MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR.

Week 8 Hawkesbury to Swan Lane Wharf, via Stoke Golding, 31 miles, 1 lock and 2 canals.

Monday, and the one and only lock between us and home, the little stop lock at Hawkesbury Junction. It was busy with boats moving in both directions.

We turned right at the junction and headed for Marston junction and the Ashby Canal. We passed NB The Last Derbyshire Miner, captained by Mark. I love the name of this boat as both my grandfathers were Derbyshire miners.

At the junction the Captain managed to miss the turn into the very narrow opening on to the Ashby. But being the expert that he is he soon had it sorted and we were off.

The Ashby, or to give it its full name the Ashby de la Zouch canal was 31 miles long, opened in 1804 and was used to connect the coalfields at Moira with the Coventry canal. At present there is only 22miles of navigable canal, it is hoped that this will change.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashby_Canal

We spent the night in the MONW.

After a lie in we set off with the plan to get to Hinkley, and hopefully catch up with Col and Mags again, as they moor at Trinity marina. But it was not to be, as we could not find a mooring near to the marina. We did however manage to moor near to a bus stop that could take us into Hinkley for the afternoon. So after lunch we set off, getting there was no problem, but getting back was a tale to tell. But first we had a look round Hinkley, a nice town centre, with a good choice of shops and 2 micropubs, the Pestle and Mortar and the Elbow Room. After picking up a few bits we headed to the Pestle and Mortar, definitely popular with the locals it had a friendly vibe, if a little on the noisy side. The Captain was very happy with the Titanic Stout, and I found a very palatable German lager. Only the one, as the buses stopped running around 5.30pm and we wanted to try the Elbow Room.

We have been in the Elbow Room before and found it very quiet, with not a lot of atmosphere, and things hadn’t changed.

https://thepestlehinckley.co.uk/#homep

https://www.facebook.com/elbowroomalehouse/?locale=en_GB

Well, now to the story of the magical mystery tour, or maybe I should call it a senior moment. The bus was due and the Captain said we could catch it just up from the pub, but the bus stop had disappeared, then the bus went sailing past us, panic ensued (well I panicked) and we rushed to the bus station, and heavens be there was the bus, the number 7. On we jumped. It wasn’t until 10mins later the Captain asked ‘where is this bus going?’ ‘Burbage’ I replied. ‘Its going the wrong way’ was his next statement. What could we do? So we stayed on and did the full round trip back at the bus station. Checking Google we now needed the number 6, it would get us to about 10 mins walk from the boat. So we started looking for the number 6, when suddenly our number 7 became number 6. The bus driver, who had been our driver into town, and on out rural tour, was very helpful and asked if we were trying to get back from were he picked us up early in the afternoon, and of course we said yes. So he took pity on us and dropped us off as near as he could to our original bus stop. A very very nice man. What an afternoon.

Next day and short hop to Stoke Golding and The George and Dragon. This pub belongs to Churchend Brewery, and always has a great selection of their beers on. The Captain is partial to Gravedigger Mild and Coffin Stout.

https://www.churchendbrewery.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/ganddstokegolding/?locale=en_GB

The pub doesn’t open until 6pm, so we decided to go, and have tea when we got back. This was a mistake, as it was the monthly quiz. Me and the Captain love a good quiz, and would have stayed to take part, but we needed to eat. We did have a go at the picture round and stayed and listened to the first set of questions were we got 10 out of 12. Maybe we will drop lucky another time.

Thursday and it was time to turn round and head home, but not before meeting up at The Greyhound on Friday with Col and Mags.

Col and Mags

They booked a table for 6.30pm and we had a wander down around 6, it was quite busy so another couple invited us to sit at their table whilst we waited. Of course we got chatting, and it turned out we had met before on the Braunston flight of locks last year. Paul and Mia were in the process of buying their boat Hazel at this time, and Mia watched as I did the lock as she wasn’t sure how it worked exactly. I was happy to hear they both loved the life afloat, and are based on the Ashby most of the time. Col and Mags joined us, and after more chat we left them in peace and went to eat.

We had a lovely night.

On our way into the basin next day we called in at Swan Lane for a quick pump out, and I nipped to Lidl to pick up a few bits. Then we headed off down to Coventry Basin, we were joined by Steve and Yvonne on Precious Jet for a couple of nights.

I had arranged to meet Maria, a friend from work for a catch up, and she bought her grand daughter Amelia with her. After a drink and a chat I took them to see the boat leaving the Captain in the Hops d’Amour. Amelia was fascinated by the boat and how we lived our lives, and asked all sorts of questions, as only children can.

When we said our goodbyes I went back to the Hop to find Steve and Yvonne had joined the Captain.

It turned out to be Coventry Motofest over the weekend, so there were lots of noisy cars about.

On Sunday we headed into town to look at the cars on display, watched some of the races and generally just enjoyed the sun and the party atmosphere.

https://www.coventrymotofest.com/

A couple more nights in the basin and we headed back to Swan Lane to get ready for our holibobs to Zadar in Croatia.

Zadar Sunset

That’s the end of our first adventure. On our return from Croatia we will be heading off again, north east this time hoping to get to Ripon, Boston, Sheffield and then heading up the Erewash for family time and to welcome our new grandson who is due in September.