Back on board, Polesworth

Several months have passed since our last post. Having spent three months in Somerset whilst our boat was shot blasted, and having a full repaint at Glascote Basin, we returned to Tamworth in mid July, to a nearly finished project. Although not quite complete, we were able to move back on board briefly, for the Hudson owners gathering over the weekend of 22/23 July. This year more boats and owners turned up than previously so, despite some torrential rain a great time was had. During our period away, we had ordered a new set of fenders, to adorn our newly painted boat. These were made and fitted by the Glascote fender maker, whose website is fendermaker.co.uk. Rather than having a standard button fender on the stern, we opted for a more decorative Barlow Button, however this caused a bit of fender envy, (you know who you are) so we are now not the only ones, sporting some fine rope work. After the weekend event, we handed the boat back to the boatyard for the works to be completed. On Friday the 4th August we returned to Glascote, and started loading the boat with our worldly goods. The weekend was spent dealing with some final snagging, then on Monday, after having a pump out and filling with diesel, we were ready for the off. With some expert use of the bow thruster, we reversed from the Basin onto the Coventry Canal, and headed gingerly in the direction of Polesworth. The reason for the extra care is, whilst the paint is dry, it will be a few months before it has fully hardened, so keeping away from overhanging vegetation is the priority. The trip to Polesworth was pleasant enough, although rain did threaten, it failed to materialise. The canal was fairly busy though to be expected, as we are now at the height of the holiday season. We found a spot at a usual mooring site for us, about a mile from the foot of the Atherstone lock flight. The next couple days are forecast to be wet, so we will probably stay put until Thursday. Now for some pictures,  

Newly painted bow and button fender    

Side view    

Sign writing by Dave Moore    

Hand painted pigeon box    

Rear fenders with Barlow Button

  As can be seen from the photos above we are pleased with the end result, and especially the work done by Dave Moore on the sign writing, and painted pigeon box. What all but the most eagle eyed observers will miss, is the small detail in his work. In the photo showing our rear panel, if you zoom in on our boat number, you will see that the 2's are in fact little swans. 

• Totals 5 Miles
• Running total 118 Miles 30 Locks 5 Tunnels 

Glascote Basin

Today we travelled four miles passing through the countryside between Lichfield and Tamworth, before arriving at the foot of Glascote Locks. We had filled the water tank at Fazeley Junction, and had short wait whilst two boats ascended the locks ahead of us. Once through the top lock it was a sharp left turn into the basin. Almost as soon as we had secured the boat to the side of the dock, Neil and Clive appeared and promptly removed our old oven and installed the new one. We are staying here until Tuesday as the crew are having a long weekend away. I will use the time wisely, relaxing.

• Totals 4 Miles 2 Locks
• Running total 373 Miles 216 Locks 14 Tunnels

Whittington

We have spent the past week at Achernar's home port of Glascote Basin in Tamworth. We were there for a Hudson owners gathering, which primarily took place over the weekend. By Friday lunchtime the basin was filling up nicely, and the small marquee which would house the beer had been erected. We ended up with 21 Hudsons present which represents about 10 percent of the total number built. On Saturday we were treated to a boat trip in Emu, a former working boat painted in the red and green. Later we had a barbecue which our hosts, Sarah and the Norton Canes staff also attended. It was good to see some familiar faces as some of the staff are former members of Hudson boatbuilders. Sunday started quieter, as people were slightly jaded from the consumption of the previous night, but ended with Chinese takeaway and more beer.

       

       

       

Most owners departed on Monday, however we opted for one more night in the basin. Today we filled with water and diesel, took on a bottle of gas, and pumped out the waste tank. The entrance to the basin is on a slight angle to the canal, and for boats wishing to head north it is better to reverse out, fortunately the wind was light. We descended the two Glascote locks fairly quickly and were soon on our way. We passed Fazeley Junction and the canal which leads towards Birmingham. Soon we were out of the built up area of Tamworth, and the canal began meandering through the countryside. Once beyond the village of Whittington we found our mooring spot and settled down to lunch. We will stay here a while as the crew are planning to abandon ship again at the weekend. 

Totals 7 Miles 2 Locks

Running total 222 Miles 142 Locks 12 Tunnels

Glascote Basin

No blog was completed yesterday due to the extreme heat, which made doing anything other than drinking cold beer, unbearable. We had departed our mooring a mile outside Polesworth soon after breakfast. Nb. Neston had already moved off by the time we were up. We passed them again a mile further along the cut. As we were approaching Tamworth it was getting close to midday, and the heat was rising by the hour. Soon we were on the approach to Glascote Locks. The entrance to the basin is a sharp right turn beneath a bridge. We gave one long blast on the klaxon to announce our arrival and slipped into the dock. As we manoeuvred onto our mooring, we took extra special care not to bump the boat ahead of us. This was nb. Barolo No.3 fresh from the paint shop, resplendent in her new colours. The basin has been taken over by Norton Canes Boatbuilders and is managed by Sarah who has kindly allowed this forthcoming gathering of Hudson boats to take place.

       

Today, slightly cooler conditions allowed for the required washing and polishing. A check of the fenders followed, as drooping fenders is considered a crime at these events. Several more Hudsons arrived during the day including nb. Lydia May which is painted in the colours of Cadbury Bournville and is now breasted alongside us. The basin is starting to fill up with only another ten more boats to somehow shoehorn in.

       

We will be here now whether we like it or not until Monday, as once the basin is full nothing is moving again until the end of the event. Whilst here I will perform a few engine maintenance tasks, well at least until the cold beer makes another appearance.

Totals 5 Miles

Running total 215 Miles 140 Locks 12 Tunnels