We are here!

180 miles and 148 locks since leaving Stourport we find ourselves in Burton at the IWA show.Bunting out to celebrate.

Looks like being a good show with lots to see and the weather forecast good. Here is a picture of two working boats, Kangaroo and Australia, loaded with about 25 tons each.Se how they are in the water up to the gunwales

As for yesterdays problems boat is now nearly completely dry. We have bought a couple of rugs to tide us over.(no pun intended)

I do have a picture of where we think the problem occurred.

The guy on the left opened the left hand gate paddle first the opening for which is near the top of the gate. We think water hit his boat and deflected into ours. As you will see we are well back.

Anyway we are off to enjoy the show. Next blog will be MONDAY.

Day of near Disaster

Started the day early to get a good start in nice sunshine. But life is full of contrasts thats what gives meaning to life and today things didnt go too well.Lets start with a nice sunny picture of us at Shardlow taking on water at about 0730.

We teamed up with a another boat from Canal Time to go through the double locks with. A family who had not taken a boat out before. At Weston on Trent lock, which is deep something happened which led to a Tsunami of water passing through the boat Not sure exa ctly what happened as I didnt see anything exactly but did notice that the guy from the other boat had the gate right up before Joanne had lifted the ground paddles. On these locks the water entry from the gate paddles is high on the gate but thought I was far enough back to avoid problem. When Joanne got back on the boat the full scale of the flood was apparent. Equipment from the front had been swept into the saloon and the floor was sodden back to the rear of the boat. Of course you should shut front doors when going through locks although i have never had a problem before. Moored up and lifted carpets. Floor boards were also sodden so I lifted boards and put them on bank to dry. The rear of the boat uder the bathroom was several gallons of water. Picture below.

Called out RCR (the waterways AA)as the quantity of water was too much for our Pella hand pump. As always they were very good and pumped the remaining water out.  So we are left without any carpets or floor coverings except the bedroom which we salvaged. The bathroom area is still drying. The good thing is Joanne wanted a new carpet and I want so sure-that deciscion is now out of my hands. I supose the second good thing is I had chance to examine the floor of the boat and was pleased to see that the ballast weight slabs had been raised of the metal by spacers. This is something builders often miss as it cant been seen once boat completed. Its necessary to allow air to circulate. So we went on our way through Swarkestone and Stenson when we nearly had our second disaster at Stenson Lock. Double width and 12 ft deep and the worst lock i have ever encountered! First nearly lost control of boat while waiting for it to be emptied such was the turbulance I thought it would either break the ropes or snap off the centre line stud. Then entering the lock the person with us, an experienced person, dropped their windlass in the canal-first time this has happened to them. Then somehow I got the boat jammed under front gate, never done that before either. Quick thinking by Joanne dropped the paddles and all was well but it was close.

We are now moored at Willington near Burton and hoping for a better day tomorrow. Picture below of current state of sitting room.

What i think happened to cause the flooding was that water cascaded onto the Canal Time boat and due to its closed in style at the front bounced off it into ours. Thats the only explanation I can give for neither me or Joane picking it up earlier.
Anyway-it could of been worse. Show tomorrow.

Smiling Shardlow 2

A boat passed. The steerer with a west midlands accent said "Its the Stourbridge Lion" I looked up. "I've known that boat since it was built" he said. This was imposible so I said " there's at least two more" He said "youve had the colour changed and it lengthened a bit and the windows changed but I would tell it anywhere" He had chugged under the bridge and out of range before I could reply.

Smiling Shardlow

Strange things happen on a canal boat. Last evening we were asked if the boat could be used in a film that someone was making as part of a chase scene (!) A young comedian/script writer by the name of Tom Bell (never heard of him myself but his website http://www.tombell.org/ suggests he has worked with Graham Norton and written scripts for Radio 4) was making a film to use at Edinburgh Fringe. So he was running up and down the towpath and crouching behind my flowers at the front while brandishing a fake revolver. i failed to get a photo.

Went for a meal at the Clock House at Shardlow with Janet and Ivor. Ivor, a former farmer, tells me that there wont be any wheat cut for another 10 days so not likely to see a combine yet. Wheat is the prominent cereal hereabouts as it likes the soil in the East Midlands. Further west its barely predominantly so that is harvested earlier.

Set off at 1000 along the last bit of the Soar. Dominated in this area by Ratcliffe Power Station and its associated wirescape. Ratcliffe lock was a bit vicious being deep and precarious.

Radcliffe Lock-River Soar



Turning off the Soar onto the Trent



Finally off the Soar after 25 very interesting miles onto the very wide Trent at Trent Junction. Past Trent lock through Sawley lock and onto the Trent and Mersey canal.

Approaching Trent lock.



Bridge no1 on the Trent and Mersey. Boat infront is Copperkins II




Mooring at Shardlow



Moored in Shardlow at 1230. Went into Millar Marine to get a new shower drain switch. Very nice older guy behind the counter. He remarked that he was "racked with pain from arthritis" but was very helpful. Discussed what I wanted wished me well gave me a discount and thanked me for my custom (And gave me a key fob). He had another member of staff but no other customers. Suspect he will go out of business. Shower pump now works automatically as it should.

So here is the premier of my sisters poem "Odessey to Stourbridge Lion"

Chug –achug, chug achug chug to Burton

We’re on our way to Burton, leaving Severn behind

Chug achug chug, chug achug chug

We’re off to the Boat Show twenty eleven

Trent and Mersey ahead and miles of heaven

We’re off to the Boat Show - hoorah

Chug a chug chug to Burton.

A sad tale to tell

Poor Ron is lost, wandering

In his own imaginary world

Is he drowned, who knows?

Chug achug chug to Burton

Police overhead, rotor blades whirling

Boat after boat, they come a’calling

‘Have we seen him’ – no we have not

Anxious faces in dive suits, shiny and wet

Old friends join us, locks to do

Hard work for all, locks 132?

To get us to Burton, to Burton

Chug achug chug achug chug

Stourbridge Canal and then onto the Arm

No crystal now ‘cept under our keel

By Rastricks works and the crane’s old wheel

Chug achug chug to Burton

Past Round Oak Steel, now ruins and dead

And Cobbs old Engine House, Dadfords shed,

Chug achug chug

Emily and Chris, working like navvies

Gas Street Basin and ‘civilisation’ approaches.

A change of crew and off once more

Shirley Lift Bridge, pastoral views galore

Chug a chug chug to Burton

Northern Stratford now, then the Hatton twenty one

Chug a chug chug, chuga chug chug

This Stairway to Heaven leads down to the Cape

And then onto Braunston past fields full of rape

Many locks, many miles under her bows

See the brave Stourbridge Lion – see how she goes!

Through dark tunnels, all wet and dreary

Braunston and Saddington, spooky and eerie

‘eadless Annie gives us both quite a fright

Plays tricks in the darkness – thank God for the light!

Chug achug chug to Burton

Out into sunshine and finally to rest

A glass of wine to enjoy – New Zealand, one of the best

Loughborough

The first, what turned out to be, minor techical problem so far. The Bilge had water in it in a place it shouldnt be when checked this morning. Further checking showed that bathrom sink and shower tray, being below outside water level, were not being pumped out properly. The float switch which activates the pump was not working. You cant keep a ex British Rail apprentice down though; so a short walk to Wilkinsons and the purchase of a light switch allowed me to disconect the float switch and reconnect to the new switch. Only problem is that you have to remember to switch on when using shower or washbasin. (see below)

Had a coffee in Loughborough and found that speciality bakers unique to the East Midlands, Birds. Bought more than I should have from a helpful assistant. I wanted to tell her that I was travelling across England by boat but I didnt.

Went into HMV and found the music section behind the DVD, games and Blu Ray sections (I always associated HMV with music but its secondary now) Bought a Arcade Fire CD and took it to a very helpful assistant who had just seen them live.and was very enthusiastic about them. We chatted a bit. I wanted to tell him that I was travelling across England by boat but I didnt.

Nice town Loughborough a good honest town a bit like what my home town of Stourbridge would be like if it was not for "out of town" shops. The people seemed friendly and trustworthy. So trustworthy that I went to have my hair cut, first time since a traumatic night shift at Bounds Green depot in March. Found a shop somewhere between Cash Convertors and Ladbrookes but I trust these people.

"What would you like sir"

"Wash and a cut" 

 "We have no water"

"I'll just have a cut then"

He still used the hair dryer on my head-perhaps it was just to keep in practice.

I wanted to tell him that I was travelling across England by boat but thought better of it.

I have not seen a combine harvester yet.

Set off at 1030 down the Soar through Normanton on Soar and Zouch (pronounced zotch said a guy by Zouch lock). Weekend chalets by Normanton reminded me of the Severn. Some pictures below.



Coming out of Loughborough. Talking parrot in garden and East Midlands train at the bottom of the garden(if you look close!)



Normanton on Soar church.

Zouch



Holiday chalets near Normanton



There was a chain operated ferry at Normanton to cross the river but not sure if still in use.

A strange phenomonon when passing under the super grid power lines from the nearby Radcliffe on Soar power station was that the boat tingled with induced electricity for a short while! this happened a couple of times.

Very nice scenery approaching Kegworth (Pronounced Keguth said Joanne) and although directly in the flight path to East Midlands airport the planes didnt seem too intrusive.

Fly Be aproaching East Midlnds Airport over the top of the boat.

Moored up early at Kegworth as we are meeting mother in law (Janet) and Ivor for a bite to eat later.

Mooring at Kegworth

158 miles 140 locks

My sisters poem is held over until tomorrow as there are already too many words in todays log!

Great Ouse

Set off at 1000. Paired up with a boat giving some aduts with learning difficulties to do the locks.(See below)

Water deep as this is the river Soar. SL fairly skipped along at 6 MPH-it probably thinks its back on the Great Ouse in Bedford. Lush watermeadows and high value properties with gardens coming down to the river at Barrow on Soar. Still not seen a combine harvester.

Mountsorrel Lock

Mountsorrel Lock

Barrow on Soar

Moored in Loughborough at in a residential part but only a short walk to town centre where we topped up provisions.

151 miles 136 locks.

Mother in Law and Ivor coming on board tomorrow evening. We are aiming for Kegworth which is about 3 hours from here so another walk into Loughborough for a decent coffee tomorrow morning.

And on tomorrows blog I will be publishing exclusively my sisters poem.

To leave you with here is a shot of where we are presently moored.

Combine Harvester

Started the day with a blast of Arcade Fire. No, no, not the results of my cooking but a Canadian rock band with great lyrics and energy.

Fields of wheat and barley are looking nearly ripe. Havnt seen my first combine harvester yet.

After yesterdays spooky goings on today was more straightforward but also interesting. Started at Kilby Bridge on the outskirts of Leicester and finished at Birstall the other side of Leicester. Lots of heavy double locks. Matthew and Kerry came to help.

Kilby Bridge Wharf

1We went past the backs of lots of houses as we went through the estates of Wigston. Many make most of the canal frontage. We also shared locks with a Canal Club boat (previously Canal time)

Backs of gardens in Wigston



Sharng locks with Canal Club boat.



At the back of the Walker stadium approaching  Leicester you pass a Sargasso Sea of debris and rubbish. Also a vicious looking unprotected weir.



Walker Stadium



Then at last we are into Leicester and the River Soar navigation. 

"0" milepost in Leicester. 42 miles and 41 signs that we have passed since last Thursday.

The only decent moorings in Leicester where already taken so we pressed on to Birstall. With a good depth of water under the hull SL galloped along at a good 6 miles per hour and we soon covered this stretch. Agood days boating in brilliant sunshine.



River Soar in Leicester




Birstall mooring



140 miles and 129 locks.

Now for what they call in marketing "A Teaser" my sister has written an epic poem to acompany this blog along  the lines of Coleridges "The Ancient Mariner" coupled with Longfellows "Hiawatha" which will be previewed on this site in the near future-Stay Tuned!!

'eadless Anne

The day after the Norwegian tragedy.

 Into Market Harborough to Sainsbury's to pick up supplies. Set off about 1045.

I am not a massive fan of plaques but we thought we would treat ourselves to one of the Foxton locks (Shown above) as we survived them and no children were drowned! (Children insist on helping even though its dangerous, their parents seem oblivious)We retraced our steps back to Foxton and turned sharp right in the direction of Leicester. This is a new canal to me never having been this way previously on any boat. It surprised me. 

On the "Leicester Line"

The channel is narrow and winding at odds with the fact that it was the major canal artery for coal traffic from the East Midlands to London a 100 years ago. Signs said it was an area of special sceintific interest but I am not sure why.

We aproached Saddington tunnel which burrows under Saddington Hill. I know this has memories for some of you reading this log.

On a different subject there is a legend that the tunnel is haunted by " 'eadless Anne" as well as lots of bats. We didnt see 'eadless Anne but I have I have to report, readers, that three quarters of the way through I felt something like a finger being trailed across my back! This is absolutly true and I have no explanation! On leaving the tunnel a unusual butterfly of a type I have not seen before, olive green in colour, flew out with us. It circled the boat then flew on. All very strange.

Then down through the heavy Grand Union locks through Newton Harcourt. Great scenery and not much trafic on the cut. A couple of photos below give the flavour.

Near Kilby Bridge

Pasta and Carbonara plus Sainsbury's wine. Brilliant sunset. (see above)

Finger stretching in the sky

0630 up of coffee then of at 0730 to rendevous with Mat and Kerry at North Kilworth. Beautiful morning and beatiful canal with distant views over the wheat field to distant church spires. Yes its like that along this section. Picture book England. Dropped SL into tickover to admire the view longer. Some photos below.

Now we havn't had a poem this year so to sum up what better for this area of Northamptonshire/Leicestershire border than a few words from the Northamptonshire poet John Clare:

There ruminating 'neath some pleasant bush,
On sweet silk grass I stretch me at mine ease,
Where I can pillow on the yielding rush;
      And, acting as I please,
Drop into pleasant dreams; or musing lie,
      Mark the wind-shaken trees,
      And cloud-betravelled sky.

The canal clings to the 412 ft contour for the 25 miles from Watford until it can no longer keep this height and ends at what appears to be at first sight a cliff edge at Foxton Leicestershire. 'Like a finger stretching into the sky" And this is where the work and confusion starts.

Foxton Locks

Foxton Locks

 Lots of onlookers at the locks but we didnt have to queue. Sharp right at the bottom of the locks onto the Market Harborough branch. The swing bridge gave a few problems but brute force from Joanne got us through. (See below)

Then into Market harborough and a very nice mooring in the basin. We of course are on our way to the IWA national festival in Burton on Trent. The very first festival by the Inland Waterways Assoc

festival was here in 1950.

Market Harborough