What a difference a day makes

Sunday 17th April 2016

Lowsonford to Lapworth
2.75 miles, 14 locks

From snow yesterday to a bright blue sky as we set off this morning.

As we passed a mooring below lock 28 that we had on the way down we noticed the mobile home is still there, so maybe not wild camping, but winter 'mooring'?

We only met a couple of boats on the way up to the sanitation station at Lapworth - the first one at the  lock by the M40

What better sight to gladden the eye and lift the spirits than a field of sheep with young lambs. These four were having a wonderful time gambolling as only lambs can.  They even chased along the field edge as the boat went past.  Chris is used to being 'herded' by a Border Collie, but not by lambs! They really were a joy to watch.

The first part of our journey took us up 9 locks where we planned to stop to fill the water tank and use the elsan disposal for the liquid contents of our composting toilet.  We were in the last lock and it was nearly full when this boat came round the corner to moor up to use the tap!  Chris went and had a shower to empty our tank a bit more until it was our turn.  Once we were hooked up to the water tap I went off to the local shop to get the Sunday paper.

These two had been confined to base whilst I was away and were watching out for my return.

It is a slow tap, so by the time we finished it had taken an hour.  Another 5 locks and we moored up below lock 14.  I reckon I walked 4-5 miles today and worked 13 of the 14 locks.  It was a very quiet afternoon!!

Back to Lowsonford

Saturday 16th April 2016

Wootton Wawen to Lowsonford
4 miles 8 locks

There are few things more disheartening than every time you wake up in the night all you can hear is rain - yet again!  Worse still when we went out in the morning the dogs looked as though they had a bad case of dandruff - yes it was snowing!!!  Well only a few flakes, but snow all the same,

As we are retracing our steps on this journey there is not a lot to say!  I do, however, keep finding a 'ghost ship' with the helmsman nowhere to be seen.  I think it is the fire that keeps calling for attention.

We only met one boat today and that was at the fifth lock - the others had all been full or half full, so it was great to find the last three empty.  I had walked ahead as the previous lock filled up.  I was going to open the paddle to empty the lock ready for us, however I found a boat heading towards the lock, so I opened it for them.  I then went to send hand signals to Chris to tell him to leave the gate open, so all he had to do was open the gate and drop the paddles.  He waited in the lock until the gates opened to let the other boat out.  He assumed they would meet around the mid point.  Despite going very slowly he arrived before they had even exited the lock!  What had they been doing you might wonder?  They piled everyone plus bike back on board despite the next lock being in view!!

At this point they thought about off loading someone to do the next lock

And about here they made it!  It would have been much quicker to walk!!

At Lowsonford we stopped to fill the water tank and get rid of some rubbish and we came across a group of Duke of Edinburgh adventurers.  It looks as though these days they have to have adult escorts - not something that was the case when I and then later our daughter did DofE.  It is always good to see youngsters out enjoying the countryside.

Having made use of the hose to sluice Monty down (he was in a disgusting state) we went under the bridge and up the last lock and we then moored up for the night opposite the Fleur de Lys Pub.

The best laid plans....

Thursday 15th April 2016
Stratford to Wilmcote
3 miles, 16 locks

The plan had been to travel from Droitwich Spa Marina to Netherwich Basin in the centre of Droitwich (a direct route of 2.75 miles, 5 locks and 3 swing bridges a journey of around 2.75 hours) by the scenic route - up the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, down the Stratford Canal and then take the Rivers Avon and Severn to the Barge Canal and up to Droitwich.  Sadly it was not to be.  I went to get a licence for the Avon this morning only to be told that the river was at amber (travel with caution) but the Severn was shut as it was four feet higher than usual.  So the only option was to turn round and travel back up the 41.25 miles and 99 locks the way we had come!

First we had to leave the basin, but I am afraid we had 'Monty's double' with us today.  He is usually very good, but just occasionally his naughty twin comes to the fore.  As we were preparing to leave he jumped ship and went and lay on the grass behind the boat and refused to come back on board. We started to move off and when he realised we really were going he sped back along the pontoon and got back on board.  It provided quite a lot of hilarity for the watching tourists!

It was not to be our day - as we were about to leave the basin a boat came in from the canal, winded (turned round) and headed up the canal right in front of us which meant every lock was against us.  At the second lock we came across this large party of Canal and River Trust volunteers repairing the path.

Not only did we have a boat ahead of us, we also had rain and no voluntary lock keepers at Wilmcote.

Still we made it and found a good mooring at Wilmcote before we headed into the village which is home to Mary Arden's home (Shakespeare's mother).  Chris and I have been there before, so did not feel the need to visit again.

On the towpath by the moorings is a board with local information that states that the villag store is the best along this canal.  I can confirm that they are absolutely correct. It has a far better choice of fresh fruit and vege than anywhere else we have come across.

They also have something that is new to us - a mobile Post Office

Friday 16th April 2016
Wilmcote to Wootton Wawen
3.5 miles, 1 lock

A short day for us today which was just as well as it was filthy weather.

A wet walk back to the village to get the paper.

A very wet ride - to start with Kiera sensibly decided to stay inside by the fire

but she did eventually succumb and went out to stand in the rain.

We only had one lock to do today and we were lucky enough to arrive as the only boat we saw moving came out of it.

We now have a 'boot tree' to join the 'spanner tree' we passed a few days ago!

We had the pick of the moorings at Wootton Wawen - it had stopped raining when we got there

and we had a pleasant view across the cut to our neighbours for tonight

Their patience was rewarded with a walk

But the order of the day was mud

 more mud

 yet more mud

  and yet more not so glorious mud!

The boat was so clean and sparkly when we left a couple of weeks ago and now we are far from clean!! With two dogs it is pointless doing too much until the weather improves and/or we are due at the St Richard's festival on the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

The rain stopped for part of the afternoon, but started again about 6pm and is still hammering it down as I type at midnight.  The biggest surprise of the day - a boat passed us at 11:45 which is (to us) a ridiculously late hour even if it had not been pouring with rain!  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for us all.

To Stratford

Tuesday 12th April 2016
Wootton Wawen to Bancroft Basin Stratford
7.25 miles, 18 locks

The plan today was to travel to the bottom of the Wilmcote flight of locks and head down to Stratford tomorrow, however, all things are flexible in this life.  The day was fine and fairly warm as we set off across the aqueduct at Wootton Wawen.  There is something rather wonderful about driving along the road beneath this aqueduct and seeing a boat floating across high above you.

Next comes the Edstone Aqueduct which crosses

the railway and does give splendid views across the countryside

Our main set of locks today were the 11 at Wilmcote and as we approached we were delighted to see a voluntary lock keeper getting the lock ready for us.  There were two on duty, but this one, Eddie, stayed with us all the way, so we made really good progress.

I love this first view of Stratford in the distance

We did so well and it was so warm we decided to continue on to Stratford.  This gate is a bit of a barrier as it is really hard to move.  In fact, when it came to closing it I was so long, that Chris left the boat and came to give me a much needed hand.  Where are all the gongoozlers when you need them?

At the penultimate lock we met a group from Auckland who were delighted we came along when we did so they could see how it was done.

As you near the final bridge before the basin you do get this rather splendid view of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

We had been told there was plenty of space in Bancroft Basin and this proved to be the case.  We chose to moor leaving a good amount of space between us and the other few boats in the basin.

It had been a busy day for our 'crew' so we had a lovely peaceful evening with them both!  Kiera had curled up by the fire, so Monty 'borrowed' her bed!

Wednesday 13th April
A day off in Stratford

And what a wonderful day it was - very warm and sunny.  A perfect spring day.

We noticed this yesterday evening - something I would love to do, however we were here for two of the nights in the week that it does not run!

We have been to Stratford many times before, so we decided to have a leisurely day which started with a walk along the Avon on one bank and back along the other.

I do love this view of the Holy Trinity Church from across the River Avon

We thought the dogs should see the sights, so here they are outside the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried - or maybe that should be most of Shakespeare as they now think his head might be elsewhere.

We also took them to the RSC!

A game of ball was their reward for being good tourists

and Kiera could not resist the lure of a swim - much to Monty's disgust as he does not 'do' water.  He tells her off every time she goes into the stuff!

 The trip boat in the basin is called the Jennifer May - for those who know me, they will spot that it is very nearly me - just missing one 'r'.

Chris and I ended the day with a meal at Loxleys Restaurant and what a treat it was.  Not the cheapest night out, but the food was superb.  It was Wednesday fish night with a free bottle of wine if you both had two courses.  We started with scallops.  Chris had stone bass and I had sole for our main course and both were excellent.  Those who know Chris will understand how good it was when they hear that he cleared his plate!  We even had dessert - a rare treat.  A perfect end to a wonderful day.

Kiera's First Day as a Boat Dog

Monday 11th April 2016
From Lowsonford to Wootton Wawen
4 miles, 8 locks

The rain started to patter (and then hammer) down on the roof late yesterday evening and it rained most of the night. Thankfully it had stopped before we moved off and we made the journey with only a few spots of the wet stuff.  Before we left there was a knock on the side and there was a lady asking if we blog.  She had seen us mentioned on other blogs (as we had them).  It was Debby from nb Chuffed.  She had left Dave getting ready for the off - they are heading back up to Kingswood Junction, so we will not meet again this trip. Thank you for stopping by Debby - we will add your blog to ours.

Kiera has spent a couple of days on board with us before, but that was 3 years ago and with her master and mistress.  Today was her first day as a 'solo boat dog'.  She did very well with only one unexpected disembarkation as we left a lock.  A quick reverse and she hopped back on.  The only reason the two of them are tied up here is because the lock is by a road.

The Stratford Canal is a very pretty and, at present, a very peaceful canal - we did not meet a single boat on our trip today.  This is Yarningale Aqueduct immediately before lock 34.

Chris steering the boat over the aqueduct into the lock

Another barrel roofed cottage - this one at Bucket Lock

With this was waiting beside the cottage - we are assuming it is a new cesspit waiting to be connected?  If you know better......

Kiera soon learnt to help Monty ensuring that we went the right way.

Now this really is a barrel roofed cottage  at Peston Bagot lock to conjure with - to me the extension looks a little incongruous, but I am sure it is a lovely house inside.

Our first sighting of rape this year, but thankfully it does not smell yet

Now can anyone tell me why on earth this spanner is hanging from a tree in the middle of nowhere?

We moored on the 24 hour moorings in Wootton Wawen as the towpath before and after this stretch is far too muddy.  The moorings were pretty empty when we arrived, but full by late afternoon.

After lunch we went up to the village to post a letter and get a bit of shopping and we came across this in someone's garden!

There is a craft centre near to the canal that has a number of outlets including one that deals in garden furniture and a few curios.  I might have been tempted with this, but I don't think Monty would sit in the back!

Plus the price bought tears to our eyes - a snip at £599!

The rain started whilst we were out and as I type at 19:00 it is still pouring.  Monday evening is bell ringing practice in Wootten Wawen - such a wonderful sound.