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Canal 2006

In 2002 we purchased a week on a Narrow boat in April, a lifetime of one weeks holiday a year on a narrow boat. The boat is Shakespeare Classic called Ophelia and is moored at Barton Turn Marina, Burton under Needwood.

Our Fourth Canal Holiday we are going to do the Coventry Canal as far as and including the Ashbey. We made a fuss last year about the state of the boat, when we arrived at the marina we noticed Ophelia was over the far side and wondered why. Well they decided that we could have a brand new boat second time its been out and it was all lovely and new no name as yet but it will be Falstaff. It is also a new layout in side I was impressed, the video bit on the televison wasn't working mainly because it hadn't been tuned but we don't have any videos to watch so we were not concerned.

This year we loaded up on the jetty instead of canal side, the engineer came and showed us all the things they have to show us as some of the things were slightly different then on Ophelia. They then took us out to the canal and we were on our way we decided to moor overnight at Alrewas, we moored up about 4.30 and unpacked everything and got ourselves sorted out. We had dinner at the Crown we both had steak and salad no chips. Since last year Edward has developed Diabetes so now we have to be careful what he eats, he has got used to not having chips and asking for salad instead, and pudding is a nightmare so he doesn't look at the menu unless he can have something with out sugar.

Day one

We were woken up early this morning by a tapping on the side of the boat I had a look out and a swan was letting us know it wanted some food, which it didn't get till later, it was going along all the boats and tapping on them till someone gave in and gave it something. It was promising to be a nice day, after breakfast Edward took some photos from the bridge before the boats started to leave.

We haven't been through Fradley for a year and they have been doing a lot of work near the British Waterways Office, you can now moor on both sides of the canal, where they have a cafe and gift shop it looks very nice now. I have just got a cam corder and was busy taking videos of the everything as well as photos. We turned onto the Coventry Canal at Fradley there is a little swing bridge there which I was not looking forward to doing but it was a real easy, the only thing was it didn't stay shut twice I shut it in the end I gave up as a couple of boats were coming along and they could make it stay shut when they had gone through. We wanted to get as far as Alvecote today so we can get through Nuneaton and the Atherstone Locks before the rush on Saturday. We stopped for lunch near bridge 81 mainly so a boat that was towing another boat could get further ahead, he was going really slow and a little boat was trying to overtake. It seemed best to let them get out of the way while we enjoyed our break. The Midlands is such a built up area yet from the canal you see so much country side that is hidden from the rest of the world after a long lunch we got under way and arrived at Alvecote about 5.00 which was great, Edward went in search of eating places and came back to say he couldn't find one, we find it strange that a narrow boat hire base doesn't have a pub near by, so it was our usual bangers and mash for dinner. When you have been in the open all day they taste great a couple of drinks and we were ready for bed.

Day two

Today we are going to do the Atherstone ten and stop at the Anchor Pub near Hartshill. I am hoping my Uncle will join us here for a meal, he didn't he was not feeling well and couldn't drive. The Atherstone ten really sounds like hard work, but I was surprised how easy they were we stopped half way up for lunch and a rest I walked between most of them as the space between them is to short to keep getting on board. By the time we had got to the top lock the heavens opened up as usual a nice day ends wet. We got to the Anchor at 4.30ish had a nice relaxing couple of hours before we went for dinner.

We had decided before we came this year that because of the poor TV reception in the Midlands area, we have brought an ariel similar to those on caravans. We hadn't used it so far, but we need it tonight it worked a treat now after dinner we could at least watch some telly. It was a good meal at the Anchor and we sat chatting to a couple from Chester who were doing a three month trip, they had just been made redundant and decided on a holiday before they found jobs. They had a lovely dog who was so well behaved I wanted to take him home. He sat near to us and would liked to have had Edwards dinner, I don't think Edward shared any of it well maybe a crumb or two. They were out walking him before bedtime and again in the morning, he stopped near our boat so we could say good bye to him.

Day three

Today we are starting off early so we can get through Nuneaton before the Yobs get up we have heard they are a problem around here. It seems strange to see Nuneaton from this angle I have been to visit family for years here and as a youngester played in the parks along the route of the canal. The canal itself in some places you need to be careful as it seems to be a dumping ground for trollies and rubbish. The best bit was the allotments hundreds of them and they were all well cared for, a lot of people put in a lot of work and it must be great to have freash vegetables and get out in the freash air away from the city life for a few hours a week.

We then passed by the Griff hollows there is a big hole there and we almost missed it, but you couldnt miss the Griff Arm all the mounds which to some would now be called hills. Very scenic unless you know the history of the area, it was a big mining town once and there are 4 Griff mines that I know off. I should know more my ancestors mined them. But the canal is now just a beautiful peaceful trip the country side is returning and so are the birds and wildlife you cant see any of the mooring spots where the coal or gravel was once loaded and shipped off to where ever it was destined.

At Marston Junction we turned onto the Ashby Canal and how different it is no locks and field upon field we stopped near Lime Kilns for lunch. After lunch we were hoping to make it to Snarestone for the evening, the wind and rain started about 2.00 and didn't let up once. At Stoke Golding a hire boat had broken its moorings and was across the canal so no one could get by Edward and I moored up, I stayed with the boat and Edward went off to get it moored up again. Another boat coming in the other direction helped push the boat back to its mooring they were all hampered by a fence not finding any mooring pins or bollards they attached it to a tree with a bit of luck someone will come and sort it out. The rain by then was getting very heavy so we turned at the Sutton Cheyney Wharf and went back to a sheltered spot we had noticed earlier. We had trouble mooring as the wind kept taking the boat out into the middle of the canal after a good twenty minutes we did it. The towpath was muddy and we were filthy by the time we had finished, I went below to get cleaned up and warm Edward decided to walk up the hill to get a take away. He returned wet muddy and cold and no food just as well we had plenty of stuff on board. I soon had the potatoes, peas and sausage cooking, at least we had a good reception on the telly tonight.

Day four

Today you wouldn't have know it was cold and windy yesterday it started out a lovely day and stayed like that all day, we are planning on taking a few more photos today while we can. On the way back towards the Coventry Canal we were following a young couple in the boat that broke its moorings yesterday the young lad was steering the boat and where it was quite he was dancing on the spot he must have had an CD player on him as we couldn't hear the music. We both stopped at Nuneaton for lunch, after we had tied up he asked if we were following him, I said yes but I plan to overtake you here. I didn't mention his boat had come undone the night before, he was enjoying himself to much. We didn't stay long, just long enough to eat and have a cup of tea. We went right through Nuneaton and pulled over near some local shops to get some bread and milk, Edward stayed with the boat, there were some youngsters hanging around.

Hartshill is our next overnight stop and we plan to eat at the Stag and Pheasant now renamed the Malt Shovel. The sign says 800 meters they didn't say its uphill we stopped for the night about 5 ish, and had a slow walk to the pub the views were breathtaking and we hadn't got our camera, we had steak and salad the local rugby team came in and ordered a meal after we had finished. Some of them had big meals and finished them before we decided to walk back to the boat. Its amazing how much and how quickly those blokes can put it away. We had a nice walk back to the boat stopping to take in the view, we sat and chatted for ages tonight about the scenes we should have got on camera and looked at the ones we did get.

Day five

We started early today we had the Atherstone ten to do and wanted to take our time the boat which we had moored next to last night was moored up at the lock, I went to help them set the lock. It was their first lock and wasn't sure the cruiser would go in it, I am sure it would they decided to sit and watch a few boats first, so we went into the lock and started our descent. The Atherstone lock gates are low so its difficult to push with your back so you push with your hands but they are all very easy and open without to much trouble. We didn't meet anyone coming up till the 5th lock and it worked really well I opened the gates on one lock and they left the gate open on the 6th lock the lady and I swapped over the same place as the boats passed. There was no other boats coming up and the locks were now in our favour till the 9th one which was filling itself I finished filling the lock and Edward steered in only to get a telling off from a boat which had appeared around the corner and had yet to get through number ten that we should have waited for him to get there before we filled the lock. I told him the lock was half full anyway and was empty before we had seen him. He had better change his attitude there was ten boats behind us all coming down I cant see how he would get to the top in one piece if he was going to have a go at everyone and his crew were rude made no effort to help with the locks or even speak. They were the first nasty people we had met on the canals and hopefully the last.

We travelled on getting a few pics of Pooley Hall and the county side, we passed through Alvecote Priory not so busy today all the boats are out or ready to go out. We stopped for lunch at Armington its not a bad place and is quite at lunch time the weather seems to be in our favour at the moment. I cant make my mind up about Fazeley I think another time we will have to stop there overnight and have a walk around, but not this time we want to get to Hopwase for the night, and we have the Poly tunnel world to go by first. Poly tunnel world is just past Whittington, rows and rows of large poly tunnels some were open. I couldn't imagine what was being grown there, you would think they would have little signs for those of us passing through. We made Hopwas early and found a nice place to moor within walking distance to The Tame Otter, I had heard good reports about this pub from the Canalworld Forum and was determined to try it out. Well it was as good as reported we had one of the best meals in years there. Edward had Spicy Tomato soup with a crusty roll I had Breaded Mushrooms, followed by Gammon with salad no chips for Edward and I had a Pasta dish which was yummy. We both had pudding and was full as a boot when we left. It was a nice pub the staff were all very friendly and gave a good service I would recommend a visit to anyone. Hopwase is a nice place to stay. We got back to the boat and watched the TV for a bit before going to sleep its amazing that after all the exercise, fresh air and a good meal all you want to do is sleep.

Day six

Today is our last full day on the canal and we want to be back at the marina on the right side so we can drive out to a pub for a meal, we didn't leave till after ten today so it will be a really slow pace back. We stopped for a little while at Fradley to get rid of rubbish and had a look round the little shop then carried on, we helped some students from Spain moor up at the lock it took all three of them to tie the boat up, they came up and asked us to leave the gate open for them which I was going to do any way. I explained that as they had a centre rope all they needed to do was one of them could jump off and hold the boat while the others did the lock, which they did after that they were working flat out to get as far as they could, couldn't make out where they were going but they were having a good time. We got to Alrewas in time for lunch which we shared with the ducks and swans the sun was really shining by now it was like summer, we had a very long lunch and noticed a few other Shakespeare boats stopping for a long break before heading on to the marina. We decided to head back at the last but one lock we had a micro light plane flying over us I spent more time watching him then the lock or Edward I have a good cam film of him doing the lock and steering the boat in and out as well as the micro light. We got back to the marina in plenty of time for me to get a few things for our niece and nephew and some biscuits for work. We drove out to The Swan, where we had another nice meal which rounded the holiday off, we got back to the boat and started the packing ready for a early start back home in the morning.

Another good holiday and the new unnamed boat was great we didnt have one complaint. We are planning next year and will have more photoes then this year.