Hilmorton

Today's Canal - Oxford

New day, New boots! Not worn before so a bit apprehensive but they turned out to be as comfortable a fit as the pair that died yesterday. The soles are still a little stiff and so feet were rather tired by lunch time but overall they seem to be doing well!

The first part of the morning did indeed have sunny spells as in the forecast. Of course, the weather people do not say how long the spells will be and this time they were quite brief. At first it was reasonable warm but the wind gradually increased and a warmer fleece was needed.

We had over six miles of level cruising in front of us. We passed a number of former canal wharves along the way - in a predominantly rural area, the canal was at one time an important route to and from markets for the farms along the way. Willoughby Wharf was the first, the former warehouse now converted into a splendid residence. It seems to have been extended at various different times and stands alongside the bridge carrying a road into the eponymous village about half a mile away.

Some of today's stretch formed part of the well known widening project that took put many of the original contour diversions and much shortened journey times. Around where Barby Moorings and Dunchurch Pools are located (both recent marina developments) the widening allowed slightly wider canal and bridges that fully spanned both the water and the towpath. It is this that has, in part, encouraged its used by wide beam boats, some of which have their home at these two places. 

However, not all bridges received the same treatment as this one from earlier this morning shows. Hence the difficulties. 

Although we had recently read reports of a wide beam mooring for some time near Dunchurch Pools (against the current rules()we did not see any wide beams, moored or moving.

Before long we passed Barby Moorings.

From here to Hilmorton Locks (narrow), the bridges remain much more restrictive although last year we did see a cruiser wider than 7ft moored above the locks. Many of the modern steel wide beams would not pass, however.

We always seem to include a picture of these buildings at Kilsby Bridge. Althiugh we have seen some indications that there was a wharf here, most of the development was for a nearby farm.

We have struggled to unravel the history of Hilmorton Wharf. As it is alongside the road into Rugby (now the A428) it was quite an important place. The pub was possibly originally the main warehouse but others are alongside. There was a brickworks and a sand quarry close by.

Our main puzzle regards the small marina alongside. (We have used this for a short term stop over in the past) It can only accommodate about 20 - 25 boats at most. Several canal-related businesses are still based at the old wharf and one is building a floating building (houseboat?) so access is even narrower. But how did this small basin come about? It is of relatively recent development, perhaps in the 1960's. When the wharf was in full operation, the contemporary maps show nothing in this place. The present Hilmorton Wharf Marine, originally Blue Haven Marine, was formed in 1988.

Interesting to note that this location remains important geographically for transportation as the large DIRFT freight terminal is just down the road. One of the earliest canals, the Roman Watling Street (A5), two rail lines and two motorways (M1 and M45) all now within a mile of each other at this point. Of course, the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union is almost as close - at least as the crow flies, further by water. James Brindley made a good choice of route it seems.

Just a little further, under the main line railway bridges, we had to pass a boat that had come untied at one end. It may even be in the process of being abandoned. It appeared that the bow line was attached to a mooring pin, now under water but several attempts have been made to hammer it into the towpath but the ground must be soft as it has come out each time with the tow from passing boats. There was, however, enough room for us to pass safely. Slightly regretfully, we felt that trying to secure it was nowadays a bit beyond our capabilities (not always as easy to do as it might seem) and then felt even more guilty when we looked back as another boat coming the other way was faced with the boat rather more across the road.

Surprisingly, the towpath just above the locks was largely free from moored boats - on the last two times we have come this way there was a long line. Two years ago, in the autumn, there was also a substantial queue to use the locks,  stretching back beyond the start of the designated moorings. No such queue today.

A couple of volunteers were on hand, dodging between the two locks at each level. They were very friendly and offered just the right amount of help and support. We were, however, left to ourselves at the middle lock. We paused before the bottom lock to empty the elsan - made a little less easy by a CaRT workboat moored on the facilities landing and bollards!

At the top lock, we could see that the back pumps were obviously working full tilt and the two intermediate pounds were well full. In fact, at the bottom lock the level was starting to come over the footboard.

We stopped at the water point below the locks. These are noted for being rather slow and as our tank needed a good fill, we had time for lunch before it completed (the washing machine was also put on so that some of its demands were immediately replenished)

As the forecast for the afternoon included rain we made the moorings just around the corner our overnight stopover. It transpired that the rain was for a while heavy but short lived.

6.7 Miles - 3 Locks