2016 Trip Summary

Our trip this year took 14 weeks 6 days, we travelled 454.7 miles, passed through 305 locks in 230 hours.

Keith.

Radford Semele to Saltisford Arm

Short trip from Radford Semele to Leamington Spa, where we went for a celebratory lunch (to celebrate having had a great trip) at our favourite Chinese Buffet.

Then moved an even shorter distance to moor outside Morrison's, but went shopping at Aldi.

Then we set off on our final leg to our home mooring in the Saltisford Arm. As much as we both have had a great time this year, it is nice to be back home.

Keith.

Napton Junction to Radford Semele.

Delay to start with at Calcutt locks with a nearly empty pound, but the 2 boats in front sorted that out, although we have followed these 2 boats all the way down, so all 23 locks were against us!

We shared some of the Stockton locks with a nice couple who joined us as we waited for them at the 2nd lock down, and we left them at Blue Lias as they wanted water. I think this lock cottage would look perfect without the TV antenna and satellite dish!

I spotted these models behind Welsh Road lock cottage.

Moored near the winding hole at Radford Semele.

Keith.

Tusses Bridge to Napton Junction

A long day today, nearly 10 hours cruising. A short stop at Midland Chandlers to get the items we have had a list of for the past year. Now moored just short of Napton junction.

Keith.

Atherstone Bottom Lock, to Tusses Bridge No.4 on the North Oxford Canal, Just South of Hawkesbury

We passed Martin Fuller on "Cutter" closely followed by Joe Fuller on "Pinner", returning from the steam rally in Coventry.

Now moored at Tusses Bridge No.4 on the North Oxford canal, just south of Hawkesbury.

Keith.

Alvecote to Atherstone Bottom Lock.

We have had to start moving again today as we have a cooling problem with our generator, which is either a blocked pipe or the water pump has failed. I am leaning towards the blocked pipe theory as it has gradually got worse, and if a water pump is going to fail it usually starts squealing, well in cars it does. We can easily sort it out once we get back to our mooring in Warwick. Now moored below Atherstone bottom lock.

Keith.

Hopwas to The Samuel Barlow, Alvecote Marina

We set off from Hopwas this morning, keeping our fingers crossed for the weather. It is good to see they have completed the buildings at Fazeley junction.

 

The River Tame is in good flow!

We have moored up opposite “The Samuel Barlow” at Alvecote Marina.

Having had a great lunch meal at “The Samuel Barlow” we sat watching the England – Wales football match on the big television, and along came Martin Fuller on “Cutter” and Joe Fuller on “Pinner”, I wasn’t quick enough to catch Martin with my camera, but just about caught Joe, darn useless camera!.

After the match finished we went and had a cuppa with Rod on “Biddie” and as we were leaving to go back to “Hadar” I just about managed to photo this rather large Carp in the marina.

Keith.

King’s Orchard Marina to Hopwas.

The rain stopped at 1:00pm so we set off. Just as we got into Hopwas by “The Tame Otter”, it started again. Just managed to get moored up without getting too wet! Pity we had a salad at lunch time.

Keith.

Great Haywood to Rugeley Bridge No.67.

Short trip today to Rugeley, Bridge No.67. Food shop at Aldi done, cat food shop at Tesco done, lunch, courtesy of Aldi, is in the oven, if the rain that has started has stopped after lunch then we will wander around the town.

Keith.

Floating Market at Great Haywood.

Yesterday morning we took a walk along the floating market, chatting to the various traders. At lunchtime we went to the Clifford Arms. I returned to Hadar to pick up our 2 axes for Dave on Anon to make us some leather axe head covers, and then the heavens opened accompanied by thunder and lightning, and despite our best efforts we got drenched.

It stopped raining sometime during the night. The River Trent is flowing well this morning.

Keith.

Stone to Great Haywood Junction

Good start to the day, picking up our new top plank from Roger Fuller, who had arranged for it to be delivered to his yard. Had a quick chat with Martin Fuller at the yard. Then things went downhill with queues at the locks. What was supposed to be a short day ended up as 6½ hours! Still Stuart and Dawn are moored here at Great Haywood junction, where we have moored for the night, so we had tea and cake with them when we got here.

Keith.

More Photos from Etruria Canals Festival

Keith.

Etruria Canals Festival, Thursdays Preparations

Today we moved to our allotted mooring for the Etruria Canals Festival, just below the staircase locks at the start of the Caldon canal, alongside narrowboats Birmingham, Marquis and Cassiopeia. Quite a few boats now assembled already. more expected tomorrow.

Keith.

Endon to Etruria

A cooler day today, but at least it wasn't raining. Good run though, with only the middle lock at Stockton Brook against us, makes a change. Sad to have left the Caldon Canal, we have had such a great time, but looking forward to our next visit. Now moored at Etruria ready for the Etruria Canals Festival this coming weekend.

Keith.

Consall Forge to Endon.

A very busy journey today, seems everyone has decided to move their boats today, even Alyson Smedley commented as to how many boats were moving, as we briefly pulled alongside Skylark for a quick chat. We are now moored back outside the Stoke Boat Club at Endon.

Keith.

Froghall Basin, to Consall Forge.

This morning we said our goodbyes to Froghall Basin. Before setting off we had cleared the roof of all the bits that wouldn’t go under the tunnel. Having got through we then moved 2 tonnes of coal back from the front of the hold to reduce the cavitating, and refitted everything back on the roof. We were fortunate enough to have timed our arrival at Consall Forge to coincide with the steam train.

Having moored up outside The Black Lion, Jo managed to get her ultimate photo of the steam train passing in between Hadar and The Black Lion.

Keith.

Kingsley Falconry Centre Walk.

Today Jo packed a picnic lunch and we headed off for a 4½ mile walk, which started along the towpath back toward Consall Forge. A footpath leaves the towpath and crosses the River Churnet via this bridge, and then under the railway bridge behind it.

I just about managed to catch the steam train crossing the bridge.

The footpath is quite a steep climb up, but the view across the Churnet valley is worth it.

The footpath then passes behind the Kingsley Falconry Centre, but we could not see any of the falcons .

The footpath then crosses fields, one of which had some cows in it, and one of them was this fine looking Jersey.

Then further along we came across this rather friendly horse.

The donkey kept it’s distance!

The Shetland pony was also very friendly.

We carried on towards the village of Kingsley, saying goodbye to the 2 horsey chums.

Once in Kingsley village we then walked along the A52 towards Froghall, then the lane back to the Falconry Centre, and back onto the footpath back to the River Churnet, where we sat on the river bank and had our picnic.

As can be seen I am growing my hair long again, it is a bit straggly at the moment, but give it time. We did see a kingfisher fly past us, but it was too quick for us to photograph. We then returned to the towpath and back to Froghall basin.

Keith