Huddlesford to Marston Jabbett

We had breakfast below deck before setting off. Yesterday and the day before were slow so we needed to do some catching up.

As we reached the two Tamworth locks we could see a boat coming out of the lock. The driver of the boat, Will O'the Wisp based at Peak Forest, tied to boat up in the lock entry and refused to let a queueing boat up. Instead he began to fill the lock again as he was towing down a broken boat. The person on the waiting boat and Kevin asked him to let someone use the water to let their boat up, and offered to help but he was very ignorant and nasty about the whole thing. Everyone deserted the lock top then and let him do all the work. By this time a queue of 6 craft had accumulated.

He finally came out the lock and sailed past grinning widely, without care for others. He had no number on his boat or the one behind, and no cruising license was on display.

A family who were following him and had initially helped him complained he had been rude to them. On the whole boaters are genuinely lovely people who help each other out, and are courteous. Someone like him only cares about himself and should not be allowed on the waterway.

Still we continued past Pooley Hall slag heap, which is part of the English Partnerships' National Coalfield Programme. Made good progress to Atherstone where we went up the flight with Brown Trout. On lock five a woman came towards me and it was Nicola Wooding from EP, whom Joan works with.

Pooley Hall tip

Decided to turn up the Ashby to moor for the night. As tranquil as ever. Ate at the Corner House Hotel at Marston Jabbett. Very mediocre pub food though the place was packed.

Willington to Huddlesford

A wet dog

Tuesday 26th August

Woken at 8 am by a splash in the water and the sound of paddling about. Sappho had jumped off the boat the wrong way and was doggy paddling up the canal. Dragged her out and towelled her down. After popping to the Co-op again we set off towards Burton upon Trent. Under the bridge by the first narrow lock there was an attractive frieze.

Moorhens at Burton Lock

We could smell the hops from the Breweries.

We had to queue at quite a few locks, so at Alrewas J nipped off to the shop to buy more provisions! We shared the locks with various boats, including "Whatsmoor."

River section Alrewas

Wychnor Church

Slow progress so we passed by the showers at Fradley and continued up the Coventry Canal. Finally we stopped at the Plough at Huddlesford, where we ate a meal. The couple from Whatsmoor arrived a bit later and wanted to go up Tamworth locks with us, but we knew we were setting off early tomorrow.

On the way to Napton

Shardlow Canal Heritage Centre

Monday 25th August 2008

We are moving the boat to new moorings so we can explore other parts of the canal system. On Saturday, James finished the work on the bough of the boat and we cleaned the sides up a bit.

On Sunday after the Grand Prix (Valencia Massa, Hamilton and Kubica) we set off to Sawley, loaded the baot without organising it, and then headed off to Wigram Turn Marina, the new home for our boat. Left Kevin's car there and then returned in the MR2.

We arrived back at Sawley about ten minutes before we were due to have dinner with K's family. However we discovered that we were only meeting Phil and Penny as K's parents had taken Billy, Christine and Stephanie off to Scarborough. Had a lovely meal, not the food, the company!! Afterwards we manged to make the bed and fell asleep.

Slow start to Monday as we had to organise the boat, walk the dog, fill with water and hand in our key for Sawley Marina. Eventually we set off at 9.55 am. Quite a gusty day and progress was slow. Lots of boats at the locks too. Well, it was a bank holiday.

Restored front of the boat

K thought the river was on amber at Sawley Flood Lock, but it was well on green at Derwent Mouth.

Derwent Lock

Stopped for an hour at 2 for lunch. Had the bottle of red Penny and Phil had given us. The overcast clouds cleared to give us some warm sun.

About 5pm, we received a text of Glynis to say that Robbie and Hannah had had a baby boy! A new baby in the village. Great news.

We stopped early at 5.30 as the wind was strong and K was tired with handling the boat. We walked into Willington to buy provisions, and headed back for a BBQ. Sat on back of boat as it went dark.

Branston to Sawley

1st August

text to follow

Polesworth to Branston

Joan's dream house

Breakfast guests

Another warm morning but overcast. However as we came to Amington it began to rain, which it did on and off throughout the day - but never too heavily.

Aqueduct over the River Tame

Cleared Glascote Locks, but sheltered under bridge to avoid a pretty heavy outburst. K had to wear his waterproofs.

As we finished the Warwickshire Ring at Fazeley, a BWB tug came along.

Pretty uneventful. Stopped at Alrewas for provisions before heading up to Branston for the night.

A bridge without towpath as the towpath is changing side

The pub sign said it served until 9.30, but when we arrived at 8.45 they said that they had had a busy night and were not doing any more meals. Another meal on the boat then!

Branston allegedly gives its name to the famous pickle. Perhaps someone sold it to boaters as they went by.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branston_Pickle