Crash, bang, wallop

 Oh dear I really must keep up!  With bigger pictures as requested by Les and Jaq!

Tues 24 Sep 2013

Wootton Wawen to above bridge 53 to Lowsonford

4 miles 8 locks

Today we started the long climb back up the locks towards Birmingham that start at Preston Bagot, but we are going to do it really slowly – I think we are getting the hang of short days with time to relax, go for a walk and do the necessary domestic chores that have to be done. 

We met up with a boat called nb Daisy – they have a Border Collie called Beau – his exploits after rolling in something unsavoury had Chris and I in stitches!  Worth a read if you are a dog owner.

At one lock we had a group of ‘supervisors’ to ensure we did things correctly!

Once we were moored at Lowsonford the mist rolled in along with a red sky, so not sure what tomorrow will hold.

We went to the Fleur de Lys to have dinner and had one of their ‘famous pies’.  I am afraid we were not that impressed!  The pub is nice and is dog friendly and we have eaten other things here that have been fine.

Wed 25 Sep 2013

Lowsonford to just north of B65 on the Grand Union Canal

2.5 miles 9 locks

Today we started the Lapworth flight of locks.  There are not quite as many (27) as there are in the Tardebigge flight (30), but we think we both prefer the latter.  The Lapworth locks top gate has to be climbed onto to get from one side to the other – much easier at Tardebigge. 

The paddles are easier to wind here, but the gates are so heavy that is is a real struggle at times.  The bottom gate at 27 is a two person job and we had to go back to the top gate at 25 as I just could not shut it on my own.  Thankfully we had already decided to moor there for a while for lunch and a shower before continuing for the last mile and 3 locks before we stopped on the Grand Union just passed Kingswood Junction.

Kingswood Junction

Where we met this family of four

Move along there please

We emerge

Looking back and the other two have caught up

The view from our very peaceful mooring

Thurs 26 Sep 2013

just north of B65 on the Grand Union Canal to the link from the Grand Union Canal to the Stratford Canal at Kingswood Junction almost under a railway bridge via the bottom of Knowle locks and back

7 miles, 0 locks

We have decided to loiter and not make our way to Birmingham until Sunday, so as it was a nice day we just pottered up to Knowle locks for water and back again. .   We met that family again en route to Knowle – well just one of the parents this time and not looking too happy.

Now there are two conundrums at bridge 70 which is called Kings Arms Bridge:

 1 Why is only half the bridge painted white?

2 We expected the pub to be called The Kings Arms

But no it is:

I walked up to the top of the flight with rubbish, so was able to admire the view.

There appeared to be two VLK’s on duty – always a welcome sight even if we did not need their services today.  Then it was back to Kingswood Junction, but round the corner in the link between the two canals.  There is a lovely picnic site,

but we are almost under a railway bridge, so it is not the quietest of spots, but I did not hear anything in the night, so not a complete disaster.

And now to the 'Crash, Bang, Wallop'!!

The almost disaster of the day happened much earlier – I slipped whilst getting on at the bow and have a very large bruise on a place only Chris & the mirror will ever see!  I think arnica might be called for when we reach Birmingham. 

 We had already decided to go back to Birmingham via the Worcester and Birmingham canal rather than the Grand Union and having read this account of nb Waiouru 's trip we are happy we have made the right decision.  Time will tell!

A very relaxing day with a walk to a local shop (very basic needs), a quick look in the canal shop at lock 14 (definitely canal stuff, not basic supplies!) and we discovered that the local shop mentioned in Nicholson’s near bridge 34 now appears to be a hairdressers – hot off the press news as it is still being fitted out.  Our last stop was for a swift drink at The Boot, Lapworth which we discovered was part of the Lovely Pub chain that re-opened the Queens Head at Stoke Pound in July.  A roaring fire was welcome, if a little warm!  They are very dog friendly and even brought Monty a dish of water. There is a lot of information along the tow path including boxes with handles to turn that give a commentary bringing history to life.  This one was about a brickie called John Cobb and how the barrel roofed cottages came into beingGreat for children of all ages! 

Sadly someone has broken the handle off this one so it is now defunct.

Fri 27^th September 2013

Kingswood Junction to between locks 15 and 14 on the Lapworth Flight

Half a mile, 6 locks

An easy day – originally so we could eat in The Boot in Lapworth (more on this later), but also to give my back a bit of a rest after yesterday’s fall.  The bruise – we are not talking yellow and brown, oh no, I have made a proper job of it – it is about 8 inches long,  2 to 3 inches wide and livid purple, red and pink!  I rather suspect I will have it for months.

A quick walk with Monty, then up to the junction for water and finally up 6 locks to moor between locks 15 and 14.  It was enough.

After lunch we went for a longer walk along a small part of the Heart of England Way towards Baddesley Clinton which is a National Trust property.  We did not actually get to see it even in the distance, but it was a good walk.   

 We went past Kingswood Park, home of ’Castle Eventing’.  

 This is a very serious set up with several very large vans

This one is sporting a lot of rosettes

Jumps

And horses everywhere we looked

Then to The Boot to see if we could have a table for tonight – no chance!  The earliest was 9pm which is much too late for us, so it was back to the boat for a cheese omelette!!

ps – imagine my surprise when I took my boots off this afternoon to find this:

The socks are not that old – an email to Brasher has been sent, so I will wait to see what they say.  I guess it is testament to how good my boots are that I did not notice until I took them off.

Tomorrow off up the rest of the Lapworth locks to Earlswood ready for the push to Birmingham on Sunday.

Catch up

I am way behind – a mixture of having too much fun with friends and then areas of no internet access, so a warning – this is a big posting which is done for our records, not to bore anyone else out there!  If you are interested just skip through and enjoy some of the photos!

Wed 18 Sep 2013

Preston Bagot to Wootton Wawen and onto to lock 50 Wilmcote bottom lock

7 miles, 13 locks, 2 aqueducts

We met up with Boatwif and the Captain from nb Cleddau as planned at Wootton Wawen – the place Chris and I went from on our very first hire boat – well first narrow boat, we had been on a plastic job many years before on the Severn and the Avon.   Thus our first trip with friends of forty years standing as visitors on nb Tentatrice began.

The weather was good when we picked them up, so after filling with water and diesel at Wootton Wawen

(what a weird place to have a water point – thankfully no one was waiting to use the aqueduct)

we continued on crossing the Edstone Aqueduct

to Wilmcote bottom lock.  Years of practice – we have good locking rhythm between the four of us, so we made good time getting a picture for Lynn on the way – he is smiling I promise you!  

We passed this house

 whose garden goes on

and on

and on

 and on

Thurs 19 Sep 2013

Wilmcote Bottom Lock to Bancroft Basin, Stratford-upon-Avon

 2 miles, 5 locks

Just a quick trip down to the basin where there were several moorings to choose from. 

 

A stroll around the town and bit of shopping.  Monty’s reward for being left was a game of ball on the recreation ground

  and ours was a meal out at Lambs Restaurant that evening. An early celebration for the Captain's birthday

I just love those decorative cabbages.  The meal was excellent as was the company.

Friday 20 Sep 2013

Boatwif and I did a theatre tour – very informative and something else I would recommend.   We learnt about ‘Voms’ (the diagonal walk ways that actors enter and exit the stage on through the audience), the cost of some of the high tech equipment (the one that controls things that move (trap doors, lights, flying actors etc) cost £44,000), that assistant stage managers are usually female and nothing happens until they say so (what power), wigs take 1 to 2 weeks to make and cannot be put on or taken off by the actors – they have to wait for the wig specialist, many actors have to have up to nine scripts in their heads at any one time and many more fascinating insights to this fabulous theatre.  We also took a trip to the top of the tower – a magnificent view.   

 Tentatrice was hiding behind the big tree second to the left!

 

We took the lift up and walked down – a trip worth doing as there are a lot of pictures of very famous actors to view as you descend. 

Lunch was taken overlooking the Stratford boatyard where Boatwif and the Captain took their first hire boat from.  So full circle for all of us this trip.

 We went for a walk along the river in the afternoon with Monty

a stop at Holy Trinity Church was included

 

where Shakespeare is buried.

 

Monty is being a rebel and is not staying on his boat when we are moored (training in progress, but not in a busy town!), so we have to close the back doors, but he does not miss much.  Meerkat in training?

For the humans of the party there was a trip to the Swan Theatre to see Candide.  A new play by Mark Ravenhill inspired by Voltaire.  I am still reading the programme and thinking about optimism. 

Sat 21 Sep 2013

Bancroft Basin to the River Avon opposite the RSC via the head of navigation on the Avon

4 miles 1 lock

Into the lock to the river surrounded as ever by ‘gongoozlers’ (people who watch activity on the cut and in particular around locks).

Onto a very busy river – boats of all sorts everywhere and on to the head of the navigation on the Avon

stopping at the Sanitary Station at the old Bathing Place 

 

where there is a house for sale – any takers??

The house to look out for – wind (turn) here or it is too late!

 

We were not expecting these sights on our way back:

A garden party in good voice!

 

 It was not even particularly warm!

 

 How deep is the water?

Not very, but deep enough!!

 

 Also seen en route - is there a smarter chicken coop anywhere?

 

There were plenty of moorings opposite the RSC

We were joined in the afternoon by Monty’s breeder (Sheila) and her husband (Chris) along with Monty’s Grandma (Kate).  Monty wanted to play, but Grandma, she said ‘NO’!  

We did, however, all enjoy another walk along the river. After tea and chocolate cake (thanks Sheila and Chris), Boatwif and I were drawn back to the theatre to finish our tour of the costumes that are on display.  They are magnificent and most are very elaborate.

 

 Probably the simplest is the T-shirt worn by David Tennant in Hamlet which, apparently, they have to guard against light fingers! 

 Something else well worth doing in this wonderful town.

What a view from our mooring – the RSC at night.

 

Sun 22 Sep 2013

River Avon to Wootton Wawen

7 miles, 17 locks, 2 aqueducts

All good things have to come to an end and it was time to head back to Wootton Wawen.  First, across the river to fight our way through the swans into the lock and back onto the canal.

 

Then across the basin and we are on our way.

It was a fairly slow trip, but with good company.  We were behind a boat with a hen party and what a pleasant group of girls they were.  The bride is on the gunwale – she is getting married on 19^th October in Warwick, so we are all hoping the weather is kind to her.  She had told her friends she wanted something different that involved activity!  Her briefing was to bring an anorak.  She was thrilled with what had been arranged. 

In front of them was a hotel and butty.  There was a very long wait at the first lock, but once they got going they were very efficient.

 

 

 

It was a very busy day

The boat behind us had a crew from Australia, who unfortunately dropped a windlass into the cut.  We lent them our magnet, but to no avail – it was aluminium with no bull dog clip!

 

Back across the Edstone Aqueduct – Boatwif walked across this time to try to capture us in transit.  If she does a blog we may appear on there! We do!  nb Cleddau - please go and have a look - it is well worth a read.

 We are nearly there and will miss our crew!  Many hands and all that…..

Back to Wootton Wawen and another water fill up, but this time there was a queue - First one boat

 

and by the time we had finished there was another.  Thankfully they were both patient and not in a hurry.

The Captain and Boatwif unloaded, we moored up on the 24 hour moorings and went for supper in The Navigation and then it was time to say farewell.

A fabulous few days – thank you both for your company and help. 

Mon 23 Sep 2013

Below bridge 53 at Wootton Wawen to above bridge 53

200 yards!

We awarded ourselves a day off, moved to the other side of the bridge off the 24 hour moorings, did some domestics and then went for a walk to the village of Wootton Wawen where we visited St Peter’s Church and the Saxon Sanctuary.

It was certainly worth a visit.  

 The font had what looked to be a very heavy lid that was attached to the ceiling

 

 A lightning strike on the day Princess Diana died

This was the extract from the Vicar in the following month's Parish magazine

 We also looked at this smaller church, but it was closed and we did not find any information about it.  The graveyard is still in use, but the door did not look as though it had opened for a while

 

we walked past Wootton Hall and grounds – somewhere to explore next time we come this way.

 

What a lovely touch – seen outside the local shop.

 

And for my craft making friends – there is a craft shop in Wootton Wawen (and for everyone else the farm shop is worth a visit) – I went in and came out having spent ….. wait for it…….£3!!