Crew's Diary 4

DAY 1

Originally we had planned to go to Leicester to meet our other son, Matthew, there but after studying the maps this seemed over ambitious in a week but an alternative seemed to offer itself in Market Harborough where we could meet him and also meet some of Joanne’s family at Welford on the Sunday. With this in mind we arranged to start at 1400 instead of the usual 1500 so that we could make Braunston Friday and Welford Saturday.

We turned up at Blue Lias at 1400 to find the boat ready but our plans were thwarted due to Kinver being at the back of the Marina and inextricable until a few boats had gone. Undaunted we set off at 1530 turning right out of the marina for the first time.(for us) under blue skies.

We have hired for some years but I have never had a close encounter with canal water until mooring for Calcut Locks where I tripped over a side fender rope immersing my left leg in the cut before managing to grab the side of the boat. (I remember on being given the run through on the first day on the boat being told that underway the side fenders are normally lifted, now I know why!).

After turning left at Napton junction we had a glorious setting sun behind us with views across open country in front. Soon the illuminated spire of Braunston church came into view, at first in the distance, but getting slowly nearer. We finally moored up in pitch darkness a couple of hundred metres from Braunston Junction. We found our way to the nearest place for food and a drink. (The Mill).

It was a cold night with frost. Kinvers Central heating coped well!

DAY 2

Early start! Cold and damp. Slow pace among the moored boats at Braunston many well known names amongst them. Up the 6 locks in good time. Stopping at the shop halfway up for a couple of items we had forgotten. Braunston Tunnel treated us to a display of bats at the eastern end some flying around others hanging from the ceiling. On the way back we looked for them again but could not see them.

By about 1100 we were at Watford Locks. The lock keepers were very helpful but were less so to a boat who had not asked permission before entering! On through Crick tunnel and then mile after mile of seemingly uninhabited country as we boxed the compass on the summit section towards Welford. At times this canal is so shallow that that you are only moving at one or two miles per hour but the loneliness of this section, particularly in autumn, gives it a special quality. We had never been on this section before but I am sure we will return. We tied up at Welford just after 6 retiring to The Wharf for a well earned meal and drink.

DAY 3

Glorious weather! We had five visitors who had never been on a canal boat before what a good introduction! We ran out to the Laughton Hills where we tied up for lunch after giving our visitors a chance of experiencing a tunnel (Husbands Bosworth) a Lock (Welford) and some glorious country. From Laughton we returned to Welford for about 1600. Of course the clocks had gone back an hour so it was dark soon after. Our visitors seemed to really enjoy the canal experience.

DAY 4

Another glorious day. We set off about 1000 making for Market Harborough. The autumn colours were brilliant in the strong sunlight. The absence of other boaters made this feel like a voyage of discovery. At 412 ft above sea level there are glorious views, over the hedgerows, across the Leicestershire countryside for miles.

Foxton locks were negotiated without problem. There were many onlookers even on this weekday. The Market Harbourgh section was also very picturesque but quite different to the Leicester section of the GU. In many places reeds encroach from the margins making the channel appear narrow even though this canal is Barge width. We tied up at M/H at 1700 where we met our son Matthew and went for a extravagant meal in the “Three Swans”

DAY 5

Went into town and did shopping and a bit of exploration. Quite a few interesting shops. The weather forecast encouraged us to purchase additional cheap scarves and gloves etc off the market stall!

Set off at about 1200 and we were last boat through Foxton for the day at about 1430. The Lock keeper advised that in high summer there are about 50 boats a day through Foxton and cues up to 3 hours are usual. However there are no Lock Keepers on duty from the end of this week for the winter months so if there is a busy period it is a bit of a free for all.

Moored in rain near the Laughton Hills.

DAY 6

Light drizzle all day and only passed boats underway all day.

Drama near bridge 30 when the engine started hunting then cut out. Ownerships talked me through checking the fuel for water ingress. On finding none they had an engineer on site within 30 minutes who bled the system and started the engine. Air had been drawn into the fuel line but we were unable to find any explanation for this. We set off again and passed the engineer a few miles down canal who was waiting to see if we had further problems. The rest of the week the engine ran ok so this remains a mystery.

We moored up at Crick and had an excellent meal at Edwards.

DAY 7

Fine start at 0700 (Shop open at Crick at 0530!) Weather good all the way back to Braunston. Fine Drizzle all afternoon finally reaching Blue Lias at 1630. Difficulty finding mooring but did so eventually.

DAY 8

Pouring rain and difficulty getting into marina. Apparently this is due to the amount of boats collecting there prior to moving to Braunston for winter Maintenance, However, no problem, Kate boats staff offered to “Valet moor” Kinver and carry out required servicing.

A very good week. We are getting more into the swing of shared ownership. As for the route we took, well we could do the East Midlands ring next July.