Hillmorton

Today's Canal : Oxford

We drove up from home yesterday - traffic was much easier than at the start of our last trip and we arrived at the marina just before 1 o'clock. There was even no queue at the A34 - M40 intersection. Most times there is a lengthy queue on the A34 northbound but thankfully not today.

As a result we arrived before having time to eat our lunch rolls in the car. As we knew that unpacking the car and loading onto the boat was going to take a while, we sat down to lunch almost as soon as we arrived. 

Then it was time to unload the car. We took our time but even so there was still a lot to stow away by the time the car was empty. Our plan, as usual, was to do most of our food shopping after arrival rather than attempt to bring it all with us. Some items, like meat from our good local farm shops and cheese from the market stall, generally come in he cool box, along with perishable contents of the home fridge.

We so much stowing to do, Christine despatched Mike into town to do the shopping at Lidl and also recharge the car. As the two places are in different parts of the town, Mike opted to return to the  marina from the supermarket and drop off the food - especially a couple of ice cream items that needed to go into the freezer asap. He then returned to the Gridserver EV Charge Station which happily is next to a Starbucks. he is now well versed in making a medium latte stretch out until the car is fully charged - just under an hour.

New arrangements for parking cars whilst away cruising have been introduced - not sure why but it feels as if there have been some minor turf wars! This time there is also a complication that the main area used for this purpose has to be kept clear for an exhibition of electric boats later in May. Although we received an email about this just before we left home, it did not tell us where to park! As the main office is closed on Wednesdays, we had to wait until this morning before we could settle the car into is hibernation spot. Even so we were away by 10:30.

There was still quite a breeze blowing - not as strong as yesterday - so steering out of our mooring and across the open space of the marina was challenging!

Once we had turned out onto the main canal we were generally sheltered. Only a few short blasts sideways occurred on the few occasions when there was a gap in the hedges.

The next stretch is quite familiar but we still found some points of interest that we had not picked up on before. For example, Jacks Bridge 44 looks substantial enough to carry are reasonable load of traffic but on the ground is merely an accommodation bridge with a muddy unmade track. Old maps help unravel. The road passing the marina is called Cathiron Lane and we use this quite often on the way to and from Rugby. At one point it takes a sharp turn left and passes over a modern bridge over the railway (we assume dating from when the line was electrified) Cathiron Lane at that point turns into a farm track and emerges on the main road as the access to Falls Bridge Wharf where Armada hire boats are based. Only a short distance along the lane now carries traffic from that end.

When we arrived yesterday we discovered that one of the 12V circuit breakers would not latch in the On position. Fortunately it only serves the horn and headlamp. Christine arranged yesterday for us to call out the helpful boatyard at Hillmorton so they can take a look at it. the main use of the headlamp is in tunnels so it was fortunate that today's tunnel, Newbold, is very short and we could see well enough to know that nothing was approaching (it is a two-way tunnel) and light from either end helped us to steer without hitting the walls!

On the edge of Rugby we moored for a short while to visit Tesco (luckily we could slot in at the closest point to the footpath down to the store) to complete our start-of-voyage fill of the larders. Every cranny is now stuffed full!

By the time we returned to the boat it was 1 o'clock so we had lunch before setting off again. Our trip plan is currently based on a laid back scheme, only moving for half a day at a time and with options for a few says off cruising. We hope that by accepting a much less ambitious target compared with the days of even a few years ago, we shall be able to elongate our canal career just a bit more!

In between Rugby and Hillmorton is Clifton upon Dunsmore and we later unravelled the history of a couple of seemingly insignificant former railway bridges.

Just before Clifton New Wharf is an arm, now used for mooring but originally the main line of the canal when first built until the straightening project aimed at reducing travel times for carrying boats.

For the most part this comprised cutting out long loops that were the product of the need to follow contours for the original navvies. As construction technology improved, the ability to create cuttings and embankments allowed shorter routes - hence the opportunity to cut out long loops such as the one now seen at Clifton.

There is little of the original left at the wharf - it is properly called Clifton New Wharf as the original - renamed Clifton Old Wharf - was located about half way along this loop, close to the actual village. Another reason for some poof the loops was the early focus of canal carrying on quite local trips and it was the development of longer distance trade the meant that journey times became more important than than direct service to every small community.

Just before the wharf is the first of the two former railway bridges. This carried the Rugby and Stanford branch of the London and Birmingham Railway Company (later the L&NWR) which linked Rugby and Stamford via Market Harborough. It was quite and early project, opening in 1850. It joined at Rugby Station to what is now the West Coast Main Line.

Once the line was completed around 1878 and traffic increased significantly, causing problems with scheduling train movements at Rugby Station. Also, the original line was only intended to provide services that terminated here, using platforms to one side of the main line. new traffic wanted to proceed further north and so parliamentary permission was sought to build a flyover to take trains directly onto the upline and platform.

This involved a new loop line from close to the Old Wharf and around to approach the main line from the south. This was the purpose of the second now abandoned bridge which we passed just after Clifton New Wharf.

We did not want to tackle the Hillmorton Locks today, not least because the boatyard is mid flight. Mooring spaces immediately below the flight can be a bit scarce so we grabbed a good piece of armco bank about ten minutes before.

5.2 Miles - 0 Locks

Cleaning and Home

Yesterday was assigned as a cleaning day. We did not do a deep clean when we left the boat at Brinklow last August as we were hoping (against all the evidence!) that we would be returning sometime in the year. That, of course, did not materialise with the closure of the South Oxford extending until the end of October (and an early warning that it might not be until the following Spring) and us not wanting to risk setting off for Cropredy only to have another closure imposed in front of us. We might then find ourselves without a mooring and having to wonder where we could safely leave the boat for the winter. That was why we remained at Brinklow.

We are now scheduled to stay with Brinklow as our official Home Mooring until the autumn and we have a slot reserved for us back at Cropredy after that. Both marinas have been excellent and supportive - they are very similar in some respects but in others they are each distinctive. After all, neither were developed by Aquavista but acquired from previous owners. The only reason for moving back is the principal one that took us to Cropredy in the first place - a relatively doable journey from home and now that we have an EV the distance needs to be assessed relative to our range otherwise we might have to stop and recharge part way, adding to journey times. As we related in our last trip to the boat a few weeks ago, despite fairly careful planning, it is easy to find ourselves a little concerned when the range left is close to the distance remaining, especially after failing to get charged at several places we stopped at! Cropredy is much more within the range of a full charge to the car.

So when we arrived at the boat this time it was disappointing to realise that the passage of time (and the absence of an end of season clean) meant that the boat was not pristine. We did not feel inclined to take a day out before setting on this journey so we had to live with what it was. As a result, we were determined to be as through as we could and energy levels (and creaky joints) permitted.

So, yesterday, at the crack of dawn (well not quite!) we both tackled our mental lists of things to be done. We washed and polished etc etc time and again. Each time we had to change the water in the bucket it was not surprising to see just how dirty it was. However, by the time we had finished we were rather satisfied that everywhere seemed so much brighter. The only part we did not tackle was the outside. That is quite a task in itself although that has normally been part of the shakedown process. Let's see how things pan out but it did not look too bd (well, if not looking too closely . . .)

Today, the morning began with loading up the car. Somehow, it seemed that we were returning with a fuller car than when we arrived. In the end we managed to get away just after 11. Christine wanted to take the route which we given in the past by Google Maps sat nav - more recently we have been over-riding its initial advice and coming via Newbury and Oxford as Mike prefers that rather than too much of very unstraight single carriageway cross country roads (and a very long part of the Fosse Way) So we agreed just to go with the sat nav - which immediately told us that our route avoided a closure - one what turned out to be part of the Fosse Way.

We just accepted pot luck so did not check what route it was giving us but it turned out to be the one via Oxford that we have been using. Fortunately there were no delays other than a couple of temporary traffic lights with no queues. 

We did make the mistake of taking a comfort break at Didcot Services - as the sign ahead of the junction on the A34 said that it had toilets. However, this so-called Services is tiny and totally overwhelmed by the evident demand. Cars were even parking on the approach roads and the only toilets we could find were in the quite small McDonalds. At least they were very clean and tidy. After that it was an uncomplicated and familiar road home.

Late Rise, Shopping and Fixing a Clock

Not a lot of boating to report today as we have been firmly tied to our pontoon all day - or at least the boat has. As the title suggests, we did not rush to get up this morning and it was around 11:30 when we were ready to drive into town. 

Our main plan had been to visit Lidl, mainly to fill in holes in the inventory of our food larders - the usual stock items that complement whatever we have for a specific recipe. However, Mike spotted that there is a Hobbycraft store in Rugby. We may have mentioned in a previous blog that our main cabin clock had failed - over winter the battery compartment had corroded and no amount of trying a different battery would persuade it into life. We are rather keen on the clock (even if not an expensive one!) and had discovered online that the battery clock mechanisms are quite standard Plan A had been to order one on line to fix it when back home.

Fortunately Hobbycraft did have just one on its copious shelves - the range of crafts and supporting items was amazing. We noticed even a mug decorating machine that will imprint whatever colour or design you come up with! Special mugs are needed but once processed they are claimed to be dishwasher proof (more than set that `Christine acquired from home on the internet! At around £2.50 each in small quantities that seemed reasonable but, of course, special paints and transfers are needed. Alas, we were not tempted.

Our trip to Lidl found almost all of the items on our larder list and we returned to the boat with several rather heavy bags. A long lunch break followed.

Eventually Mike stirred himself to take a look at the clock. Although at first sight the new item looked a dear ringer for the original, it was only after removing the non-working part and starting to re=assemble that it became clear that the spindle on the new one was rather shorter than the old one and did not protrude through the cork face enough to allow the fixing nut to engage with the spindle thread.

As luck would have it, Mike found in his toolbox a suitable grinder to fit onto his power drill. Working very carefully, he gradually reduced the thickness behind the spindle enough to catch the nut and then he could fit on the hands. With some trepidation he fitted in a new battery and was somewhat amazed to see the second hand merrily ticking away. This was even a  bonus because previously the clock only had hour and minute hands even though the mechanism could have driven one.

The main cabin now has its 'proper' clock back in its place. Of course, this meant that the clock we bought as a temporary measure now had to be hung in place in the front cabin where it was intended to live.

Another task on Christine's 'little list' for Mike to while away his spare tme with was to re-black the multi-fuel stove. A messy job. 

Fortunately tonight's meal was planned to be a simple one.

And now, by special request, Christine's list of spring flowers and things in the hedgerows that we have already spotted this year, but no time to source pix, alas (the stove blacking calls . . .)

Daffodils
Coltsfoot
Celandines
King cups
Butterbur
Dandelions

Blackthorn white flowers
Cherry blossom
Catkins (some variety or other, forgot to make a note)
and some other as yet unidentified flowers on other trees

Back to Marina

Today's Canal : Oxford

Today felt as if a late Spring had arrived. Despite a forecast of very low temperatures overnight, it was already quite warm by the time were about. The sky was bright blue and everyone (well, almost  but we won't talk about the exception!) was feeling very cheerful.

We set off from our overnight mooring just above Sutton Stop by about 9.45. Before long there was close to a consensus that we would aim to be back in the marina - the office is closed tomorrow and we wanted to fill up with diesel on arrival. £1.47 a litre, base price. Chatting when were filling we learnt that Aquavista buy their fuel centrally so all their marinas charge the same price.

The bright sunshine brings out the best of wildflowers - this long line of white blossom was rather impressive.

We met an surprising number of on-coming boats. At first almost all were from either Clifton pr Willow Wren in Rugby but later predominantly private boats. between Ansty and Stretton we passed around 20 - perhaps the busiest stretch we have seen for a very long time. The part of the Oxford also has narrow channel with much depth so that passing is tricky especially if one steerer is nervous of getting too close. We scraped the bottom on numerous occasion despite being almost 2 metres from the towpath. 

A little before passing underneath the M69 at Nettle Hill, a hire boat caught us up. Whilst they remained quite patient, perhaps realising that there were no suitable places to let them by, what with excess vegetation on the off side and shallow waters by the towpath.

We did know that the motorway offered the best option with a full depth and width under the bridge. We waved them on and they passed with ease - they seemed suitably pleased. In fact it as only at Stretton that they were able to gain any great distance on us.

The little footbridge at Stretton Stop was left open for us so we only had to close it after we had passed through.

We paused for lunch a short distance before our destination, surprised to find a great mooring with armco at Old Oaks Corner. This gave Mike a chance to tackle a well-overdue oven clean. Fortunately we do keep a good set of cleaning materials on board, especially those for the oven. All went well until Christine came to inspect an found that front glass plate had slipped out of position. This is a known problem as is the fact that correcting it not at all easy. One of those tasks that looks as it it should be a 10 second job but which defies finding the 'trick'. In the process Mike managed to unhook the dropdown front door out of its hinges - which have very strong springs to help balance the weight of the front glass. After struggling for at least ten  minutes, Mike ceded defeat for moment as we were running near to the office closing time at the marina.

We came into the marina around 3:20 and pulled at first onto the fuel wharf where we took on 97 litres of liquid gold - thanks Mr Trump! This was also a chance to check one of the maintenance jobs that Mike did yesterday. When the boat was repainted, an identification plaque on the transom has been removed and the painters forgot to put it back. Unfortunately this left two small holes through the hull into the fuel tank right at its top. We had found almost as soon as the boat was handed back to us by the painters that when filling the tank to the brim there was a slight escape of fuel, readily visible on the water surface. We called at the next boatyard but they could find nothing amiss. The problem only manifested when we filled right up - if we left just a small headroom it was OK. We remained puzzled until last autumn when we were accepting that we had to remain in Brinklow Marina for the winter and came up to winterize. Whilst there are two views on this, we usually opt to leave the tank full for the winter period. As we were just completing the fill, Mike spotted a small spillage and knew that it was not his lack of care and, in any case, it was on the opposite site from the filler hole. he could also see a tiny flow when he tilted the boat in that direction. A later investigation revealed why we had these two tiny holes and how to fix the problem has been on Mike's mind ever since. Sourcing a new number plate was the easy part and we were only ready to try to fix it on this trip. Mike planned to use pop rivets - we did not know what was used before - but found that our store only had ones that were two large in width. We tried several places in Coventry city centre to no avail but did pick up some external No Nails lookalike = exterior sealant had also proved elusive. In the event a couple of screws did the job yesterday so today was the acid test. When we filled up, nothing seemed to spill. Hooray - all we now need to see is if it is permanent!

There was no wind at all today but just as we arrived at the marina a feisty breeze made mooring just that bit trickier!

Oh, and whilst Christine was sorting out a problem with the electricity card and the bollard (Sonia from the office kindly came to check it out for her) Mike re-visited the oven door. After several fruitless approaches he finally worked out a way of getting the hinges and their catches to engage properly - so our planned jacket potatoes for dinner tonight are safe!

9.2 Miles - 0 Locks

Hawkesbury

Today's Canals : Coventry, Oxford

Time now to leave Coventry and wander slowly back to Brinklow Marina. We have been able to give the new battery a good test and let it go down to 37% overnight, not having cruised for the past couple of days. One of the factors that persuaded us to make the upgrade was the ability to have a couple of days off cruising without great concern about battery power.

Alongside where we moored was once a swing bridge. OK, so the bridge is actually still intact but has not been used for some time, leaving more room for visiting boats.

We have probably shown the surviving wharf crane before but have included this shot to show that the weather today was very different from the weekend. Althiugh is was expected to be very cold at night by the time were were about the clear skies and sunshine had already taken the edge of the chilly air. By the afternoon it became definitely warm!

As we set off so did others - we think at least five left today - good news for the couple of boats we passed coming into the city no doubt hoping for a good mooring in the basin. Just after setting off, looking back, it is clearer how the basin is divided on to two arms.

Neither elsan nor refuse facilities were accessible in the basin so they will have to wait until we reach Hawkesbury but we were almost out of water so only went out of the basin to the the couple of water point just after the entrance bridge (originally built as a security feature to control entry of boats and local miscreants! `The roadside edge of the basin is now quite open to provide an amenity access for visitors and local people. It certainly seemed quite popular. We were not the only leaving boat to need to fill.

The arched footbridge again - here with a bright blue sky and a few wispy clouds.

Not too slow a tap - not quite the fastest but even with two of us filling at the same time we reached 'full' sooner than we expected and were able to continue on our way.

Another of the converted buildings at Electric Wharf. This building is known as Cable Yard and was part of the original power station but other than what might inferred from the name we have not really found out much about its particular role. The letters LE on the end were once part of CABLE. It is now a mixture of offices and apartments and was specifically designed with eco credentials in mind.

Cash's Houses once again - just 'cos we can!

We continued to retrace our steps back towards Hawkesbury. We did not spot anything specific of note but it was a pleasant morning for cruising. We had a slow boat ahead so it was just as well we were not in a hurry! The section of canal was once not one of the finest as detritus from canalside industry and poor housing marred the experience but for some years now it has been very different even if it is taking time to throw off it past reputation.

Another view of Exhall Basin looking very different from a year ago.

We called at the service block immediately before the junction for much needed disposals. In the process Mike discovered that one of the cassettes had developed a small leak around the vent fixing but fortunately we have some spare part. With luck they included a new o ring that seals the unit from leaking to the outside.

We then made the sharp turn under the splendid cast iron footbridge. Fortunately we judged it correctly as there were several unhelpfully moored boats in places where they should not be, including two on a lock landing with a very clear No Mooring sign - it is nit even necessary to be able to read words to know what it means! A couple of other boats were tied up outside The Greyhound pub which seemed yo be doing a good trade today. Just made it that bit trickier for unwary boats coming to the stop lock just after the junction. Christine managed to operate the lock - it may be only a small rise but still needed some effort! Her first this year, but then we have only worked 9 locks in total so far.

5.9 Miles - 1 Lock

Cathedral

As planned we walked down into the city centre to visit the cathedral for it Easter Day main service. At least it was dry - not quite so afterwards!

We were in good time but the nave was well occupied by the time the service was ready to begin. Whilst they match most other cathedrals for the sense of drama and formalities,  they have the ability to make it feel much less formal than in some places. Dean John is shortly to retire after 13 years at this cathedral and brought a very real sense of joy and welcome in his manner.

The new Bishop, Sophie Jelley, preached an excellent sermon and also added to the sense of celebration that the Dean had created. She was able to announce that afterwards there would enough eggs for every one to enjoy - especially as the usual refreshment people were taking a break this week. 

The famous tapestry behind the main altar seemed to be especially fitting for today and as we all turned westwards for the final dismissal, sunlight was streaming through the huge window.

The only downside to this building is its acoustics - it was designed perhaps just a decade before there was a better understanding of how to allow speakers to be well heard. Those of us with less than perfect hearing are challenged to follow what is being said against a powerful echo repeating it all. Fortunately those accustomed to the place know to leave sufficient gaps to allow the echoes to dissipate.

Although the sun was shining brightly as we came out and set off back to the boat, it was also slightly raining! Fortunately it did not amount to much until we were over the footbridge and the boat was in sight when hail arrived! We were close enough to not really wet.

Shopping and Eating

We had planned today as a chance to visit the shops in what is a quite compact city centre - there are, of course, several retail parks dotted around the suburbs but these are not easy to reach without a car or a city tram system. There are plenty of buses but it is not easy to work out how to use when start and finish points are pre-determined.

We also wanted to repeat last year's experience with a visit to the buffet restaurant Smokin' Hot. As an 'unlimited courses' buffet we discovered that it is a good idea to eat mid afternoon and then saunter back to the boat where we can chill our for the rest of the day with barely a snack later on.

Marks and Spencer was Christine's main target as she had researched ahead of time and knew what she wanted. She sent Mike off to investigate the nearby malls with an agreed time to meet up again. 

Fortunately M&S has the foresight to stock up the right items in the right size! Two clocks on the boat had given up during the winter lay-off, the main cabin one as well as a small illuminated alarm clock that Mike had fitted above his head when in bed. This makers it easier to check the time when he awakes as there is nowhere to place any items on his side (Christine does have such a facility)

The cabin clock is faced in cork and fits in well with the overall colours - we have found that it should be possible to replace the mechanism but only by ordering on line. So that will have to wait until we are back home. However we both found our selves looking at the space where the clock should be. In addition Christine would like a wall clock in the front cabin - a favourite place to sit and read when the weather is warmer. We thought that we might by a wall clock for there now but temporarily locate it in the cabin. In a Poundland-lookalike Mike spotted a plain wall clock, right size, for just £2. Even if it is not long-lasting it surely must be worth a punt! We failed entirely to find the alarm clock as nobody seems to use them any more, mobile phones do the job just as well (that is what Mike does at home) so that will also have t o await an online order. 

We continued to wander around the city centre. It is soon obvious that this is not a place for those seeking more upmarket purchases from retailers who still have happy-to-serve-you staff on hand!

Although the morning had thus far been overcast and fairly cool, there was a break when some sunshine broke through so we found a seat (they are not abundant) in one of the public open spaces between retail centres and people-watched,

The Body Shop we eventually found but it was a disappointment mainly, as Christine was told, because their new owners have yet really established what their USP is going to be. Some sections in the shop were sadly depleted. Luckily as quick return to Boots yielded success.

It was by now almost 2.30 so we opted to head to the restaurant a little earlier than planned. Just as well as there was lull in their bookings and could find us a table. (They said that they had over 500 people booked today!)

It seemed that they have slightly enlarged their range of choices (in a time when many are going the other way). There was no shortage of options and we ate well! This is not fancy cheffing but is well presented and with very friendly staff (well, Luis our person was excellent and keen to make sure we were OK - you have to understand that we were breaking social conventions by not having a suitably young person to guide us! The whole set-up is clearly aimed at families and younger groups where the wide choice is a particular asset. They now have become so busy that they offer only 90 minutes table slots and we had to crave a few minutes over so that we could also fit in a dessert!

We walked back to the boat feeling very full and crashed out! Much, much later, we had a tiny snack but snoozed and read and did not mind that there seemed nothing interesting on broadcast tv!

In order to give the new battery a bigger test we did not turn on the engine all day. So fare all seems well and we were able to take it down to 46% overnight (our previous setup did not support much below 80%) Our electrician advises not to go below 30% as a matter of course even though the manufacturer claims 20%.