Stoke Golding to Snarestone

Just before 9.00 we set out on another sunny morning, though it was quite cool and breezy. 

We stopped for coffee near Far Coton and then went as far as Shackerstone where we moored and then walked to the Battlefield Line Station to have a look round and to have lunch at the Victorian Tea Room. Steve especially enjoyed visiting the Museum crammed with railwayana, including some equipment he remembers using when he worked on the railways some decades ago.

After walking back to the boat, we continued to Snarestone. Parts of this section are very attractive especially Gopsall Wood. 

Gopsall Wood

Although there have been a number of boats around today, nothing was coming through Snarestone Tunnel when we arrived there, so we went straight through.

The light at the end of the tunnel

Swans usually serenely move out of the way when a boat goes past, but we met this one which tried to outrun us. At about the fifth attempt, he did manage to take off and escape.

Spooked Swan

On arriving at Snarestone, we winded just before the swing bridge and moored up while Steve went to talk to the very nice people of the Ashby Canal Association. They opened the swing bridge, we reversed to the moorings on the other side of the bridge and were moored up by 3.00.

We wandered across to the base of the Canal Association for a cup of coffee, a chat and a look at all the stuff they have for sale, all to raise funds to extend the canal a little bit further.

We walked to the end of the in-water canal which ends in another winding hole, but as it is only suitable for boats up to 53’ in length, we wouldn’t be able to turn in it which is why we had to wind before the swing bridge.

53' Winding hole and the onward line of canal

The next part of the canal bed is infilled, but digging this out is a straightforward task in canal restoration terms. The next major obstacle is constructing an aqueduct to cross the Gilwiskaw Brook. Apparently funds are in place to start this work.

We retraced our steps to the boat noting the conversion of the waterworks building into a residence.

0 locks       12.25 miles