Autumn cruise

 We have recently enjoyed a couple of days cruising down to Trent Lock and back. The autumn colours were lovely and the weather remained favourable most of the time.  When venturing onto the River Trent, you always have to remain vigilant regarding river levels especially at this time of year. 

Bottom Blacking - Shardlow Marina

We have just returned from a week at Shardlow Marina where the onerous 3 yearly bottom blacking took place.

Thursday 27 August  - We set off for Shardlow Marina as Coventina was due to be pulled out on Friday at 8am.  When we left Derwent Mouth Lock the marker was on red/amber, however as there hadn't been any further rain and we needed to get to the marina, we went for it!!!The current was strong and against us.  We made good, albeit slow progress until we neared the marina where the river narrows. Here we were nearly at a stand still but the Izuzu managed an extra horse power or two and powered us into the marina - phew!

Friday 8am - the team don't mess about here, out we came by tractor quickly and smoothly. 

We were pleasantly surprised as the hull was not in bad condition despite nearly 3.5 years since we last blacked her.  

   

Being from Yorkshire, we opted to do the pressure washing ourselves, as they say pennies make pounds 😉  The pressure washing takes place on the slipway and then  you are towed into the boatyard.

As the anodes had just about sacrificed themselves, we had four new ones fitted.     

We then applied the first coat, - the most difficult one making sure all the little crevices are filled, but, with two hands on deck we managed to complete this on Saturday.

As we were out for the week, we could allow the bitumen to dry between coats which was great.  

On Wednesday we enjoyed a 'takeaway' carvery from the 'Boathouse' a pub located in the marina, which we would definitately recommend. A point to note, living high rise up a ladder - don't have too many beers! 

Finally after three coats , new anodes and sprucing up she was looking really great!☺

  

All in all, we have had a really good week, everything went to plan and ran smoothly.

Today we were floated back in the water - all done by 8.30am.

  

Newts on the roof?

 Over the past few days we have continued our journey along the Trent and Mersey Canal back to our home moorings at Shardlow.   We stayed at Hopwas visitor moorings on Wednesday, another rather hot day.  The temperature onboard reached 34 degrees!!! phew!😎☀.  After calling at Streethay Wharf for diesel we moored at Alrewas and thoroughly enjoyed a take-away from the Cantonese in the village. 

   Horningblow Wharf

On Sunday we stocked up at the Co-op in Willington before calling at Horningblow Wharf Sanitory Station.   After mooring for the evening we had a short walk to Mercia Marina.   

    Mercia Marina  

Yesterday, Monday 17 August we descended Stenson Lock and moored near bridge 15.  From here a short walk to the village of Barrow upon Trent is highly recommended.  Located here is St Winifred's Church - a grade 1 listed Anglo Saxon Church. Nearby there is Greenacres a beautiful peaceful conservation area created out of a former gravel quarry.

The following morning we were delighted to discover a couple of visitors on the roof!!!  

 We carefully placed them in a safe spot to continue their journey!☺

   

Snarestone Wharf to Fazeley Junction

 Over the last few days we have begun our return journey along the Ashby canal and joined the Coventry Canal which in turn leads to Fazeley Junction.

Ashby canal - Mooring at Market Bosworth visitor moorings, rather than walking up the main road from bridge 42, we took the pleasant rural footpath from Kings Bridge 43, lovely views and takes you directly into the village of Market Bosworth (approximately 45 mins). 

The following day we stopped for lunch at Stoke Golding visitor moorings.  We had an interesting tour of the church dating back to the 13th & 14th Century  (open to visitors on a Wednesday). Nearby there is a small convenience shop. 

At both bridges 25 and 23 there are small farm shops which are handy for essentials.  We also had a brief stop at the newly refurbished visitor moorings at Hinckley.  

                                 Visitor moorings Hinckley

A 35 minute walk on Coventry Road takes you to the centre of Hinckley passing a Lidl on the way.. We then carried on to the end of the Ashby Canal turning right onto the Coventry Canal.  The Ashby has been very pleasant with plenty of rural moorings and places to visit, not to mention NO LOCKS!!!☺

Coventry Canal  - The temperatures have soared once again, so shady moorings are in much demand! After emptying the Elsan (for a nominal £1) at Springwood Marina (very nice small marina with a small chandlery and shop) we moored near bridge 28 and had a wonderful peaceful evening watching the sunset.

Sunday 9 August beckoned with an early start of 6.45am!  Not only was there the Atherstone 11 lock flight to contend with, but also a very hot humid day.  In the event the day went really well. This included pausing at visitor moorings after descending the first 5  locks.  Here there is convenient access to the supermarkets and train station in the lovely village of Atherstone. 

Monday we moored at Polesworth which has visitor moorings, take-aways, pubs and a few shops.  Polesworth also boasts 'a splendid gatehouse and clerestory which are all that remain of a 10th Century Abbey.  This is where Egbert, first Saxon King of England, built a nunnery.' 

Today we have arrived at Fazeley Junction and looking forward to a meal tonight from the ample choice of takeaways. 

SNARESTONE WHARF - YIPPEE!

What a delightful stretch the upper reaches of the Ashby Canal are.

We reached the current terminus on Sunday to a wonderful welcome from the Ashby Canal Association  who are working to restore the final few miles into Measham which have been closed and infilled due to mining subsidence.

First task is to turn in the windy hole and then reverse some distance to moor in the newly restored section while remaining calm and in control at all times!

Second task, call at the Association's delightful shop for ice-cream and to purchase the 'brass plaque'.  The facilties are immaculate and the place extremely well kept. There are 48 hour moorings here and well worth an overnight stay.

In the afternoon we had a walk on part of the filled in canal.

 

The following morning we were in luck as 'Star Class' Working Narrowboat was about to depart on its summer route. We purchased Gas and Diesel at very reasonable rates. He works very long days including single handed Lock operation.

The sun is shining, Nugget has been on her walk, toilet emptied so reluctantly it is time to begin our return journey.

                                 Short Nugget video !!

Onwards to the Ashby Canal

Over the last week we have cruised from Fradley Junction, turning onto the Coventry and then finally the Ashby Canal.  This ode at the bottom of the 2 Glascote locks made us smile!  

Wednesday 29 July dawned with an early 7am start to ascend the 11 Atherstone Locks.  By this time four boats were already ahead of us, however even with all the locks against us we made it up in good time for lunch in Atherstone.

    

'The Deli' in the market square was great for a reasonable priced tasty panini with a cuppa.  We took this opportunity to visit Oakfield Vets in Atherstone so they could look at Nuggets poorly eye and poorly toe.  Really good service - so armed with medication and a slightly slimmer wallet we were on our way again - thank you Oakfield Vets💓  

About midday on Thursday we reached Marston Junction and began our journey on the 22 lock free miles that is the Ashby Canal.    

Friday was the 3rd hottest day on record (according to the BBC) and it certainly felt it 😎, thankfully there was a decent breeze.  We moored near bridge 31 (wooden top Bridge) and had a wonderful evening sat out watching the wildlife and beautiful sunset.

   

Nuggets eye 👀 and toe are healing well and she is loving the walks and the beautiful countryside and lots of interesting sniffs!    

Shardlow to Fradley

Over the last few days we have cruised from Shardlow to Fradley where we turned left onto the Coventry Canal heading for the Ashby Canal at the start of Coventina's 2020 summer cruise.

map of our summer trip 2020

 

Shobnall Playing fields 

The moorings at Shobnall playing fields at Burton upon Trent are ideal for Nugget to have a good run round while the grown ups can enjoy the pleasant aromas wafting from the world famous Marston's Brewery.

Cruising past Marston's Brewery it was great to see that it is once again a hive of frantic activity following the easing of COVID-19 lockdown.  Nugget had herself a right good smell.  This induced an hours nap!!! 

The ever popular village of Alrewas - plenty of moorings and facilities

Passing through the normally busy Fradley Junction, we found time to empty the elsan and purchase a delightful bacon buttie from the canalside cafe. Here the Trent and Mersey Canal continues straight ahead while we took the left turning onto the Coventry Canal.  Just before mooring up, the heavens opened and one of the grown ups and Nugget got drenched 😓

Haircuts, pubs and overnight stay on narrowboats allowed!

We  enjoyed a short cruise from Shardlow, mooring near Sarson's bridge (11) on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

It was great to be back on the canals again after lockdown and enjoy the wonderful wildlife and scenery.  From bridge 11, we walked on the bridleway (the old train track) and up into the market town of  'Melbourne' (approximately one hour walk). Whilst walking on the track we noticed a bench which made us smile - someone has obviously spent a 'happy hour' or two there during lockdown!!

Melbourne is a lovely town mentioned in the Domesday Book 1066. There are a few independent  shops and pubs etc.  We enjoyed some fish and chips (and so did Nugget) sat in the centre.