PCSB

I probably didn't explain it very well ... I think the Coventry is deeper than the Ashby so ok in terms of cruising, certainly felt that way as the boat moved more easily and we didn't ground out anywhere. The levels are down on the Coventry and by the same amount down as on the Ashby just there is more water to start with before the bottom meets the top so to speak. We've moved up from Higham Bridge where there is a very decent farm shop to Sutton Cheney and passed a weir on the way, looks to be at least 6" down. Its ok centre channel but offline and we drag bottom.

Currently on the Ashby heading up and moored at Higham Bridge, left Hawkesbury on the 8th. Water levels on the Coventry seemed ok, the Ashby feels low, if you leave the centre channel when passing an oncoming boat you are grounding out, even when both go very slowly. At a guess I'd say its some 5" or 6" down but it is difficult to judge accurately. So far no problems with moorings as such. There is, sadly, a lot of rubbish in the canal such as plastic barrels, panels from boats, chairs and the like as well as more general rubbish. There is a lot of overgrown trees and the like, especially on the offside. We draw around 27" to 28" and I've found that best progress is made at around 1,000 rpm - any higher revs just seems to make more noise and use more dielsel for no gain. We'll be heading further up the Ashby tomorrow after a visit to the farm shop, its a lovely morring by Higham Bridge apart from the flies! Theres loads of 'em.

I do too, and it should always be the way, i.e. asking the one in the lock how they want things. My good lady can when needed be very stern with people who are nuisances. In fairness we have not had any bad experiences with lockies, mind you we don't seem to be at locks when they are very much. The crew at Hillmorton were helpful though.

Legitimate Moving Target ...

😂 yep and both are LMTs

Grey squirrels are just rats with good p.r.

We are moored at the very end of the arm that is closest to the dual carriageway and never noticed any noise at night. We do have double glazing which may help. Had more noise out in the sticks on the Macclesfield from squabling canadian geese tbh!

I agree about the vulcanised rubber, that would protect the stone work and also allow you to nose in and turn whereas the stone edge sort of discourages it, well for me anyways!.

Safely moored up in the basin now. Glenn @5239 was right - ta muchly - about the ledge, cunningly camoflaged in the shade, only a slight nudge as I headed his warning and went dead slow! The canal on the way down is really quite lovely with very little rubbish anywhere, but we still managed to get a plastic bag around the prop - easily sorted. It is hard to believe you are travelling through a city, it is really quite scenic mostly. A bit shallow in places, we aren't massively deep draft, around 2'5" but we got very close to the bottom on a few occaisions. We did have a challenge when winding the boat as in the wind had other ideas as to me, still we managed to get it sorted. Another boater fell foul of the wind and ended up carressing our boat - no damage and no bad feelings either - it was blowy! All good fun and we all mucked in to help. Currently six boats in the basin. Short walk into the centre which seems quite vibrant, not sure we'll go in tonight but we'll see. Sadly I doubt we'll try the chippy as we have a butter chicken curry made for dinner! The Portugese cafe is epic, the cinamon buns are both huge and delicious, dipped in the nice coffee they are even better. Breakfast beckons ... If people are thinking about coming here, they should. We don't have time to spend much more than a day here this trip but I'm sure we'll be back at some point.

Thanks all, we will head down there tomorrow

Thanks Glenn, seems a shame not to go down there being so close

We are currently at Hawksbury Junction, is it worth going into Coventry and mooring in the basin? If the basin is full are the visitor moorings there ok? It would only be for one night I think. TIA, Paul.

We've seen plenty of Moorhen chicks, lower T&M, Coventry & Brum & Fazeley canals.