Boat log NB Sploosh - Warwickshire Ring

 

Friday 14th March - Pre-Trip

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I was working today, but we had to move the boat from 22 up to the marina so we could fill up with water, pump out, and then get the car close to the boat so we could stock up on provisions before our trip.

 

We started out quite early, but someone still beat us to the water point, so we had to moor up on the linear to wair. That's when I fell in. I was tying up the front, my shoes less than adequate to grip with, and my foot just slipped off the front. The bow of the boat right at the front just contains the gas locker and not much else, it's a very tricky place to stand when tying up anyway, but it's never bothered me before until now.

 

I fell in. I am guessing I must have fallen in back first with my arms and legs following, but somehow I seem to bash all my legs on the way in. I didn't feel a thing going down until I hit the water. It was the shock and complete cold of the water that got me. It was freezing cold. I got myself upright and came to the surface. I was breathing quite rapidly because of how cold it was. I was obviously fully dressed with my trousers, t-shirt, jumper and a thick cardigan as well. I just about stood up as although there was enough floor beneath me, my feet kept sinking in the silt. If I had had to get myself out of the water, it would have taken a while as it was up to my shoulders and there was nothing to grip on. The weight of my clothes would have made it even worse trying to find the energy to hoist myself up with nothing to give me a shove up as pushing with your feet just resulted in you sinking into the silt further.

 

Luckily I didn't have to hoist myself out as Mick quickly came to my rescue and pulled me out. I went straight inside dripping water everywhere and jumped straight into the shower. I then noticed I have bashed my legs pretty badly. My legs were plastered in bruises. I had on my left leg, one long bruise going all the way down the front of my leg, it was an interesting colour. I had one on the side and one on the other side. My right leg copped the worst deal. I had a big vut on the back of my leg, anda bruise which covered my entired calve, plus a huge cruise on my thigh at least a few inches long, as well as others dotted along as well.

 

Anyway, I got washed and dressed and got back outside because by the time I had sorted myself out the other chap had finished so we could fill up.

 

We filled up, then I carried on working (after some after shock tea to calm ones nerves). Then Mick went off to do the shopping and get the coal, then I went to do the school run, a quick trip to the docs and then back to the boat all in time for four, so we could then set off from 17 to bridge 3 for the night so we only had a short distance to do in the morning ready to start our official trip. I was a very sore and bruised but it wasn't going to stop me enjoying this much anticipated trip.

 

Saturday 15th March 2008 - Day 1

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Today is the offical start to our holiday today. We set off just before 8.00 am and it took no time at all to reach Marstons junction where we turned right onto the Coventry canal. Some numpty had moored on the junction, which was a bit silly as it's a busy junction and a turning point, but you just can't tell some people can you?

 

We headed off towards to the Atherstone locks, our first locks of the day and our first proper locks! The trip through Nuneaton was as horrible as usual. I'm not surprised there are never any boats moored around as the rubbish and whole feel of the place just makes you recoil in horror and the last thing you want to do is stop there, so it was nice to get through that area. We then saw a valley cruiser boat in front of us, but as we stopped at the locks they said we could go through first. He said that they hadn't done a lock in about a year so were a bit rusty. Truth be told we hadn't done a proper lock at all, ashamedly so, but at least we were going to make up for that on this trip, so we went off ahead.

 

The lock gates at Atherstone were very stiff, so you soon worked up a sweat going through them. We had soon done the 11 locks there and were through by 1pm, a full hour quicker than we expected. Kind of helps when there is no-one around though eh?

 

We carried on through Tamworth which was really nice, going through two more locks at Glascote. Then we turned onto the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, and made our way through passed Drayton Manor and then up to Fisher's Mill bridge where we decided to moor up for the night ready for the Curdworth locks in the morning. We moored up at 5.30pm, nd I was ready for a rest as I had done 13 locks and paddles and my poor legs were aching, but a very enjoyable day was had by all.

 

20 miles, 13 locks, 9.5 hours.

 

Sunday 16th March 2008 - Day 2

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We had an early statrt to a very long day today. I can't emphasise the LONG bit enough. We had ambitious plans to get the birmingham section done so we could be well past by the end of the day. Nothing against gas street, it's just that I like my sleep and don't fancy tourists jumping all over my boat, but heh, call me an old fart!!

 

It didn't take long to get to the Curdworth locks where we went all thr way through in about 2 hours as yet again all the locks were set against us and there was not a soul in sight so we had to go it alone and just get on with it. It wasn't long then before we got to the 3 locks at Minworth, and it also stopped raining which was good, as rain and slippy locks are not really on my list of hip places to hang out and fall in, especially after my fall.

 

We then had a nice cruise for a while before coming to the Salford junction and onto the Aston locks. I asked Mick just before if he wanted me to take over as he had done all the cruising and I so far done all the locks, but he said he was fine. So I went in to knock up some lunch and then got a call on the radio (the walkie talkies we brought to keep in toch fron front to back) to say 'Wasn't I glad I didn't take over then?', to which I replied 'Why's that?', to which he replied 'I've just been pelted by hoodies'. After making sure Mick was OK, he said he was but the little scum bags had managed to take out the solar panel. We were a bit annoyed as before thr trip we talked about taking it down and putting it inside. We just didn't get round to it. Not that we should have had to of course, but then you don't go through a place like Birmingham and expect to get off scott free. So we had a hoodie pelting experience anyway. Mick just ignored them, the best policy as they didn't then chase us to cause more damage. At least Mick wasn't hurt which was the main thing, and we were all inside which was good, as if my little one or older daughter had been hit, I'd probably be incustody on assault charges by now.

 

We made it to the Aston bottom lock then and moored uo whilst I went to do the locks. It was only then I realised we hadn't got the watersaver key which would have let us use the locks. The thought of being stuck there for the night was more than I could bare, as the BW office across the way near Cuckoo Wharf was closed until the Monday morning and I didn't not want to be stuck there. So I spotted some boats moored up there on the long term moorings. It wasn't late so I figured no-one would be in, but I had to try. Then I spotted a boat that had been following us for a wee while coming down. They were turning just before the locks the moor up so I asked them if I could borrow their watersaver key. The very nice lady on board said I could have hers as she could get one in the morning as they were not going through the locks, so I paid her for it of course, then ran back in euphoria knowing we were not going to get stuck there! So a big thank you to NB Firth for getting us out of a sticky spot and getting me out of trouble, as Mick was none too pleased at the thought of being stuck either!

 

So we then got through the Aston locks. What annoyed me more than anything was that we only had to use the watersaver key on about four locks, and on two of those on only one side of the paddles. I thoguht what is the flippin point of having a lock on only a few of all these locks and wasting people's time and money. We now have a key that we didn't need to use for any other locks apart from a few of those. I get the anti vandal thing, I really do, but if you are going to do that, be consistent, have them on all the locks and make a place available to get one. We did pass some places which advertised them, but we were niave in not knowing we needed one, and that was our fault, but I'm sure we are not the first or last boat to have the same problem. I just thought it was a pretty pointless thing to have, but there you go!

 

Then it was onto the Farmer's Bridge locks which we also did as we were really on a mission to get through brum having been pelted and almost stuck. You just got this really uncomfortable feeling going through the area. I know you can't tar all groups of teenagers with the same brush, I wouldn't dare as I know some of them are really nice, but you just don'#t feel right in that area at all. You certainly do not want to be stuck there for any length of time and even going through the locks was nerve wracking seeing groups hanging around who could have done anything to us, or the boat.

 

We managed to clear the Farmers bridge locks for 5.30, which was great, and then headed for Gas Street. I was actally impressed with Gas street as they had really made it nice, but we didn't want to stop there. I like my sleep too much and even though it was a Sunday, it was still bustling with people, and a lot of tourists who I saw jumping onto people's boats tohave their pictures taken, so we decided to head straight through. It's a shame that Gas street was the only nice bit, as as soon as you turned out, it was back to rough looking water again. We headed off to find mooring for the night and only just made it to around Bridge 80 near the uni for the night, almost dark, cold and absolutely nackered. We were glad to clear rum though and felt quite pleased we had done all that in a day as well. We had some much needed slop (stew) then headed to bed exhausted.

 

38 locks, 17 miles, 11 hours ( and we felt every one of them!).

 

Monday 17th March - Day 3

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We headed off at about 8 this morning after giving the boat a quick mop down and engine check. It didn't take long before we reached Kings Norton junction to join the stratford upon avon canal. I found the Stratford a lot like the Ashby in terms of it being quite narrow. The people were really nice though. A nice old guy on a bike cycling down the tow path warning me about a huge branch hat had come off the tree which was in the middle of the cut, so I managed to avoid that (thanks to you young man!). Then a woman walking her dog warned about a huge pile of rubbish in the water which would have made itself very much at home around the prop so we took it easy through that.

 

It took a few hours before we got to the Lapworth locks. Luckily a chap who owned a hotel boat was showing a young chap called Travis how locks worked as he was going to be working on the hotel boat and had never seen a boat go through a lock before. This was lucky for us because Travis, young, strong and very eager helped us through five of the locks, so angela's back was spared so turmoil, and Travis got to learn about locks. He was from South Africa and needed to work here for 3 years before being allowed to get a passport which would allow him to travel the world, which was his dream. He had an english grandmother who helped him to find work here, and we were grateful for the help!

 

The locks were hard work though. My old knee injury bubbled to the surface, so climing on and off lock gates was getting painful, as well as them being bruised (my legs not the ock gates!). We did all 19 though and then joined the Grand Union where we moored up for the night at the Tom o the wood moorings (just before them).

 

16 miles, 19 locks, 8 hours.

 

Tuesday 18th March 2008 - day 4

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We started out just after 8 today to wards the Hatton locks.We passed through Shrewly tunnel. Two boats had already passed us that morning early so we knew we were going to have to go through them on our own unless someone else was there as there was certainly no-one behind us.

 

I didn't mind the double locks at all. I thought they were quite good. If you just opened one paddle slowly, then boat was float gently to that side and be kept there by the force of the water. That meant only one paddle and one gate needed to be opened which saved a lot of work. Some way down the locks we then passed Tullemor, then canalworld member from Norway who was on her two weeks trips in her black prince boat. We chatted for a bit before she headed off to open the next locks, so with them passing us, we had some locks in our favour. She was heading for the napton banter so hopefully she made it. A very funny lady indeed!

 

We got through the locks where I did the driving and Mick did the paddles. We were glad to get through the locks and then we did the two locks at Cape. Were we passed BlueStringPuddings boat moored up near the cape of good hope. Nice to see the boat. We were just too early to see you guys!

 

We wanted a fairly early stop so we stopped outside the tesco's which I thought was really nice actually even if not the most scenic, certainly very convenient! It was also really close to Warwick castle as when we stopped we took a walk and it only took about 15 minutes and was really quick, and you could hitch it through a very well kept park which meant no roads either!

 

23 locks, 7 hours, 9 miles.

 

Wednesday 19th March 2008 - Day 5

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Today we decided to have a day off boating and locks and went off to Warwick castle. We were on a 24 hour mooring so we knew we had time to go round Warwick castle for a good portion of the day, so I first popped into Tesco's and got some provisions. We were well stocked up but things like bread and milk you run out of quickly, especially with a two year old who loves milk!

 

It was a gorgeous day today as the sun was out and it was quite warm as well. It was a nice break going round the castle. We got there just as it opened at 10 and within half an hour it was packed with people, including lots of American tourists and lkoads of school trips! The little one wasn't quite ready for the wax work models though and he freaked out going round the inside of the castle but he had fun outside and we lunched outside the peacock gardens, before looking round somemore and then heading back to the boat. Little one was getting quite tetchy by this point. He normally had a quick nap in the day still at the moment, but with all these long days he hasn't had one for a few days, but was quite happy sitting watching movies when we were having to do the locks with big sister watching him and keeping him stocked up in the food and water department. He managed a nap in the pushchair on the walk back which made him much better. As it was nearly 3 and we had moored up 3 the previous day we decided to head off just down the canal for an hour to bridge 35 where we moored for the night ready for the fosse locks the next day. It was strange because we moored up about 4 ish, and we were totally alone. Within an hour we had another boats with us which was funny and I am guessing (not knowing the GU well) that it is a popuar mooring spot as it's fields for a view but not far from rubbish disposal etc. It gave us time to do a mop down and as the weather was so nice the kids got some towpath exercise as well.

 

I was also guessing that everyone else had the same idea about getting an early start on the locks, so we decided we would try and get ahead of the traffic by having an early night, for an early morning start.

 

1 hour, 4 miles, 0 locks

 

Thursday 20th March 2008 - Day 6

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We thought we would get an early start today so with the kids jus about awake (little one always wakes quite early) we set off about 6.30 in the morning, and made out way down to the locks. Someone was just ahead of us so we could have shared with him as he was a single cruiser, but he liked to go at his own pace and we didn't mind loitering behind him. He said he was getting an early start to avoid the black prince boat. Nothing against black prince (I do own an ex black prince after all), but he said the occupants of the boat were in his words 'very enthusiastic'. Yesterday when they had gone through the hatton locks with him, they were opening and emtpying the locks for him even though he was in the lock on this own to get him through so they could get in, and at one point he wasn't even on his boat as he was taking his rubbish. He said he was annoyed because his boat could have been caught on the cill and they were justing opening all the paddles way too fast without his instruction. He wasn't knocing their gustre, just that they should have waited for him. They moored uop near us last night, so we were glad to have them behind us!

 

We got about half way through the locks (to Long Itchington locks) when we were asked to pull over and stop for a while because there was going to be a funeral boat coming through the next two locks at long itchington for a man called John Forth (NB Newbury) who was apparently well know in Atherstone as a coal merchant. He had worked the canals a long time with his wifed, but was apparently only in his 50's when he died. He was a known drinker and the old chap who knew him and was talkng to us said he used to get tanked up on his coal run and then his wife would have to take over the boat.

 

We actually had to wait just under an hour as there was a boat load of people walking down the towpath to the pub where the funeral boat was moored. It was John's working boat and they had his coffin on it. Then the boat made it's way down and all his followers came and watched it go through the locks, then the next one, then it stopped at the next pub where the wake was being held. Quite a sight to see and what a way to go. I have to say I liked the idea of that.

 

Once they were through we set off again. Not one of the other boats who had been moored up with us at 35 had come along, so either they got held up and were not comng. So we did the Long Itchington locks, then the Calcutt locks, which were the only double locks we shared a boat with, on to Napton junction. Then we joined the Oxford canal and the home stretch. It was getting really windy and got really cold too, so we moored up around bridge 87-88 and had a right old job pulling the boat in. In fact you know what they say about nsafety in numbers? Well another boat saw us moored up and joined us. He was a single hander as well, and had a right old job trying to get his boat in so Mick went out and grabbed the centre rope whilst he tied up. Still didn't see any of the other boats, not even the black prince!!

 

16 miles, 23 locks, 9.5 hours.

 

Friday 21st March 2008 - Day7

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We were wondering what to do today as the wind was blowing a corker and we had watched the poor man in front of us trying to set off. He untied the front, and had to be really quick untying the back as the boat just swung right out and almost turned him in the opposite direction. However, we were prett much in the middle of nowhere and didn't really want to stay so we decided to go for it and set off like a pair of loonies! So we set off to do the last 3 big locks of our journey at Hilmorton. It was quite busy there but nice to get them done. The wind was blowing us all over the place, and then chap in front (who I'll mention more later ad whose boat shall remain nameless) was all over the place, but I have to say it was nothing to do with the wind, more the fact that he just had no idea how to handle a boat. More about that later.

 

After doing the locks we got stuck behind this said boat. No offence. I know we all moan about boats not slowing down enough going past moored boats, but when you have a high wind, you have to go faster than tickover, no choice. It's either that or you end up ploughing into them. Its great when the weather is fine, but not in the wind. He was going at tickover all the way even on open stretches with no boats moored and his boat was all over the place, it was zig zagging the canal and he just needed a bit more speed. It was also a much smaller boat than ours and we had trouble keeping ours on the level as our tickover is faster than his tickover and we could not go any slower with out stopping and getting blown around. Our attempts to politely ask him to speed up fell on deaf ears and we almost got caught by the wine and sent straight into some more boats. I was really narked about it as he should not have been on the cut if he can't control the boat properly and it was making it dangerous for us to control our boat. No clever. Fortunately he pulled over just as we were approaching Newbold tunnel so we could speed up a little and not risk hitting someone. We were not even going that far as we only wantd to get to Brinklow, but it was difficult at tickover and I don't see why you need or would even want to do tickover on open stretches when there is a high wind as he was constantly having to adjust the boat to stop it going into the sides of the canal. So please be careful and please respect that fact that some boats simply cannot be controlled in high winds without some speed involved.

 

Anyway aftger that we moored up just past brudge 35 on the Oxford near Brinklow where yet again the boat kept blowing away and it was a devil getting it moored. Luckily for us a bloke of the next boat who was already moored came out and grabbed the centre for us whilst we did the front and back as we would have had some problems keeping it in. So a big thank you to the man off NB Ebony for helping us out. We really do appreciate it mate and will owe you a pint sometime.

 

He aid he had the same trouble yesterday and also warned us to move our cannon as he almost lost his gang plank yesterday so we moved that inside before going in to warm up. We decided to ride the day out here tomorrow to see if the weather eases up a little then we can do the last stretch we will need to do to complete the ring.

 

Just after we moored up, the boat we were stuck behind past us, still zig zagging all over! Then another small boat came past and caused an lmost pile up as the numpty decided now was a good time to make a mobile phone call, in high winds on a boat that was all over. He ended up peeing the boat behind him off so much they overtook him just before the bridge because the man was in capable of steering straight and going so slow it was making it dangerous for the big boat following to control his boat.

 

Really some people need to pay more attention.

 

We were glad of a rest and enjoyed a restful night, even wih the wind rattling everything!

 

5.5 hours, 3 locks, 14 miles.

 

Saturday 22nd March 2008 - Day 8

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We are not going anywhere today as the weather isn't great and we are even getting some snow. We took a walk into Brinklow to get a few bits from the only shop in the area, but it was nice to do a walk and get some fresh air as the rest of day we just hid inside. I lso took the opportunity to clean and polish as we had only done cusory cleaning before after mooring up which we didn't want to spend too much time doing as we needed to spend some quality time with the kids. They were ok actually as they had plenty to on the trip when we were cruising. They watched movies, which is a rarity as we don't normally watch tv, but we did watch a few movies and that's not bad really. They also spent a lot of time making things as well as we brought our older daughter a butterfly bed canopy for over her bed. That kept her busy for hours and hours, and she was making all sorts of things! Little one watched movies, did lego, played with his cars, they were busier than us sometimes which was great. We always got them out for the locks for a few locks till the little one got bored and then he went back in, and on the lng stretches between locks, they sat out the front with one of us counting the number of balls in the water, shopping trolley's, cars etc!

 

So it was a nice day to spend time with them as well.

 

So 0 hours, o miles, 0 locks today!

 

Sunday 23rd March 2008 - Day 9 (Easter Sunday)

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We set off about 7.45 today in the snow! It was gorgeous. The snow had covered everything and settled so we thought it would be cool to go for a snow cruise after taking sokme video and pictures to capture the scene which was really quite beautiful.

 

We were going to stop at bridge 14 near Ansty to get water, but some plonker had moored on the water point. They were not getting water put it that way, so we had to carry on to Hawkesbury where they have two water points to use.

 

It was fairly quiet at Hawkebury as there was only a couple of boats coming throguh so it didn't take us long to clear that then make the 180 turn onto the Coventry where we then stopped to get water for a while before carrying on towards the Ashby and the end of our trip. We passed the Navigation pub which I have to say has gone seriously downhill lately. We first went there four years ago and it was a fabulous pub, really oldy worldy inside lots of brass plaques etc, horseshoes, you name it, it was really cosy, good food and beer.

 

We went again last year and it had obviously changed hands as it was a bleak looking inside with a pool table, definitely moor the local pool pub than a cosy pub that would attract visitors. We had a reasonable meal but we felt totally out of place. When we went past today the visitor moorings for the pub looked shocking. They were covered in rubbish all over and it looked like someone had chucked out their boat contents on the grass. You didn't look at it and think 'Let's stop there, it looks really good'. They need to clean up if they want the summer trade that's for sure.

 

Anyway it wasn't long before we were back at Marston's junction and officially turned to complete the Warwickshire ring. We moored up at bridge 3 where we started our journey. We love it there as it's so quiet and lovely. It's a walk from the shops and you wouldn't know it unless you knew the area. It's nice because its one of those places that is good to stop to rechare, so we might stay here for the week at least.

 

We arrived at 12.00 midday and were really pleased to have completed the ring. Although it was day 9, we actually cruised it in 6.5 days as we stopped off for two days and only did half a day on two days as well. We then sent the kids off to find the eggs the Easter bunny had delivered in the night and watched Mick's video of the trip. It was really good, especially his 'who lives on a boat like this' clips which he filmed some very interesting boat, including one unfortunate boat who had been burned out and you could see all the inards of the boat spread along the towpath all black ad charred. I hope the occupants were either not at home or got out safely.

 

We had an early night that's for sure as we were quite pooped after the journey although I just wanted to head off for the next trip!

 

Monday 24th March 2008 - Day 10

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No trip today but we had a decent lie in. Well 7.30 is a decent lie in when you have a two year old to contend with anyay. It was strange weather today. One minute it was sunny, the next it was snowing. We had a nice walk to the local shops o get some suppies in, then we had a phone call from Mick's parents to ask if they could pop over and say hello to see how we got on, so we had them around for a while catching up, and after they went we chilled out and had a very plesant eveningg folowed by a plesant sleep. I say plesant because little un slept through even though I didn't. My hand that was operated on just over two months ago was absolutely fantastic on the trip and I certainly gave it some therapy by winding all those paddles and pushing all those gates on the locks. It really helped break up the scar tissue and strentghen the hand as well as keep it nimble, but my other hand has started getting worse. I had mild symptoms before, but now it's getting worse and now it's keeping me awake at night and now it's started aching all the time, so we shall have to see whether it's just the locks etc that have made it worse or whether it will be coming on worse and need operating on too. Time will tell I guess.

 

Mick had a lock at the solar panel but nit's a dead dodo. Little scum bags (or the Berks of Birmingham as I affectionately call them now) wrecked our £300 solar panel. Hehe ho, you bloomin live and learn don't ya!

 

Summary

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Highs

 

The whole trip. Euphoria at completing another flight or set of locks, seeing some new canals, seeing some lovely boats, meeting some wonderful people. The urge it's given us to want to do the next trip soon as we can as we really are in love with this boating lark!

 

Low's

 

The hodies pelting us with stones, the amount of rubbish on the canals and the total lack of respect that some people seem to have for our heritage, but at least we only had to stop once to retrieve a number of plastic items from the prop which isn't bad in the grand scheme of things!

 

All in all, a fantastic trip and we can't wait until we do the Leicetser ring, our next planned trip with a detour to the stoke buerne museum thrown in for good measure.