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There are some really lovely people on the canals, and this year, as with every year we have met lots of them.
After saying goodbye to Phillipa at Fradley Junction, we headed off down the Coventry and decided to stop at Huddlesford, a place we have stopped before, and try the Plough which is right by the canal. No darks on for the Captain so he made do with lager once again (he is becoming a bit of a lager lout like me). A nice pub with outside seating and a good menu. The food looked and smelt lovely, but we didn’t partake as we were saving ourselves for Fazeley chippy.
https://www.theploughhuddlesford.com/
The weather was still cool as we cruised to Fazeley, and after a warming lunch we headed out. The pubs in Fazeley are nothing to write home about tbh (it could do with a decent micropub). We did, however have a pint in the 3 Tuns, which is right by the canal, and a second pint in the Three Horseshoes, it was in here we met some of those lovely people I was talking about. I didn’t get their names, but their boat was called Liberty and had an old ‘put put’ engine, better known as a 2 pot engine but ‘put put’ describes the noise it makes. Our conversation turned to cats and we had a lot in common. For those of you new to my blog we did, up until 2019, have 2 boat cats, Sam and Bubbles. They also had boat cats so we had lots of stories to swap, and opinions on which are the best type of cat. It was really enjoyable, and made me realise how much I still miss them.
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| Sam |
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| Bubbles |
After a pint we headed to the chippy. The Captain got his fish chips and curry sauce, whilst I indulged in one of my guilty pleasures a kebab. All I can say is mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
First locks for a while next day with the 2 Glascote locks, I got my exercise in walking to them, so arrived quite a bit before the Captain and boat. There were boats waiting to use the locks so I pitched in and helped. Some seemed more thankful than others, but hey ho that just folks for you.
Then on to Polesworth, I haven’t actual been in the village for a while, we have stopped there but not left the boat. Last time we did, we visited The Spread Eagle which had only recently reopened after refurbishment, we met up with the Captain of NB Mr Blue Sky and had a great afternoon. Apparently he still goes in the pub and was well known to the barmaid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polesworth
https://www.facebook.com/thespreadeaglepolesworth/?locale=en_GB
On this occasion we had a similar experience and met the Captain and crew, Andy and Jane off NB Rosalan. They even admitted to reading my blog, which was lovely to hear, and we had a great time chatting. Later another gentleman at the bar joined the conversation, as he knew our good friend Keith and his steamboat Hasty. All in all it was a fantastic afternoon.
A busy day for me next day as we had the 11 locks in 2 miles of the Atherstone flight to ascend. At first it didn’t seem very busy, and we saw no one ahead or behind us, but then the boats coming down the locks just came and came and came. All saying how busy it had been with boats going up the flight, this did not bode well for finding moorings at the top of the flight. As usual the volunteer lock keepers were only helping boats through the top lock, and none of them ventured down the flight to help out. I will keep my opinions to myself on this.
But we made it to the top, and our fears were realised as there were no moorings to be had on our favourite stretch. But there was very little git gapping to see either which was good. We did find mooring further out, and it meant a longer walk into the town, but hey ho the pull of the pub was strong so off we set, plus I needed some shopping.
Our favourite pub in Atherstone is the Angel Ale House, so that was our first port of call, they had Poseidon Porter on by Brentwood Brewery, but it was a little on the wishy washy side. So only the one in there.
https://www.brentwoodbrewing.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/theangelinnrealalehouseatherstone/?locale=en_GB
The Market Tavern, a pub we have never been in, as it has had mixed reviews over the years (and people smoking outside the front door, a big no no for me) had recently changed hands and we decided to give it a try, and I must say we were impressed.
A great selection of cast and keg ales on including 2 stouts. The Captain tried Forged Stout from Dublin first, very nice. Then he tried Positive Grindset from Shiney, an espresso martini stout, which was lovely and rich, but with just the right amount of coffee flavour.
I had Pure Pilsner by Purity, a very nice pint. They are planning to do food in the future as well.
https://www.shinybrewing.com/about/
I think it will give the Angel a run for its money from now on.
After walking into town next morning, getting a couple of their world famous faggots from Bates butchers for Sunday lunch we set off. Initially our plan was to get to the telegraph pole, a favourite mooring spot of ours between Atherstone and Hawkesbury Junction, but the weather was lovely and quite warm for a change so we just kept going. As usual we met all the boats coming towards us at the worst possible places, on blind bends, just before bridges and passing moored boats. The Captain certainly had his work cut out. We even met one boat over taking another on a blind bend, the boater who was overtaking apologised, told us the boat in front had waved him through, but then not indicated to him that we were there, the first boat didn’t even acknowledge us at all. Again nowt as strange as folk.
Of course we had to go and have a pint in the Greyhound, another real favourite of ours.
We stayed put next day, the rain came down and down. However we did make it to the pub again in between the downpours. Never underestimate the pull of a good pint of Theakston’s mild.
The rain didn’t really abate next day, but we decided we needed to move and head down to Coventry basin for a couple of nights. We kept the pram cover up for most of the journey, only dropping it at low bridges. We waved at the wharf as we passed by, and managed to catch up with Fliss off NB Emancipation and one of our neighbours at Swan Lane. She filled us in with the comings and goings at the Wharf.
The Coventry basin was busy with boats, which we always like to see busy, but we managed to find a reasonable spot for the night and headed to the Hops d’Amour, our favourite pub in Coventry. On more upsetting news, Selmina’s Mexican restaurant is closed due to some planning argument with the council, hope they get it sorted and reopen soon.
https://www.facebook.com/hopsdamourcoventry/?locale=en_GB
We also had a pint in the Old Windmill.
We stayed in the basin next day and the Captain took the opportunity to to touch up the blacking above the gunnels. We headed into town after lunch for a bit of shopping and another pint.
38 miles, 13 locks and 1 canal.