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Boats in Swan Lane Wharf

Fradley Junction to Swan Lane Wharf 36miles, 13 locks and 1 canal.

Like I mentioned we had saved ourselves for Fazeley chippy, and as usual we weren’t disappointed. We tried a couple of pints first, one in the 3 Tuns and 1 in the Three Horseshoes, nothing very stunning, so we were happy to get our fish and chips and kebab and head back to the boat.

Next night was spent in Polesworth, but no pub tonight, the Captain nipped out to see if he could find a flue brush to clean the chimney before we needed to light a fire, we are holding out as long as we can. But no luck so he had to try at Atherstone.

Atherstone Top Lock

But before Atherstone were the 11 Atherstone locks. These are grouped 2 together big gap, 2 together gap, 2 together small gap, and then 5 all together. We were unsure about were to stop, and the idea was to stop before the final 5 locks as the weather was looking a bit suspect. In my mind I really wanted to do them all in one go, but I didn’t want to get wet either, decisions decisions.

At the first set we met the first of only 2 boats we met all that day, NB Third Time Lucky, I remembered we had met before, and the boats name referred to it being the lady crews third marriage being lucky. What a great name.

After the 6 locks we needed to make the decision, I wanted to keep going, get to the top and moor near the village (ok, yes I wanted to go for a pint), but the Captain wasn’t so sure, but as the weather was staying fine I managed to convince him it would be best to keep going. Luckily for us there were 3 very helpful volunteer lock keepers on, and we made it up the final 5 in less than an hour, and it didn’t rain.

Now, I have often moaned about the lock keepers on these locks, as in the past I have found them anything but helpful as they just hang around at the top, but I can’t praise these 3 fellows enough. They made my life (and the Captains) so much easier.

The moorings in Atherstone are great and the town has an Aldi and Co op and many other shops. A decent Indian restaurant and quite a few pubs.

The Captain managed to find a flue brush in one of the shops, and we headed off to the best pub in town, The Angel Ale House, and it was busy, but we managed to find a table and settled in for a session.

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

As we were getting close to Hawkesbury Junction I arranged to meet Richard, an old work colleague of mine from UTL, at the Greyhound. He had retired a couple of years ago, but we had kept in touch due to a friendly rivalry over our preferred football teams, I support Derby County, (up the Rams) and he support Nottingham Forest (or the Florists as I call them). For those of you not from the East Midlands, this rivalry is legendary and gets very heated, but we take it with a pinch of salt, well, most of the time.

The Telegraph Pole

We moored overnight at the telegraph pole a well known landmark on the Coventry canal, and had a peaceful night before heading for Hawkesbury the next day, quite early to ensure we got decent moorings near the pub, the Greyhound.

The Greyhound is an old pub, and has been Camra pub of the year for the Coventry area on a number of occasions. The landlords of many years have recently left, and I hope the new people don’t make too many changes as its great the way it is, and it always has Theakston mild on for the Captain and the food is very good.

https://www.thegreyhoundlongford.co.uk/

We met up with Richard but unfortunately his wife Jackie couldn’t join us. We did a lot of catching up and had the usual banter around football. It was great to see him.

So now we are back in Swan Lane wharf, and it is full. We have a new moorer Chris, and Col and Mags have returned from their sojourn at Trinity marina. Mark and Fern on NB Gibson Beans have left us for pastures new, but on a sad note we lost Geoff, NB Pinafore in the summer, and PJ, NB Forest Oak passed away more recently. Time waits for no man.

Keith as always is pleased to see us back, and I am sure he has some jobs lined up for the Captain, as well as Steve and Fliss (not a couple) who want help with their electrical set ups.

I have my job back at UTL working for Sky to start with, but that may change.

Since June we have done 404 miles, 178 locks, 20 movable bridges and 3 miles in tunnels. Travelled on too many different waterways to mention. We didn’t get to Ripon but we will one day.

The weather hasn’t been kind, but we have made the most of it, and will now start thinking about were to go next year. The river Nene and the middle levels are an idea, but I will keep you posted.

That’s all for this year folks.