October Catch Up

We were in Braunston at the beginning of October for the Freaky Friday event at Midland Chandlers, another fairly large purchase was made, this time an oven, we had a very last minute change of plan for the hob, it was actually at the checkout we finally made the decision to get the one I liked at IKEA, a bit more expensive but we'll only be doing it once. We spent our money early in the day then moved LJ over to their moorings early evening to load the oven onboard, James wheeled the box down and then we realised it wouldn't fit through the front door, so it was unpacked then only just fitted through, we repacked it onboard as it would be a couple of weeks before fitting. 

Midland Chandlers mooring in Braunston

To help us get over the shock of parting with our money we made our way to the Boathouse to meet up with Dave and Allison Free Spirit as they happened to also be in Braunston too. We had a fantastic evening and look forward to meeting up again soon.

Saturday morning it was an early start from the chandlers as we decided to take LJ to Coventry IKEA rather than getting the train from Rugby. So back through Hillmorton Locks again, this time the left hand of two top locks was closed for repair,

It's great seeing them empty and how they work

Then onto All Oaks Wood for the night. Another early start and the misty morning soon cleared and we made it all the way to Coventry Basin, where we moored up and walked the half mile or so from the basin to IKEA, and made our hob purchase. We stayed a couple of days and visited the Transport Museum again and also Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed during the second world war.

Leaving All Oaks Wood early morning

The remains of Coventry Cathedral

And the other way

Moored in Coventry Basin, with James Brindley keeping an eye on us

We made our way back to Hawkesbury Junction as Mum was coming up for a quick visit. A few days later we were off  through a very misty All Oaks Wood for a couple of days stop in Rugby again before making our way to Lime Farm Marina for alterations on LJ to begin. 

Lovely sunny evening at Hawkesbury

Misty at All Oaks Wood again

Feeling very eerie 

On the way we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, just as CRT contractors were felling an Ash tree, the guys there very kindly let us help ourselves to the branches.

Lots of lovely logs

We stopped off just outside Lime Farm to get the wood chopped before John started the work. We decided it would be best if we left him too it for a while so we headed to Mums for a week or so and managed to get bargain train tickets from Rugby to Mortimer, a change in London then again in Reading £20 each to get there but only £10 each to return, other fares were £79 each one way! I've been getting tips from Jess for getting cheap fares.

We're back on LJ now and a couple of familiar faces (and boats) have passed by Tom and Jan, Waiouru and Geoff and Jane, LJ's previous owners. We'll be here a few more days as work is nearly done then will be on our way again.

Entrance to Lime Farm Marina

40.5 miles and 5 locks

Total 527 miles and 376 locks

Well Spring didn't last for long...

Well Spring didn't last for long...

I'm glad we enjoyed yesterday out in the sun. We let the fire die down late afternoon and by morning today it was blooming cold, grey and damp, what a difference! 

Deb had her birthday hair doo appointment at 9.30 and as we had all of a hundred yards to get there we were able to get the coffee percolator on the hob to go with our toasted cinnamon bagels for breakfast.  

We popped back after an hour to see how they were getting on

All sorted for another year :-) 

Deb had a proper pampering from Brett and he even gave us as boaters discount, service was great, the salon comfortable and tidy and the location picturesque. 

Jess had a train (actually several) to get back to Winchester so we headed into town to recce the market and have a bite to eat for lunch. She could have got a train directly home but buying tickets via Rugby and London worked out £30 cheaper, daft isn't it. So when you read about tourism statistics for London, ignore them because most of the travellers are there for the cheaper train rates. 

Jess thinks she can get on an early carriage and avoid the parental embarrassment

No, no, no... You can run but you cannot hide :-) 

Back to the market on the way to the basin and I've bought some fresh cod roe and a lump of brisket on the bone for a stew (not all at once of course) oh and another bag of mixed chilies to make some more spicy jam :-) 

Yesterday I mentioned that the boat following us was rather close so today's conundrum (boaters feel free to post me your thoughts) is what should I do when I'm in front of boaters in a hurry? 

There is a good reason to me wanting to plod along. Our beta engine has what's known as a trolling valve. Essentially we have a choice of two engine speeds and the morse control just makes the prop go around faster. At about 950 rpm (the lower of the two) the maximum canal speed is just over 3mph, I usually average about 2.75 ish. Raising the speed to 1500 rpm kicks the engine generator in and gives a bit more drive power (and noise) giving me the canal legal speed of 4mph or more on a river. As I am in no hurry, 2-3 mph suits me (and the nesting birds). So if you're behind me what do you want me to do - 

     1.Carry on at my pace

     2. Match your pace

     3. Call you through

   4. Grab my boat pole, jab it in your front fender and bury your bow in the bank

I'm going to post this on the 'just canals' Facebook page as well and will write the consensus in my next blog.

Next conundrum, towpath cyclists.  

Down to Coventry basin...

Down to Coventry basin...

We hadn't expected it to be quite so cold over night. It got down to less than -2°C and left the canal with another skin of ice. Luckily by about 8.30 a couple of boats had been through and done the ice breaking. 

We left pump house visitor (winter) moorings by about 10.00 and passed Mark on fuel boat Calisto waiting on the wharf for more diesel.  The going was slow in places and I am sure there will be plenty of delights waiting for me down the weed hatch. Not all of the approach to the city centre was full of rubbish and there were some really nice parts towards the end. The hundred houses (link) were about all that remain of any real character in amongst the vast swathes of dismantled warehouses and factories. 

The narrowest and lowest of bridges takes you into the basin where we were surprised to see a nearly full house. Two boats followed us in (about 15ft behind us most of the way) to take the last two spaces. Deb has a birthday treat of a professional stylists hair cut (although I thought I was doing OK) tomorrow morning, I had chosen Ruby Tuesday's (link) as it is right in the basin here. 

After a quick stroll out to Medieval Spon street and a look around the haunted watch museum it was time to head back to LJ for a late lunch of (my version of)  slow cooked beef and pork chili. By the time that we arrived back the basin was bathed in sun and we decided to make use of the table that I recently made and sit out in the sun. 

Coventry basin with the entrance bridge in the background

That's a daft sign, this is the end of the canal, everything is in that direction

Brindley contemplates the stupidity of the sign

Old Spon street

Last of the triple decker houses

Right in the thick of it

Lunch al fresco, Deb is not being antisocial she has my iPhone with a hard of hearing app (no excuse for pink socks and cow pattern slippers though!

As the sun starts to dip down I think about going outside to preserve the fenders that I made a few weeks ago (only thinking mind you) whilst Deb and Jess take a break from the sun to face up to each other on the chess field. Not a bad day eh

This time last year I was sitting in my temporary office (I had been moved out of mine smartish once I'd handed in my notice) wondering how I was going to get everything done in the next three weeks)