Held up by a "Spot of "Bovver"

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

We decided to get going reasonably early, which, considering how the day panned out, proved to be a good decision!  Having knocked the 11 Atherstone locks on the head last evening, the plan today was mostly to just cover miles, with just a couple of locks to do.  We badly wanted to reach Fradley Junction, because we were hoping to find both shower and launderette facilities there, as well as us thinking we were due for another pub meal in the evening.

Passing "Jaguar" at Grendon dock.

As you progress up this stretch of the Coventry, you pass both Grendon and subsequently Alvecote, both of which can always be expected to yield a working boat or two, (or ten!), most usually those associated with the South Midland fleet, but often others.  At Grendon we noted the Josher "Tench", owned by former owner of Sickle, Matt Parrott, wonderful repainted into a Fellows Morton & Clayton livery.  As expected not many of the "fleet" were at Alvecote, presumably because there are about to be big historic boat gatherings at both Ellesmere Port and Droitwich.


Sickle is throwing a lot of exhaust our way, and neither of the exhaust stacks, ("pipes"), that we currently have is suitable to throw it upwards, and still be short enough to pass under the low bridges on these canals.  I stopped at Alvecote to see if we could rectify this, but apparently "pipes" for 3" diameter exhausts differ from the more modern narrower bore items, and need making to order.  So, after a brief chat with Sam Noon, who was busy making a set of side cloths, we pressed on with no pipe on. as this seems to be the best compromise  to avoid excess exhaust in our faces.

Deep joy!

It was all going pretty well until Tamworth, where the amount of "flotsam" in the canal suddenly increased, and the "bottom was too near the top" in many of the bridges.  Suddenly Sickle's engine laboured like hell, but was producing very little forward motion, (and even less attempt at stopping!).  Clearly we had picked up a "blade full" on the propeller, but all normal attempts to throw it off by judicious use of alternate forward and reverse gear produced no improvement, (perhaps because "reverse" seemed to have gone missing!).  We laboured on to the two locks at Glascote, where I attempted to clear the blades with the cabin shaft, (old working boats like Sickle lack the concept of a "weed hatch" - a removable cover that allows access to a fouled propeller from above - on Sickle you only have the option of trying to reach under the counter stern in whatever way you can).  We got a fair amount of old rope and plastic off, along with the all too common pair of jogging bottoms, but there was clearly stuff that was going to be far harder to shift.

A present from the good people of Tamworth.

We pressed on at reduced speed to Fazeley junction, to allow Cath to shop, whilst I refilled water supplies, and tried again to clear the prop.  Attempts to pull stuff off with the cabin shaft failed - whatever it was there was simply too strong to be pulled away.  When I did manage to get hold of the end of a piece of underwater rope, it could not be wound off by hand turning the propeller shaft, as rotating that either way was winding it on, implying it was "knotted" not just "wound" on.  With Cath now hanging in to the shaft pulling a loop of the offending rope, I was able to reach under and sever some of it with an old break knife, but still only small pieces would come off.  I eventually found that hung over the edge, with one side of my face in the canal, I could reach under just far enough to start to untangle stuff, and pull it off by hand, albeit at full stretch.  Finally it felt that most was off, and I could clearly feel the whole blades with nothing hanging off them.

Finally reached Fradley Junction - The best mooring there!

This, of course, is the point on any other boat you would go and take a shower, but, Sickle doesn't have running water, let alone showering facilities, so Cath rinsing through the bit of my hair I had had to give a dunking was the best we could achieve.  A bag of wet clothes meant the launderette at Fradley was even more in demand, but the whole episode had cost us well over an hour.

View from the pub window

What came of the blades would have simply stalled Chalice, but Sickle is made of sterner stuff, and had managed to keep going.  However the difference once it was removed was spectacular, and we fair shot away from Fazeley, onto what is a very curious stretch of canals.  For historic reasons, the first half of the Fazeley to Fradley run is part of the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, that we had just joined, but after that switches to a curious "detached" portion of the Coventry, again.


We made good progress after this, and took a decision to try and get on the very restricted mooring space right by the junction with the Trent & Mersey.  This worked, meaning we were best placed for all facilities, and the pub - result!

Newbold to foot of Atherstone Locks
Miles: 19.4, Locks: 2
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 93.6, Locks: 38

Newbold to Atherstone

(Boat Sickle - posted by Cath)

Another cold morning, but this time we had managed the range better, and it was quickly brought back up to hot enough to make coffee. Outside, as the sun rose the mist began to rise on the canal.

The sun rises over Newbold

As we were on schedule we were a bit more relaxed about getting started. I went down to the local Co-op store for supplies, and we got going. We weren't sure how far we would go, probably slightly short of Atherstone, as there is a flight of 11 narrow locks, and we didn't want to get caught in the middle of the flight overnight.

Tree surgeons in All Oaks Wood

A lot of miles without locks, we took it in turns to steer, while the other did other things inside the boat, tidying, cooking, washing up, there is always something to do on a boat.

Sickle turns onto the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction

At the 'stop lock' at Hawkesbury (only six inches, the remains of a boundary between two canal companies) we turned right, onto the Coventry Canal, through the old Coventry Coalfields. The canal maps are marked with references to the old 'arms' out to the coal fields, where the boat people used to pick up loads for factories in the South. All of these arms are nothing more than 'site of...' now.



Nuneaton proved to be far worse to travel through than a year ago. At every bridge hole 'Sickle' slowed and lurched, with graunching noises coming from under the hull. What are they throwing off the bridges there? With the amount of slowing, and the heaving of the hull it seemed like we were going over car bodies at least - but probably nothing more than shopping trolleys.




For me, this has been a difficult journey. Only last year we took Chalice up this route for our summer holiday. Every few miles I found myself thinking, "this is where I walked Charlie the dog", "this is where he kept jumping in", "this is where we talked to those people". I am very torn, he was ill, we had no choice, what he did was unsupportable, but I do so miss my dog. This journey is a constant reminder.

Passing 'Pelican' on its way to the Droitwich Festival

We got to the top of Atherstone locks and decided to set off down them, planning to stop somewhere towards the bottom if it began to get dark. I got my bike off, which speeded things up quite a bit, and very soon we began to meet with boats coming up, meaning that almost all locks were ready for us.

Making good time down Atherstone Flight

Spring Blossom

Sickle on the Atherstone Flight

We stopped at the bottom of the flight, moored and then ate the dinner that I had put in the oven at the top.



Newbold to foot of Atherstone Locks
Miles: 24.6, Locks: 12
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 74.2, Locks: 36

A Good Day - The "Cunning Plan" Is Working.

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan - with little bits from Cath)
We awoke to find the front deck covered in frost, and the little Epping range nearly out, it was cold, but turned into a glorious sunny day.

This was the kind of critical day, the progress of which would determine how well we could stay on schedule for a planned arrival at Calf Heath, before next week-end.

Ascending the Buckby flight.

We were already well aware that the limited opening hours at the Buckby flight of locks was going to halt us last night, and they were not going to be unlocked until 10:00 a.m. today.  The critical part was whether we could avoid enough hold ups to guarantee we also passed through the Braunston flight today as well, with last entry to these from the top stated at 2:30 p.m.  This would be easy enough if all went well, but if faced with volunteer lock keepers being trained, (slowly!), and strict enforcement of waiting long periods at each lock, or if there were long queues, the plan could have failed.

We need not have worried.  We were first boats up the Buckby flight, with the padlocks taken off dead on 10:00 a.m.  Working efficiently with another boat, we were obviously quicker than the boats we were told had started from the top a bit before us, because, by the middle lock, we had still not passed them.  We eventually met them three locks from the top, (our fifth going up). However, as we were setting off there was a row brewing with the boat crews behind us, as to who had been there first. One crew said that they had been waiting since yesterday afternoon, but as they had been waiting in the marina next to the lock flight the other crews didn't think that it counted as waiting at the bottom of the flight.

Braunston locks are a much easier prospect than those at Buckby

Although we needed “services”, we had decided not to stop for water, loo emptying, etc, until we had passed Braunston, so pressed straight on.  It doesn’t seem to matter how far ahead the boat in front is in these long tunnels, or how restrained I try to be, I always seem to catch them up, and end up having to drop “Sickle” in to neutral gear, to avoid “running them down”.  Sickle is frankly excellent when in tunnels alone, but often a bit too quick, even in tick-over, if restricted to the speed of others.

There were only two boats ahead to go down Braunston locks, and by the time it was our turn, another North-bound boat had turned up behind us that we could share with.  Operations here were being controlled by a BW lock-keeper at the top, who was strictly enforcing that each filling or emptying of a lock was with boats in.  Although this meant some moderately long waits, as, for example boats had to reach you through a couple of locks, before you could go down, in practice it was all very controlled, and progress was fair.  Again we were with a competent crew, although it has to be said that, eventually, when setting locks ahead was required, because no more boats were coming up, it was Cath doing most of the work.

Hillmorton, with Sickle's hull looking rather scruffy!

We boated on through Braunston (with an enthusiastic wave to our friend Polly who was 'breakfasting' in the floating cafe) – there are always interesting old boats here, including “Vesta”, the tug I would like to own if I didn’t have “Sickle”, “Angel” my brother’s old Butty, and “Renfrew” and “Betelgeuse” at Pete Boyce’s yard, just before “the turn”.  We stopped at the “facilities” just onto to Northern Oxford, and had a fair bit of a “sort out”, but in the meantime several other boats had headed up the Oxford, one of which was to slow our progress very significantly for many miles later on.  There was no excuse for their behaviour, really, as at places like “Barby straight”, you could easily wave faster boats past you, but the lead boat seemed happy to slow those following down to their preferred speed.

Passing Badsey outside her owner's Bistro at Hillmorton locks

Before Hillmorton the slow boat pulled over, and things speeded up, and by the locks, only we intended to go down, so got a straight run through with no delays.  This is somewhere, with one set of locks out of action, that could have been another hold up.  The passage between the lower pairs of locks was “interesting” though, particularly as we only just bounced through the bridge hole in that pound.  I had expected trouble, and doing it very slowly seemed to just get us over the hump.

We decided with a clear run to see if we could press on around Rugby, and by now I was in my element, actually feeling like I had the measure of the boat for once, staying in channel, and hence seldom fighting with “Sickle”.  It was quite chilly by now, but I had a real blast to blow away the cobwebs after what had been some quite slow bits in the afternoon.

We moored at Newbold, and decided to have a pint.  Whilst I can recommend the pint of guest ale I had, the fact there was no “real” draught cider, and the fact we paid fairly high prices to sit on ripped dirty seats make it somewhere I’d be unlikely to rush back to.  Cath has been getting more adventurous with cooking using only our tiny Epping range, and a delicious meal based on stuffed peppers and stuffed mushrooms was the result.  I’m amazed at what she can already pull off, but then I’m the sort of “cook” who would consider I had done well if I managed to heat a tin of beans on it!

Bottom of Buckby Locks (Grand Union) to Newbold (Northern Oxford)
Miles: 17.2, Locks: 16
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 49.6, Locks: 24

Stoke Bruerne to Whilton

(Boat Sickle - posted by Cath)

The canal reservoirs in the South are at about half the capacity that they were at this time last year –some are virtually empty. There are restrictions on the hours of usage of the major flights of locks to make people share locks, and so that boats going up swap with boats going down. There have been teams of volunteer lock keepers recruited.

We spent the night at the bottom of Stoke Bruerne Locks waiting for the flight to be unlocked in the morning.

Heading up Stoke Bruerne Flight

 At five to ten the BW man arrived to unlock the gates. So, we set off immediately with another boat that had arrived behind us an hour or so earlier.  As we started off up the flight a BW trainer with a team of volunteer lock keepers arrived having walked down from the top.  They shadowed us the whole way up the flight, with the trainer explaining how to work the locks, how to let water down into a pound that is low, and all the other things that the volunteers will need to know while they help in their role of tackling the drought conditions. 

Training the volunteer lock keepers

The trainer explained clearly and patiently, but we were surprised that none of the volunteers actually seemed to know very much already. We had made the assumption that they would all be experienced boaters, but clearly not. Locks can be dangerous places, so the volunteers will need to work calmly and safely, but we and the other boater travelling with us were surprised at how slowly they were being trained to do things. Paddles were going up very slowly, it seemed to take ages to get the gates open and the boats out of the locks. It is a difficult thing, BW has to make sure that the volunteers are trained to work safely, but we could see potential arguments developing in the future with experienced boaters being told that they can’t work locks as quickly as they are used to doing.

Into the tunnel – this time I stayed in the cabin, instead of sitting on the tug deck with a lantern. I got the washing up done, then washed down the ceiling and a lot of the cabin walls. I felt very virtuous, like a real boatwoman.

In Blisworth, a provisioning stop

A quick stock up of milk, cheese and butter at Blisworth, then on through many miles of lockless canal. I put a couple of baking potatoes into the oven, turning them occasionally, and checking their progress. After two hours we had some of the best baked potatoes I’ve eaten in ages.

We took turns at steering, with Alan getting a cheeky ‘Slow down!’ from Dominic Miles at Stowe Hill Wharf. Shortly afterwards a small boat did a U-Turn in front of Sickle – sticking his arm out and just turning across our bows. Obviously he doesn’t have much idea of what it’s like steering an old boat, but Alan managed to pull up in time, and avoid hitting him broadside.  In Weedon we passed another friend from the Canal World Forum, Keith (Jelunga).

 

In the queue for the locks at Whilton

We stopped at the bottom of the Whilton/ Buckby flight of locks, immediately behind another boat on the lock landing. Once tied up I got busy cooking, although I haven’t completely got the measure of the stove yet. I didn’t have it quite hot enough and the food was a long time before it was ready. 

We only have one battery, which we cannot allow to run low in the evening with running lights, etc., otherwise we won’t be able to start Sickle in the morning, so we don’t stay up late. To be honest, I am tired after a very busy term, so I’m likely to just fall asleep on the side bed, and have to get up to go to bed later. However, we were surprised that as we were midway between the West Coast Mainline and the M1, each only a couple of hundred metres either side, that it was far quieter than we would have predicted.

Stoke Bruerne Bottom Lock to Whilton Bottom Lock
Miles: 15.6, Locks: 7
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 32.4 Locks: 8

Another Adventure Begins, (in which I find myself surprisingly "famous"!)

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Well, as it very much looks like many boating plans may not happen this year due to the severe problems with water shortages, we are determined to try and get some trips in whilst it is still a possibility.

Crossing the recently refurbished Wolverton trunk aqueduct

We have had a long standing invitation to a big celebration event North of Birmingham at Easter, and had planned to do a “standard” trip with the comforts of “Chalice”, and a third crew member.   However time restrictions have prompted just the two of us to set off instead with “Sickle”, (a.k.a. “the Floating Patio”), the rationale being that she was a day closer to Birmingham to start with, and we expect to lose at least a day over “standard” times, as we keep reaching locked flights, and have to wait until the middle of next morning before we can continue.

Cosgove - the only lock possible on our first day

So I set off today with “Sickle”, and once Cath had finished work she used a combination of bicycle and train to join me at Wolverton.  We were then able to carry on only as far as Stoke Bruerne locks, which had already been locked up many hours earlier.

What I had not expected was the minor stardom I seem to have achieved by my attempts to get elected to the Canal and River Trust Council.  At least 4 times today somebody suddenly appeared on the bank, or at the hatches of their boat and said something along the lines of “You must be Alan – I voted for you!”.  So thanks to those of you that I did work out who you were, (most), but also at least one I couldn’t make out over the roar of the mighty Lister, (the lady from CWDF at Linford, I think it was).  I’m very touched by the number of people who have congratulated me on my efforts, and encouraged me that I should go for it again next time.

Speciality of "The Boat"

That said, we are used to slipping around the system fairly anonymously, but I guess “Sickle” is distinctive enough that even if lots of people have no idea what “Alan” looks like, they can fairly easily associate us with the boat.

As for “associate us with The Boat”, that also sounded like a good idea!  With only a single battery that provides both starting and “facilities”, coupled with early finishes, we can’t afford to be on board using too much electricity.  So, after arrival at the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight, and getting sorted, we walked what I guess is about a mile each way, and did indeed enjoy an excellent meal at “The Boat”.  I can recommend the “Hobgoblin”, at the moment – it was spot on!

Fenny Stratford to Stoke Bruerne Bottom Lock
Miles: 16.8, Locks:1
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 16.8, Locks: 1

Few Objectives Actually Achieved......

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

One of the inevitable consequences of two busy people, owning two narrow boats, each kept at two different locations, is that if you are not terribly organised, what you need to actually be at any particular location, (home, Chalice or Sickle), at any particular time has a good chance of being somewhere else.  The scope of what this covers is enormous, but certainly includes clothes, bedding, food, drink, tools, bicycles, sacks of coal, and all manner of other things that could make this list go on a long while.

Would one of these add useful accommodation to "Sickle"?

The impending severe restrictions on canal movements in the South east, due to water shortages have caused us to rethink any plans for Easter.  Chalice will now stay "at home", while we try to get out and about with Sickle, instead.   At this point shuffling around of all kind of things is required!

So today's plan was to travel first to Chalice, returning a few items there that we'll not need, but pick up quite a few things to transport to Sickle, as well as to start to tackle some tasks at Sickle that are long overdue, and really need looking at before we set off.

I guess it could look a bit odd pushed by Sickle, but.......

Considering we are not normally the world's most organised people, we generally do quite well at such logistics, but today was not to be a good day!

A search of all locations has failed to turn up the antenna without which we can't use mobile internet on Sickle.  How you lose a foot long antenna on a magnetic base, I don't know, but currently we have!  The plane that I had laid out in the hall, required to reduce the swollen deck boards on Sickle to the point they can be removed without a crowbar proved not to be with us on arrival.  You can improvise some tools, but a plane is not one I can make an acceptable substitute for.  Nor had I managed to bring any of the materials needed to clean up the poil spills around Sickle's engine, or to go leak hunting.

Tied up for the pub lunch, after other plans foundered.

All the above was annoying, but survivable, but we had rejected the need to take fire-lighters to Sickle - I felt confident we had some left.  Needless to say we did not, nor did the fruitless search for them find the missing antenna, (or a viable substitute for a plane!).

So, what can you do!  Well, the good news is that the engine started straight off, so we set off to find the nearest pub that does food, (the one at our moorings doesn't, so there is always an excuse to take a trip).

Maybe next weekend we will go and try again to do all the things we thought we might do this weekend!

Miles: 3.2, Locks:0

Sadly not to be....... (Well this time, anyway!.....)

(posted by Alan)

Apologies that this is verbatim as posted elsewhere, but it has been a long day!

(I refer, of course, to the results of the Canal and River Trust Council elections, announced today....... )

Well, it seems it wasn't to be - a shame really, as I would really have liked to take this on.

Actually though, for myself I am pleased to have fared so well in what I never felt was going to be an even match with the candidates being promoted by the boating associations. I made it to 8th position out of 33 candidates.

I did considerably better than two of the IWA candidates, the NABO candidate and the AWCC candidate, (and am frankly not a little surprised by this!).

I have been overwhelmed by the number of people prepared to place me high on their list, who I have never had the opportunity to meet, and who would not have heard of me before this election. To get over 330 first preference votes is much appreciated, and I'm very sorry I can not represent those prepared to have such confidence in me.

My sympathies to the other independents who tried hard, and were making the right noises. Maybe see some of you again 4 years from now!

Once again, my extreme thanks to those who have supported me, (and, I should add, some who have taken a particular interest, and offered specific advice).

Alan