Happy Daze heads 'up north' for 2014: The North Oxford and Coventry Canals 13.3.14

Leaving Braunston for Brum

Thursday 13.3.14 and our travels begin for 2014 ......

We woke to thick fog all around us, visibility was terrible!

Jack runs through the pea soup....

After a very foggy walk with Jack we came back to the boat and prepared for the off. Paul had pumped out the loo and we headed off for the sanitary station by Midland chandlers. Once there we dumped rubbish, filled up with water and got rid of the loo contents.

Thick fog hid bridge holes and oncoming boats

By 11am we'd finished and were on our way out of Braunston. The mornings fog still hadn't lifted, the air was still and the cruise was lovely. We met a few boats coming towards us, a couple of hire boats too.

A few people were out for a cruise too

The canal twists and turns to start with but after a few miles it straightens up and we trundle along very happily.

Going along towards the Barby Straight

The fog begins to lift by about 1pm and at last we can see again! We were soon at the three Hillmorton locks and despite every lock against us we were soon at the bottom and on our way again.

The two top locks of Hillmornton Three

4 more miles and we were at Rugby, the sun is shining and there's not a drop of wind on the canal, the birds are singing away. All's great!

The blue skys starting to show, birds sing away to their hearts content

Rugby was quiet, not always like this! It's usually chocablock here with boats but we cruised through easily.

Cruising through Rugby its eerily quiet

We carried on to Newbold, only a mile out of Rugby and we pulled over on the 14 day moorings here, it was 3pm by now.

View from the bridge, our little mooring spot for a few days

We'd been here only a few months ago and knew the walks were good, also there's a music day on at the Barley Mow pub near to the mooring in aid of the flood victims and we wanted to go. We walked the familiar fields of Newbold, Jack scampered around like a posessed animal, loving the open fields and woods, he's so fit and well at the moment!

The sun sets over the canal, one boat in front of us

It was a great day, the sun was still shining and the birds were singing, everyone was happy today, chatty and smiley. It's amazing how a sunny day can make everyone happy!

On Friday I caught the bus to Rugby to look for shoes for the wedding, no luck! Paul stayed at home with Jack and collected some lovely oak to chop up for the fire. He also took a load of washing to the pub as they take in washing for boaters! Only £10, washed, dried and folded!

Saturday 15th March and the sun shone again. It was a lovely day, gone were the foggy mornings, replaced by lovely bright and (slightly breezy) sunny days!

Just sittin' in the sun.....

We walked to the local chippy for our lunch and walked Jack over the rabbit infested meadows, he had a brilliant time! We sat outside in the garden of the pub, Jack by our feet, and listened to the music playing inside. He was as good as gold, most people who walked past made a right fuss of him!

We came back to the boat after another walk and had our tea. We chatted to our new neighbours, Ruth and Richard from nb Comfortably Numb and their craft shop butty Echoes.

Back we went to the pub for the evening session and our neighbours were there, so we all sat together and chatted over the music! lovely lovely people, I hope we see them again! Paul won a CD in the raffle, never heard of the group! But at least he won something!

Yea... the sun's out and we're cruisin'

Sunday and the sun was shining again! This is so nice! Is spring here already?

After a lovely last walk over the grassy meadows, a quick breakfast and a cuppa we were on our way once again, it was 10.30 and such a beautiful morning.

Heading into Newbold Tunnel, shame to miss the beautiful sun even for a few minutes!

There were plenty of boats on the move when we set off for Newbold tunnel. We set off through the short tunnel, we had 11 miles planned journey for today and the weather stayed lovely!

Beautiful open countryside, look at the colour of the sky!

Spring is a comin', the trees have a slight green tinge.... it's definitely started!

The small footpath swing bridge by Roses Narrowboats

We cruised through open countryside, straight sections that followed close up against busy trainlines and under the busy M6 motorway bridge. We stopped for lunch on an embankment in the beautiful sunshine and Jack had a skip and a run about to stretch his legs.

We stopped for lunch on this embankment, the train line providing us a view of sorts!

After half an hour we were on the move again, enjoying all the sights and sounds of a wonderful days cruise.

On our way to Hawksbury Junction, there's a huge electric station here, hence all the pilons and cables|!

We arrived at Hawksbury junction moorings about 3pm, this is where the North Oxford canal meets the Coventry canal but we didn't quite get to the junction, we moored on the 7 day moorings on a large sweeping corner with a lovely bit of grass by the boat just before the lock. There's lots of boats here but we managed to get ourselves in a spot just big enough, despite the wind making it very difficult to land.

Hawksbury Junction visitor moorings, there's us in the distance!

Once we had secured the boat we set off for explore of the area with Jack. We began by finding a little path that led into a woods. Little did we know we were entering a firing range and all around us were men with guns! Oops! Quick exit and we played it safe by walking around some fields, not great but the best there is around here!

These fields were used by local youths and their mini mopeds.... rubbish strewn everywhere, but its the best we can do

We spotted Mark from Star Class Carriers moored up on the opposite side of the canal on the water point! After a chat with him we arranged for him to call in to us in the morning, we were very low on diesel, gas and coal!

Star Class Carriers, moored up for the afternoon (on a water point)

After showers and a relight of the fire, (today it was so nice we let the fire go out) we cosied in for the evening. We had a quiet night here, not a sound.

Jack after one particular great rabbit chase!

On Monday, 17th March, I took Jack for his walk and Paul stayed to wait for Mark to come with our delivery.

.... and filling up at the stern, while his little dog stays on guard on the roof!

He was there by the time we got back and we were filled up all round. £189 later and he was on his way again, and we settled down to have breakfast and wait for our friends Steve and Kathy. They were due to be here about 9-9.30, but after getting lost finally made it by 10.00!

We had a great chat, a lovely catch up, but they had to be on their way, and we were moving today too!

The old Toll House at Sutton Stop Lock, we'd just made our one foot decent!

By 12.45 we were on our way heading towards the junction. There's a lock here, Sutton Stop Lock, that's only a foot deep. In days gone by this is where a toll used to be paid when you entered a new canal. Nowadays the old stop house still remains but there's no toll!

You can see Coventry Canal as we go through the bridge and do a sharp right...left takes you to Coventry

We went through the lock and did a 180 degree turn under the bridge, coming back on our selves but we're on the Coventry canal now!

The weather is sunny still, but it's turned breezy and there's a chill in the air.

The sign says it all, straight on for Athestone.... with the modern flats and the original pump house in the same pic...

This part of the Coventry isn't particulary lovely, our mission this afternoon was to get through Bedworth and moor up just through Nuneaton.

There's all sorts of weird and wonderful manikins dressed up dotted around the yard....

.... and they seem to have had a bit of a tidy up, well on the outside anyway!

We chugged on past the weird and wonderful Charity Dock in Bedworth, believe it or not, they've had a tidy up here since the last time we passed!

Dont think we'll be using this lot to black our bottom!

Narrow Boat Oakapple turns the sharp right bend onto the Ashby Canal as we sit and wait for him

Next we head past the junction of the Ashby canal and onwards to the 'not so delightful' town of Nuneaton.

Here there are undesirable residential flats on one side of the canal and row upon rows of allotments the other side.

Nearly all the length of the canal on one side is covered in allotments, some looked after and some not.

Not the prettiest place to stop, so we don't!

These inconsiderate youths race past us and scare all who get in their way

The bridges, most covered in graffiti, are all at a strange angle to the canal and traffic noise has now replaced the spring sounds we are used to hearing.

"I'm just having a look, anything to eat...?"

The canal took us 2 and a half miles around the town centre and eventually we left Nuneaton behind for the familiar countryside sights and sounds. We came to the edge of the quarry works at Harts Hill and decided, as it was now 3.30, we would stop here for the night.

Little Happy Daze on the other side of the hedge, high slag heaps tower over the landscape here

The sun was still shining but it was still chilly in the wind. We walked over lovely dry fields, over and under the railway line and beside thick woodlands. Back at the boat Jack played outside, Paul fished and I got the fire lit, getting ready for a cosy evening in.

We woke up to lovely sunshine but this isn't going to last, apparently it's all change to high winds and heavy showers by 10am, so we walked Jack early and set off while it wasn't too bad!

Just leaving the mooring....

The sun comes out for a little while at least

We didn't have far to go today, the countryside was lovely with hilly fields and meadows all around.

The Anchor Inn, the best Sunday Roasts for miles!

We went past the Anchor pub where only last year we moored here and enjoyed our best ever Sunday roast dinner!

Stopping for water and a rubbish dump....

Soon we were at the water point and we filled up just as the first shower decided to descend on us. So after hiding up from the weather for a few minutes we were on our way again.

We moored up on a lovely quiet bit of towpath

Only half a mile later we found a great stretch of towpath, the nearest we could get to Harts Hill Country Park, and moored up. We'd planned on stopping somewhere here because we wanted to explore the country park and the acres and acres of beautiful woodland.

Words cannot describe the awsomeness of this place so I'll show you in pictures!

Acres and acres of woodland.....

We discovered loads of paths in the woods

... and Jack had the time of his life!

In a few weeks the woodlands will be carpeted in bluebells just going on for as far as the eye can see, the amazing hilly green grassy fields, just perfect for sledging in the winter making the amazing views across miles of lovely countryside gobsmackingly awesome.

The views were just awsome..

... and all around there were miles and miles of walks

Jack ran and ran to this little heart's content....

This is the best ever place we've discovered yet, so were staying here just a little while longer! The weather forecast for the next few days was basically wind, rain, hail and sunny spells with more wind to follow.

The sun did come out for us for a little while....

.... and Jack just kept on running!

Looking up to where we'd just looked down.. if you get my meaning!

So instead of moving onwards we spent hours and hours traipsing the woods and fields, twice a day we ventured in and around the Country Park; Jack, and us, thinking we'd gone to walkers heaven!

But we still had other things to do. I got on a bus and went into Coventry for my continuing hunt for some shoes to wear for our wedding, we both got on a bus to Nuneaton for the very same reason.

Paul gets some wood on our way back from our 'Jack walk'

We collected wood and Paul chopped it for the fire; we cleaned the outside of the boat, walked up to the village for basic provisions and generally stayed out of the cold winds and showers. The sun occasionally showed itself, but it remained chilly.

The canal is somewhere down there..... if you look very closely!

Our last (very early) morning in this wonderful place... but there's more around the next corner

Monday 24th March and the sun finally came out although it was a cold and frosty start to the day. After a walk over the grassy meadows with Jack we set off on our day's cruise.

Blue skies and not a drop of wind... just perfect for cruising

It was a beautiful day for cruising, the sun was shining and there wasn't a drop of wind on the canal .....yet!

After weaving our way a couple of miles through the hilly green countryside we Came into Atherstone and moored up just above the flight of locks.

We moored up just through this bridge to get some shopping

We needed more food supplies and after a walk to the local Co-op we were stocked up once again.

Lots of extra helping hands at the top of the Atherstone locks...

And these two volenteers were here to cut the grass, not help us!

We set off once more towards the top lock, a large group of little people were all at the lock on a school outing, so extra care had to be taken.

Down we went, through all five locks, only stopping to fill up with water half way down. There were a couple of boats coming up the locks so most were in our favour and in no time at all we were through.

The wind was getting stronger by then and it was making landing the boat quite tricky.

Waiting to go down the lock...

.... and we're at the bottom, all done!

There were three sets of two locks to do and we made our way down the rest easily, only struggling with the wind.

Its narrow and bendy here, but quite beautiful really. Only wish the wind would quieten down!

We cruised on another three miles to Polesworth in the wind, the sun had gone in and was replaced by cold, cloudy skies with a bitter NE wind.

Moored up in Polesworth waiting for Paul and his maggots!

After pulling in to the visitor moorings Paul went off to the fishing tackle shop and got his maggots, he was only gone 15 minutes and we were on our way again. We went another mile (8 in total today) and we were at our chosen destination for the day.

We found a bit of the canal sheltered from the wind, just up ahead

Pooley Fields Nature Reserve near Alvecote; we stayed here for a couple of days last year, a wonderful place made out of old slag heaps and left for nature to take its course!

This was our little spot for the next couple of days, no neighbours... yeah!

We pulled over by the woodlands and once we'd tied the boat up we went inside for a cuppa and a warm up.

We braved the cold and wind once again and took Jack out into the woods, he had a lovely scamper around chasing squirrels and mice!

We went for an explore of the woods... Jack had a lovely time

This looks like autumn, but you can see the vague greeness of the buds on the trees

It's really quiet here, hardly anyone about, no noise from the trains or the busy M42 just a little way away from us and the towpath is good, right next to the woods. We like it here a lot and rain is forecast all day tomorrow, more winds and showers for the next few days.

We're moored just around the corner, but you can see the loveliness of the place from this bridge

So for now were staying, only for a few days but were enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside while we can, it'll all change in a week or so when we make the final part of our journey into Birmingham.

The boat in front is the welding workshop, the living quarters for 2 adults, 2 kids and 3 dogs is behind!

Around the corner from where we moored we spotted a couple of boats we recognised, the Little Chimney Company boats Tailwind and butty Molly. After a chat with Kym and Tracey we had a look at their lovely steel chimneys they made on the butty and decided to replace our old rusted chimney for a shiney new one, solid and built to last! Well chuffed!

They also had a black and white springer called Molly, identical to Jack! Size, colouring etc, but slightly more scatty!

Jack ran and ran across these fields chasing the smells of rabbits of old

We loaded the boat up with wood we found in the woods and found some lovely fields to walk Jack in too, were spoilt here!

But by Thursday we were getting itchy feet and keen to move to a new spot. After our Jack walk we set off in the cloudy and cold morning but not a drop of wind.

Huge houses with huge gardens back on to the canal in Tamworth

We cruised the three miles to Tamworth, under bridge after bridge that crossed the canal, looking up people's lovely gardens that lined a huge stretch of the canal.

Waiting at the top of Tamworth two locks ...

... and Paul and Jack set off to get the second one ready

We got to the Tamworth two locks and followed a boat down, meaning the locks were set against us. But we soon got through and cruised on out of Tamworth. The day was bitterly cold and cloudy and we were soon hugging hot cuppa soups to keep us warm.

Rounding the corner to go over the aqueduct over the River Tame

... and looking over the aqueduct at the large river flowing underneath us

Over the Tame aqueduct we went, and past the Birmingham & Fazeley junction where we would be heading tomorrow.

After about half a mile, just under Bonehill Bridge, I turned the boat around at the huge turning point and did the short reverse past a few moored boats and pulled over in a lovely wooded spot, the closest we could get to the huge retail park we needed to visit.

We're tucked in behind this group of three boats... near as we can get to the Retail Park

A warming cuppa later we set off over the fields (well it was more like wasteland really) and within 10 minutes we were in Brantano (yes, I got my shoes for the wedding!), Homebase (bought paint for the gunwhales) Pets at Home (Jack needed dog food) Mc Donald's (to fill our bellies) and Asda (to fill our bellies more!).

Jack was not a happy bunny here, he plodded along just because we said he had to!

And this was the reason why, rubbish, cars and lorries everywhere, he's getting fussy but it's not ideal!

We walked Jack around the wasteland, he's not impressed! It rained and rained later in the day but we're all done now, cosy and warm in our little boat.

On Friday we walked Jack, still not impressed by the wasteland walk, (no choice tho) and set off back towards the junction.

Looking back under Bonehill Bridge, there is no road over it now, its a muddy track!

The rain had stopped, the skies were grey but it was a lovely day for cruising. We stopped for a water tank fill up and dumped rubbish and within minutes we were at the junction turning right ...