Spuddling back to base, and snagging

The best thing we've found is not having a timetable as such, this must be the shortest cruise in the most about of time we have ever done.  We've really relaxed into boating life, we've moored in some familiar places along the way, The Tame Otter, Polesworth and The Lime Kilns amongst them. 

At the Lime Kilns we'd past Tom and Jan on NB Waiouru, once moored I went back and knocked on their boat to introduce myself, I've followed their blog from the start, and it was great to meet them in person, Tom is very talkative and covers so many subjects with knowledge that he is willing to impart, we quite like the stuff Tom puts on his blog - are we sad?

We celebrated our last evening aboard by going to the Lime Kilns for after dinner drinks, it was going to be one drink at the start, we're not into pub singers you see, but little did we know that an evening with Andy Roseby (acoustic singer) was on the cards, he was great and our one drink turned into a lot more! we even joined in the singing, got chatting to his mum and dad and a very proud grandmother, wonderful.

Being back on the Ashby canal was lovely, we were warned by other boaters passing us that the canal was 'shallow' we know this and just nodded our heads and smiled, it's not been a problem for us at all, just caution needed at some narrows and a couple of bends.

Packing the boat up to come home for the first time I found very difficult, really didn't want to leave it, but we'll soon be back.

Our first day back home and we were replying to a Mail from Bluewater asking if we had any snagging issues, we have and they were quick in arranging a visit later in the week to sort most of them, it was nice seeing familiar faces, teas and coffees duly supplied.  We've also had a problem with our generator so the company that supplied it have been out to sort that out too.  Just a couple of other things to arrange dates for and that should be it.

Moored at the Lime Kilns on the Ashby Canal

Huddlesford to Fradley Junction

We moved from our peaceful mooring and made our way to Huddlesford, not really that far to go, but then a couple of hours is all that is needed isn't it?

Having an evening meal on board we ventured to The Plough for a drink or too.  Although there are three bridges here, one of them carrying the west coast mainline, we found it quiet enough during the night and got a good nights sleep.  We went for a walk the following day, giving our legs a good stretch felt good, and we made a circular route along the lanes into Whittington, with a brief shop in the local Co-op (surprising how big this store is) and then a rest in the Bell Inn, if you have never stopped and walked to here it is well worth it, this pub has so much character. We completed our walk back along to the towpath in the company of a local, he told us about his mum being a land girl in the war in Somerset until he reached his house.

The next day we set off to Fradley Junction, an early start, we got to the junction before 9 Martin made the turn and headed back up the Coventry canal, we moored at the end of the line of moorers still in their places from the night before, as it was drizzling I suspect they wanted to see if the day improved, it didn't much, but we have waterproofs and don't mind boating in the wet.

Heading back through Huddlesford we moored nearer to Whittington within reach of bridge 80, handy for the pub and back to the Co-op for the days paper.

Onto one of the super highways

We've loved the tranquillity of the Ashby canal , it suits our backgrounds being country folk, the turn right at Marston junction went well but we were very soon aware that we were travelling along a sort of super highway, the Coventry canal was busy and not something we are really used to. We passed Boot Wharf again where we'd launched the boat with our destination being Fradley junction, our turning point.

We descended the Atherstone locks our first locks in this boat, it's an easy flight to negotiate, and well kept by the volunteers. 

Martin safely negotiating lock three of the Atherstone flight.

We moored out in the sticks and had a peaceful night, while watching the sun set.

Sunset, ready for a peaceful night.

We're enjoying our boat and all the planning we have put in is paying off. You'll notice that the dates and days have gone from the blog & intro, due to us not (well me) wearing a watch and neither of us bothered about what day of the week it is, bliss, total relaxation!

And one last thing, I love that you are checking into the blog Mum happy reading, see you soon, love you X

Rails and Ales

It appears our timing was just right, we got to our marina just in time to enjoy the rails and ales weekend just over the canal bridge from the marina, my favourite being a fruity little number made from rhubarb and Rose hip.
We've spent some time getting the boat sorted too and meeting our neighbours, but one of the highlights was meeting up with friends Sue and George from nb caxton and welcoming them aboard as our first guests, I think they liked our boat.
On Monday we broke out of the marina and turned left to Snarestone, we enjoyed a lovely meal at the Globe, returning to the marina early on Tuesday.
Blogging is definitely on a go slow as we are far to busy enjoying ourselves and getting to know our new boat.