Dadlington

On Wednesday 12/04 we travelled four miles, and took a mooring position between the villages of Dadlington, and Stoke Golding. I had issued the crew with a brief liberty pass, in order to pop home for a couple of days. Today we walked into Dadlington, to visit the Dog and Hedgehog P.H. for our Sunday lunch. The menu was very extensive and the quality of food superb. We will definitely visit here again. Tomorrow we should make Burton Hastings, after which our brief period on the Ashby Canal will be over. 

• Totals 4 Miles
• Running total 93 Miles 19 Locks 5 Tunnels 

Shenton

Yesterday we travelled five miles to the outskirts of Shenton. Prior to arriving at our destination, we had a brief stop at Bosworth Marina for diesel, and a pump out. As predicted the wind was howling across the Marina, which as relatively new, still does not have any trees or shrubs to act as a wind break. The wind was also blowing, in a direction that did not assist, with our attempts to dock on the services pontoon. On arrival at Shenton we secured the boat, and then walked into the village about a mile away.

Village of Shenton

The village is part of the estate, clustered around the 17th century Shenton Hall, and associated church. The reason for our visit was, that it is also home to the Whitemoors antiques centre. There is a small tea room there, so we had lunch. Back at the boat we settled down for a relaxing afternoon.

 

Mooring at Shenton

Today we walked a couple of miles along the towpath, passing Ambion Wood and the supposed site of the Battle of Bosworth Field, arriving at Sutton Cheyney Wharf. We will stop here for water when we move off tomorrow, but today we had lunch in the cafe. Tomorrow we head for Dadlington and Stoke Golding.

• Totals 5 Miles
• Running total 89 Miles 19 Locks 5 Tunnels 

 

Shackerstone Update

So this morning after breakfast, we headed off to Shackerstone railway station. As you would expect, it has an old world feel to it, complete with a proper ticket office staffed by a station master, no such luxury with modern stations. We purchased our tickets, 2 adults and a dog, and in exchange for our money, we received the old style card tickets that could be clipped by the guard. The furry one was a little put out, as his ticket was for either a dog or a bicycle, and for carriage in the luggage wagon.

Ticket Office

Once on the platform the carriages were already waiting, and at the far end, the engine, hissing and puffing away. First order of the day, was topping up the water tank.

Water tank filling

The furry one, still not happy about his relegation to the status of luggage, so we relented, and allowed him to travel in first class with us. He had to settle for the floor, as the plush seating was out of bounds.

Oscar in first class

Prior to our departure there was an opportunity to visit the footplate. The engineer and fireman were both busy making final preparations. As an interesting fact, the engine today would consume three quarters of a ton of coal, during its eight trips up and down the line. I also thought that the training to be an engineer would be fairly long, but was informed that the process can be completed in twelve months, with the right aptitude.

Footplate

Hitched and ready to go

The journey to Shenton takes about 35 minutes, with a stop at Market Bosworth on route. On arrival at Shenton we walked up to the site of the Bosworth battlefield information centre, and enjoyed a pleasant lunch in the warm sun. Returning to Shackerstone station, we visited the museum, where one of the staff shared their boiled egg lunch with Oscar.

   

Railway artefacts of a bygone age

Tomorrow we head off for services at Market Bosworth Marina, and then onto Shenton for a couple of days. Needing to enter a Marina will almost certainly guarantee some windy conditions.

Shackerstone

Last night as I put the bungs into the potholes, I saw the evening sky foretold the fine weekend weather ahead. Red sky at night, shepherds delight, as the saying goes.

Sunset at Snarestone

This morning not a cloud in the sky. After breakfast and disposing some rubbish, we got underway. It was 10 am, and the cruise to Shackerstone would take little over an hour. First it was through the crooked tunnel, before emerging back into the warm, glorious sunshine.

Inside the tunnel

As the weather was so nice, I reduced the engine revs below our normal cruising speed, in order to extend our relatively short journey time. This also allowed the opportunity to take some photographs of the Leicestershire countryside.

Views across Leicestershire

All to soon we arrived at Shackerstone. The mooring spot we had identified on the way up was vacant, so we slotted into position. The time 1130, the sun was now high, in the still cloudless sky. This will ensure that the batteries receive a good charge from the solar panel today.

   

Mooring at Shackerstone

After securing the boat, we went off in search of the battlefield line steam railway. It was easy to find, by simply following the sound of the engine whistling, and the huge puffs of smoke, bellowing above the trees from the smoke stack. This was to reintroduce Oscar, to the noise and smells of a hissing steam train. The first blast on the whistle woke him up, but after that he was fine. More about the trains in tomorrow's exciting instalment.

• Totals 3 Miles 1 Tunnel
• Running total 84 Miles 19 Locks 5 Tunnels 

Snarestone

Yesterday our journey took us through 'the stones', Congerstone, Shackerstone and finally the terminus of the Ashby Canal, Snarestone. This final stretch of the canal is the most rural and peaceful, so the best has been saved till last. We set off in cloudy conditions, but it was not long before the sun made a appearance. Passing through Shackerstone, we noted the best mooring spots, as our intention is to return here on Saturday, and take a trip on the steam railway. About an hour after passing Shackerstone, the tunnel at Snarestone appeared in the distance. This tunnel is very crooked, and therefore is subject to one way working only.

Crooked tunnel at Snarestone

Once through the tunnel, we travelled the final few hundred yards of canal to the winding hole. Beyond this is a swing bridge, and a section of newly restored canal. This is only a few hundred yards long, and the winding hole at the end is restricted to boats up to 53 feet, 7 feet to short for us. This restoration is the first part of an attempt by the Ashby Canal Association, to restore the canal to its original terminus in Moira. They have about five miles of canal to restore, taking it through the village of Measham. After securing the boat it was lunchtime so a visit to the Globe P.H. was the order of the day. Today after breakfast, we set off on a walk towards Measham, following the route of the original canal bed part of the way. The newly restored section, includes a bridge which although built to look like an original structure, has in fact had to meet modern day standards of construction, and can therefore withstand far more weight than the old bridges could.

 

New bridge over restored canal

 When the Ashby Canal was originally built, one of the main products transported was coal. As we followed the footpaths over the fields towards Measham, evidence of the former coal works could be seen. At one point, we must have been directly over the former seams, as indicated by an information marker.

            

   

Coal seams and depth below ground

Our magical mystery tour, also took us through a stretch of woodland where we had to play hunt the footpath, however we eventually found our way through, with the help of the iPhone gps feature, and arrived in Measham. The village is known for its Measham Ware or Barge Ware, usually earthenware teapots with a dark brown glaze, traditionally associated with canals and narrow boats.

Where is the footpath

Following refreshments in a local pub, our return journey was slightly shorter in time and distance, as we now knew where we were going. The furry one however found a new fun game to engage in, called chase the bunnies. Back at the boat, the afternoon was spent servicing our hurricane diesel heater. We normally use this just to provide hot water in the mornings, and rely on the solid fuel stove for heat. Now the warmer weather has arrived, it is too warm for the stove, so we will now use the hurricane to take the chill off if need be.

Mooring at Snarestone

We will stay here until tomorrow, after which we will have used our allotted 48 hours here. This is however a picturesque canal, and so I expect we will return in the not too distant future.

• Totals 6 Miles 1 Tunnel
• Running total 81 Miles 19 Locks 4 Tunnels 

 

Market Bosworth

I knew that in previous posts I should not have mentioned anything about not having a problem, with the depth of the Ashby Canal, because today we found the shallow bits. Indeed in certain places, straying so much as one or two feet off the centre line of the canal, would cause the boat to tilt at an alarming angle. We were aiming for the village of Shenton, a mere three miles away. On route we passed Sutton Cheyney Wharf, prior to which, we encountered another interesting speed limit sign. Quite how you measure 1.2 MPH I am not sure.

Speed limit sign

Next we were to pass Ambion Wood, and the supposed site of the Battle of Bosworth where Richard III lost the battle, and his crown to Henry Tudor. Unfortunately for the tourist industry, it appears that what was long believed to be the battle site, is in fact wrong, and that the actual site, has now been located, some two and a half miles to the south. Shenton is home to the Whitemoors antiques centre, and the initial station on the battlefield line, a short steam railway running as far as Shackerstone. The official mooring area looked a bit dank, and outside of that area it was too shallow for us, so we pushed on. A couple of miles further, and we arrived at Market Bosworth. Just passed the new Marina we found a spot, and after a bit of jiggerypokery we got ourselves tied up.

   

Mooring at Market Bosworth

After lunch, the crew took a walk up the long hill, into the town centre whilst myself and the furry one, did some chores, aka relaxing after a hard days work. Having missed the delights of Shenton, we will probably visit it by steam train, once we reach the top end of the canal. 

• Totals 6 Miles
• Running total 75 Miles 19 Locks 3 Tunnels 

Stoke Golding

Our overnight stay at Burton Hastings was pleasant enough with only one other boat for company, Calypso Rose from Braunston. Although inside the boat was quiet, outside you could still hear the distant drone of the motorway off towards Coventry. This morning was a little cooler, and the sky overcast. During our cruise today rain threatened, but never actually made an appearance. Continuing our journey in a general north easterly direction, we passed beneath the busy A5 before entering Hinckley. Continuing on, soon we were passing the village of Higham on the Hill. I then saw a sign dreaded by motorists up and down the country, surely the canals are safe from blessed speed traps.

CRT speed cameras ahead

I had visions of rounding the bend ahead, and being zapped by a Canal and River Trust official with a speed gun. Still no such drama, probably just a wheeze by some boaters who had a mooring on the other side of the bridge. As we passed bridge 23, we saw signs for a farm shop close to the canal. This was only a mile from where we planned to moor for the night, so we decided to carry on, and walk back later in the afternoon. On arrival at Stoke Golding and just passed the small Marina, we picked our spot. Not long after Calypso Rose passed by. I expect we will be playing leap frog with them for the next week.

Mooring at Stoke Golding

  After lunch we walked back to the farm shop at bridge 23. Only 50 yards from the canal, Spinneybank farm shop is well stocked, with meats, vegetables, cakes and pies. On our walk back to the boat we were slightly more laden. Tomorrow we head off towards the famous battle site at Market Bosworth.

• Totals 6 Miles
• Running total 69 Miles 19 Locks 3 Tunnels 

Burton Hastings

So this morning after breakfast we pulled our pins and set off the short distance to the water point prior to the stop lock. We have now found a water point that seems slower that the one at Hillmorton. An hour and a half later the water tank was finally full. Then it was into the lock for the dramatic descent of about one foot, the difference between the two canals.

You can see from the water mark on the lock wall how much difference there is between the levels. Out of the lock it is a sharp right turn onto the Coventry Canal heading towards Atherstone.

Coventry and Oxford Canals

Either side of the bridge above, you can see both canals running parallel for a short while. The Coventry to the left, and the Oxford to the right. We now had a couple of miles to cruise before reaching Marston Junction, and the Ashby Canal. Before that though we passed Charity Dock, a boatyard, scrapyard and mooring all rolled into one. A feature at this location are the many manikins, which have been dressed up in all kinds of costumes. There was even a Stig from Top Gear. My favourite though has to be the woman placed in the pillory, I believe an old fashioned punishment for nagging in the Elizabethan era, ah the good old days.

Charity Dock

Marston Junction was only a short hop from here. As we passed beneath the bridge just prior to the junction, it was apparent what a tight, blind turn this was. One long blast on the klaxon, and we made the right turn onto the Ashby Canal. This is now new water for us, and the boat.

Marston Junction, Ashby Canal

Soon after making the turn onto the Ashby Canal it felt different. We had left behind the busy industrial areas, and were now heading into the rural countryside of Leicestershire. Our first stopping point, was to be just south of Burton Hastings, a small village on the outskirts of Hinckley.

   

Four legs checking I have secured the boat at our mooring

The Ashby Canal is one of the canals reported to be very shallow. As yet we have had no problem, however there are still 20 miles to go to the current terminus at Snarestone, so plenty of time yet to run aground.

• Totals 5 Miles 1 Lock
• Running total 63 Miles 19 Locks 3 Tunnels 

Hawkesbury Junction

On Friday 31st march we travelled the final eight miles of the Oxford Canal to Hawkesbury Junction. We secured our usual position and were surprised at how few boats were here. Saturday involved a walk along the Coventry Canal towards the City in search of a shop. It is only five miles from here into the city centre, but judging by the amount of rubbish floating in the canal, you would not want to do it by boat.

In the photo above can be seen the stop lock prior to the junction. This is because the two canals, the Oxford and the Coventry differ in height by a few inches. Beyond the lock is the bridge leading on the Coventry Canal, left for the city and right towards Nuneaton. Today, Sunday we had a roast dinner at the Greyhound Inn. On return to the boat we saw a neighbouring boat drifting across the canal. His mooring pins which were quite short had been pulled out, presumably by a passing boat. We retrieved said boat and secure to the bank before settling down for the afternoon. Tomorrow we will move to the water point just prior to the stop lock and fill up before heading off for the Ashby Canal.

• Totals 8 Miles
• Running total 58 Miles 18 Locks 3 Tunnels