Fourteen locks later

We're out in the sticks again, and I've bagged a huge log for the fire. Well is was lying there along side Whetstone Lane Lock and looked like it had been washed up by the tide. Too big to handle, it was out with the chain saw and swiftly cut up into three manageable pieces and carefully loaded up into the cratch. Soon I'll have it cut into rounds ready for the axe.
Yes, fourteen locks and about eight miles, and all double locks to boot. Not bad for a days cruise. Some of the locks have their paddles removed which makes these locks very slow to fill or empty and the gates are very heavy. The bow thruster has performed perfectly today and it's as powerful as ever.
The weather forecast is spot on tonight, it's just started raining and it will become heavy and go on through to the early hours. Let's hope it's clear by sun up and that the wind abates. It's been blowing a hoolie this afternoon.

Back on the canals at last.

We had a great days cruising today, leaving our mooring at around 09:50hrs and arrived at our first stop Birstall. After two, yes two trips to the Co-op and posting a letter, we wended our way through Leicester, which in the excellent weather we had today was a very pleasant trip. Leicester isn't at all as bad as we've heard in the media, although the Northern side is somewhat more decrepit, but we didn't feel even slightly intimidated at any time. Back out to the countryside tonight and we're through Kings Lock which signifies the start (or end) of the Grand Union Canal.
I spotted an adder today, clinging to a twig growing out of the wall close to the waters edge in Birstall and I tried to take a photo of it but as soon as the camera was ready it unraveled itself and swam off in the water along the edge of the wall. It was definately an adder as it had the black zig-zag down its back.
I had the bow thruster out this evening and inspected the brushes and commutator. It's not a horrific sight but we need a new set of brushes, two of them are down to their limit and the other two are OK, so I'll keep the two good ones as spares when I fit a new set soon. The commutator is worn slightly and was covered in a thin layer of black carbon and the brushes had lumps of carbon adhered to the joint face. I cleaned it all off and also cleaned between all the segments on the commutator, and then reassembled it and tested. They work better than I've seen for a long time. Having sealed up the two holes in the floor where the cover attachment bolts screwed in, the cavity is now bone dry and I'm wondering if cutting ventilation holes in the hull are necessary. Something else I've noticed, the brushes have a high cupric content hence the coppery colour, Vetus specify carbon which is black.



Right Style, wrong material?



Minimum specified demension is 14mm

Currently moored a short way South of Blue Banks Lock on the Grand Union Canal.

Out in the sticks after a night in the marina

I managed to change the oil and oil filter today, with thanks to the good people at Pillings Lock Marina for their help. Initial thoughts are that the engine is in good condition as there are no carbon deposits on the inside of the oil filler cap or the rockers and valve springs. It all looks as clean as when it was new.
We left the marina at around 14:00hrs after Lin washed some clothes and we filled the water tank and now we're moored a short distance South of Bridge 19 after a really good cruise in fine sunny weather. Despite the water level being in the green, there were some places where the down stream from the weirs was quite strong and I had to be careful to keep TQ on the right track.
Leicester tomorrow...

Thursday evening and we've moved...

...to Pillings Lock Marina. Yes we're on the move, decided to go at 13:30hrs straight after an early lunch when the water level dropped to right on the red/amber border. By just after 17:00hrs we'd arrived here at Pillings. So we self pumped out, self dieseled up, self watered and self moored in the visitor moorings in the marina. Just because it's all self service doesn't make it any cheaper.We had a meal in the restaurant here, it was very good but a little too restaurant and not enough pub for me. There are no real ales, just Guiness and some Spanish or Italian lager.
Back on TQ and we discover there's no TV signal, terrestrial or satellite, but 3 is good so it's BBC iPlayer on the iPad. Our satellite system is very disappointing, we've only been able to get a signal on just one occasion this holiday, and as for terrestrial, forget it!

Thursday morning and the Soar has dropped further

But not enough to allow us to travel safely. I can see the amber below the water level and I reckon there's about a further four inches for it to drop before we can make progress. I'm now feeling optimistic about tomorrow morning and maybe even later today at a push. We're running out of provisions now and I have to make another trek into Kegworth for some more. I'm also getting concerned about the water tank and poo tank situation, we really need to service these tomorrow at the latest, otherwise we could be heading into trouble.
It's a beautiful morning here, the sun is shining and our local kingfisher is enjoying the warmth sat in the branches on the other side of the river waiting for a fish.
I see Blogger has messed up the photo I managed to place here in yesterdays blog, I'll have to replace it when I get home to my pc - blogger!

Not the best photo in the world.
 

It's cosy inside. Note the slight list to port.

 

Luckily the water level didn't rise above the mooring above the lock.

 



Right then, decision made.

Time is going on and if we continue to the River Trent we may be stopped again. I've just checked the Environment Agency website and although the Soar is falling, the Trent is actually rising. This is due to the heavy rain falling in Derbyshire recently. So as soon as the level on the Soar drops into the amber we'll go through Kegworth Deep Lock, wind and come back up again. We can't risk getting stopped again on the Trent, so it's back on the route we came. It's very frustrating after months of planning that the weather has to mess it all up again. Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to move, though I'm not that optimistic. Whatever happens we'll have to move by Saturday and the weather forecast is good so I don't anticipate any problems there.
I walked into Kegworth this morning now that the water level has exposed the towpath again, and bought some provisions. There is a Co-op in the village and I bought some steak from the butchers. We had it for tea this evening with caramelised onions and mushrooms - delish!


Now the towpath is exposed we can walk to Kegworth, but the level is still in the red.
 

Water levels are going down but not very fast

Spent the whole day here at Kegworth Deep Lock again just waiting for the level to drop. It's fallen about an inch and a half and hopefully it'll drop some more overnight but there is a long way to go yet. Trouble is, more rain is expected tomorrow, not as much as we've had but possibly enough to slow the rate of decent. There's nothing here, Kegworth is about  200 yds away as the crow flies but to get there is probably a two mile walk and then if the towpath isn't flooded. I'm beginning to dislike river cruising, better to stay on the canals. It's quite frustrating as we've only about four miles to Sawley Lock and the Trent and Mersey Canal. On the bright side we've our own personal air display going on all day every day (and most of the night), if you can call it a display. I've tried to photograph one or two but when I go out with the camera the show stops. I wait and wait a bit longer then get fed up waiting and go back to TQ. Then instantly, the show starts up again. We've seen loads of everyone's favourite airline, Ryanair (not), it's probably the same plane doing circuits and bumps.

Gotcha! Oops, sorry about your nose!

More tomorrow...

Heavy rain calls a halt on cruising the River Soar

Yes, it could only happen to us, twenty-six hours of heavy rain has put paid to our plans of cruising the Ashby Canal. We're going to have to stay here for a day or two to let the river level go down. It has risen eighteen inches over night and hopefully has peaked at the time of writing this. The red amber and green water level board is almost at the top of the red this evening and the lock landing below Kegworth Deep Lock is under water.
This is near the spot where Captain Kevin Hunt arrived on the M1 Motorway with his stricken Boeing 737/400 back in January 1989. If you take a look on Google Earth/Maps you can still see the scars in the field where he touched down just before the Motorway. We can see aircraft coming in to land at East Midlands International Airport through the trees and they're not very far away.
We're on the upper lock landing at Kegworth where the water is slack, but further back it's a raging torrent where it falls over the weir, and the noise is like thunder. I hope we have enough water and provisions for our stay as there is no easy access to the village from here. Watch this space...

It was as high as the little weed growing out from behind the board at the top

Kegworth Deep Lock lower lock landing - under water

Zouch and not far beyond

Another early start today and we managed 17.5 miles and 10 locks from 07:50hrs. Actually, it was only nine locks as Pillings Lock is a flood lock and was open at both ends. It's a bit weird going straight through a lock without stopping, something we've not done before and it's only closed from October to March or when high water is expected.
After Thurmaston Lock there is what sounds like and is described in the guides as a good pub but on arrival the Hope and Anchor is a theme pub geared for children, so not for us. In contrast at Mountsorrel is the Waterside Inn which looked well attired with a restaurant but it was too early in the day so we had to pass on through.
Onward through Barrow upon Soar and Loughborough and it looked like the weather was beginning to close in. I'd been feeling the odd spot of rain for some time and just after Zouch Lock it started to take effect so it's time to find a mooring. We're at Devils Elbow (sounds like a strong ale) on pilings and there's a pub a few hundred yards ahead, but it's on the other side of the river with no way of getting across and it's raining heavily, so it's on board pizza for tea tonight. That'll do for me.

The 'F' word.

FROST, yes, it was cold last night, nothing to do with Gordon Ramsay this time, and we had an early start at 06:30hrs. We wanted to get through Leicester before the bandits got out of their flea pits and found amusement by lobbing missiles at a slow moving target. It was a beautiful morning and we were on the move just as the sun was rising. First stop, water up at Kilby Bridge at the BW works, then it was the big push to get out through the other side of the City. Shortly after Kings Lock in Aylestone there is a pack horse bridge and this is where the River Soar joins the canal. From here on the river is interspersed by short stretches of canal all the way to the end where it merges with the River Trent. Leicester is nothing to fear, yes it's a bit decrepit in places but there's not much of it and the City Centre soon looms up with its ornate bridges along the mile straight. I'm not so sure about parking my barge here on a Saturday night, but I'd guess a week day would be OK. Through Belgrave and you're into the countryside again and there are excellent moorings just after Birstall Lock where there three takeaways, three pubs, a large Co-op supermarket, two taxi companies, a bookies, a hairdressers, an off license and more all within a short walk of the quay side. We had fish and chips from one of the takeaways and it was delicious.
It's been a lovely sunny day all day although a little chilly at times. Tomorrows forecast is not good, cloudy early, rain later.

Bridge 85 near Kilby Bridge

Not traveled far today, only about seven miles (and twelve locks), but it was all very interesting. In Saddington Tunnel there were a lot of bats, none we could see hanging from the roof, but actually flying around inside. Lin found it a bit spooky. When we got to Top Half Mile Lock the next pound was about a foot or more down on water and we had to go very carefully keeping to the centre of the channel. Finally we made it to Bottom Half Mile Lock after scraping the hull in places where the next pound was much fuller. Don't know where all the water went, but we were just about take more water out of the pound by passing through Bottom Half Mile Lock. 
We moored up just short of Bridge 85 in a peaceful spot.

Bridge 68 Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section)

The blog is a bit different this time as I'm using Lins iPad, and I'm not used to it. I can only load one picture per blog and it produces some unexpected results at times.
We're right out in the sticks in an SSSI where there are designated mooring spots. We've picked one where there are tall reeds growing to the front and rear of the mooring. It's very secluded. Been through Foxton Locks today and had to wait half an hour before we could go through because there were boats coming up the flight. We haven't been up here for twenty five years and it hasn't changed much except more of the buildings are now in use.
I was about to upload a photo from our camera but the iPad has stopped communicating with it - most frustrating.

The Welford Arm

Haven't been able to blog for while due to too little signal or none at all. There's absolutely none at Welford, not even TV. So we had to make our own entertainment and we went in the Wharf Inn. It's a bit run down and the toilets "hit" you as soon as you walk in the front door. Never the less the ale is good and so is the food and at a very reasonable price. The bar is popular with the local permanent boating residency, probably due to the attractive bar staff.
A pleasant journey today through the Watford Locks, where John the Lockie was very helpful with advice and knowledge of the canal and River Soar.

Watford Staircase Locks

Moved to Norton Junction

A quiet spot just North of the junction after a visit to the chandlers in Braunston. Didn't buy anything but had a good look around. Then up the six Braunston Locks and a very pleasant journey to the junction. Oh! Jenny Wren just cruised past - They didn't recognise us.

I just love this cottage.

Battery chargers fitted

All working correctly, though I've had to take one battery out of the circuit because the charger isn't quite man enough to charge all five. On the upside, it won't take so long to charge them, the alternator doesn't have to work so hard and for a shorter period, and it frees up space in the locker once the excess battery is removed.



 

M300 domestic battery charger and relay interlock box

They seem to last just as long in the evening after four or five hours of telly, and there's still plenty of juice left for the following morning.




M300 Starter battery charger

The battery pack is in a bit of a muddle, there are three down below in the engine room together with the starter battery and one above in the locker. During Winter maintenance, the plan is to have all four domestic batteries in the engine 'ole, and wired properly and the starter in the locker above.

Some new parts for Tranquility

I've made some brass plates to protect the paint where the door retaining hooks hang and leave scratches. I'll fit them soon.

 

New brass paint protector plates

Also the new battery chargers have arrived. I say chargers as there are two - one for the domestic pack and one for the starter battery. I'm very impressed with the quality (it's made in Sweden) and has the robustness of an old Volvo.


Ctek M300 Marine charger set



There is a very clever programme for night use, it reduces the charging amps to a maximum of five and stops the cooling fan hence any noise. It does this for eight hours and then reverts to normal. Further, it remembers the setting for when its switched off for cruising or when the engine is running and restarts the eight hour cycle again when its switched on. It can be over ridden at any time by pressing the blue button - easy innit.
The power supply will come from the shore mains and will be interlocked with the engine ignition via a relay. This will also need to be mounted in an enclosure with a double 13A socket.
I'll have to find a place to mount them, not in the engine 'ole it's too dirty and it requires human access without having to go down there.

June! Roll on summer.

Inexperienced Sailors!


Braunston Pumphouse

Poppy's Craft/Tea Shop


It was a lovely quiet mooring at Bridge 6 so we had a peaceful night. The sun shone early on, promising a good day. Captain finally managed to publish my blog of yesterday; many attempts were made last night on our return to the boat but the signal was just too weak, it seems. Of course the rain was terrible too. While still at the mooring this morning we saw ‘Dragonfly’ (Elton Moss) go past, followed by ‘Jenny Wren’, also EM. We had seen ’Bittern’ moored at the Wharf on Wednesday- these EM boats get around….
We didn’t set off until 1150 as we were in no rush and as we entered Braunston Tunnel we noticed another boat coming our way quite a bit further back. We slowed down and waited to see if they were going through the locks too and discovered that that was their plan. There were six men on board so that was quite good for us! We worked four locks together, then they stopped for a pub visit.
The towpath between these locks was terrible: a real quagmire in parts, with walking boots sinking deeply into squelchy mud, as there was no way to get away from it. The delights of the June weather. (I thought I wouldn’t mention it again, but it’s inevitable, I’m afraid. Have never mentioned the British weather so much in all my life.)
We finished the fifth lock at 1330 and moored before the bottom lock. We walked up into Braunston and got the newspaper, then crossed the road to Poppy’s Craft Shop/Tea Shop. We have never managed to get in there before- shop closed or we were too late in the day. So at last we made it and it was good! Lovely crafty things in the shop, nice knitted wraps, lots of toys, baby goods etc. Took a photo of just one section of it. We enjoyed a great ham & cheese toastie and nice coffee. It’s only a small place but well worth a visit if you can get in.
We got back to TQ at 3 o’clock and set off through the last lock - couldn't resist a photo of the Braunston pumphouse! Have I mentioned the weather? It just went (about every 10 minutes all day) from being very nice and hot, even, to being grey/cold/raining/very cold/hot. Unbelievable. Had to keep putting jackets on/off, pulling hoods up/putting umbrellas up/stripping off again.
About an hour and a half before arriving at the marina, the wind picked up into almost hurricane mode. The photos of the 'pirates' don't show the mess they made of their turn which forced us to stop and pushed us on to the banking! However, despite the strong winds, the captain did a brilliant job of getting TQ carefully and smoothly into her mooring place at the marina.
Later we drove to the ‘Bridge’ at Napton and enjoyed a really good meal; can recommend the Lamb for the main course. Now back on board and will be starting to sort things out tomorrow for leaving on Sunday, when we are going to our daughter’s for a few days, so looking forward to seeing our darling granddaughters!

On the move again.

Had a little lie-in this morning and woke to find a nice sunny morning. We set off about half past ten; the sky was so blue and the white clouds so fluffy that I just had to take a photo to prove it. Occasionally the wind was a bit cold, but that didn’t matter. We managed to find a good mooring spot at Weedon Bec at midday, right next to the steps down to the village, so we nipped down for a couple of things. This morning there was a nasty accident on the M1 near Weedon about 6 a.m., necessitating the closure of the motorway, at least southbound, for many hours. All day we were catching glimpses of the standing traffic, or -in the late afternoon- very slowly moving traffic. What with the frequent whizzing Pendolinos on the other side of us, we were very glad we were on the canal. Then suddenly, as we approached a lock, the Pendolinos whizzed across a bridge over the canal, so we were then on the inside of the three transport routes. Didn’t count how many of the trains passed over the bridge while we were working the lock, but it was easy to get a photograph to display on the blog!
It was a lovely day, weather-wise, and was the first day that we didn’t have to wear jackets until the evening. We were also getting quite hot when doing the locks as some gates/paddles were very difficult. Some gates needed two adults to open them and one only budged when three people pulled it. Does it have to be like this?
We finished the seven Buckby locks at half past five, then tied up near bridge 6 by six o’clock. By that time, the weather had changed again -well it is June 2012- and it was getting a bit grey and colder, so by the time we left the boat just before 7, it had just begun to rain lightly. We walked the three-quarters of a mile up to Welton, as on last Saturday night, and enjoyed another good meal at the White Horse. On our return the rain was heavier and we got rather wet despite the great Windbrella. However we are feeling lucky now because since we got back inside the boat, the rain has been even heavier!
We realise the bad weather is nothing compared to the awful day that so many people must have spent on the M1, especially the 21year old female lorry driver who is critically ill from her injuries sustained in the accident and pray for a miracle for her.

Bugbrooke

We spent a quiet night at the mooring at Bugbrooke and woke early to a lovely summer morning. The captain cleaned the nearside of TQ, while I did some other jobs, then we had an early lunch before going off to explore Bugbrooke. The weather was fine, but we weren't sure how it was going to turn out as we walked the three quarters of a mile to the village. Not long after we arrived, the sun really came out and it was very hot, just like last Sunday. What a delightful village Bugbrooke is! The old cottages look very striking, with their ochre-coloured stone and thatched roofs. We had a very pleasant walk around. It was so peaceful and seemed like a lovely place to live. Enclosing some photos of the old church and some of the houses/cottages, including the driveway of one habitation, which obviously belonged to an avid collector!
We were thinking of having a BBQ this evening, but the clouds came over before then and it got cooler, so we went back to The Wharf for another delicious meal.
A nice, tranquil day.

Wow, no rain!

Wonders never cease, as they say. It didn’t rain at all today.
We spent a very quiet, peaceful night at the mooring next to the blocks of flats at Cotton End, but following the advice of a local boater, we didn’t leave the boat unattended and therefore we didn’t have a visit to Northampton, as we had originally planned. Before we left, we talked to a young chap who was walking his dog. He was the only person we saw all the time we were there.
It was quite windy this morning but at least it was dry -and it was still cold. Summertime?? I can’t believe I’m talking about the weather so much because it doesn’t usually bother me at all, but it really has been exceptional this year, with very cold temperatures after lovely hot days.
We started to make our way back up the Arm at 1015 and, as yesterday, we did not meet another boat. (We were the only mad ones.) We did meet quite a few people on the towpath today ‘though, compared to the five yesterday. As we cruised along we could see this tower for a long time- quite a landmark.
We also passed some beautiful horses, one of which had her cute little foal close by.
Some of the lift bridges on this stretch are being renovated and put back in place (open) just for show.
We came out of Top Lock at 1530 and went to Gayton Junction for water, then on to Bugbrooke moorings.
Tied up at 1715 and later went to The Wharf and enjoyed an excellent meal. We hadn’t known before we went that they had such a good, varied menu. The pate and anti-pasto starters and Sea bass and Salmon main courses were beautifully presented and most delicious. Made a change from the meals on board the last two nights!