Monday was another day of packing and repacking the motorhome, deciding what we needed in the motorhome, and what we needed to keep, but not with us in the motorhome! We have got rid of loads of stuff, but we still seem to have too much. (at least to remember where it all is i.e. the garage and loft of our parents!)
Nic enjoyed afternoon tea at Middleton’s hotel in York with her mum.
Tuesday, we met Rog’s parents in Burnby Hall Gardens (where we got married!) for a walk followed by lunch.
Wednesday the outside of the motorhome was professionally cleaned, needing a scaffolding tower to reach the roof, so it is all bright and shiny now.
Thursday, we took the motorhome to Middlewood Farm holiday park in Robin Hood’s Bay, for two nights – via Whitby, where we had lunch at the Magpie café, the best fish and chips (we have never been disappointed there).
Friday was wonderful weather (for October), we walked from the campsite down to Robin Hood’s bay, a nice walk across the fields, then along the beach past Boggle Hole (Youth Hostel).
Saturday, we packed up the Motorhome ready to return to Pocklington, the vague plan was to stop in Scarborough or Bridlington, but unfortunately Nic did not feel well, so we headed straight back to Pocklington. Nic went to bed with a Migraine, so Rog went out with his brother and friends to watch the local Rugby match and have a pint or three!!!
Sunday, we went for a walk with both sets of parents to North Cave wetlands, when we got there we learned there had been a bit of twitching excitement as a Bitten had been spotted earlier in the day (we didn’t see it). Excellent bacon or sausage baps were had, at a very reasonable price.
Firstly, an apology for the delay in posting this blog, as you will understand from the below we have had a busy week!
Monday (27 September) we cruised back to Nelson’s Wharf, filling with water and diesel on route, which was challenging given the wind! Manoeuvring the boat in a small boat yard.
Once back to Nelson’s Wharf, we locked the boat up, and Nic’s parents drove us back to Pocklington, to collect their motorhome, so we could empty the boat of all our stuff.
Tuesday (28 September) we drove back to the boat, in the middle of the fuel crisis, luckily, we managed to get fuel before we went on to the motorway network. Nearly all Services on the motorways were showing no fuel.
Once we got back to the boat, the packing challenge began, getting all our stuff from the Boat into the Motorhome, thankfully we could park close to the mooring.
Wednesday (29 September) more packing and moving of stuff, and the cleaning started, to make sure the boat was “spick and span” to hand back.
Thursday (30 September), we just had to move the boat to opposite the Kaye’s Arm of canal, which was a mile & 8 locks, so the plan was for Nic to captain the Boat to the locks, and Rog to move the motorhome to the boat yard, then walk back up the lock join Nic and do the locks together. So Nic left Nelson’s Wharf on the boat, Stage 1 of the plan complete, easy! Rog then attempted to move the motorhome, however easier said than done, the motorhome would not start, it has a hi-tech immobiliser on it, which appears to have a mind of its own, and chose not to start. After lots of attempts and a call to the Parents, the Motorhome finally started. By this time, Nic was already at the top of the locks with the boat.
Rog got to the top lock just in time, as Nic had started the double locks with another boat, so all worked out well! And we returned the boat. In some ways our six months on “Life in Slow Motion” has flown by and in other ways it felt like a lot longer, as you’ll see below, we have done 914 miles and 734 locks in our time onboard. We have been asked if we are sad to end our boating and return the boat – in a way we are, however, the weather is changing, and I’m sure boating in the autumn and winter would be a very different prospect. Returning the boat also enables us to start other different adventures – the next one being Motorhome!
After returning the Boat we drove to the Napton Cidery to buy more of their lovely cider, (their number 6 cider if anyone is interested!) before driving back up to Pocklington.
Friday (1 October) the job of unpacking and repacking the motorhome started, thankfully Nic’s parents were away for the weekend, as we took over most of the house with all our stuff.
Friday night we have a lovely dinner at Rog’s parents, its nice to do the family things again.
Saturday (2 October) the unpacking and repacking of the Motorhome continued, we still have loads of stuff.
Saturday night, beers and a curry with family and friends, being in the Indian was a little strange, as, before the building was an Indian restaurant, it was the restaurant that we had our wedding reception in.
Sunday (3 October) we had just about put the house back to rights (if not quite finished all the repacking) and with a pile of stuff that is not coming in the motorhome with us waiting to go to Rog’s parents garage, when we got a text from the parents stating they would be home in 15 mins! Luckily our parents appear to be very laid back about how much stuff is in their lofts/garages! Our thanks go to them!
On Monday, we made it all the way to Oxford, after rescuing another loose boat called “Scallywag“, drifting across the canal. We had to leave the Oxford Canal onto the River Thames to turn around, as the last turning circle on the Oxford canal is for boats up to 52ft and Life in Slow Motion is 57ft.
We had lunch in a Swedish café called “Skogen” (Forest), that had Schnapps on the menu, so obviously we had to participate in a mini cold table!
We spent the afternoon strolling around Oxford, before going to the cinema to see the latest Marvel film – “Shang Chi & the legend of the 10 rings”
Tuesday, we headed north back up the Oxford Canal, we stopped at the Jolly Boater pub in Thrupp for lunch, mooring up right outside the pub.
On Wednesday, we cruised into Banbury and had a walk around the town, passing ‘The’ Banbury Cross.
Thursday, we continued cruising north, mooring for the night before the Claydon Locks, as the locks are subject to evening closures, to save water.
Friday, we cruised the summit level of the Oxford canal between the Claydon locks and the locks at Marston Dole. When we arrived there at 3pm, there were 10 boats ahead of us waiting for the locks, which had been closed since 10:30 that morning with engineers working on repairs. Thankfully they soon opened the locks, but as they were also subject to evening closures, due to low water levels in the reservoirs, we only just got through before they were padlocked for the night. It is amazing the number of different versions of the same story you hear as you talk to other boaters. All credit to some of the crew from a hire boat behind us, who worked steadily with their windlasses, for a couple of hours to help get as many boats through the locks as quickly as possible, before the padlocks went on!
Saturday morning we went to the local Napton Cidery, Rog was taste testing Apple Brandy at 10:30am.
Sunday we cruised to Nelson’s Wharf, were we had arranged for moorings for a few days, so we could sort the boat out ,and pack our stuff ready to leave the boat on 30 September. Family came and met us, so we could collect a motorhome, for the next adventure. In return for a lift we were to give them an overnight cruise on the boat and dinner out at the Boat house in Braunston. We turned around and headed back towards Braunston on the Oxford & Grand Union canal. As we got to the canal Junction we were informed by a friendly boater that the canal to Braunston was closed due to a tree falling across the canal. So we moored up for lunch and came up with another plan …….. we turned around again and headed down the Oxford canal towards Napton, not very far but with a winding hole for us to be able to turn around there.
Monday morning, bikes off the roof of the boat and assembled in less than 15mins, Rog is getting fast! A 15min cycle to Bletchley Park, as we got free tickets as part of the “national heritage days out” scheme, where heritage sites give away free tickets for a week every September (Bletchley Park is usually £21 each, so £42 saved)
We were expecting a bit of a dusty museum for World War II buffs and geeks, however we both agreed that it was extremely well done, very engaging, using multi-media (the hand-held guides were great) it explained the tricky subject of the German codes (Enigma, Lorenz machine, which was classified until 1983) and the cracking of them, without dumbing down to much. They also showed the human element of the people who worked at Bletchley Park, outside they played audio of rounders matches, bicycle bells, and conversations, as if being overhead, this really brought the place alive. Well worth the £21 each we did not pay!
After returning to the boat, we cruised for a few hours, before mooring up in time for online drinks with friends, who, last time we met, had given us a bottle of wine. They opened a bottle of the same wine, so we chatted and enjoyed the same wine, which was lovely (Thanks – you know who you are!)
Tuesday, we continued heading north on the Grand Union Canal doing 11 miles and 1 lock.
Wednesday, we cruised 12 miles, 7 locks and the Blisworth tunnel (3,076 yards), including filling up with diesel at the same yard we had used on the way south. We moored up in Weedon, so close to the railway line that we could see the bug splat on the windscreen, and the blood shot eyes of the drivers as the trains whizzed passed.
Thursday, we did the Buckley locks, we met a woman who had damaged her knee, so she hobbling painfully whilst driving, whilst her novice crew quickly learned how to lock. So, we helped them through. Then we did the Braunston tunnel (2,042 yards), just before we entered the tunnel we saw a couple of boats moored (one hire boat and one of a much older vintage) and the crew of the older boat were professing their great thanks on the hire boat crew. The tunnel was very smoggy, much worse than the last time we had been through, on exiting and speaking to the other boats queuing for the next lock, we learned that the older boat had broken down in the tunnel (engine and electrical failure – so no power or lights – scary) so the hire boat must have towed them out (you have to tow a boat in the direction it was going).
There was a queue of 5 boats at the Braunston locks, so we helped out were we could to get everyone through the locks, it helps everyone out, but from a selfish point of view, it also gets us through the locks quicker.
After retracing our steps since leaving London, first thing Friday morning we joined the Oxford Canal – South, new territory, back to a narrow canal, so goodbye to the wide beam boats and wide locks. Smaller locks are much quicker and easier to deal with. We did 11 miles and 9 locks, mooring up in Fenny Compton for the evening. We walked into the village to buy some supplies, quite a tricky walk, the foot path disappears as you get to a double railway bridge, and you see an ominous sign to motorists which says “Pedestrians on Road”, which you hope the motorists will see, given there are also signs which say “Road liable to flooding”, one giving the height restrictions and finally one telling them that the road is narrow! Thankfully we made it both ways under the double railway bridge with the needed supplies.
On Saturday, for the first time on our canal travels, we saw deer in a field by the canal (twice!) both times we saw a mother and fawn feeding, none of whom seemed bothered by the passing boat.
Sunday, saw another deer fawn on its own. We then ventured onto the river Cherwell, which we were not expecting as it only joins the canal between two locks, one of the locks being a strange octagonal shape which moved the boat only about 1ft. Lots of lift bridges today, thankfully all bar one are left raised, so we don’t have to do anything. The only remaining one was an electric lift bridge, so insert key and press a button which is easy, and it gives you the power to stop traffic. We moored just outside a village called Thrupp!
Amongst all the cruising this week, we have also managed to book an adventure to the Canary Islands for mid-January to mid-March next year.
This Week
Total
Locks
55
673
Miles Cruised (approx.)
81
847
Alan Turing’s office at Bletchley ParkHedgerow HarvestBow of a boat
Monday morning we left Little Venice in central London, cruising north, back the same way we had entered London, on the Grand Union Canal. We saw several terrapins sitting on branches just out of the water sunning themselves, the other random thing we saw was lots of coconuts floating in the canal – no idea!
We moored below the Malt Shovel pub, in Uxbridge exactly where we were moored on Friday.
Tuesday we continued the trip north, doing 12 miles and 13 locks. At one of the locks, a Wide beam boat, was in the lock ahead of us, the owner/driver had just picked up the boat (his first boat) about 50 yards before the lock, so this was his first lock, his friend/crew was a sailor, but never been on the canals!! So we helped out. They did two locks ahead of us then turned around to head south, we wished them good luck and carried on north.
On Wednesday we did 17 locks, sharing some of them with a narrowboat which had a stern tiller, but also a steering wheel within the front of the boat, so when that was being used it looked like a standard narrowboat without a driver…….weird!
Thursday, Rog got the best views we have had of a kingfisher, this one was braver than most, it stayed on its perch until level with the back of the boat, before flying ahead and doing the same thing several times. It was amazing!
We shared a few locks with a café boat which was being relocated to the Marsworth locks, by a couple of friends of the owner, we were not sure they were very familiar with canals or boats.
After mooring we walked into Aldbury village and had a pint at the Greyhound Inn (see photo of the stocks on the village green).
On Friday morning we cycled to the Natural History Museum in Tring, which houses the taxidermy collect of Lord Rothchild, (donated to the nation) thousands of taxidermy animals on show. Every type of animal you can think of and some you have never heard of (see photo).
Saturday, made further progress north, 7 miles and 10 locks, we shared some of the locks with a couple who had hired boats for 50 years, they were pleased to accept help with the locks, as sometime in the not to distance past he had had a heart attack and her knees were not great, so they had hired a boat for the last time, as they put it their swan song.
At a couple of the locks there was a wide beam boat in front of us, they were doing everything very slowly, just in case they scratched the paintwork of their highly polished craft. Each to their own path, but most other boaters (Thankfully including the company that owns of Life in Slow Motion) acknowledge that boating is a contact sport, but just remember if you are going to hit anything…. do it slowly.
Throughout the day we saw lots of unusual aircraft overhead, the red arrows, tiger moths, a Lancaster bomber – there must have been an air show somewhere.
After mooring we were sitting on the back of the boat having a cup of tea, when a couple stopped to chat, when we say couple we mean ‘her’ and when we say ‘chat’ we mean a 20 minute stream of boating anecdotes without taking a single breath, it was quite astonishing, finally her husband reminded her that they were going out that night to talk at some other people they actually knew.
Sunday we had a relaxing day with only about 4 hrs cruising north to Bletchley.
At Leighton Buzzard we passed an empty hire boat yard, and the rest of the day we saw their fleet of boats passing us as they returned, change over day must be Monday. We spoke to a couple of the crews, they are paying more per week for a boat than we are for a month.
sssh …. Don’t tell anyone we are going to Bletchley Park (code breakers, enigma etc) tomorrow.
This Week
Total
Locks
67
618
Miles Cruised (approx.)
58
766
A Boat made with a car ??Sunset over BerkhamstedThe village Stocks in AldburyPolar Bear at the Natural History Museum in Tring
Bank Holiday Monday, but as it was a Monday still had to do the engine checks, including the weed hatch, the canal water is surprisingly clear, you can see the propeller.
It is quiet on the canal in terms of boats moving, but there are loads of moored boats, of all Types – narrowboats, wide beam, house boats and cruisers
Sizes – Tiny narrowboats (6ft !!! – was moored against a normal narrowboat, it looked like a dog kennel) to huge house boats the size of portacabin on floats.
States of repair/dis-repair – from new & pristine, currently being painted, to gutted, covered in a tarpaulin or sunk.
A short day on Tuesday, only 3 miles and 4 locks, we were managing our time to meet friends in Uxbridge on Thursday and Friday, before heading to Little Venice in London for Saturday and Sunday nights.
By Wednesday lunch we had arrived in Uxbridge and started looking for a mooring, but there were boats everywhere, so we had to keep going, so we arrived at the Pub for Thursday’s lunch booking 24 hours early, and we were extremely lucky to get a mooring really close. Unfortunately, our friends had realised that they would be unable to meet us on Thursday, something called “work” was getting in the way. So, we had a good lunch 24 hours early! (Sorry guys – you missed a good meal).
Thursday, we didn’t move the boat, but explored Uxbridge on foot, found the Crown and Treaty pub, which hosted unsuccessful talks between both side in the English Civil War (not quite sure why it includes ‘Treaty” in its name as no Treaty was reached).
Friday, again we did not move the boat, and went to the cinema to see “Free Guy” which we enjoyed. Then Friday evening we were joined on aboard by friends.
Saturday, we cruised the 17 miles to Little Venice in central London, which took 7 hrs, lots of moored boats, which slows progress, but a really enjoyable cruise, we were expecting a bit of a wasteland, but were pleasantly surprised by the cruise. We had moorings booked at Rembrandt Gardens South, and have only just realised that there is only one mooring for Rembrandt Gardens South and one for North. We initially thought there were a few moorings so we were lucky to get it booked. Due to holiday complications family members were not able to meet us as planned at 4pm in Little Venice, but we did make it with 10 mins to spare.
Headed out with Friends for pizza, before heading back to the boat for a surprisingly quiet night, given that this is central London, and the close proximity of the local Fire Station, however the geese do wake up early!
Sunday, met more friends for lunch in The Harwood Arms, so we walked the nearly 3 miles to Fulham, via Kensington Gardens. A really good meal – roast game to share! the Slow Roast Roe Deer shoulder was stunning. Then walked back via the Kings Road, another good long walk after a rich lunch.
Spent the evening sitting on the Boat watching the world go by, a few canal boats, loads of little self-drive day boats rented from the Paddington Arm.
This Week
Total
Locks
19
551
Miles Cruised (approx.)
30
708
it’s August and we had to light the fire !Paddington Bear at Paddington StationLittle Venice, central London
We started Monday morning in the north of Milton Keynes and continued our cruise south, given all the moored boats, for which the correct thing to do is slow down to “tick over” ( it appears not everyone does), it seemed to take us ages to leave the suburbs of Milton Keynes.
We met our first wide beam boat, coming the other way, thankfully at a wide open straight, so no problems there!
On Tuesday, we cruised 9 miles and did 9 locks, the last couple of locks with another boat, who’s crew had just had a scare when their dog had fallen off the front of the boat, just as they were entering a lock, the problem was worsened by the fact the dog was still attached to the boat by its lead, and one of its humans was on the bank unable to help, the human driving the boat managed to drag the dog back on to the boat. They had then reversed out of the lock to calm down, and that is how we found them, so we helped them through the next couple of locks. After mooring up near each other, the human introduced us to Charlie, the dog, who appeared not to be fazed by the incident.
We also saw a terrapin in the canal, the boat disturbed a floating clump of reeds and the terrapin, swam away.
On Wednesday, we decided that we still had loads of time to get to the booked London moorings, so went down the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union Canal (another there and back trip) 6 miles and 16 locks each way. The Aylesbury arm is a narrow canal with single locks, so no wide beam boats for a couple of days.
After the first couple of locks, each lock was overtopping (too much water above the locks, running in when the lock is emptying – see photo), and the tow paths were flooded. So we called the CRT to report the issue. Rog threw Nic her wellies as it was wading time between locks!
Further down the Aylesbury arm, we came to a stretch of canal that was only just wide enough for one narrowboat, with reeds on both sides (see photo) thankfully we did not meet another boat coming the other way.
After mooring, we were approached by a kayaker with a soggy fledging pigeon under his jacket, which he had just rescued from the canal, but didn’t know what to do with, so he left in on the tow path near our boat and asked us to keep an eye on it (??), as there was lots of dog walkers on the tow path, Rog moved the pigeon to the top of our boat.
Thursday morning, thankfully the pigeon had gone, leaving only what pigeons do best ! We continued our cruise to Aylesbury. Had a lovely walk around Aylesbury, an interesting town architecturally (when you can avoid the high street shops). Another U turn in the 57ft boat, which is getting easier, then after filling with water and using services we retraced our steps back towards the Grand Union Canal main line.
Friday morning saw us complete the last 5 locks to exit the Aylesbury arm, and then start up the next set of Grand Union Locks. Once again we had company from another boat on the double locks for a set of 7. Lots of chat and helping one another, plus the additional help of CRT volunteers, some of whom were re-painting numbers onto the lock gates, so we had to be careful not to end up with a number on our backsides as we opened them up! That night we moored in Berkhamsted, when Rog spotted a section of piling (metal piling along the side of the canal which is easier to attach metal clips to, to secure ropes to the bank) just long enough for the boat, and helpfully in a position where the west coast mainline was entering a tunnel, making the noise a lot more bearable!
Saturday morning, we walked into Berkhamsted, down the high street then across the railway line to the castle, a motte & bailey castle, a royal palace from 1066 and is still part of the Duchy of Cornwall’s estate. Back to the boat doing 4 miles and 11 locks towards Hemel Hempstead.
On Sunday morning, having just cast off, a passing runner told us that a there was a boat stuck across the canal, just below the next lock, so Nic secured the boat again and whilst Roger headed forward to investigate. One of the wide beam boats, we have been leap frogging since Braunston locks, was in the next lock, and her crew were attempting to deal with the loose boat, so Rog helped out securing the boat again. So setting off again we did a mile and 4 locks to the local Aldi to do some shopping. The boaters we were sharing locks with obviously don’t do Aldi, they were all telling us about the local Waitrose, Sainsburys or Marks and Spencer.
We met the widest wide beam boat we’ve seen, thankfully she was sitting in one of the locks, completely filling a 14ft wide lock, an ex British Waterways Board (now CRT) built in 1952 as a working boat on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, then used as a day trip boat in Uxbridge, before being bought by her current owner.
After another 7 locks and crossing under the M25 , we moored for the evening.
This Week
Total
Locks
82
532
Miles Cruised (approx.)
47
678
The most unique looking boat so far!Lots of water on the Grand Union Canal – Aylesbury arm (an over-topping lock)Last night’s sunset out of the boat’s side hatchAnother unique boat, I think it is the right way up?Lion in Aylesbury Market SquareCanal renovations on the Wendover arm of the Grand Union CanalThe Dragon of Berkhamsted (for sale in a garden on the tow path)
As we still had the hire car, on Monday morning we did a grocery shopping run to the local Aldi to stock up on essentials, especially the heavier stuff, like milk, beer etc. Then after returning the hire car, we turned the boat around and headed back through the Hilmorton locks again (this being the 5th time through the first one – the first 3 times (once in reverse!) being back in March when we first picked up the boat)
On Tuesday, we cruised back to Braunston Junction to join the Grand Union Canal – Main Line – heading south, the next aim being Little Venice, London, as we have booked CRT moorings at Rembrandt Gardens in Paddington for the 4th & 5th of September, as we fancied cruising into central London …just because we can!
6 locks and 7 miles today, including the 2,043 yards of Braunston Tunnel –
a two-way tunnel with no tow paths, Nic had the pleasure of being at the tiller for this one.
First thing on Wednesday morning we sat and watch 2 wide beam boats emerge from the Braunston tunnel, the CRT close the tunnel to one-way traffic to allow the wide beams passage. One of the wide beams (12ft) is nearly twice as wide as Life in Slow Motion (6ft10’) – we are not sure how they manage to get through some of the bridges and around the moored boats. Thankfully they moored up just in front of us, so we only had to manoeuvre around them then cruise off, towards the Buckby locks (7 locks). We did the first couple of locks, on our own, before stopping for lunch, then completed the rest of the locks with a hire boater. It’s easier with two boats in the locks, and even easier when other boats are coming the other way, as you don’t have to re-set the locks (if you are going down and the lock is empty, you have to fill it before you can enter). At one of the locks two boats were about to enter, one was a large old commercial boat called, “Sculptor” with a 4ft draft (the bit below the water), which we later found out is usually moored outside the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum. Unfortunately, Sculptor was grounded on the bottom and unable to move, so we had to let water down through the lock, by opening the paddles, to re-float Sculptor.
Locks done, next job finding mooring for the night, however as the canal at this point is between the M1 motorway and a main railway line, finding somewhere quiet was impossible, so we finally moored nearer the railway, being slightly further away from the M1. Nic says the trains restarted at 6am, Roger was still asleep and didn’t notice!
Thursday time to re-fuel again, 140ish miles, 106.4 hrs of cruising (marine engines work in hours not miles/kilometres), and 6 weeks since the last fill up, this time was 99 ltr at a cost of £93, not a bad bill for transport and electricity for 6 weeks.
Friday brought another tunnel, Blisworth tunnel this time, 3,076 yrds two-way tunnel with no tow path, and Roger’s turn to be at the tiller, met 5 boats in the tunnel, so could have been worse. Moored up overnight in Stoke Bruerne.
Saturday went to the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne, where Sculptor should have been moored up, if it was not getting stuck near locks further north. Went for a walk and Nic got attacked by a gate, whilst opening it , blood and bruising on the back of the hand when the gate dropped, first aid administered, we think she’ll live (as Roger is typing this Nic is making biscuits – so it must be ok)
Sunday, we cruised to the outskirts of Milton Keynes, spotted a grey parrot at the top of a tree, making some very un-british countryside noises, we assume it have escaped from somewhere. Once moored we went for a walk around the Linford lakes, including meeting a group of teens sneaking out of a building site (we’ve all been there, just a very long time ago !)
So bright & early on Monday morning, we did the last two locks to the Boat yard, as we approached the last lock the lower gates opened with the rear of a boat in view, which is unusual, as you normally see either the front of a boat ready to leave the lock, or an empty lock. The Guys from the boat yard were just moving, by hand, a old 1912 commercial boat, (which had a 1 cylinder two stroke engine, which takes 2hrs to start!) afterwards we learned that the boat had just been moved from the drydock for us to go in.
Life in Slow Motion needed reversing down the canal arm to the drydock, thankfully the engineer did that. Once in the drydock, the water had to be pumped out, which took about 45 minutes. Then the engineers could investigate the propeller, which after a few sharp intakes of breath and rubbing of chins, it was decided that the bent fin on the propeller should be cold bent (rather than hot bent) back in to shape. After the health and safety lecture, which was “everything in this boat yard is trying to kill you, it just hasn’t decided when yet,…. so be careful”, they were happy for us to watch the process from the bottom of the drydock. So with the aid of a large lever, two large hammers and a block of wood, the fin was coaxed back in to shape. Half an hour later that was done, so the drydock was re-flooded. The whole process took a couple of hours including the obligatory tea break.
To the untrained eye, the boat yard was complete chaos, inside – used tools laid around everywhere, together with bits of metal and wood. Outside, more stuff, including half a boat, lots of metal and a random collection of vehicles, motor bikes, vans, motorhomes, cars, all in various states of abandonment. But Life in Slow Motion was sorted in 2 hours and we were back on the canals – with a working propeller.
Tuesday, cruised to just outside Braunston, a busy canal junction between the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union canal. Had an interesting walk via to towpaths and into the village.
On Wednesday we cruised to Hillmorton locks on the Oxford Canal, which is where we started from back in March, we did this, as it was easy to pick up a hire car for another weekend off the boat, visiting friends.
Thursday, we picked up the hire car, which was brand new and only had 27 miles on the clock, then drove to Widnes for dinner, and too much wine, with friends!
Friday, drove to Lancaster, for more catch up good times with friends, this time at the Fleece Inn in Dolphinholme (a village about 20 mins from Lancaster).
On Saturday, drove down to Chester for time with Nic’s Auntie, we helped out with a few jobs around the house and were rewarded with nice meals and some more wine!.
Sunday we drove back to Rugby (Hillmorton), and went to the cinema (the first time in 18months) to see Black Widow, there were only about 10 people in the cinema.
For those who are not avid followers of the blog or anyone who missed last week’s blog, as small recap ! we broke the boat propeller, one of the three fins is out of line by a couple of inches, which means forward is fairly noisy with some vibration on the tiller, but reverse is very noisy and not very effective either, therefore we need to get the boat to a boat yard, for a Monday (9th August) morning slot in a dry dock to fix the problem. So, we have 55 miles and 90 locks to do, by Sunday evening.
On Monday, we drive back from Lyme Regis, do some shopping then return the hire car to Birmingham airport, so don’t manage any cruising.
Tuesday, on checking the rear bilge, before setting off, the boat has taken on about 1 cm of water, could be something to do with the damage or there was a lot of rain over the weekend and could just be that. 1 cm is not a lot and not of real concern yet, we speak to the engineer who agrees we continue to the boat yard, and continue to monitor the bilge.
So, we set off, as soon as we leave the Stourbridge arm, we are at the bottom of the Stourton locks (16 locks) thankfully help arrived in the shape of “John”, not sure he is an “official Canal & River Trust Volunteer” but he helps out, setting the next locks for us, which is a great help. Not long after the Stourton locks we hit the Delph locks (8 locks), no help this time, but not many boats around, so we just cracked on with them. After 8 ¼ hours of cruising we moored for the night just south of the Netherton tunnel (one for the morning !) A nice mooring site except for the significant number of Flying Ants around on the tow path, we just kept the doors and windows closed!
We set off on Wednesday morning with a plan to get to the other side of Birmingham that day (there are few good moorings, other than in the Gas Street Basin, and that is still in the middle). First the Netherton tunnel, 3,027 yards which takes about an hour to cruise, the Netherton tunnel is a dead straight wide two way tunnel, and thankfully we did not meet another boat in the tunnel, out the other end we get to the Birmingham Canal Navigations – Main line, which is a very wide canal, the “boatway” (motorway) of its time. we can confirm the fact often quoted that Birmingham has more canals than Venice (we’ve seen the CRT sign). A left turn at Old Turn Junction to the top of the Farmers Bridge Locks (13 Locks), struck lucky again, CRT volunteer on hand to help us through these locks, which descend 81 ft between office blocks. We are making good progress and no more water in the bilge.
A right turn at Aston Junction on to the Digbeth Branch, and yes you’ve guessed more locks, 6 this time, but no more help. Then another right turn at Bordseley Junction on to the Grand Union Canal and 5 more locks, a couple of which were really tricky paddles to open, we then passed Birmingham City University. The CRT Volunteer had advised us not to moor in Birmingham or Solihull, so we cruise another 6 miles to near a village called “Catherine de Barnes”, a couple miles away from Birmingham airport. A total day’s cruising of 10 ½ hours, our longest day by far, and so far we have been blessed with good weather.
Thursday, we are now on the Grand Union Canal, and the locks are now Grand indeed, which can take 2 narrowboats, side by side or 1 wide beamed boat. Today we only had 1 set of locks to do, the Knowle locks (5 locks) dropping a total 41 ft 10 inch. We were not joined by another boat in the locks, which makes it slightly trickier as the boat drifts about when paddles are opened. On coming out of the first lock, two boats were coming up out of the next lock, so Roger had to avoid those, then the boat got caught by the wind, because of the dodgy propeller was unable to fight the wind, so went with it and ended up doing a full 360’ turn, in the lock pound, before entering to lock, no problem, no harm done!
By mid-afternoon, we were getting close to Hatton Locks (21 locks),when the rain started (the forecast was terrible) so decided to moor up of the rest of the day, and the weather did indeed get a lot worse.
Friday, the Hatton locks down into Warwick, 21 double locks, again it was surprisingly quiet, so no company in the locks, but again CRT volunteers, who were great, 21 locks in only 3 hours – result, which meant we had some time to walk around Warwick (didn’t do Warwick Castle – it is a £26 entry fee, so you need to spend all day there to get anything like your money’s worth). Cruised on a couple more miles, and a couple more locks, then stopped for dinner at the Moorings Pub. Great Garlic Prawns!
Saturday, as we had made good time earlier in the week, we have time for a walk around Leamington Spa, before cruising on near the Fosse Way (Roman Road). When the weather broke again we moored up and did some house work and laundry
Sunday, needed to get to the Boat yard by the end of today, but only 4 miles and 8 locks to do. But after 3 miles and 6 locks we passed the engineer enjoying a coffee on the tow path near his boat ,and he advised us that as the boat yard is near the Blue Lias pub it was a bit congested, and suggested we moor before the last 2 locks. so as instructed we have moored up 1 mile and 2 locks short of the boat yard. So we have done 54 miles and 88 miles.
