Sutton Wharf to Stoke Golding

This morning we left Sutton Wharf at 10:10am, with a short dull run to Stoke Golding, moored at 11.20am, 1hr 10mins, no locks. /// glance.dolphin.flops

Dull start and threatened rain.

After taking on water and emptying the toilet cassette we left Sutton wharf

Looks like it is going to rain

Saint Margaret of Antioch church, Stoke Golding

Now moored at Stoke Golding visitor moorings and the rain held off

Keith

Shackerstone to Sutton Wharf

 This morning we left Shackerstone at 9:00am, with a good run to Sutton Wharf moored at 12.05pm, 3hr 5mins, no locks. /// doing.artichoke.bumpy 

Dull start but the sun appeared before we moored up. 😁

One of the bridges over the railway line we travelled on Saturday and yesterday

Donkeys and mules

Loco 419

 Today we returned to the railway and had a trip on the train behind engine 419 https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/55189-cr-419-lms-15189-br-55189/

I have taken far more photos and videos which I will post when we are back to our mooring and on unlimited broadband.

Loco 419 reversing back to the carriages

Setting off on the 1st trip of the day

Getting ready for the 2nd trip

Onboard for the 2nd trip

Taking on more water for the 3rd trip

Trips on the DMU

 Today we went for a ride on the Battlefield Line, we bumped into Rod Tye and Sarah Malcolm and joined them on trips on the DMU (diesel multiple unit) as the steam train was not running, there was no fireman for Rod, so he was guard on the DMU instead.

Keith

Shackerstone Village

 Having arrived at Shackerstone, we had a brief walk around the village starting with the railway station.

They have a few diesels now

Close up view of the diesels

The other direction along the station

From Turn bridge No. 52, Hadar moored in the distance

Just in case your eyesight isn't good, we are right on the end of the moorings

St Peters church

Cottages from across the graveyard

The Rising Sun

Despite the signs saying serving food all day they are not ☹

The old school, now the village hall

The old school, now the village hall from a different angle

Keith

Snarestone to Shackerstone

 This morning we left Snarestone at 8:40am, with a short run to Shackerstone for the weekend, moored at 10.00am, 1hr 20mins, no locks. /// trams.flopping.summit 

The sun is shining, but windy.

Approaching Snarestone tunnel

Inside Snarestone tunnel

One heck of a wood pile!

"Don't you just love the smell of diesel fumes in the morning"

Now moored before Turn Bridge No.52 at Shackerstone

Keith

Measham

 This morning we took a walk to Measham, taking the new section of the restored canal as far as it goes now, then part of the proposed route. 

This has been the longest walk I have done for a long time, 2 miles each way.

The new section of canal beyond the present navigable terminus

The old engine pump house, now converted to houses

The 1st new bridge over the new section of canal

The present limit of restoration

We carried on the route of the old canal, it is marked with markers to follow

Gilwiskaw Brook where a new aqueduct will have to be built

Coal seam marker, it was the presence of coal seams which caused subsidence and the closure of this section of the canal

One of the information boards describing places along the line of the abandoned canal

One of the new access gates, clearly marked

Measham railway station building which houses the Measham museum, it is behind this building that the restored canal will eventually run along the old railway line

Platform side of the station where the canal will eventually pass through the station area

Measham High St

Someone is ready for the Jubilee

St Lawrence church

Robin's Nest where we had a much needed cup of tea and a slice of toast

Measham village sign

More information about the restoration of the Ashby canal can be found at https://ashbycanal.org.uk/

Keith

Congerstone to Snarestone Wharf

 This morning we left Congerstone at 8:25am. Winded and moored at the present terminus of the canal at Snarestone wharf at 10.35am, 2hrs 10mins, no locks. /// motor.clog.restores

Dull start again this morning bit of slight drizzle, but the sun eventually appeared. Had a nice long chat with Michael Wooding who we haven't seen for years.

Aqueduct over the river Sence at Shackerstone

Gopsall wharf, where the last working narrowboats were loaded with coal in 1971, 3 months before I took Pisces onto the Ashby canal

Snarestone tunnel

Approaching Snarestone wharf and the present terminus of the canal

Winded and moored up near Snarestone wharf

The Ashby Canal Association shop brimming with all sorts of goodies

Part of Snarestone wharf display

More Ducklings

Keith