Sunday 23rd August
We left Wyken Basin mid-morning and turned left towards
Hawkesbury. It was a dry morning with sunny spells and was less windy than the
last couple of days. It was very busy around Hawkesbury – good to see so much
activity! We had lunch on the move, fortunately finishing before a sudden heavy
shower. Arriving at Atherstone Locks, we were pleased to see a VLK ready to
help us. In the end we had help from VLKs on the first five locks; we’ve never
had so much help at Atherstone. Usually we manage to arrive either at lunchtime
or after they’ve all gone home!
We moored below Lock 7, and while Steve washed the roof, I
went for a walk. I’d seen damsons growing in the hedge, so I collected a
container from the boat and picked a few. Cooked, they made a tasty pudding –
though there a lot of stones!
Miles: 13.75 Locks:
8 Total
Miles: 13.75 Total
Locks: 8
Monday 24th
August
There had been rain overnight, but it was a bright morning,
though with a definite autumnal feel. Water levels have been low all through
the flight, but were particularly so between Locks 8 & 9. Boats coming up
through Lock 8 reported having difficulty getting into the lock because the
water was so low. We proceeded fairly slowly, but had no problems.
Our intention for today was to meet up with Chris and Terry
Rigden at Glascote, but we began to get reports from passing boaters that there
was a queue building up at the locks. As a result, we ended up just being able
to greet C & T as they passed us and then we joined the queue. We were
eighth in line, and given the rate at which Glascote Locks fill, we expected to
be there all afternoon. However, the queue at the other side was shorter and,
with Steve and others lending a hand with working the locks, we were through in
two hours. We waved hello to Eric and Sue Lewis on Remus, then passed Firoza,
but no sign of Derek and Judy. Credal Wood was on her home mooring with Doreen
and Eric enjoying the sunshine in their garden.
We moored on the visitor moorings near Fradley Swing Bridge.
When we went for a walk later, we found Ferrous moored a few boats along from
us, not with Edwin aboard, but with members of his family in charge.
Miles: 19.75 Locks:
6 Total
Miles: 33.50 Total Locks: 14
Tuesday 25th
August
A very wet and windy night, and the weather forecast for the day promised no better. The rain had lessened by 9.00, so we decided we would set off. (Ferrous had made the same decision and passed us going in the opposite direction.) We were surprised (but pleased!) to find a VLK at Junction Lock, so we were quickly through and then through Keeper’s and Hunt’s which were against us. Common Lock was set for us, Bagnall Lock next, against us again. We stopped at Alrewas for water and I went into the village for bread and milk. There was a heavy shower while we were at Alrewas, but then the sun came out and it was quite warm. Down Alrewas Lock, followed by Wychnor and then we stopped for lunch. The weather was due to get worse, so we soon moved off, went through two more locks, Barton Turn and Tatenhill before mooring at Branston near The Bridge Inn. We had hoped to have a meal at The Bridge, but they were fully booked. We were able to have a takeaway from there instead – it was very good.
New houses going up at Branston.
Wednesday 26nd
August
Another wet and windy night, and water lapping against the boat added to the sound effects. It was more or less dry when we set off and we were quickly through Branston Lock as it was set for us. Then we came to a stop as there was a tree down over the canal. Workmen were already there dealing with it and after a delay of about half an hour we were allowed through, though they still hadn’t finished clearing the tree out of the way.
Unexpected item in boating area.
We had coffee on
the move after going through Dallow Lane Lock. As we went across the aqueduct
over the River Dove, we could see that the river levels were quite high and the
river was flowing very quickly.
We arrived next at Stenson Lock, the first of the broad locks on this trip. No boat going our way came along, so we went ahead alone. The gates on this lock are very heavy. I was unable to open the bottom gate until a helpful dog walker lent a hand and after Steve had taken the boat through, I couldn’t close the gate. The dog walker had gone on his way, so Steve had to come off the boat and help.
We moored up for lunch and then a boat came along, so we
quickly got ready to join them to go down Swarkestone Lock. They turned out to
be BCF members Tom and Sara Millward on a friend’s boat, Anya. It was good to
be able to work the lock together, but they moored after Swarkestone so we went
on alone to Weston and Aston Locks. We moored for the night above Shardlow
Lock.
Miles: 17.50 Locks:
6 Total
Miles: 56.25 Total
Locks: 29
Thursday 27th
August
Having looked at the Environment Agency website, we found out the Trent was in flood and after an initial fall, levels would rise again. We made the decision to go down Shardlow Lock and then wind and return the way we had come.
So we descended Shardlow Lock, and having enquired at the
boatyard about a pump out (their machine was broken!), we winded and prepared
to go back up the lock. However, there was a wide beam already coming down, so
we were delayed a little. They were heading out on the river, but had not
looked up any info about water conditions. Through Aston Lock and on to Weston
where there was a VLK on duty – very welcome help with these broad locks.
At Swarkestone Lock, we were approached by the woman off Adagio who said they were winding as she had had so much trouble working Stenson lock that they were giving up, and could they pair up with us. Of course we agreed (though we had been going to stop for lunch above Swarkestone Lock). She and crew from the two boats following us helped us through Swarkestone. Lunch on the move – and it started to rain! We worked Stenson together (plus help from the following boats) and turned into Mercia Marina. The intention was to get a pump out, but we decided to see if we could stay the night. We were both thoroughly soaked by this time.
The rain finally stopped about 7.30, so we went for a walk
around the marina. We were able to dispose of some of our recycling in their
bins.
Mercia Marina
Miles: 11.00 Locks:
6 Total Miles: 67.25 Total Locks: 35
Friday 28th
August
We treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast at the Willow Tree Tearooms at the marina, and left soon afterwards hoping to travel in the dry. We just had the one lock to do – Dallow Lane – it was half full and we were quickly through especially as we could leave the gates open for an on-coming boat, 3 No Trumps (which had been in front of us at Glascote). We moored at Shobnall Fields at 12.00 by which time it was raining again. It continued raining for most of the afternoon and the whole of the evening. There was a useful recycling bin in the Field which took tetrapaks as well as plastic and cans.
Miles: 5.50 Locks:
1 Total
Miles: 72.75 Total
Locks: 36
Saturday 29th
August
Brighter morning, but chilly for August. Left the Shobnall
Fields mooring to move into Shobnall Marina to leave the boat until Tuesday. We
had a bit of trouble getting into our mooring as the boat got stuck on
something under the water in the basin. Lots of folk offered advice and help
and eventually pulled us in. We walked to The National Brewery Centre and spent
a couple of hours there on a guided tour. On the way back to the basin we did
some shopping at Sainsbury’s – handily placed on our route.
One of the Shire horses at the Brewery Centre
We had a late lunch, packed and left for the station. An uneventful journey home, Burton to Tamworth, Tamworth to Nuneaton. It was raining as we walked to the bus station, but had stopped by the time we got off the bus.
Quiet evening catching up on washing etc.
Miles: 0.50 Locks:
0 Total
Miles: 73.25 Total Locks: 36
