Bosworth and the battlefield (or not!)

A pleasant cruise up to Sutton Wharf  which has a cafe, a trip boat and, more importantly, a shower with unlimited hot water and lots of space! 

It a is also not far to walk to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, although recently some doubt has been cast on where the battle took place.  There is no doubt it is where Richard III, the last king of the House of York met his demise.  His remains were recently found beneath a car park in Leicester and are subject to a court battle for where they should be re-interred.   It was the the last significant battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the Houses of Lancaster and York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century. Fought on 22 August 1485, the battle was won by the Lancastrians. Their leader, Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, by his victory became the first English monarch of the Tudor dynasty.  Historians consider Bosworth Field to mark the end of the Plantagenet dynasty, making it a defining moment of English and Welsh history.

There was not a great deal to see (I did not go into the heritage centre) and my camera battery had run out so no photos.

9 miles; 0 locks

TOTAL:  32 miles; 4 locks

Onto the Ashby

I did think of staying put for another day as the forecast was not brilliant but it didn't look too bad, though cold, so off I set and had immediately to tackle the daunting lock at Hawkesbury junction.

It has a massive fall of 6 7/8 inches - reckoned to be a mistake by the architect(s) as it was meant to be level.  Originally the Coventry and the Oxford were not connected here as the owners could not agree the level of the tolls so travelled in parallel for a short distance.

The entrance to the Oxford from the Coventry.

Looking across to the lock from the Coventry after performing a u-turn under the bridge.

And looking back to the entrance to the Oxford.  Coventry is only 5 miles down the canal but it is very built up and I have little interest in city centres.  So I turned Northwards.

The engine house which, from 1821, used to pump water from a well to replenish the canal.  I do not know where the water comes from now but the engine house is disused.

The weather was much better than forecast and it was an enjoyable trip (still glad of the thermals).  Not a spectacular stretch of canal but very pleasant. 

Looking back to the Coventry from the Ashby

These stone bridges are very numerous on the Ashby. 

After  turning onto the Ashby I moor up for the day a little way up as the forecast for the afternoon is not good.  And so it proves - hail storms and thunder and lightening very close - James needs lots of cuddles for reassurance.  Lightening is not a concern on a narrowboat as, being constructed of steel, it is a natural Faraday Cage but I have difficulty explaining that to James. I would rather not experience it though!

5 miles; 1 locks

TOTAL:  23 miles; 4 locks

Hawkesbury Junction

Tuesday was very wet, as promised, but at least it let me get everything stowed away..The forecast for Wednesday was cold with the weather deteriorating later so I made an early start and was away by 8am.  Very cold and I was glad of my thermal underwear which I forgot to bring last March.

Spring is very early this year and I saw my first ducklings - unbelievably in 2007 on the Isle of Wight ducklings were spotted on New Year's Eve link

Also some very new lambs

Stopped about 1pm just before Hawkesbury Junction onto the Coventry Canal and where the Oxford canal ends.
Just to remind anyone interested , I have added a gadget top right whereby you can receive an email when the blog is updated.

11 miles; 0 locks

TOTAL:  18 miles; 3 locks

I'm back!

Drove back to the marina on Saturday.  Arrived later than I intended despite leaving on schedule. Mainly caused by James' insistence on clambering over the back seat despite belongings being piled high.  After his third effort I stopped at a bus stop and proceeded to repack the car - no doubt much to the amusement of the people waiting at the stop across the road.  I also probably spent a bit too long visiting my friends Michele and Andrew from NB Ashdown who have had to take some time off from continuously cruising to earn some money to refill the coffers.  It was lovely to see them and as they are based in Andover I will be able to see them regularly.  Thanks for the 'bits' and coffee.

When leaving the boat for the winter it is necessary to "winterise" it, the main job being to drain down the water system and leave all the taps open while away.  I started filling the tank leaving the taps open to flush out the tank. After a little while I turned off the taps but the water pump did not stop running - bugger, that probably meant the diaphragm in the pump had frozen and was kaput, even although the lowest outside temperature had been a balmy minus 3.3.  So, I had to turn the ppump on and off at the fusebox - inconvenient but not a disaster.  However the flooded bathroom I discovered a little later was - I had forgotten to turn off the shower taps and it had overflowed.  Fortunately the water did not get further than the bathroom.  Oh. and the engine overheated after a short time running to charge the batteries.  Too late to investigate it was a first priority the next morning.

Sunday morning I discovered that the engine coolant level was very low although I hardly topped it up all last year.  Another boater (it is a very friendly and helpful community) said it was not unknownon for the coolant to leak when left cold for an extended period - time will tell. I spent the rest of the morning checking batteries, engine etc were OK then thought I would take the short drive to Rugby and a cooked breakfast (lunch).  I must have driven round the middle of Rugby half a dozen times not helped by temporary traffic lights completely out of synch. Ended up at the ever reliable McDonalds  and then on to supermarkets and pet shop to stock up on supplies. Not much unpacking done.

Monday was a beautiful day and the forecast for Tuesday was poor so I took the car back this morning and left the marina in blue skies at 1pm. Farewell to Barby - it will be a nice marina if it ever gets all the facilities installed.

I am heading back up the North Oxford canal to again get to the banter at Gnosall for Easter and one advantage of travelling on a canal I have already been on is that I have noted good mooring spots so moor up just past Rugby at Newbold on Avon.

 7 miles; 3 locks

The Last Cruise

Because of the weather forecast, I delayed my trip to the winter moorings until Sunday. An early rise and I could not resist posting the dawn (with a touch of frost) photos on my last one hour cruise.

What a great way to finish.

The end - for this year.

I remained at Buckby on Sunday 3rd as it was still windy.  Monday is much better so off I go on my last cruise of the year.  I even quite enjoyed (well, didn't mind too much) the 2000 yard Braunston tunnel, despite meeting a boat coming the other way with his light not angled up.  In the dark, what is usually a car fog light, pointing straight at you is blinding and you have difficulty seeing the side, never mind the approaching boat.  As I passed, I told him in no uncertain terms.  When I met up with the boat following me through the tunnel, at the locks, he said the other boat had turned off his light!  I am not sure which is worse!  Why he did not just angle his light up, I do not know.  Apart from not blinding oncoming boats, it enables you to judge your position better as it shines at the roof of the tunnel so you know immediately if the bows are starting to drift towards the sides.

The other boat accompanies me down the Braunston flight, making life easier.  I had been thinking of stopping at Braunston but it is pretty busy so I continue to the spot, near my winter moorings, where I was on the 20 October, intending to go into the marina on Wednesday or Thursday.  It's a great spot for James as he can be off the lead most of the time and there is lots of room for him to tear about and chase his ball.

I climb up to the top of Barby hill with magnificent views:

Rainbow did not come out too well

I bag the prime mooring spot

The forecast for Thursday is very good and I cannot resist one final little cruise.  I call in at the marina to pick up a couple of packing boxes from the car and travel up the 6 miles, down the delightful Hillmorton Locks, to Rugby for some shopping and back to moor below Hillmorton Locks.  I go up the locks on Friday morning, moor above the top lock, and start packing ready for the morrow.

So that is it for this year and what a fantastic year it has been. I'll be back in March.

 20 miles; 12 locks

TOTAL:  876 miles (323 miles broad, 127 miles river, 44 miles tidal); 467 locks (225 broad); 78 moveable bridges

A round trip

I ride out the storm on Monday night with no damage and agree with Matty, who is also single handing, that we will go down the Buckby flight of 7 locks the next day.  He is late getting back from an appointment, so there is not much daylight left by the time we set off.

Matty following along.  If you want any boat work or moving done I cannot recommend anyone more highly - see http://oldfriendscanalservices.weebly.com/

We manage the flight in 1'40" - a very good time, especially as all but two of the locks were "set against us" i.e. we had to fill the locks before we could take the boats in.  By the time we get to the bottom it is nearly dark but Matty says there are no facilities pubs here and persuades me that it is time for my first night cruise.  He kindly leaves his stern doors open so I have a light to follow most of the time.  I am glad I did it as I would now have the confidence to do so on my own but, the next time. it will be in warmer weather - it was the coldest night of the year so far!

You would think they had never seen a canalboat before!

With one of the largest village greens in the country

I stop at the wonderfully named Nether Heyford to visit the butcher and the baker. A very interesting, lovely and friendly village with a history dating back over a millennium - see link

I travel down as far as the junction with the Northampton Arm.  No way am I going any further as it would mean the 3057 yard Blisworth tunnel (plus return) - I do not do tunnels for the fun of it!  I did think of going down to Northampton but the weather has definitely changed and continuing strong winds are forecast.  Tine to head back to the winter moorings.

By Friday, I am back at Buckby and riding out the next gales - unfortunately there will be no glorious Autumn colours this year. I stopped at the bottom of the Buckby flight and had just got my pie out of the oven (from the bakers - delicious) when a boat with a crew of 8 scouts appeared.  Too good an opportunity to miss and I set off munching my pie.  My thanks to them and I did not have to get off the boat the whole way up.!  Still didn't beat Matty and my time though!

And I could not finish without my best shot yet of a grey heron

 25 miles; 14 locks

TOTAL:  856 miles (318 miles broad, 127 miles river, 44 miles tidal); 455 locks (219 broad); 78 moveable bridges