Monday 10^th September

Had a quiet trip up to Colwich Lock where we met a boat coming down and then on to Great Haywood lock where we were the third boat waiting to go up. Had a good chat with the other boat owners one of which has wheel steering which he told me was fine once you had got used to it. He uses the tiller however, if there is any serious manoeuvring to be done.

Once through the lock we headed for the services where there were already 3 boats waiting to fill up. The two hotel boats, Duke and Duchess were almost full so we breasted up against another boat and waited for them to finish. As we left the water point Nb Levick rolled up for water with a couple of other boats. Angela and Michael said that they would join us on Tixal Wide if there was room for us both to moor.

We reversed up and turned onto the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal towards Tixall as we neared the Wide we passed the old stables on the hillside.

* Stables

A little further along we entered the Wide and initially thought that there was no room but then spotted a nice spot next to a gap in the hedge row and moored up.

* Entrance to Tixall Wide.

Tixall Wide is more like a lake than a canal and it is believed to have been built to enhance the view from Tixall House which sadly is no longer here. When we were here 6/7 years ago it was teaming with wild life but there was very little this year.

One of the boaters said that they thought it was the two swans who roamed the area who had killed off most of the most of the competition.

Indeed the swans were quite aggressive and would not be moved from their spot on the towpath when boats tried to moor.

* Swans won’t be Moved

No sooner had we moored up than the boats on either side of us moved off so when Nb Levick joined us they were able to moor easily.

* View from our window of Tixall Gate House across the Wide

After lunch I walked Phoenix back into Great Haywood to get June a paper and noted that the fish monger was open on Tuesdays and Fridays with fresh fish.

We were invited to Nb Levick for afternoon tea which developed into G & T’s, beer, and wine as we enjoyed the chat and reminiscing about past narrow boating experiences including their journeys from Sharpness to Bristol and Liverpool to Ellesmere Port across the Mersey.

Later Buddy and Phoenix enjoyed a good play together on the bank.

Tuseday 11^th September

Walked into Great Haywood and purchased some dressed Crab from the fish monger and some lovely fresh picked tomatoes, fresh baked pork pie and scones from the Canal Farm shop.

As we passed the water point on our return journey, Marion and Nev on Nb Marrick pulled up for water and we stopped to chat. It turned out to be Marion’s birthday (won’t say how old) so we wished her happy birthday and hoped that she had a nice evening moored up in Stone.

Back at the boat we found the Wide to be almost deserted as most of the boats had now left, what a difference from yesterday.

We set to polishing the port side of the boat and as we did so a lady came by walking two Labradors. It turned out that she had been a Puppy Walker but had had to stop because Guide Dogs would not let her take them on her narrowboat. She was most surprised to find out that we had taken our pups on boats for several years without problem. With all the people now living on boats I am sure there must be a Guide Dog owner who lives on a boat; and it is a great training experience for the pups.

Later in the afternoon we took Phoenix a walk up to Tixall Lock and when we returned most of the mooring spaces had been filled.

Sunday 9^th September

Left the mooring and had a quiet journey up to Rugeley going through the Armitage Tunnel which had its roof removed in 1971 to combat the effects of mining subsidence. It is very narrow and has a kink which prevents you seeing the other end; so making it necessary to send a crew member through first to stop other boats entering at the same time.

 Armitage is also the home of the famous sanitary fittings maker and you can see loos and cisterns piled high in their yard.

* Armitage Tunnel that was.

We stopped at Rugeley and went to the conveniently located Morrisons near to Bridge 66 for some provisions. When we got back to the boat it was mayhem with boats going in all directions through the narrows, two even colliding near to us. So we decided to make a quick exit and head towards Great Haywood before it got any busier. As we left a boat was waiting to jump into our mooring space.

We travelled on and crossed the interesting Brindley Bank Aqueduct which goes over the river Trent. There is a sharp right hand bend immediately before the aqueduct and as usual a couple of boats were coming the other way but fortunately there is plenty of room to manoeuvre.

* Brindley Bank Aqueduct looking back to the bend.

Just afterwards we came across Nb Levick moored in a lovely little spot with Angela and Michael sitting on the bank enjoying the sunshine. We stopped for a quick chat but as it was narrow and another boat was coming we had to move on.

As we approached Wolseley Bridge the mooring was empty and the sun was shining on a nice patch of grassy bank so we moored up for the day and got the chairs out to enjoy it.

* June enjoying the Sun

Whilst we were sat having lunch Nb Marric moored up behind us and we started chatting with the owners who wanted to know the colour of our boat as they liked it. They went on to say that they were in the throws of considering buying a new boat so June showed them around ours. They were very impressed with the workmanship and asked for details of the builders.

After lunch we had a walk around to the Garden Centre and the Art and Craft shops and then enjoyed tea and scones in the café.

As I was preparing dinner a boat came and moored in front of us and we thought we recognised its name, thinking that it must moor in our marina. June had a chat with the owners and it turned out that it was Nb Nesta who went into Liverpool with us earlier in the year and whose friends had contacted BW to get our convoy in early so that we could see the Giant puppets. How often do we say what a small world it is on the canal.

* Nb Nesta

Thursday 6^th September

Reversed across to Peels Wharf for water and then set off towards Huddlesford Junction to meet up with Carolann and Graham. As we reached Hopwas they texted to say that there was no mooring space so had moved on to Whittington and moored up between bridges 78 and 79. As we approached their mooring we came across the Gnome garden.

* Gnome garden

Moored next to Autumn Years and Acen and we all sat on the bank enjoying coffee and biscuits which later developed into wine. The catch up chat went on and we decided we had better have some lunch about 3pm. Later they all came down to Autumn Myst for afternoon tea.

* Afternoon Tea bankside in the sun

Jo and John had a look around our boat and told us that they were thinking of a new one and were considering Sandhills to fit it out should they decide to go ahead.

In the evening we all went to the Dog Inn for a meal; Phoenix was excellent in the restaurant and we ended up on Autumn Years for a nightcap.

Friday 7^th September

First thing in the morning I took Phoenix a walk around Whittington village to the Post office to get a paper and cursed because I had not got my camera. We passed the lovely Whittington Old Hall and two new cottages which had been built out of old timber and bricks to look just like old cottages. (Aptly named Old Timbers).

Passing the bus stop I noticed that the 765 bus went to Litchfield every ½ an hour so when I returned to the boat I suggested a trip into the city. Jo and John decided to move on to Fazeley but Carolann and Graham came with us on the 10-15 minute trip.

First port of call was a visit to the Cathedral which is unusual in that it only has 3 spires.

* The Rabble in Litchfield

* Litchfield Cathedral across the pool

* Litchfield Cathedral

It’s a lovely cathedral and after our visit we went across to the cathedral coffee shop for a mid morning break. We sat in the garden enjoying the lovely weather.

Returning to the shops we came across Isobel a 10 week old Guide Dog pup and had to stop and have a cuddle.

* Isobel 10 weeks old

 We came across a great Men’s shop and both Graham and I were encouraged by the girls to have a spend up. After lunch we caught the bus back to the boat and spent what remained of the afternoon chatting on the bank and enjoying the hot weather.

Later we had our usual competitive game of cards and unusually it was Graham that won, just piping June on the last hand.

Saturday 8^th September

Said our goodbyes to C & G and headed off in opposite directions. At Streethay Wharf we met a day boat with a group celebrating their wedding anniversary, so wished them all the best and pressed on towards Fradley.

* Anniversary Boat

As we a approached the junction a boat coming the other way opened the swing bridge and we were able to go through and turn left up to the first lock.

Luck was on our side again as a boat was coming down so we were able to go straight in and the same with the next two locks where there were at least 5 boats waiting to come down at each lock.

We motored on to just passed Kings Bromley marina and moored up in a sunny spot with a nice bit of shade for myself and Phoenix.

The canal was busy with a lot of traffic heading towards Fradley Junction.

Wednesday 5^th September

Awoke to a lovely autumn mist lying low over the water and the sun coming up behind the trees. The mist was soon burnt off leaving another glorious sunny day.

We motored on through Polesworth; no boats were moored on the first stretch which is usually very busy with lurkers; we had seen a similar picture at Atherstone where there was only had one boat moored on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, again very unusual.

Just before the M42 bridge we passed the Pooley Fields Heritage Centre, an old mining area where I went with my walking group to learn to make walking sticks with antler handles.

* Heritage Centre

We only passed a couple of boats but as we turned the sharp corner just before Alvecote marina we encountered a Canal Time boat across the canal, they had not heard coming but quickly retrieved the boat allowing us to pass. At Alvecote marina we saw many of the old working boats which had passed over the last 2 days.

* Working Boats

We eventually caught up with a boat at Glascote locks but were soon through them and on to Fazeley where we moored up opposite Peel’s wharf.

After lunch we walked up to the Ventura Retail Park to get some provision from M & S and some polish for the boat. On route we called in to see Lottie one of our old neighbours who has moved over here. Phoenix was a little tired having walked to and around the shops and refused to walk back so we caught the bus back to Fazeley (all of about 3 stops).

Angela and Michael from Nb Levick joined us for tea and home made cake and we spent a good couple of hours chatting about our various canal exploits.

Monday 3^rd September

Left the mooring at 8.30 and motored through Hawksbury Junction, still a couple of mooring spots on the Oxford side but the Coventry side was full to past the overflow on the bend. Met a couple of old working boats on the way to Marston Junction where we met up with 2 more working boats having just come out of the junction and another came out as we came through the bridge. This was followed by Nb Levick who followed on after us. They had all been to the Shackerstone Festival over the weekend where there were over 60 working boats and many others attending.

The canal was busy with boats going the opposite all the way through Nuneaton and onto our mooring spot.

On route we passed the Valley Cruisers Hire Base at Wood Bridge and took a picture for Bill and Jackie. They always look very smart boats and it is a nice place from which to start you hire.

* Valley Cruisers.

Moored up at lunch time near to bridge 36 with lovely views over the canal.

* View from side hatch

As soon as we moored we had the new ducklings come knocking on the boat to be fed and they would not go away until we gave them some bread.

* Youngster came calling.

After lunch we had a nice walk into Atherstone for some provisions and June spotted some nice shoes which she bought. We then returned to have tea and home made cake sitting on the bank enjoying the lovely sunshine. By this time a two more boats had joined us and we had a good chat with the couple off Nb Jeaname, a boat which had featured in Canal Boat after the crick Show.

Tuesday 4^th September

Awoke to a lovely sunny morning and left early following an old working boat which had passed us at about 7.45 am down the Atherstone flight.

* June working the locks.

Phoenix relaxed in her usual spot in the engine room whilst we worked down the first five locks.

* Phoenix relaxes whilst we travel

* June exercising Phoenix in the longer pounds.

Made good progress down the locks and stopped at Bradley Green for water. No sooner had we moored up than 4 other boats came wanting water so it was lucky that we arrived when we did.

Carried on and moored just after bridge 50 where we were the only boat moored. By the evening a small town had grown up and we spent quite a time chatting to the other boaters.

* The Town

Got chatting to the owners on Nb Levick, who it turned out moored at Brinklow, and had been at the Marina BBQ the previous week which we attended. Not only that but they were also friends of Nb Fair fa another Sandhills boat. It’s a small world on the canal!

Their dog, Buddy, and Phoenix had a great plan and we did not hear much of all evening.

* Nb Levick

Despite it clouding over a little at lunchtime the afternoon and evening were lovely and the sunset was something to behold.

* Sunset on the Coventry

Sunday 2^nd September

Back on the Boat

Arrived at the boat on Saturday at about 5 pm, after I had played golf in the morning, and unloaded the car of the last few things we needed to bring with us. We had brought most of the food and clothes over on Friday, leaving Phoenix at home so that we could put everything away without interruption.

We were awoken at 5 am on Sunday morning by Phoenix wanting to go out, which is most unusual for her, so after donning my waterproof and shoes I headed out into the dark morning for her to spend on the grass at the end of the pontoon. What a great shame the nice light mornings have begun to disappear.

After filling up with water and fixing the netting around the stern to keep you know who from falling off the back of the boat we left the mooring just before 9 am.

Just before All Oaks Wood we spotted this lovely little steam launch preparing to leave its mooring

* Steam Launch 1

and immediately after I spotted another Sandhill’s boat, Nb Still Waters; would have stopped for a chat but nobody was up so motored on through the wood and found on the other side another Sandhill’s boat Nb Fair Fa, again nobody was up, great shame as we would have loved to have a chat with Sheila and Pat as we had met them and their dog in Birmingham last year.

I wonder if they know that Nb Still Waters is just short distance in front of them.

 * Nb Still Waters

* Nb Fair fa

The canal was very busy with lots of boats heading towards Hillmorton and we followed a Viking hire boat from Stretton Stop to just past the M69 bridge.

As I wanted to watch the Grand Prix we moored up just after the Coventry Cruising Club for lunch and watched the race, nice to see Jenson with a win. Although there is the noise of the adjacent M6 motorway we decided to stop here and wash the boat which had become very dusty from the ash track around the marina.

* The Mooring

We had tea and home made cake sitting on the bank in the sun. As we put the bits a away a large Bumble Bee decided to buzz Phoenix. It must have upset her because she decided to jump into the boat via the side hatch. She had not realised that she was attached to her lead and a spike into the ground. Fortunately there was enough lead for her land safely in the boat. A lesson learned, don’t tie her up near the side hatch.

* Phoenix new boat entrance

Afterwards I walked Phoenix to Hawksbury Junction and met up with Nb Midsummer which we had seen earlier in August, just north of Watford Locks. I noticed them because they still had the two baskets of flowers on the bow which I had photographed as I thought how nice they looked. We had a nice chat before I had to rush off back to the boat for dinner.

Tuesday 14^th August

Losing the Plot

Last night we went to Rowington Village Hall with my sister and brother-in-law to see the famous Mikron Theatre production of Losing the Plot. If you would like a good laugh and a bit of a sing along I can fully recommend a trip to see this. There were about 75 people present and they all said what a great evening they had had. The cast were so good and very versatile each playing dual roles and different instruments.

You can see their tour venues and dates on their web site at

http://www.mikron.org.uk/showDates.php?show=losing-the-plot

* The Cast - taken from their website as I did not have a camera

Tuesday 7^th August

Serious Plastic use at Stratford on Avon

* Looking down River from the lock 

June said she wanted to take Phoenix on the bus to Stratford and have a look at the shops. Well as soon as we got off the bus the plastic was on fire in the clothes shops and she came out loaded with bags.

I couldn’t take any more so when June went into M& S I decided to take Phoenix down to the meadow to have a run before we caught the bus back.

Of course I could not resist my fix of the canal and river.

* The Basin at Stratford – still one space left at 3.30pm

* The Basin from the River Lock

Stratford town was not too busy considering the time of year and there was plenty of mooring on the river by the side of the meadow.

Sunday 5^th August

*Bad Start to the Day

I walked into the bathroom and went to raise the window blind and crash bang I knocked a heavy glass ornament, which I had bought for June’s birthday, off the window ledge and it fell on to the bidet smashing both. June came running in to see what had happened and I am afraid to say the air was a little blue for a while.

It looks as though the house insurance will need to be contacted in the morning.

However things did get better; last night we had a text from Carolanne to say that they had just moored at Droitwich and would be there until Monday if we wanted to see them. We decided coffee with them this morning would be better than fretting over the damage. So I gave them a call and arranged to visit.

Strange how co-incidences happen isn’t it.
This time exactly 12 months ago we took our first trip on Autumn Myst after its launch at Hanbury Wharf and headed down the canal past Hadzor, where my Great, Great Grand father was born on the canal, to moor in Droitwich basin, and here we are sitting on the very same pontoon this year.

John and Jo on Nb Acen are travelling with Autumn Years and they moored next to them so we all enjoyed the morning sun.

* Pontoon Gathering.

Coffee I am afraid went into something a little stronger until the weather changed about 13.15 and we had to quickly go inside the boat until it had eased enough for us to get to the car as June wanted to be home to watch Andy Murray in the tennis final.

We got home just in time for the start having travelled through a heavy storm just outside Droitwich but at home it was still dry.

Great game, a pity he could not emulate it in the mixed doubles but still an exciting game to watch.

* Great Garden Shed

As we left the basin I took a picture of Nb. Alice which is unusual as it has a front butty, which seems a good way of extending your boat without all the hassle. I was told that there only two of this type of butty on the system.

Friday 3^rd August

The weather forecast for the afternoon and Saturday was for heavy showers and so we thought we would head straight back to the marina and pack up in the dry rather than get back on Saturday and suffer the wet.

Left the mooring at 7.30am and passed through Bridge 80 where the divers were working on our way up. You can see the work they were doing to repair the under water and water level areas of the bridge. C&RT have issued a stoppage notice to say the bridge will be closed from 5pm to 7pm each evening to enable work to continue.

* Bridge 80

* Water level repairs.

Just round the corner are the Draco Craft boats who seem to have sorted themselves out a nice little pitch on a farmers field. They were closed of course at this ungodly hour so June did not get a chance to spend some more money.

* Craft Boats.

We passed the lovely canal side cottages at the Kilsby Lane Bridge which are now part of a B & B. There is a well at the front with doves drinking water out of the bucket and an old lorry in the back garden.

* Old Canal Cottages

We soon reached Hillmorton Locks and only passed one boat on the way and that was down the Barby Straight where all the boats are moored, strange how you never meet a boat on an open stretch of water.

A boat was already going down the left hand locks so we followed using the right hand set. They are quite quick locks and we were soon through them only meeting one boat coming the other way. Just before the last lock there was a hire boat across the canal who it turned out was try to reverse into the side cutting.

I dropped Phoenix off at the bottom lock and June walked her along the tow path for the usual spending routine. Jobs done we were on our way again.

As we came to the Clifton Cruisers Boat Yard we espied these unusual cattle with horns which ringed their faces.

* Look at those Horns

As we entered Rugby we saw a Kingfisher on a branch, it dived into the water and retrieved a fish which it proceeded to eat sat on the branch and then it was gone in a flash of amazing blue glinting in the sunlight. They are always too quick to catch on camera when you are steering at the same time as getting a shot.

Further on next to the park a lady was walking her cats on long extending lead, one went one way and the other in the opposite direction. She said that they were much worse than dogs to control. Again there were plenty of mooring spaces on either side of the canal.

The traffic now got busier and we encountered several boats at all the tight places on the canal to the marina. The wind had also got up making mooring a little more difficult but the main problem was the duck droppings along the pontoon. When all the boats on the pontoon are out the ducks and geese seem to think it is their domain and we have to scrap their dropping off before we let the dog off or she would have a field day.

We completed the usual activities of cleaning the boat, pump out, fill with fuel ready for the next trip and were about to set off when June notice a Labrador we had seen on our travels. It turned out that the dog, Lucy, belonged to NB Thomas and we had passed and re-passed it since Foxton not realising it was from our marina. The boat belongs to Richard and Jenny and I had a short chat to Richard before leaving for home and the inevitable jobs that have built up whist we have been away.

Thursday 2^nd August

Managed a short lie in today and then took Phoenix a walk back along the canal to the bottom lock and then up the hill to the village shop for a paper.

After breakfast I walked round to Midland Chandlers for a look around and bought some varnish with my IWA discount. The guy behind the counter said that the canal had been very quiet of recent due he thought to the bad weather and people not having the money to spend on a hiring. Indeed we heard that boats which cost £1000 for this week were now going for a couple of hundred just to get them out of the boat yard. I can believe that as we have seen so many moored up.

Returned to the boat and picked up June and Phoenix and walked around the marina having a nose at the boats for sale and called in Tradeline Rope and Fenders, a really interesting little shop run by husband and wife who are a very helpful couple. They have a black Lab, like Tucker, so made a big fuss of Phoenix and let them have a little play together.

* Tradeline Rope and Fender.

* Inside View.

Walked around the other side of the marina and came back onto the canal next to where the Boat Café Moors. The smell of bacon cooking wafted across to us and made us feel very hungry. If we had not already had breakfast I am sure we would have been tempted.

* Café Boat

* Braunston Marina.

Back to our boat for coffee and then decided to move off to the country side 2-3 miles outside Braunston where we moored up for lunch. As we went through Willoughby Bridge we met 2 boats coming the other way and it was a tight squeeze to get between them and the boats moored both sides of the bridge. The first boat warned us that a Broadbeam was following them, yes a Broad Beam on a narrow canal.

* Broad Beam Boat on Narrow Canal

It was true for as we came to the next bend there it was, fortunately we had plenty of room to get through, the boat who was following some distance behind us met him just through the bridge and managed to squeeze in between two moored boats otherwise there would have been a problem with one of them having to reverse a distance to find the space to pass. The steerer on the broad beam said he had scared the S - - t out of other skinny boats he had encountered so far and though it was great fun. He will certainly have a problem getting through the last few bends to Braunston Junction and the safety of the broad canals.

* Braunston Junction

Not long after we moored up Emily Jane a very unusual boat came past with it large Chimney and Wheel Steering at the stern. They nearly collided with a boat coming the other way, I guess because it caught the wind and wheel steering is not as positive as the tiller.

* Emily Jane

* Emily Jane Wheel Steering Position

The weather took a turn for the worse in the afternoon and we had a few very heavy showers and a couple of rumbles of thunder but fortunately it cleared up to give us a nice evening.

This was only spoilt by the number of boats who don’t seem to know what “SLOW whilst passing moored boats” means. The culprits were both hirers and owners and the last one got the sharp end of my tongue as he passed with a bow wave which you could surf on. I am afraid I called him one of Graham’s terms “A Tosser”.

It is strange but for the last ten days we have never had a problem but they all seem to be out today on the North Oxford. Even the Mallard Mom was concerned to get her chicks to safety when these boats came by. 

* Mallard Mother protecting her chicks opposite tour boat.

We turned on the TV the other night to watch the Olympics and were just in time to see of our neighbour scoring a goal for the Ladies GB Hockey Team. It was particularly unusual because Sally Walton is actual a back and not normally expected to score goals. Lets hope that is an omen and they go on to win.