Market Bosworth

Today's Canal : Ashby

Although today was expected to be almost as warm as yesterday, we awoke to a grey sky - mainly thin high level cloud and a haze. 

We set off in good time. The provisional plan is to cruise to lunchtime, sit out the hottest part of the day in shade and then finish off with a late afternoon - early evening cruise to moor around 7.

Althiugh the countryside was still very pleasant, this photo shows just how grey the sky was.

The morning made occasional but half hearted attempts to brighten up but it soon reverted to 'grey' mode.  

Like the telegraph pole on the Coventry, Shackerstone Castle (a motte and bailey) is a mandatory photo when cruising up the the top of the Ashby canal!

As soon as we left Shackerstone, the scenery changed dramatically. Until now, we had come through open farming country but the rest of the canal is quite well wooded. At least we could look out for a shady mooring at lunch time. 

The Ashby Canal Association have been able to provide a lot of canalside benches. We noticed this one at Gopsall Wharf because it is shiny and new! Generally the donor is named along with the name of their boat.

Shortly before noon we reached the navigable limit (or at least for ordinary mortals) When we came here before a short further section had been opened and a lightweight swing bridge gave access to the Ashby Canal shop and information centre (as well as the rubbish skip!)

A couple of years ago there was a major incident - the result of badgers burrowing into the canal bank close to the end of the newly restored length which led to a serious breach and water pouring out onto the adjoining fields. Quick thinking by the Ashby Trust staff who were able to put in stop planks at the bridge hole meant that there was no great loss of water. The Ashby, together with a long length of the Coventry, are all on the same level and if the leak had not been spotted quickly there would have been extensive damage and a long closure whilst it was refilled.

Since then the swing bridge has been rebuilt with a stop gate (normally closed) which has a walkway attached. Tis means that if a similar incident occurred then only the restored section would be emptied. There a visitor moorings just the other side but it seems that they are only available to members of the Association.

We paused on the services mooring for the usual round of emptying and filling - the water tap was especially fast and the tank was overflowing before we had a chance to think about it! We took time to chat with the volunteers at the shop before starting our return trip.

The winding hole is just a few metres back from the services - it is quite a large one so we could turn without touching ither side! We even had time to take a photo looking back - complete with the oddity of a railway signal. It looks in too good a condition to have come from the closed section of the Battlefield Line.

We now had to retrace our steps. Before long we arrived at the Snarestone Tunnel - only four minutes transit, the same both times. Only just over 200m it has a distinct kink in it. Perhaps the original canal company could only afford a cheap and/or inexperienced surveyor! Inside it is remarkably dry. No cascades down the steerer's neck!

We moored up at a well-shaded spot we selected on our way up, marked on our canal maps. However, once again we had to settle for being well away from the edge. Only one boat passed us so no great problem. We were able to stay here until five o'clock. During this time Mike prepared the evening meal so that we could eat not too long after finally mooring for the night.

We mentioned yesterday that there are only three rail bridges across the Ashby. There was another, that carried the part of the Ashby and Nuneaton Railway, north of the junction at Shackerstone Station. That part is long abandoned and the track lifted. Only the abutments remain here.

Just before we arrived at Shackerstone we could look back and see clearly how the vegetation alongside the northern part differs from here southwards.

By now the sun was making longer breaks in the clouds and the temperature was rising.

A pretty picture (?) with even more sunshine. 

By the time we reached the entrance to Bosworth Marina it was hotter than two hours earlier when we set off after our siesta stop. Clear skies and the sun shone against the new houses opposite the marina winding hole.

We looked to pull in to the visitor moorings before the marina entrance but one boat already there made it clear that they had positioned to deter others stopping too close to them! We continued on under the road bridge and just after the water point found plenty of space and were able to come right into the edge. It is quiet and shady as well. As we were tying up, a couple waked by - it transpired that they live in the marina and we were able to share common experiences. She was a community nurse in Devizes before they retired and moved aboard their boat!

13.3 Miles - 0 Locks