was still thrown for a few minutes after exiting the tunnel thinking the boat sounded funny, did it look lower in the water etc etc….    After a coffee, ciggie and a few minutes to acclimatise himself to the outside world again, all was in fact well with the boat.  So we headed for the Macclesfield Canal. 

The locks that signify the turn for the Macclesfield came onto view and we duly turned left into a very narrow tree lined canal.  We rounded a few bends and passed back over the canal we had just left on ‘The Red Bull Aquaduct’.  There was a small stop lock to deal with then we had about 5 lock free  miles to a small town called Congleton where the trusty ‘app’ had advised me there was a Morrisons.  We had no dog or human food so big shop was required. 

I meant to say, at the lock was a letter box type thing with a BW key lock.  We had seen them before, they are supposed to have area information leaflets in them but so far we hadn’t found any, but at this lock they had some!!  Woo Hoo I hear you say, I knew you would be as excited as I was to get an information leaflet on Macclesfield!

There are 2 Roving Bridges or Snake bridges as you go into the town (76 & 77).  In the time of horse-drawn boats they changed the towpath from one side to the other without the need to unhitch your horse.  We moored up and made our way to Morrisons.  It was a mile walk down hill into the town and Yog had opted to come with me.  Now I hate food shopping, every woman I know does too.  Yog hates ALL shopping and he was with me.  This was not going to end well, not well at all.

Before we got into the shop we decided that a cab back up the hill to the boat was the way to go.  I got the trolley and we went in.

45 minutes later we both came out again with a week’s shopping, both still alive and talking to each other???  I’m not sure who was more amazed, him or me lol

Wild men and animals!!!

Walton Bridge 93, Stone - Westport Lake, Stoke on Trent

Meaford Locks

Was on the move by 9am. We wanted to get to Stoke on Trent today and the day looked as if it might stay dry.  We had two small flights of locks to deal with today.   The first set of 4 right in the centre of Stone.  They were quite close together and didn't take too long to do.  They were noticeably deeper than previous locks we had been in though.  At the centre of the flight, Yog noticed that the Stone Boat Building Chandlery we were passing was a Honda dealer.  Seeing as the pull cord on the genny had given up the ghost the night before seemed the perfect place to get a replacement. Highly recommend this chandlery, had a very good range of supplies and we came out with much more than string for the genny.

The offending article!!

Yog is in a mischievous mood today, I can tell because he has decided to wear his bowler.  Sure enough halfway through the second flight of locks at Meaford he gets off the boat to drop one of the slushes for me.  All of a sudden he shouts 'Ronni Snake!!!' and as I look up I see this red and yellow thing flying towards me!!  I panicked and tried to leap over the gate arm whilst waving my arms about frantically, only to get myself all tangled over it in my vain attempt at a getaway.  Turns out it was a toy snake Yog had spotted in the water in front of the gates.  The git.  


We have sorted puppy a place on the back deck so he can see where he is going, he had to wear his blanky coat though as it is still really cold and it wasn't long before he wanted to go back inside the boat in front of the fire.  By 12.40 the wind was starting to get bad by an hour later it was apx 20mph!!  We were crabbing round the corners at full throttle in some places.  When we  were by an open field the cross wind was really bad almost pushing us into the bank at one point.   As we were approaching Stoke we saw a transit truck driving across one of the fields below us. Probably to check on the horses that were also there and watching the truck with interest.  Yog said 'Thats gonna get stuck,' and just as he was saying it 'yup, there you go, right up to its axles!!' lol  It was a shame we had to carry on really, as we missed how they managed to free themselves, we were just left with the vision of two soaking, mud clad men desperately trying to free their truck from the mud.  Cheered us up, just goes to show, things could have been worse lol.  

How deep???

We arrived at Stoke at 2.30pm we were cold and both in need of tea so that was the first job once the boat was secure.  The whole point of going to Stoke was to do some laundry, but after some discussion and a bit of compromise from both parties, we agreed to press on today.  I would leave the laundry for another day and have tomorrow OFF in exchange for pressing on to try and reach the Macclesfield.  I agreed and we went for it.
We had 5 locks, and they were DEEP!  Unfortunately for me, the last lock had a handcuff key on it and I couldn't work out where to put the key to unlock it!!  Yog had already reversed out of the lock (not a happy bunny) and tied up the boat before I hollered 'Done It!!' with more relief than I can put into words.  

Yog before I told him I couldn't work the handcuff key!!

After the delay caused by my little mishap we didn't think we would get to Harecastle Tunnel in time so I asked my Facebook Boaty Pals where the best place to moor would be.  My answer was delivered to me through the airways 'Westport Lake'.  We tied up about 6.30pm and I looked forward to my DAY OFF!!


Therefore next blog will be for Monday cos I'm going to be asleep all day!!!

Rain Hopping

27/04/12
Brinepit Bridge 79 - Walton Bridge 93, Stone

Buster enjoying his day off

We want to get to Huddersfield before the 15th May as I am galavanting off to Ibiza and will be abandoning Yog to fend for himself again!! (awww). 
All this rain is not helping us one bit! The last thing you want to do when its hammering down is get out on the tiller isn't it.  But if we don't brave it we wont be there in time.  Tis a double edge sword, that's for sure.  So, we are doing our best to rain hop, Yog is watching the weather like a hawk and using dry windows for travelling.  Todays is 7am-10am  Therefore this morning we were off at 7.01am to try and outrun the rain.  We didn't do too bad either, managed apx 6 miles and got to Stone before the heavens opened at 10am.  It was a bit hard finding somewhere to moor, the visitor moorings were all full and we had to make alternative arrangements,  finding somewhere deep enough was the main problem. At least we had got to where we wanted to get and we were still dry!!



Once I had settled in, the rest of the day was spent lazing around and following my second favorite pastime, pottering (first fave is sleeping:0) 

I decided to do some baking and started with a big ol' plate of fairy cakes for munching on.  Yog got round to setting up his computer in the bedroom and we had a nice afternoon of browsing, facebooking and all things computer related.  
Buster enjoyed his rest from barking all day and I think he needed it as much as we did!  
He doesn't like being left in the boat when we are chugging and has been spending most of the last couple of months standing on the bed barking out of the windows.   

Next was try and sort something out for dinner.  As we have been on the go non stop for what seems like forever, the store cupboards are starting to look a bit bare.  The emergency supplies have all but gone and when Yog looks in the fridge he gets this forlorn 12 year old face on.  So I cleared out all the bits'n'bobs I had in the  fridge and managed to cobble together a couple of bacon,onion and pepper quiches :0)  Was most pleased with myself!

Yog voices his views

26/04/12

Kings Bromley Wharf – Bridge 79, Brinepit Bridge

Sure enough I am woken up again by the dog giving me some form of bizarre walk on mummy massage as Yog is reversing into the landing stage where the marina pumps its diesel from. They didn’t open till 9am and we had a bit of a wait till then so I had plenty of time to get my head together and consume tea. At nine, a lady appeared to give us some help and very nice she was too.  She also owned an ex Black Prince and really knew what she was doing when it comes to the pump out.  We both thought she went over and above the call of duty to make sure she got every last bit!!  Over all we probably got the best service so far from Kings Bromley Marina and would highly recommend others to give them their patronage.

Aqueduct over Trent

We continued along the Trent to Armitage where I needed the Post Office.  Armitage itself isnt all that to shout home about, there was a post office and an overpriced general store but that was about it.  I bought some overpriced bread and milk and decided to try Rugeley for the rest of the shopping.  Rugeley is just as bad as Nuneaton if not a bit worse, not somewhere we would have been happy stayingnnat all.  There was a Morrisons not far from the canal but that's about it.  

The exit from Rugeley is marked by a pretty aqueduct of a the River Trent.  It was flowing really fast and was quite mesmerising.  From then on the scenery got really lovely, even if the journey wasn't.  We got run aground twice by oncoming boats.  There seems to be a real lack of courtesy here and its really winding Yog up.  Its bad enough he is having to handle SB in 14mph winds at slow speeds whilst  passing moored boats with nearly every oncoming boat just  steaming past with no consideration for us or those around us.  It has pushed us into the bank and caused us to hit other boats.  Is there some unwritten rule on the Trent and Mersea that we don't know about?  Should we just steam past like they all seem to? Dunno? I was inside the boat the first time it happened and the noise was terrible, I really thought the side of the river was going to come through the side of the boat!!

To give you an idea of how Yog was feeling by the end of the day here is a quote from what he posted on Facebook that evening.  (those of you with a nervous disposition please look away now!)
Quote from Yog: What a feckin shite canal , and what wankers the boaters are we have encountered , I've been pushed up the mud by tossers that haven't got a clue how to pass from the opposite direction or how fast to go , granted most have been hire boats . I am seriously unimpressed so far, fuckin monkeys

Smile for the camera

25\04\12

Brookham Bridge 88 – Kings Bromley Wharf

Where we are..for now

The day started well until the heavens opened and we got soaked.  By the time we got to Fradley Junction onto the Trent and Mersey Canal we were saturated.  Although the junction itself is really pretty.  Another one of those purely canal orientated villages with café, pub, chandlery and general store.  On a fine day I can see it being really popular with tourists, but today it was deserted, probably due to the rain larraping down all around.   Both Yog and I were soaked through to the knickers.

We moored up at Slaish Woods quite early for us and spent the rest of the day being lazy.  We both needed it and it was a most welcome break.  We just sat and listened to the rain on the roof and watch the rain on the TV weather.

Even though it was nasty outside, people were still moving about in the wet.  We had some very jolly holiday makers come by all waving , smiling and completely soaked!! Bless

At about 4pm the rain had rained itself out and we both had our second wind.  We looked at each other both knowing that coats and rain hats were imminent and set off to do a bit more.  The locks are really narrow and have started to be preceded by even narrower brick footbridges which have chunks out of them where previous boaters haven't quite got the angle right lol.  Also the locks themselves are starting to look really odd, this one looked almost crumpled! 

We needed coal and diesel and the Nicholson’s showed that there was a boatyard just past the next bridge. That would be our first destination for tomorrow.

Landing is Forbidden!!!

24/04/12

Litchfield Road Bridge – Hillards Cross, just past Brookham Bridge 88

Blue Sky!!!

We are now on the Birmingham and Faxely Canal and Yog decided to stop to let Buster out for a quick we and poo.  Nothing odd in that I know but he did decide to stop in the Hopwas Hays woods which are the Whittington Firing Ranges where landing is FORBIDDEN!!  I knew as soon as he read it…………..

We had to stop in the Whittington as I needed a post office and their one was nice and near to the canal.  I grabbed a few supplies whilst I was out and we carried on.

We got as far as Brookhay Bridge before we stopped for the day.

Another hard day

23/04/12

Atherstone Bridge 44 – Litchfield Road Bridge

Best morning so far, nice and warm and no need for a coat.  Whizzed through the next 6 locks and motored up towards Polesworth and the M42.    We passed President on her way down to London for the Jubilee Celebrations.  The crew were all in period costume and were busy making her ready for her next leg.  Bloody phone did it to me again, it took so long for it to be ready to take a picture that she had stopped steaming by the time I was ready and didn’t start again till we were well past her and in no position to take a photo.  

We are starting to see flowers other than dafs and dandelions, this little wood had a carpet of bluebells.  You cant really see it in the photo but it was vibrant and very beautiful.

We were nearly through Tamworth and the next pair of locks at Glascote when I realised the reason we were so tired and tetchy was we had been on the go for 7 days solid without a break. After a strained discussion at the locks, we decided to take a break as we could tell we both needed one!! 

We moored up at Litchfield Road Bridge which lies between the villages of Hopwas and Coton and decided tomorrow would definitely be an easier day!!

We have seen loads of ideas along the way on all the different boats we have passed and this is one of them.  We both like the edging effect on the cratch cover so am going to have a go at adding some to ours when I make it.

No Pics today, far too busy!!!!

22/04/12

Arbury Park Bridge 16 – Atherstone, Kings Head Bridge 44

Before I had even woke up today, Yog had already nearly sank a pair of canoeists  and rear ended an old boy on his boat who pulled out on him at Boot Wharf in single lane traffic (boats moored both sides).  By the time I arrived on the back deck with tea and ciggies he was already wound up and not a happy bunny.  We then had to follow said old boy who was travelling unbelievably slowly.  Making us have to travel at the same pace, making the boat harder to control in the wind  etc…you get the picture. 

Thankfully he pulled over and let us past and we got a decent pace going again.  We had no intention of stopping in Nuneaton, and now we were seeing it for ourselves we definitely would not be stopping!! The word Dump springs to mind.  Piles of fly-tipped rubbish,  broken windows and boarded up buildings everywhere.    We couldn’t get through the place quick enough to be honest.

We replenished supplies in Atherstone before heading through the lock flight.   It was quite busy with boats going both ways.   We came across a man single crewing who was obviously having a bad day as he had a go at me for closing the lock gates on the lock above allowing someone else to turn it against him and nick his water.  I calmly explained that I wasn’t the one he should be angry  at as I didn’t tell them not to wait for him to get there at and directed him to the people in the lock above. 

At the next lock, the people behind caught us up and we chatted about the grumpy man lol.  Apparently a hire boat had actually turned the lock whilst waiting for their water tank to fill up and offered the lock to them instead, so they directed grumpy man to the hire boat lol

At the 5^th lock in the flight the heavens opened big time and we hurriedly pulled in near Kings Head Bridge, near lock 6.

After such an early start we were both knackered and a bit tetchy.  Enough for today, roll on tomorrow.

End of the Rainbow

21/04/12

Hungerfield Bridge 35 – Arbury Park Bridge 16

We managed to find a nice remote spot a couple of miles past Newbold Tunnel.  It was quite funny as last night, as we were approaching the tunnel we could hear hooter noises but couldn’t see any boats in the tunnel?  They were so convincing that Yog even stopped in the middle of the river to give way to whatever it was making all the noise. 

It turned out to be a group of young lads making their way through the tunnel on foot, beer in hand no doubt on their way to the boat full of young girls we had seen just before the tunnel  ;0)  Their faces were a picture as they saw Captain Nasty, head lit by the tunnel light making his way towards them from the darkness of the tunnel.  They were making quite different noises on seeing him though lol

We saw them again today  about midday, all dressed as pirates on their way to the next leg of their beer fuelled holiday on the river.  The weather is still pretty nasty and we had decided to sit it out for a little while and I am glad we did as those boys looked freezing!!

At about 5pm we decided to do a bit more and try and get to Hawksbury Junction as that’s when the Nicholsons book ran out and it was our aim to start the next day on a new book. Well my aim anyway, I was getting all excited as up till now each finished page directed you to the next page in the book but the Hawksbury Junction page directs you to ‘See Book 3’.  The thought of a new book gave me much pleasure lol.

We saw the most fantastic rainbow on the way.  The pictures really do not do it justice.  It almost made the fact that we were cold, damp and by now getting pretty tired quite quickly that little bit easier to bare.

At the junction there is a stupidly shallow lock, probably less than a foot.  It marks the end of the Oxford Canal and apparently was put there to stop the other canal from nicking all their water. 

Straight after the lock is a 90 degree bend under a bridge followed by another 90 degree bend.  Which of course we had to negotiate with 2 boats approaching us from apposing directions lol but at least we were now on the Coventry Canal and more importantly Book 3!!

We carried on past Bedworth and the Marsdon Junction where the Ashby Canal branches off to the East to find ourselves a nice secluded spot near Arbury Park Bridge 16.  That would be us for the night.

WTFAWT - On the Oxford

20/04/12
Barby Wood Bridge 78 - Hungerfield Bridge 35
Total distance is 9 miles, 3 locks, 3 small aqueducts  and 1 tiny tunnel

Am liking the bridges in this area and increasingly disliking the camera on my phone, it takes ages to get ready and half the time Ive missed the picture I really wanted to take!!  


The temperature is a lot lower this morning and its really cold on the back deck, much colder than the last few days,.

We came upon our first narrow lock today.  It was lucky there was a boat coming through as we arrived so I got a quick 'do's and dont's' from the chap working the gates which helped get an idea of how to continue.


The locks here are in pairs but one side had been closed off by BW to save water.  The lock gates are so much lighter than I am used to, I almost fell flat on my bum the first time I opened one!!

Silver Blue fits in so snugly with just about the room for a rizla both ends. They fill up so much quicker too!!


Hillmorton Locks are a flight of 3 with plenty of facilities around them should we have needed them but we were all good.  There was even a cafe, but we didn't stop as the weather was pretty good and the river was quite busy.


After the last lock Yog spotted Edi's boat, easy really if you know what to look out for.  He bibbed and shouted and managed to wake up all the surrounding boaters but couldn't rouse Edi the reason being he was actually in London that morning but would meet us at tea time.  

Cafe Delivery Waggon

I checked my 'app' and the Nicholson's to have a look see on where would be best to stop.  There was a supermarket by bridge 58 so we decided to stop there and wait for Edi to arrive.  I also took the opportunity to get a Dr appointment to renew my prescription which I managed to do surprisingly easily!  Itinerary sorted, we made our way to Rugby.


My appointment was at 3pm and I headed off about 2.30 to find the doctors, just my luck, uphill all the way!!


Found the Dr's, and the pharmacy and a chip shop that had a queue right out of the door at 4pm so I thought it must have been a good one.  Two large cod and chips later, I was glad I did.  It was delicious!! 

Instead of Edi arriving for a visit, Clive did.  LOL we didnt even realise he was in the area, or that Edi knew him, but he was and he did so he arrived in Edi's stead.  After a couple of cuppas and a good old catch up we carried on for a bit more travelling into the evening.  We both had found our second wind from somewhere and were happy to do a bit extra.  Plus it would be really bad tommorow so the more distance we could cover today the better.

The weather was definitely drawing in and the clouds were gathering up above us.  One of them looked like a devil, with two horns, eyes, nose and fluffy moustache!! All edged in red from the sun.  
As the sun disappeared, and the sky got blacker and blacker we decided that even though we were fully fledged members of the Where The F**k are We Tribe who couldn't even see the bank, we would have to find somewhere to moor up for the night pretty damn quick.

Braunston

19/04/12


Whilton Top Lock - Barby Wood Bridge 78
Total distance is 9 miles, 12 locks and  1 tunnel

Braunston Tunnel Approach

By 9.30am we were approaching Braunston Tunnel.  A slightly later start by Yogs standards but we couldn't arrive at Braunston Flight  before 9am due to the restrictions on the locks so a lay in it was :0).




The towpath is getting really bad, proper slippy and waterlogged with water sitting on the surface for a lot of it. 

Braunston Top Lock

At around 11am we pulled up at Braunston top lock.  There was a single boat in the pound below us and they waited for us to get through before they went into the next lock.


They were a lovely couple, had just bought themselves a 30 footer.  They used to have a 50 foot boat but as they were getting older and the 50 footer was getting a bit much for them they had decided to downsize.


We all then went into what can only be described as auto-pilot plodding our way through the locks till we got to the bottom lock and Braunston.  
We pulled up just past the marina there so we could have a walk back to take a gander in the shops we had passed on the way through the last lock.  We had a most hearty 'Welcome to Braunston!!' from another boating couple who were walking their dog along the waterlogged towpath and it really set the tone for the rest of our visit.

Add caption

At Bottom Lock is a shop that started aboard a boat moored at Braunston Turn, this is now a FANTASTIC shop inside a lock side cottage that is stuffed to the rafters with goodies.  You can take a look HERE to see what kind of paraphernalia they stock.  I was in absolute heaven!  I nearly gave the poor shopkeeper a heart attack with my first outburst upon sighting a pair of sterling silver windlass earrings!!  After the third or fourth I think he may have been used to me ;0).  

We also saw a Lee and Stort Brass Plaque which we thought was quite funny seeing as it was the first one we had seen since leaving the area.  That went in the basket with the earrings and postcards and I would have got a book I spotted on rope craft but the pennies would not allow :0(  

Sally Slap Cabbage

Across the way was a chandlers so we nipped in there and got some rope to make some lanyards and a new back rope as the one we had been using up till then was a bit rank and causing Yog to moan.  Back at base Yog spotted this boat.  
Definitely the best boat name we have seen so far  'Sally SlapCabbage'.

Add your own caption lol

Whilton Marina - Shopping Trip

18/04/12


Whilton Lock Flight


Yog was up early today, watching the clock, waiting for 9am.  Last night he had spotted a cafe behind the chandlery and he was on a mission.  He would be at the door as soon as the cafe opened!!  One minute past we were at our table on our way to the first cooked breakfast from a cafe in ages! It seemed like it any way after the numerous unsuccessful attempts we had at trying to find one in other places.
This place had a lot to live up to and for me it was fine, but Yogi unfortunately was disappointed.  In his opinion, the sausage makes the breakfast and if the sausage isn't right it spoils it for him.

I have to admit, it was one of the blandest breakfasts I have had in a long time and the tea cups were way too small but it was hot and I didnt have to cook it so that was more than enough for me :0) Yogi on the other hand was quite inconsolable :0(


Next was the chandlers and that was a whole other story!  We were both as happy as the proverbial pigs in poo.  Loads of stuff for us both to oooh and aahh at :0)  Yogi stocked up on oil, filters and man stuff for Silver Blue and I got postcards, tea-towels and girly stuff :0)


We made our way back to base laden down with bags of goodies to play with later after we had the days travelling behind us.

The rain was making everything decidedly soggy and opening and closing the lock gates was a bit of a pain as I kept getting a damp bum.  Lucky for me, the family we shared the locks with that day were all weather-proofed up and the mum of the family used her waterproofed bum to deal with most of the the gates, which suited us both as she didn't like using the windlass.  They were on holiday till Saturday and were making the best of the showery weather.  Their son, a whopping 6'8" had been doing most of the driving and unfortunately for us 'dad' was taking his turn today lol  getting in the locks was taking a 'tad' longer than normal.   

After the first lock, where Yog was rear ended quite spectacularly lol, he let them lead the way into the locks.  It was quite entertaining watching 'dad' trying to keep to the left or the right of the lock but he got the hang of it in the end, sort of......
By the time we got to the top lock, we  had all had enough.  We were cold, soaked and tired.  So we pulled up, filled the water tank and collapsed in opposing heaps on the sofa till it was time for bed.  Which was apx 5 mins after that.

300yds My Arse!!!

17/04/12
Weedon Junction Bridge 24 - Whilton Marina - 3 Miles - 0 Locks


The Journey so far : Fieldes Weir - Whilton Marina
120 miles - 2 Swing Bridges - 3 Tunnels - 11 Small Aquaducts and 100 Locks!!



We have started to make mad dashes to try and either out-run the rain or cruise between the showers & downpours.  Today being no different I awake to a running engine and Buster trampling all over my face to let me know he's gone without us!! ( I don't think he can quite comprehend that he is on the boat that is moving and hasn't been left behind :0) lol).


A couple of miles into the days travel we pulled in for a cuppa and to let the dog out for his morning constitutional.  Whilst following him up the towpath I noticed a sign on Muscott Mill Bridge 18 saying '300yds to  Heart of the Shires Shopping Village over 20 shops including home made pie, crafts, lighting, cafe and tea room'.  Taking into account the weather etc I decided against asking Yog if I could have a quick look as I knew he wanted to get to Whilton Marina to see what stuff they had there and was keen to keep chugging.


When I got back with the dog, Yog asked me if I had seen the sign on the bridge for 'the place with the shops?' I answered in the positive and bugger me if he didn't suggest taking a walk up there to have a look!!  I immediately agreed got my bag and went out the door, 'No rush babe' I said from the towpath lol.


'Turn left at the bridge and its 300 yards' That's what the instructions on the bridge said.  Unfortunately, following those directions took us into a very helpful gentleman's garden,  who seemed quite used to strange people wandering through his front gates.   He cheerfully pointed us in the right direction to the top of the hill up on the left, apparently it happens all the time as the place is more like half a mile away!! 

Have put a link to Heart of the Shires for anyone interested, to be honest I thought was  a bit pricey, taking advantage of its captive audience and the cafe/tearoom was a bit to formal for us.  It was more of a restaurant where men wore light blue trousers and the women, lemon blouses with embroidery on.  Not really our thing just yet, so we gave it a miss.  Next was the pie shop, where Yog took control of the shopping ;) we came out with two carrier bags full of PIE and Quiche.  That was lunch and dinner sorted for tonight.  Then he sat and had a ciggie near the bandstand and patiently waited for me whilst I got my fix of shoes hats and handbags.  I came out with a rather fetching waxed cotton hat which I thought was a good idea especially with the weather being a bit unpredictable as it was.


The walk back to the boat was down hill thankfully and Yog was already thinking of lunch.  'I'll put the kettle on and you do quiche'  he said as we slid along the towpath, him carrying the bags and me modelling my new hat!  Well, it could rain at any time!! 

George, keeping an eye on things

Funnily enough, I didn't have to wait long before testing just how shower proof my hat was because just before we pulled in opposite Whilton Marina the heavens opened with a vengeance!!  It was 5.45pm and the chandlery closed at 6pm.  We shot in there quick to see what stuff they had in stock etc so we could go back with a list the next day.  


Back at the boat we had a visitor, apparently his name was George and he was born here.  He quacked at me through the kitchen window till I relented and gave him some supper. Cheeky bugger!!

I do not like hills!!

Monday 16/04/12

Heyford Marina Bridge 32 – Weedon Junction Bridge 24

We were low on supplies again and didn’t expect to be moving for the next couple of days so back on the bike I went to try and find some shops.  This would be a bit of a struggle as we were miles away from anywhere and my ‘app’ wasn’t being all that helpful.

I also needed an ATM and as Weedon Bec looked larger in the Nicholson's, I thought it would be more likely to have a cashpoint.    So, I decided to head for there while Yogi waited for the men to arrive. 

The towpaths here are ‘rustic’ to say the least and are sloping in towards the river.  Add the last few days of rain to the mix, freshly cut grass and sloppy mud and you have quite a hairy ride.   Normally I would have just stayed on the towpath till I got to the village but it was so treacherous that I couldn’t wait to get onto tarmac.  Add to that the river meandereing around so much that to take the towpath route would have doubled the journey. Road won the toss.

Hills.  I am getting better, but still don’t like them.  I particularly don’t like the way you can’t see hills when you are reading the map.  This is why I mostly stay on the towpath as it stays pretty level.  Roads tend to have hills and there were a lot of them between me and the shops.  All that aside, it was a nice ride.  I got a bit lost a couple of times and had to ask for directions but in the end I found what I was looking for. 

Weedon Bec is really pretty.  Thatched cottages, quaint little post office and hoorah a nice big shop full of bread milk and dinner.  A couple of boaters were outside the shop with their dogs, both wearing red bandanna's.  The dogs, not the boaters ;0) I  had a quick chat with them, (the boaters not the dogs), while I packed my shopping on the bike took a deep breath, and started the journey back to Heyford Wharf.

On the way back I noticed a road sign for Bugsbrooke, so, as I knew we were moored near there I thought I would take that way home.  The road pretty much followed the line of the river so long slow climbs would replace the steep hills of the main roads I had followed on the way there. 

This was a much better route, much more picturesque and far less traffic to deal with.  It took me through Nether Heyford and past a village shop!!  I was  NOT  happy about that.  

When I got to Bugsbrooke, Yog rang me to let me know he was taking the boat across to the boatyard.  Slightly frustrating as the only way into the marina was via a road I had passed apx 1 mile earlier!! Great!!  By the time I got to the boatyard I had done a 9 mile round trip and was knackered. 

Nether Heyford Village Green

Yog was on the back deck with the two chaps who were busy advising him not to get his diesel cleaned as all the people they knew that had had it done had ended up having to replace all the diesel in their tank as it didn’t really work.  Seeing as we had a full tank of diesel we decided to leave that for now.  They also couldn’t find any leak coming from the gearbox as it had miraculously stopped leaking.  The general opinion being that as Yog had put straight 50 into the gearbox last time it had emptied itself, this had swelled the seals and stopped the leak.  Both chaps couldn’t understand how this had worked as apparently you should only put engine oil in and not straight 50. 

So, pretty much nothing achieved or fixed so far.  The chaps asked us to take the boat up to  the next bridge as they could access the boat by road much easier there so that’s what we did.  The arrangement being that they would drop us in some de-greaser the next day to enable Yog to clean out the engine bay enough to hopefully see where the oil was leaking from on the gearbox.  So that’s where we headed.

The Olde Sun Inn

After the day we had had, a beer was in order so we moored up and headed for The Olde Sun Inn, which was signposted from Bridge 32.  

After a 15 minute walk uphill we finally found it.  Really pretty looking pub with painted mangles filled with flowers outside.  

Cant tell you anything about the inside as the bloody place was CLOSED!!!