NB Triskaideka

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Two short Hops

We turned onto the Oxford Canal at Hawkesbury Junction yesterday after using one of the slowest water points we have ever come across. John got around in one without any bow thruster help (well done you!). We went through the stop lock and set off down the Oxford. We planned to get to Hilmorton, however after a few miles we both thought that there was something wrong with the engine or something as it didn't sound right. We stopped and checked the weed hatch and prop, nothing there, had a good look around the engine, looked ok, so continued. We were ok in neutral, but as soon as any revs were on it didn't sound happy and there was a vibration from the prop shaft. We decided to stop at Brinklow Marina and rang Beacon, after a chat with Neil he contacted Sam from Foxton Boat Services, who agreed to come out today. It was interesting to say the least getting into Brinklow, its very open and it was very windy, coupled with they wanted us right at the top of the marina, the most exposed bit. It took three people to hold Triskaideka so we could moor up as the wind was blowing against the side! Well at least we caught up with the washing and cleaning, and it was nice to be hooked up to electricity for a while.

This morning I walked into Brinklow to the shop, whilst I was gone Sam arrived and after checking the engine, prop etc he couldn't find anything wrong. After Sam had gone we continued along to Rugby, there is still a vibration from the prop and at certain revs the engine doesn't sound correct, however it is ok at other revs. John has spoken to Neil from Beacon tonight and he has suggested looking at the stern gland whilst running. We are happy to continue as we have had the engine checked over. If we are still not happy once we get back then Neil and or Sam will come to us and go out with us so they can experience it. We did a quick Tesco shop in Rugby and continued to Hilmorton. Along the way a boat came around the corner and we both said 'that's got to be a Beacon Boat' due to the colour scheme, it was, it was Ethleron, who we met earlier in the summer on the Ashby canal. A quick 'hello & are you ok' as we passed was all we could manage. When we arrived at Hilmorton there was a queue for the locks, there are restrictions on this flight. There are three locks but two chambers at each lock, once each of the chambers is closed off, due to water shortages. There was four boats in front, however once through the first lock I was astounded to find a queue of five boats for the next lock, I assumed that as boats were going in each direction that once through the first lock that was it, but for some reason this was not the case. It took us 2 1/2 hours to get through, consequently once through we found a nice mooring and stopped for the day.

Hawkesbury Junction

Oxford Canal

All Oaks Wood

Newbold Tunnel

inside Newbold Tunnel (coloured lights)

Bridge Art

Fungi at Hilmorton

Waiting for the second lock

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Short hop to Hawkesbury Junction

Today brought the first real taste of autumn, whilst it was not cold, it was windy and very grey. The leaves are falling (along with acorns, which bounce well off the roof), note to self, do not moor under a oak tree! We haven't gone far today, just through Nuneaton and to Hawkesbury Junction. Just after we moored the grey sky turned greyer and it started raining, and has continued for the rest of the day. Shortly after we moored another boat pulled in behind, I went to help the lady pull it in as it was quiet windy, they have only had the boat for two weeks, its the latest Fernwood. I didn't catch the name but will have a look tomorrow, they were launched at Willington Marina, it looks very new the paint is very shiny.

Between the showers we walked to the post box to post some cards and then called into the The Greyhound for tea, which was very nice.

There are lots of quarries on the approach to Nuneaton

7.5 miles

Monday, 19 September 2011

Lots of Canals

We left Gailey on Friday morning, the weather wasn't as bad as we thought but we did get a few showers throughout the day. Our plan was to cruise to Tixall Wide as its another one of those places where we have always wanted to moor but it has never fitted into a 'hirers' schedule. We did the first few locks into Penkridge queuing behind a couple of boats. We stopped in Penkridge and went to do some shopping, we then had lunch and set off again, the next lock had five boats waiting, this slowed our progress somewhat as there wasn't much traffic coming in the other direction. We gradually passed some, as they moored until the last few locks towards Tixall there was just one boat that we kept catching as the were in the lock or exiting. As we approached Tixall Wide we didn't think we were going to get in but we did just manage. As we moored the owners of NB Bradgold started chatting to us. They were the last Heartwood narrowboat. About two hours later we said our goodbyes, it was by then dark and the temperature had dropped. Dinner went from a planned meat and veg to a quick pasta!

Saturday started with showers, a couple of which we sat out before leaving Tixall wide, other than just one other quick but heavy downpour it was a sunny autumn day. The twelve miles we travelled covered three canals, we left Tixall wide on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire, turned onto the Trent and Mersey at Great Haywood and then we turned onto the Coventry at Fradley Junction. The Coventry then becomes the Birmingham and Fazeley for a short time before reverting to the Coventry Canal. We planned to moor above the locks at Fradley but it was full so we went down there was quiet a lot of boats coming off the Coventry turning up the Trent & Mersey so John was hovering between moored boats as we couldn't get into the turning and I was having to direct them as they couldn't see if anything was coming down, which boats were as well as coming up the locks, it was quiet interesting! The visitor moorings on the Coventry were full as well, so we continued just after the first bridge and moored in a nice spot. We walked back to the Swan (Mucky Duck) the boats were still coming up and down the locks even as it was getting dark.

On Sunday we continued down the Coventry, this is a section of canal that we haven't done before and we were pleasantly surprised its much more rural than we expected, passing through woodland, meadows and not unpleasant urban areas. The canal through Tamworth was pleasant with no rubbish. We passed Alvecote Priory and Pooley Hall an area of reclaimed spoil heaps. We moored by bridge 50.

Today we set off and used the services before arriving at Atherstone Locks, there are still restrictions on these locks, opening at 08:30. We have been chatting to a number of boats all of which were planning to be there for the opening at 8:30 so we decided to arrive a bit later hoping then that by the time we started there would be some boats coming down, and no queue, which turned out to be a good decision, as we arrived there was no one queuing and as we exited the first lock there was a boat coming down, it was like that for the flight except the last two locks. We moored up at the top of the flight and went for a walk around Atherstone, we then decided to continue at bit further and have moored by bridge 28.

Penkridge Lock