8.30 start to get to Mancetter to talk with Kathryn about our berth. All straightforward, and ran a wash as we moved. Decision to take a berth very straightforward – and it appeared to have been the last one she had. So both she and we were pleased.
Tied up on 15B, and will move across to 16A when NB Shadow moves out tomorrow. Neighbours will be Anthony and Emma.
Counter: 510.6
1.9 miles, 0 locks, 1.2 engine hours.
Called in at Springwood Haven Marina to check berth availability – negative. On recommendation, checked the Mancetter site and rang them – spoke with Kathryn. Arranged to call tomorrow between 9 & 10, to check out the site and see if a mooring has become available.
Tied up a few hundred yards after the marina – good mooring opposite a large grassy slope. Talked with NB Ruby, who moor at Mancetter.
Ran the engine in the evening, because travel time had been limited. Shockingly, SOC this a.m. was 55.
Counter: 509.4
2 miles, 0 locks, 3 hours engine time
Cloudy day, a few drops of rain, bright sunshine late afternoon.
Took on water at Hawkesbury Junction, in spite of the slow tap, because of uncertainty of plans.
Stopped just after Bridge 21 on the Coventry, and took the Nº10 bus to the Kingswood Road Aldi – very useful connection, with a regular 10/15 minute service.
Moved the boat on a couple of hundred yards to armco opposite the Tomkinson Road Recreation Ground. Feels a good mooring.
Counter: 506.4
8.7 miles, 1 lock, 4.6 engine hours
Facing towards Hawkesbury, the hose was not long enough to get water at Stretton Stop. Couldn't see the water point at Ansty, or perhaps there was a boat permanently on it. Tied up equidistant from M6 and M69, between Bridges 12 and 11. Relative peace and quiet, compared to what would follow.
Neighbours said they had moored near Springhaven, and couldn't hear the trains.
Counter: 501.8
4.2 miles, 0 locks, 1 swing bridge, 3 engine hours
Horrible day – glad not to be travelling!
Engine service @ Rose Narrowboats. Jamie did it – very thorough, if a bit pricey. Email invoice to come on Thursday. Changed oil in both engine and gearbox. Topped up anti-freeze. Greased (Amber silicone grease) the nipple on the drive shaft.
Ran the engine in the morning, both for charge and to prepare for the service. Continued running it again after the service to really build up the batteries.
Counter: 498.8
0 miles, 4 engine hours
Ran the engine early, as once again the inverter had been left on and SOC was 40%. Tried to fill the water tank before leaving Rugby, but the tap was hopeless. The one at Newbold would have been hard to get on to, and anyway had someone else on it. Eventually got a pump-out (£20) at Brinklow Marina, and filled the water tank as well.
Tied up, as arranged, on the service wharf at Rose Narrowboats, ready for the engine service tomorrow. Jamie appeared, promising that it would be extremely thorough!
Counter: 494.8
6.3 miles, 0 locks, 5.4 engine hours, SOC nominal 93.
Quiet day on the visitor moorings. Walk to Next for an Amazon package, and Tesco for a few items. Ran engine morning and evening. Central heating for an hour in the morning while engine was on.
Counter: 489.4
0 miles, 3.4 engine hours
Started the engine early. Easy run through the Hillmorton locks, with help from two lockies. Tied up shortly after, to walk to the Aldi in Hillmorton. Long, but useful. Came through to Rugby and moored before Bridge 58.
Counter: 484.4
6.5 miles, 3 locks, 2.9 engine hours
SOC of 45 at 9 a.m. was really annoying. Are the batteries going? So ran the engine for a couple of hours before setting out.
Pulled in at Braunston Midland Chandlers for a 12 mm mooring line and a bottle of Blue, and bought a bag of Supertherm as well. Hope not to regret not buying kindling.
Rejected the risk of finding that the moorings above the Hillmorton flight were full, and tied up at what WaterwaysRoutes says are the last decent moorings before then, between Bridges 79 and 78.
Counter: 481.5
4.7 miles, 0 locks, 4.3 engine hours
Went up to the Calcutt locks for water. Winded, and turned left at Napton Junction. Weather dull, getting a bit sunnier.
Ran two wash-loads. Tied up just before Bridge 100, and put the washing out on the towpath, until it began to rain in the afternoon. Some quite heavy squalls
SOC had been only 48 at 8 a.m., so started the engine then, well before travelling.
Counter: 477.2
5 miles, 0 locks, 4.1 engine hours
At 8 a.m. the SmartGauge said SOC was 49%, so ran engine for a couple of hours. Very sunny, so risked not running it in the evening when SOC was said to be 86.
Took the bus into Southam for a prescription and an Amazon package. Got a haircut.
Arranged with Rose Narrowboats to do the engine service on Tuesday (at least, I think they said they would!)
Counter: 473.1
0 miles, 2 engine hours
Another scorching day – glad we had just one lock to do, with some help from a volockie and another boater. Tied up before Bridge 109, in preparation for the bus trip to Southam tomorrow.
Still getting hit by the passing traffic. Sun was sufficient to push up the SmartGauge to 86, though I suspect in reality it's less, and will probably be just 55 in the morning.
Counter: 471.1
1.8 miles, 1 lock, 1.1 engine hours
Very warm and sunny. Took on water at Marston Doles Top Lock. Tied up on the 48 hour moorings above Napton Bottom Lock, where we were coming up.
Counter: 470.0
2.4 miles, 8 locks, 3.1 engine hours
Reversed to the winding hole at Fenny Wharf, and poled the bows across to wind. Took on water – good tap.
Retraced yesterday's journey in reverse. Much warmer day. Close encounters with a couple of hirers in trouble in the shallow water. Tied up in the same spot, on the armco about a Km short of the Marston Doles locks. Very quiet, except for the Spitfire (?) flight that flew across.
Ran a wash-load.
Counter 466.9
7.1 miles, 0 locks, 3.5 engine hours
Fine day, with some sunny spells. Very winding canal. Tied up on the 48 hour moorings just past the wharf – fortunate to get the space as there are lots of boats here.
James and Hazel Bell came by on NB Gabriel, and passed across the song books for the Fazeley weekend.
Counter: 463.4
7.1 miles, 0 locks, 3.0 engine hours
Took a quiet day off, in a very quiet spot. Evening engine.
Counter: 460.4
0 miles, 1.2 engine hours
Timing worked out pretty well for going up the Napton locks. Four lockies on the Bottom lock weren't at all interested in helping us up the flight, but others we met were helpful. Noted that lock 16 listed as Marston Doles Top Lock by Waterways Routes and CanalPlan is called Napton Top Lock in Nicholsons. Lock 14 is called Napton Adkins lock by WR and Nicholsons, Greens Lock by CanalPlan.
Water @ Marston Doles Top Lock.
Tied up on the first Armco we came to after the Marston Doles locks. Seems very isolated
Counter: 459.2
2.4 miles, 8 locks, 2.9 engine hours
Slightly later start. Grey, chilly day. Tied up on the 48 hour mooring before Napton Bottom Lock, and walked round to the services to drop off a big rubbish bag, and prospect the mooring above the lock. Brought the boat round, by which time a boat was coming down through the second lock, so we waited for them. Tied up before lunch on the 48 mooring above the bottom lock. Good view up to the village on the hill.
Counter: 456.3
1.8 miles, 1 lock, 2.2 engine hours
Simon took me into Southam for a Tesco shop. Then we headed up to the Calcutt locks and filled the water tank.
Went down the locks with the Irish family and their 3-month old boat Grá. Winded and stopped for lunch. Back up in the afternoon, and turned right at the junction, tying up at Bridge 109, in the same spot as before. Simon & Co left after tea to return to London.
Counter: 454.1
2 miles, 6 locks, 2.9 engine hours
Came up to Bridge 109 to wait for Simon, Sarah and the boys. Then, with them on board, went back towards Braunston, winded at Bridge 107, came back and tied up on the private mooring outside their B&B at Napton Junction. Late afternoon we all walked up to the Calcutt locks.
Counter: 451.2
3 miles, 0 locks, 2.4 engine hours
Got going about 9.30. Ran into Mark, Cheryl and Amelia Gibson – they'd come down hoping to meet us. They came on board and we ticked over back to their parking spot.
Early sun turned to cloud. Passed Napton Junction and winded at Bridge 111. Not much mooring at Bridge 109, so tied up on the rings at 111.
Counter: 448.8
5.2 miles, 0 locks, 2.9 engine hours
Early start (8.30) to avoid traffic at Hillmorton Locks. Two volunteers at the middle of the three. Beautifully balanced beams on the top lock. As day progressed, traffic got very heavy. Cloud and sun, sometimes quite hot.
Pump-out (£18) @ Barby Moorings to make sure, although the warning light was not yet on, in view of the next few days travel and events.
Turned right at Braunston – new territory. Decided against possible stake mooring in the run out from Braunston. No armco until Bridge 98.
Counter: 445.9
9.4 miles, 3 locks, 5 hours engine.
Wayne the electrician came and together we resolved the wiring. All done and paid up: Pump + 1.5 hours + a £1 box of firelighters: £221.59
Water @ Stretton Stop before leaving. Quicker than expected to Newbold Tunnel. Came through to Rugby and stopped after Bridge 58 for a Tesco shop. Dodgy for an overnight mooring, so came on to Clifton upon Dunsmore, between bridges 66 and 68 – the numbering of the bridges on this stretch is bizarre, with a couple of aqueducts on the approach to Rugby numbered as bridges, and some numbers missing all together.
Counter: 440.9
7.3 miles, 0 locks, 1 swing bridge, 3.7 Engine hours
Pump came late afternoon. Jamie ran into problems working out the electrics, and had to leave it for someone else in the morning.
Ran engine after inverter was left on overnight: SOC 54%.
Counter 437.2
0 miles, 1.2 engine hours
Jamie determined that the shower pump's motor is the problem. New one ordered.
Getting cold, so lit the stove around midday. Ran engine at 6.
Counter: 436.0
0 miles, 1.4 engine hours
Shower pump failed again last night, so 8.30 start, intending to get to Rose Narrowboats quite early, for them to look at it. Phone call at 9.15 elicited that they had insufficient personnel to look at it today, but would do so in the morning.
Dull day, and generally dull countryside, with occasional horseflies.
Tied up at Stretton Stop after filling the water tank. Needed a spring because of the quality of the mooring.
Counter: 434.6
6 miles, 0 locks, 2.8 engine hours
Up to Hawkesbury Junction and turned right on to the Oxford Canal. Increasing sun, though our mooring spot is a bit too much in the shade for good solar. On round the corners from Bridge 4 (Tusses Bridge).
Water at Coventry Basin as we left. Ran a wash load while travelling. Tightened the Jubilee clip on the shower outlet, to avoid having to remove the hose to replace the clip.
Counter: 431.8
6.5 miles, 1 lock, 3.5 engine hours.
Rakshabandhan festival in the basin – lively and noisy. Lunch was Sunday roast at the café. Afternoon we went to choral evensong at the cathedral
Latter part of the day saw a fair bit of sunshine, so we didn't run the engine.
0 miles, 0 engine hours
Dull day, with rain. Coffee in the basin café, and then mostly indoors. Gave a polish to Erin Mae's RH side – it came up better than expected.
Needed to run the engine late afternoon.
Counter: 428.3
0 miles, 2.1 hours engine
Walked into the city centre to see the sights.
Counter: 426.2
0 miles, 1.4 hours engine
Grey day. Patches of both sunshine and drizzle. Taps at Hawkesbury Junction very slow.
Tied on on pre-booked mooring, Jetty C. Bollards just about the right distance.
Counter: 424.8
8.5 miles, 0 locks, 4.4 hours
Only a short trip, as we needed to stop at Marston Junction to pick up an Amazon delivery from a shop up the road. Nuneaton water continues to be a lot cleaner than it was the first time we came through here.
Counter: 420.4
3.5 miles, 0 locks, 1.4 engine hours
Did a bedding wash in an Atherstone launderette, and completed the shopping in Co-op and Aldi. Got under way by 11.30, and had good help up the 5 locks from volunteers and boaters coming down. Cloudy and damp with some moisture in the air.
Stopped briefly at Springwood Haven Marina to get a 25A fuse and a Jubilee clip. Tied up after Bridge 23 in order to walk to Midland Chandlers HQ at Century Park, to pick up the items I ordered over the phone yesterday. Shower pump working again with replacement fuse.
Counter: 419.0
5.5 miles, 5 locks, 3.2 engine hours
Dull, cold day, with some precipitation. On our own for most of the journey, but got in a queue when we came to the Atherstone flight. Good to have some help, but we had to hang around a bit.
Shower pump stopped working. Probably the fuse.
Tied up on the visitor moorings at Atherstone. Big shop at Aldi.
Counter: 415.8
4.3 miles, 6 locks, 4 hours engine
Water at Fazeley.
Not much traffic, just one boat queueing in front at Glascote locks. Dullish day, with some sun. Great to have the alternator stuff sorted and working.
Tied up on Polesworth visitor mooring rings. Added the Blue for yesterday's pump-out
Counter: 411.8
10.1 miles, 2 locks, 3.5 hours engine
Easy run down to Fazeley. Rain meant we stayed on the moorings there.
Fazeley Mill Marina: Pump-out @ £16.50. Diesel: 95.3 litres at 71p.
Counter: 408.3
3.5 miles, 0 locks, 2 engine hours
Nearly first thing, Robin, then Nick and Nigel came to discuss the warning light issue. Then Steve came to check the alternator, and then fit a new one. Ah well, it's 14 years old with never a stutter. Expensive, but too much hassle to source elsewhere, get a re-furb or get this one re-furbished.
That left the bill! We left about 2 p.m. – a wind day for travel but no mishaps. Tied up on the rings between the Hopwas bridges. Got clattered by a boat coming under the bridge. Probably the wind.
Warning light stayed off. Rev counter and engine hours counter seem to be working properly, so the rev counter intermittency had seemingly been due to the same alternator issue as the warning light. SmartGauge reading 100% by the time we tied up.
Counter: Start 404.0; Finish 406.3.
5.25 miles, 0 locks, 2.3 engine hours
Rob fixed the problem with the stove door not shutting by cleaning out rust from behind the sealing rope. But that's the last we saw of him. Nigel came by around 3.30 to say we weren't forgotten, but the alternator issue will clearly have to wait until tomorrow.
Midland Chandlers confirmed I can arrange for an order to be picked up at their HQ at Century Park in Nuneaton, with a day's notice.
Water tank filled. Engine for charging and hot water.
0 miles, 1 hour engine
Rob was here early to make a start on cleaning up the roof hole. In the end, the whole flue job got done. Too late to make a move, and I need to ask him about the alternator issue.
Ran a wash-load. Ran the engine in the evening as there was less sun today and some use of the inverter.
0 miles, 1.5 engine hours
Sunny day – solar panel did well. But no progress on the flue. Nigel was off sick, and no-one came near us all day. Checked with Nick later on, and he promised to deal with cleaning and treating the hole in the morning.
0 miles, 0 engine hours
Up at 6.30 to get down to Streethay for work on the flue. Weather mixed, but sunny enough in the afternoon for the solar panel to do a good job.
Rob started the work on the flue. Stove went to the workshop for a re-furb, so remainder of the work will be done tomorrow.
Rob said he could have a look at the voltmeter warning lamp affair. My current conclusion is that it's likely to be the regulator on the engine alternator.
Staying on the wharf's pontoon overnight. Filled the water tank.
2 miles, 0 locks, 1 hour engine
Still here, conserving water.
Tried to get my head back round all the stuff about alternator wiring that I researched when replacing the odometer.
0 miles, 1.5 hours engine
Gloomy day. Stayed at Fradley.
The engine battery charging warning light came on when I ran the engine. May be related to the fiddly wiring between the engine alternator and the control panel. Don't think it's actually a charging problem, because that is now handled by the Sterling AB12160.
0 miles, 2 hours engine.
Still waiting for the flue to arrive at Streethay, so took the bus into Lichfield for a visit. Stayed on the mooring, and ran the engine early evening.
0 miles, 2 hours engine
Parts for the flue did not arrive at Streethay Wharf, so we stayed put, and it will probably be Monday before the work can be done.
Ran the engine p.m., with the batteries down to 69 after using the inverter at lunch-time.
0 miles, 2 hours engine time.
Managed to water and wind at Fradley Junction and get back to the South Fradley mooring while there was still a space. Ran a wash load while travelling. Tap at the junction very slow.
Found the shops and a post box in South Fradley. About half a mile to both.
2.5 miles, 0 locks, 2 swing bridges, 2.3 engine hours
Successfully talks / action with Nigel and his crew. Antifreeze in the radiator system seems OK, and it all worked fine. Rob fitted a bracket to keep the Webasto exhaust away from two engine cooling hoses.
Agreed with Nigel to go ahead with the flue replacement. He ordered the kit and the top plate. Have to ring him on Thursday to check they've arrived.
Came up to Fradley, tying up on the moorings before Bridge 90. Solar panel doing a great job of keeping the batteries charged, in spite of the more limited travel time.
2 miles, 0 locks, 0.9 engine hours.
Set out at 9, but it took longer than expected to get to Streethay. Hoped to get the Webasto and radiators serviced today, but Nigel had a day off. So we were asked to tie up next to Swyfdon Spirit and wait till tomorrow.
Journey fine, but some rain once we were here.
Got the final coat of bilge paint on the locker at about 6 p.m.
3.3 miles, 0 locks, 1.4 hours
Heading for Streethay, but decided to tie up in a nice rural setting, rather than push on to Huddlesford.
Got the first coat of Bilge Paint on the front locker.
4.5 miles, 0 locks, 1.9 engine hours.
Cloudy day, but only a few, occasional spots of rain. Came down the Glascote locks with help from a boater who helped us yesterday, and had decided to turn volunteer for a day. Tied up on Fazeley visitor mooring just beyond the junction.
Noted that the thermostat is behaving itself admirably.
Finished the primer on the front right locker.
7.6 miles, 2 locks, 3.8 hours
Met Office website promised serious rain. But around noon it looked as though it could be worthwhile going down the bottom 6 locks of the Atherstone flight, so we did. Picked up water at the service point at Bradley Green. Then the rain returned so we tied up by Grendon dock, just after Bridge 49.
2.3 miles, 6 locks, 3 hours engine
Had to wait for a conversation with Streethay before setting out. Nigel confirmed they could do the radiator system early next week, so we turned right at the end of the Ashby.
Mixed sun and cloud, no rain, quite strong winds at times. Had a lot of help going down the Atherstone locks.
Wanted to use the moorings above lock 1, but they were full, so went down and tied up in the 48 hour moorings below lock 5.
10.4 miles, 5 locks, 4.9 engine hours
The weather forecast had not looked good, so a heavy shower at 9 a.m. did not bode well. But it soon cleared up and we went across to the Trinity Marina wharf for a pump-out (DIY @ £20). The warning light had not come on (16 days in) but it felt as though it was due so we took the opportunity.
Tied up on the 2-day mooring just after Bridge 5. They have a rather broken, concrete block edging, but the rings are good. Arrived about 1 and had lunch on the towpath in the sun. Then it became a bit showery. Enough of a gap to get some more primer on the locker, the latter part sheltering beneath a tarpaulin.
5 miles, 0 locks, 2.6 engine hours
Had to stop at Hinckley again, to pick up parcels from the Amazon locker. Also got Amazon to send me a QR code for returning via the Post Office the Lepy amplifier whose loudspeaker terminals had broken within a week of installation. That was easy – a good solution.
Then I went into Hinkley on the bus to do a Sainsbury's shop. In the evening we went over to the Brewer's Fayre restaurant for one of their before-6 p.m specials.
3.4 miles, 0 locks, 1.8 engine hours
Wanted to tie up at Sutton Wharf, but all the spaces were taken, one length with a couple of day boats. Came on to the moorings at Stoke Golding between bridges 28 and 27.
On the way got grounded in the shallow section around Shenton, trying to stop so I could get down to the farm shop. Needed a lot of work to get off.
Ran a wash load. Water from the services outside Bosworth marina.
7.6 miles, 0 locks, 4.3 engine hours
On-line service from BCC. Lunch at the Horse and Jockey. First coat of primer on the base of the front right locker.
Batteries were on 94% at 6 p.m., so didn't feel the need to run the engine.
No travel.
Winded by the ACA shop. Cloudy morning – wore a fleece! Sun eventually came out.
Tied up on the 2 day moorings at Congerstone. Once it was cool enough, finished the (rather inadequate) prepping of the front right locker, and put down Fertan over the corroded surface.
5.1 miles, 0 locks, 2.2 hours engine.
Cloudy day – actually quite cold after the week's heat. Decided not to do a pre-emptive pumpout at Bosworth Marina, and eventually stopped briefly at Shackerstone for lunch.
Continued all the way to the terminus at Snarestone and tied up on the 48 hour moorings. Walked up to the Wharf and the shop of the Canal Society, and then on to the end of the navigation at Bridge 62.
10.5 miles, 0 locks, 1 tunnel, 4.5 engine hours
2 hours again enough in the heat. Thermostat continues to be OK.
Water at Sutton Wharf, then onto the 48 hour moorings just beyond the water point. An odd jetty on the off-side, with not enough rings in a composite plastic construction. Had to use thinner rope to make loops to run the mooring lines through. Had to use a spring, but even so it was not very satisfactory.
Nice iced latte from the café boat at the wharf.
5.7 miles, 2.5 hours engine
Set out before 9 to avoid the worst of the heat. Water at Bridge 15. 48 hour mooring just after Bridge 15 – very good mooring but no shade.
Abortive visit to centre of Hinckley – not realising the museum is only open on Saturdays.
5.3 miles, 0 locks, 2.5 hours
Came through Nuneaton – canal really shallow at times. Stopped just after Bridge 21 and walked to the Sainsbury's Local 200 yards from the bridge. Stopped for lunch just a bit back from Marston Junction.
Turned left onto the Ashby and found a shady mooring on a bend just after bridge 2.
7 miles, 0 locks, 3.5 hours
Up the remainder of the Atherstone flight and out into the countryside. Good help from others and the volunteer at the top lock. Very hot again. Very little towpath shade to be found. Ran the washing machine.
Felt like we were very isolated. But the tractor was busy till late, the traffic on some major road got going, and in the evening it seemed as though a whole kennel of dogs was barking.
2.5 miles, 5 locks, 2.2 engine hours
Even hotter, even though we set out by 9.30 to try to beat the heat. Inside the cabin this afternoon it reached 33.5˚
Came up the first 6 locks of the Atherstone flight, and tied up on the 48 hour moorings that offer good access to the town itself. That was enough for today.
3.75 miles, 6 locks, 3 hours engine time
Another really hot day. Came up the Glascote locks and took on water at the slow point above them.
Stopped for lunch after Alvecote marina in the shade. Tied up after Bridge 51 in Polesworth after seeing a notice about the Abbey, to which we walked (but couldn't get in). Found ourselves in front of Liz and Graham (BCF members) on NB Reeve, so had some nice fruit-cake with plenty of water.
6.2 miles, 2 locks, 3.25 hours engine
Very hot. Stopped in the shade for an hour for lunch. Engine temperature mostly 90 - 95. Hit just under 100 at one point.
New gas cylinder from Fazeley Mill Marina (£32.45)
Tied up opposite Kew, and went for a cuppa with John & Jane Pescod and David and Mary.
7.8 miles, 0 locks, 3.5 engine hours
Called in at Streethay Wharf:
(a) Chimney repair. Nigel said he would check availability of parts. Agreed that we would postpone the repair until beginning of September, dependent on:
(b) Radiators: check integrity of the system. Check with Nigel for a clear date once we've been up and down the Ashby Canal.
(c) Overheating engine. Nigel checked for airlock in the coolant. Concluded the overheating was probably due to a sticking thermostat valve. He thought it would sort itself out – meanwhile monitor it. They don't normally do Isuzu engines, so probably find an alternative boatyard if the problem continues.
Water at Fradley. Tied up at the moorings just before Bridge 83 (Plough Bridge).
5 miles, 3 locks, 1 swing bridge, 3 hours engine
6 miles, 0 locks, 3 hours engine
Engine overheating (just over 100˚). Oil and Coolant seemed OK.
