Footnote

A dull damp day and the suggestion of a tear in the corner of the eye. We have come to Stowe Hill Wharf to remove the last odds and ends of our belongings from Avon Rose. An offer has been made. The out of water survey has been completed. The bill of sale has been signed. When the money appears in our account she will no longer be ours. We understand she is off to a new home at Heyford Fields Marina,just a few miles down the cut. Shake hands with Dominic and Steve and we wave a last fond farewell as we head off for a lunch by the cut at "The Wharf" at Bugbrooke. There are many fond memories and.......... no regrets.

We have settled into life ashore in Bath. We enjoy our monthly BW volunteers' working party on the Widcombe flight, clearing vegetation, painting lock gates and canal gear. Himself on track to start as a voluntary lock-keeper in July. The canal life has not been totally left behind. And yesterday a phone call from Chris of Carefree Cruising in Cheshire. "You spoke to us in April about shared ownership in a narrowboat. Are you still interested?" Silly question...........





............to be continued - next year - keep a lookout.

The end or a new beginning????

When you see himself, iron in hand, you know our pair have fully adopted this new lifestyle. He may still have that long haired hippy boater air but we now have a pair of city slickers. Well, perhaps that is a bit of an exaggeration. No one would ever regard himself as slick (although for special occasions he does brush up quite nicely). It’s more of your “genteel shabby”. Rather like a favourite old cardigan; well worn, comfortable and baggy! Herself despairs.

A bit shabby is how they regard Avon Rose around the waterline on a weekend visit to do some maintenance. A hard winter killing off the the vegetation fringe and six months in a marina going nowhere and we have some spots of rust near the waterline, although elsewhere she looks good. She needs to come out and be blacked - now. Still, a productive weekend doing routine maintenance. Some repainting in the front cockpit and clearing out the rest of our “stuff” ready for a final cruise, leaving this delightful winter mooring to deliver her to Dominic Miles at Rugby Boats at Stowe Hill Wharf on the Grand Union at Weedon. Dominic, through whom we bought her nearly three years ago is going to provide the same service for us. A conversation with Dominic’s man Steve at Stowe Hill and we have a blacking arranged for a couple of weeks’ time. She needs to look her best.

Load up the Enterprise car and off he sets for home. Yes, that is what Bath has become. What was home when we started this adventure now computes as “the house”, as Avon Rose is “the boat”. And what about herself? She stays another night on board at Brinklow as she is going to accompany our daughter when she goes for her heart and CT scans before her cancer treatment starts. Hence why himself is wielding the iron. At the end of the week he returns by train for our last leisurely cruise to move Avon Rose from Brinklow to Stowe Hill Wharf. A strong breeze makes reversing out of our berth and exiting the marina interesting as we make our way the few short miles to Rugby and the usual mooring near Tescos (a boatman needs to be fed!) Next day is still breezy and somewhat dull for the run through Hilmorton locks and on down to Braunston where, horror of horrors, our favourite mooring spot below the church is full so we have to move on to moor before the turn by bridge 90. The sun broke through as the day progressed to remind us how lovely this stretch is as we catch the first sight of Baunston church as we pass through the bridge by Willoughby Wharf on our meander southwards. A delightful evening dining at the Boathouse with friends Mike and Marion rounds off the day.

And so our last day of cruising on Avon Rose starts with a light shower, the heavens weeping as we tackle first the six broad Braunston locks, the two thousand yard tunnel on the summit pound before we descend the seven Buckby locks, and pause for lunch by Whilton Marina before making our way to Stowe Hill. In almost three years there are few photos of the old boatman doing his stuff, so herself remedies this a little and himself takes some video clips for the records. And that duck (tiller pin) saw them set off and is once again doing his job as they finish. Himself found another duck memento too which he couldn't resist. A duck in boots as a reminder that sometimes on the towpath even ducks need wellies. A casual text on the topic leads to another surprise. A brief meeting with our biking friends at Weedon Bec. Then it's pack up and leave Avon Rose in the tender care of Steve and Dominic of Rugby Boats at Stowe Hill Wharf as a friend fetches us and takes us to dine with her before we take train to Bath which thanks to an advance ticket deal is a journey in First Class.

As you would expect, himself has all the numbers from our first cruise from Blue Haven Marine where we boaught her to our last stop at Stowe Hill. They are:

70 tunnel passages
176 movable bridges negotiated
948 broad locks plus 702 narrow giving a total of 1,650 lock passages
2,337 miles of canal and river cruised.

Now some time has passed since the above took place. Easter has come and gone; there has been a trip back to Brampton for a house and dog sit, catch up with old friends and do some maintenance at the house.

Himself has been for a job interview - Volunteer Lock Keeper ! As part of the transition to a charitable trust, British Waterways is expanding its use of volunteers still further and the old boater couldn’t resist putting his hand up to have a go. So Avon Rose may be up for sale but canals will still be part of life and enquiries and plans are already being made to go back into shared ownership next year.

So this really is the final post to “The Meanderings of Avon Rose”, but the spirit and aims of AvonRose.org.uk continue on. Remember...” Twenty Years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover!”.................... Anybody want to buy a boat??????



£48,500. 57ft G&J Reeves/owner trad (but with an extra wide hatch that creates a semi trad stern). 1998. G&J Reeves have long been established as builders of good quality narrowboat shells. Although ostensibly a trad, the rear hatch is extra wide giving the feel of a semi trad. A smaller hatch is incorporated in the large hatch in case of bad weather cruising. Clever! The original owner - there have only been two - of this boat fitted this out to a high standard of craftsmanship - with attention to detail and design based on years of narrowboat experience. There is an excellent amount of storage, a 4' 6" wide cross bed, a separate utility room with washing machine, a well equipped galley with a cabinet fridge freezer unit, roomy saloon and a large forward cockpit protected by a cratch that is easy to remove. A new Isuzu 42 engine was installed in 2009. Avon Rose is perfect for long term "go anywhere" cruising.

The Big Society????

The snowdrops and crocuses are out, we've had some sunshine at last; it must be the start of the cruising season. And where are they? Sitting on a peaceful hillside with no sound but the birds, looking out across the Avon Valley and down onto the golden glint of avenues of Bath stone that is the city of Bath illuminated by bright sunshine from a brilliant blue and cloudless sky. Paradise; and only a fifteen minute walk from home!

Now herself, who is known for her declaration "I don't do hills, bus up, walk down", has had a change of heart. "I need to try and get fitter. I'm going to start to walk up." And here she is, gasping for breath (himself not breathless at her side) having made it from the 50 to the 150 metre contour, triumphant and crying, "This is beautiful!" And so it is. A delightful walk part way up Bathwick Hill then across the Tyning to Widcombe, up Church Lane past the fishponds of Prior Park and the scramble up the footpath to this idyllic spot with Claverton Down rising gently to the East and the panorama of the historic city spread out before us as we gaze northward towards the tower of Saint Stephen’s Church on the other side of the valley.

And what of Avon Rose? She has come through a freezing winter, quietly in the marina at Brinklow. Two weekends ago we paid a second visit to her; freezing of water in the carbon filter to her drinking water tap had ruptured the fitting so himself needed to fit a replacement unit. Otherwise she appears to have come through the winter in fine fettle. It was nice to get the fire blazing away and sit in the warm and cogitate, remembering times past. The old boaters are revelling in their new life ashore, the convenience, the culture, friends, the squeals of delight when “my Granny” appears on the doorstep. Another season of cruising would be travelling roads we have travelled several times before and is less appealing.

This probably says a lot about us. It was the “Explore and Discover” of our motto that drove us. It was the travelling and finding new waterways and structures that excited us. In general we never stayed more than a few days in most places. The only long pauses were due to illness or herself going off somewhere. If we were to live on the boat in a locality we would need the convenience of the facilities provided by a residential mooring in a marina. We want to be in Bath and that does not exist here. So we have decided to sell. Not that this is the end of boating. There are some far flung places we would like to go; the Lancaster canal and the Flakirk Wheel which we would do by hire boat. Himself thinks a return to shared ownership is also on the cards. It would be good to buy into a brand new boat which we can invite friends to come and cruise with us. One of the disappointments of Avon Rose was that we did not really have the facilities to comfortably accommodate friends. When a boat is your home you need much more space than if it is just for holidays.

When a chap puts his name down for an allotment, you know he has no intention of moving soon. With the Amphletts of Ombersley having been yeoman farmers for centuries and the Lees’s on the maternal side the same, it is hardly surprising he feels the need to get his hands in the soil and grow stuff. On the second floor, Granny’s garden (see pic) is a bit limiting. You can tell a woman is revelling in the shorelife as well. Forget showers, we now have a bath and herself wallows in it at the slightest provocation. "Thank goodness she doesn't sing in it," himself was heard to mutter. Not only that, she has taken up ironing! Now that is dedication to the land-based life.

We are putting down roots. As always for us, the serendipity of life works in our favour. With our lovely daughter's recent diagnosis of breast cancer Granny is now well placed to dash off at a moment’s notice to give help and support, if and when required, during the long months of chemotherapy ahead. All things work for good – himself ever the optimist (mostly).

What’s all this “Big Society” about then? “We are the Big Society,” she said as she wielded her litter picker and plastic sack. With the boys in blue becoming an endangered species because of cuts in government grant and the move towards the transformation into charitable status and possibly becoming “The National Trust for Waterways” or suchlike, volunteering is the order of the day, and please note, Mr Cameron, our intrepid boaters are doing their bit! BW, as it still is, are organising monthly working parties along the canal and theirselves have joined up with the Bath team (fourth Thursday of the month) on the good old K&A. Himself was there, wielding his loppers and secateurs to remove ivy and brambles on Baptist Chapel Bridge 194 where the canal emerges into the river. Then they labour at Bath Bottom Lock (7) trimming edges, removing weeds and clearing rubbish and so on up towards Bath Deep lock (8-9). Four hours hard graft, but good to give something back to a facility that has given us so much pleasure. It looks great. Herself is hoping next month to be wielding a paintbrush (less strenuous she thinks).

Himself has finally removed his model boat from the box and started the plank and frame construction of HMS Sherbourne , a 1:64 scale model of a 1763 cutter which was a revenue vessel for the customs service. She’s not perfect but the lessons learnt are destined to be used in the construction of another. Not only that but the astronomical telescope has been taken out of its case and now waits by the window ready for lunar observations - cloud permitting! Our valiant pair are also delighting in regular ringing again; himself pleased at having rung in six quarter peals since his arrival in October 2010. Good as well to be a regular part of a church community and to start to get involved in it’s corporate life.

So what next? Well our intrepid pair have discovered that their favourite and oft referred to canal guide author, Mr Pearson, does the same for railways. Inspired by Michael Portillo’s “Great Railway Journeys” series on the television plans are afoot to explore Scotland by rail (8 in 15 day rover cards look like the way to go). So with Mr Pearson’s “Iron Road to the Isles” in hand, possibilities are being explored. Himself feels the muse upon him; perhaps a blog of another feather could emerge. So is this the end of the Avon Rose blog? Nothing’s over till it’s finished. There may be tales yet to tell.......

Winter Weather............. good move!!!!!

"Oh I'm glad I'm here," herself declared as we gazed out of the flat window at the ice and snow. The third hard winter in a row confirms that the decision to move ashore was a good one. Ice on the cut several inches thick and we would have been iced in for a fortnight again, unable to move to services, although we haven't had the snow that some parts of the UK have . As it is we are luxuriating in acres of space, thankful that water and fuel arrives in pipes, enjoying the convenience of being within a ten minute walk of the centre of town with all it's facilities, and happily renewing friendships forged over the past two winters.

And Avon Rose....? She is fine tucked up in the marina. We paid her a weekend visit to check she was OK and pick up a few things we had left on board and found we needed. Solar panels had kept the batteries fully charged. Ran the engine for a couple of hours to warm the hot water system up and got a good fire going to warm her all though.

So in the meantime what has the old boatman been doing with himself. Well apart from all the ringing, visiting and playing with granddaughters he decided to collect the blogs of the last two years into hardcopy so it was not lost. The result is that he has self published it a book. Below is a preview and link to it for those interested. Click on the link if you want a copy. In the meantime have a great Christmas, we certainly shall.

Meanderings of Avon Rose by Michael Amphlett | Make Your Own Book

More wire?????.................

Well, the old boater has had to fire up his PDA after two years. He has to be places and do stuff. No more we’ll be there about a quarter past October. These land based folk count time to the minute! It’s been quite a culture shock for the old boy. As for herself, she is just so chuffed to be near her girls, and their excitement at having Granny back could be gauged by the squeaks of delight as they came down the road. She’s also glad to be back close to facilities as we have to report another disaster on the glasses front. Vigorous cleaning and the wire nose bridge broke and she is left standing with half a pair in each hand.
Himself to the rescue with his trusty coil of garden wire and he rigs up a jig to hold the two halves together so at least she can see. He thought it was quite elegant; looked great at a glance. As her eldest said, “Are those chic Italian designer frames..... or is that garden wire?” A phone call to Specsavers to ensure we have an appointment as soon s we arrive is the order of the day.

After two years of declaring, “I wouldn’t want to live in a big marina,” herself has decided that it has certain attractions; unlimited electricity, all essential services close at hand, she can hoover as much as she likes, run the hair dryer without having to fire up the engine, use the washing machine in land mode (ie using its heating element) instead of cruising mode, and not getting banged about when early risers go past the boat too fast.

Toby dog has decided he likes the marina as well. There’s a huge great area of grass field for him to tear around. The grass is quite long, so with his little legs he tends to leap rather like a gambling spring lamb rather than run. Favourite game is chasing a ball on the rope, a toy which he is reluctant to be parted from.

The end of season Bar-B-Q was a great success. It was good to get to meet the neighbours, and who should be moored on the pontoon next to us? The couple we had met on the Llangollen in the summer and from whom we had heard about Brinklow Marina, encouraging us to investigate. The decision to come in a couple of weeks earlier than originally planned was a good one. Two weeks of activity and Avon Rose is looking very lovely. Paintwork and hull blacking touched up, cabin sided polished, marvellous. A weekend car hire and a visit to to take Toby dog to live with herself's sister. The disadvantage of renting, pets not allowed. But he’s happy and our nephew won’t have cold feet in bed this winter for sure!

Then it's house-clearing again. It may only be 57ft by 6ft 10 but we still seem to have accumulated “stuff”. A one-way trip in a Mr Enterprise van with our chairs, small table, household goods and clothes and we arrive in Bath to sign up and move into our flat, with grateful thanks to our big boy who carted all our stuff up to the second floor while the old man was returning the van. Then a weekend “camping out” on the blow-up bed until our furniture and boxes of stuff arrives from storage, and yes it does all fit in. Then the anticipation of opening boxes and remembering what we had. “You've got too many books!” she declares, while he mutters, “It's not too many books, it's not enough book shelves........”. But nobly he culls some with a great feeling of self righteousness.

And so here we are. Getting into the swing of life ashore. It's been so easy, picking up where we left off and oh so much more convenient. The view from our lounge is wonderful, It's only a ten minute amble into the centre of town, everything is to hand, the space is great, no worries about water, power and all that kind of stuff. Himself has a theory that there is something deep in the female psyche that has a primeval hunger for nesting. Herself hasn't stopped hoovering and washing since she arrived, “She's got two years of deprivation to make up for!” he mutters to himself as he lifts his feet to allow passage of the carpet sweeper yet again. As for himself, He's bought himself a huge flat screen tv and recorder so he can record the American football again, “It's too big, I can see them sweating!” she wails as the “Strictly Come Dancing” season opens again. He's also seen the inside of a barber's shop for the first time in a couple of years. Now we wouldn't want you to think that he has succumbed to a slick city short hair look, after all, as he frequently declares, “It's a great responsibility having naturally curly hair!” The hairy prophet remains; just a little more stylish.

Well this is the last entry to the Avon Rose blog for a while. We will have to wait and see if it resumes or if...................................the possibilities are endless. Isn't life wonderful!

It's all done with garden wire........

Now when it comes to wearing glasses some people really shouldn’t be allowed a pair. Sit on, bend, lose, greasy, loose, on the end of the nose, looked over as much as through (vari-focal at that) – no need to ask who fits in that category.... mmm....... himself. Well despite recent adjustment he’s managed to make them loose again so that they have a tendency to fall off his face. Now for a man who lives on the water this is not an ideal situation and, you guessed it, he bends to exit the cratch to get on the bank and....... plop! “Oh dear”, at least that's what we think he meant. Now too many pairs of glasses have been lost to the sirens of the cut and as he knows precisely where they went down he is determined to attempt a recovery. Now old boaters are nothing if not resourceful. Out with the coil of garden wire (useful for all kinds of emergencies). A twist here and there and he has devised a three-prong grappling hook which he attaches to the end of his walking stick, relic of the bad back episode of the first year. We are fishing in about three foot of water between bank and moored boat. A few careful passes feeling for any sign of metalwork, carefully does it and........ YES!!!! One pair of somewhat muddy glasses dangling from the improvised device. Another hundred quid saved! What are we saying? You guessed it. A few days later, similar situation and ........plop! Out with the improvised grappling hook again and someone, somewhere is looking after him because once more they are recovered. He is now seen exiting the boat, glasses firmly clutched in his hand. No point in pushing your luck.

Now you will recall that we were in Coventry Basin, staying another day because of the strength of the wind - it’s no fun going sideways down the canal. Next day, a complete contrast – hardly a breath of wind, the sun breaking through and off we go, retracing our way down the Coventry arm to Hawkesbury Junction. Right turn under the junction bridge and into Sutton Stop lock to rise a few inches to move onto the Oxford Canal.

This is familiar territory, the M6 motorway never far away, soon to be joined by the Trent Valley Railway running from Crewe down to London. As we go along evidence of old loops of the original course of the meandering Oxford Canal before straightening in the early 1800’s cut almost 14 miles from its length. Our destination is All Oaks Wood next to Brinklow village, a beautiful peaceful rural spot we have stayed at before. A picnic spot and small car park beside the canal makes it a popular spot with the canal dwelling community. A few days chilling out is a must.

Now Brinlow village is a bit of a walk from the canal but it would be a shame not to pause and have a look at the Tump. “The what?” you say. The Tump, that’s the local name for it. Supposedly the largest Norman motte and bailey castle remaining in England. You know that herself is not to fond of hills in an upward direction but she could not resist struggling up the steep grassy slope to the top and “What a view”. The castle was built here to dominate the course of the Fosse Way. Turn north and you see it stretching straight to the horizon; turn south to see it continue on. The modern road curves round the castle down the village High Street until it rejoins the line of the Fosse again.

We hear from the net that there is to be an end of season Bar-B-Q on 25th September at Brinklow Marina where Avon Rose will reside for the winter while we take up residence in Bath. We have to admit that we are feeling travel weary and decide that an early entry into the marina giving us chance to meet some of the neighbours and some extra time to get Avon Rose spruced up for the winter suddenly sounds very attractive. A final trip down to Braunston for the weekend before returning to the Marina is agreed upon and early entry to the marina negotiated.

We moor in our favourite spot in Braunston , by bridge 89 at the bottom of the hill below the church. From here we look south across the canal to a meadow of sheep with a footpath running up from the bridge giving access to the end of the High Street. On Saturday two friendscome and join us for lunch at The Boathouse. That evening we dine at the same place (the 2 for one offers are just too good to miss so really we only ate out once). Our companions this time are Mike Kelly and his wife, friends who live in Braunston – Mike the author of “Waterway” the canal mapping and satnav software we use (http://eureauweb.com/Water-Way/) . We are introduced to “Admiral” Pete Boyce and his lady and invited to go and see Lucy the following morning after church (ringing for service first of course – nice six but struggling band.) Now who is Lucy I here you cry. Lucy is probably one of the last wooden narrowboats to be built at the Samuel Barlow yard in Braunston in 1951. We have passed her on a number of occasions but when we last did she was a sunken hulk at Puddle Banks on the GU/Oxford cut out of Braunston. Pete has rescued her and is in the process of carefully photographing and documenting all the details of her constructon and has now started her restoration, plank by plank. Have a look at http://www.phobox.com/lucy/ to see the full story.

Monday and a lazy start as we move to Braunston Turn to wind and make our way back to Rugby for an overnight stop by Tescos. Stock up in the morning before setting off for the marina down through Hillmorton Locks, through Newbold Tunnel with its towpaths on either side and colourful floodlights. (Towpaths in tunnels indicate a later construction – this was the second built at Newbold when the Oxford was straightened; the site of the old one can be seen near the church.) At bridge 39 where a remaining length of the original line joins the straightened canal we turn left and head into Brinklow Marina, call the duty harbour master’s mobile and John comes and installs us in our berth. So here we are, beautiful open site, wonderfully peaceful. Electric hook-up and water on tap; disposal facilities close by, this is a tired boater's heaven. So now it’s out with the paint pots, time to repair the ravages of a hard season’s cruising and get Avon Rose all ship-shape and ready to face the winter.

It’s now over 2 years since we moved aboard Avon Rose and a fantastic two years it has been. The statistics are impressive and as you would imagine himself, the nerd, has them all:

67 tunnel passages through 32 of the 41 tunnels still navigable including the longest (Standedge on Huddersfield Narrow at 5,698yards= approx 3 ¼ miles) and the shortest on the system (Dunsley on Staffs & Worcs at 25yards).

176 moveable bridges passed through (lift and swing, some mechanised).

1,556 locks negotiated of which 875 were broad gauge and 681 were narrow – with rises ranging from a few inches to 14 feet. Why would you want a lock of only a few inches? Well these are the “Stop Locks” at points were canals owned by different companies joined. Water supply is so essential to canal operation (parts of the Leeds & Liverpool have been closed this summer because of water shortages) that canal companies were paranoid about rivals stealing their water, so you install a pair of gates to ensure they can’t; also gives you a way of controlling boat passage so you can collect tolls.

The list of waterways we have traversed is quite impressive as well (see below). Plenty to look back on over the winter as we come ashore. Herself looking forward to laying in a nice warm bath whenever she likes, himself hoping to finally build the wooden model sailing cutter he has been carrying around for the last two years; there’s just been too much boating to do!

WATERWAYS cruised by Avon Rose from 13 September 2008 to 21 September 2010

> Aire & Calder Navigation
> Ashby Canal
> Ashton Canal
> Birmingham Canal Navigation New Main Line
> Bridgewater Canal
> Calder & Hebble Navigation
> Coventry Canal
> Grand Union Canal Main Line
> Grand Union Canal Leicester Arm
> Grand Union Canal Market Harborough Arm
> Grand Union Canal Northampton Arm
> Grand Union Canal Paddington Arm
> Grand Union Canal Welford Arm
> Grand Union Canal Wendover Arm
> Huddersfield Broad Canal
> Huddersfield Narrow Canal
> Kennet & Avon Canal
> Leeds & Liverpool Canal
> Leeds & Liverpool Canal Leigh Branch
> Llangollen Canal
> Macclesfield Canal
> Middle Levels Navigation
> Montgomery Canal
> Oxford Canal
> Peak Forest Canal
> River Avon (Warwicksshire)
> River Great Ouse
> River Nene
> River Severn
> River Soar
> River Thames
> River Trent
> Shropshire Union Canal
> Staffs & Worcs Canal
> Stourbridge Canal
> Stratford Canal
> Trent & Mersey Canal
> Worcester & Birmingham Canal

We’ve come full circle.....

Now in matters of boating and what’s worth seeing we tend to defer to the good taste of “Mr Pearson”. (JM Pearson & Sons Ltd, Canal Companions series, 9 booklets covering the inland waterways network). We enjoy the dry wit of Michael Pearson’s commentary accompanying the linear maps of the cruising routes. On our way up the Staffs & Worcs from Stourport we decide to take a diversion up the Stourbridge Canal (more new water) to Stourbridge itself to test his assertion - following an admission of ”..a tendency to wax lyrical,” - that “the pound between Stourton and Wordesly is simply ravishing.” So at Stourton Junction we duly take a right, as our transatlantic cousins say, and head up pretty little flight of four locks that raise us 36 feet up the Stourton flight. Some delightful gardens border and extend onto the side of the top lock with its memorial seat. Clear water, a good margin of ribbon weed and sight of ample shoals of small roach perhaps indicate that not many boats pass this way. And the verdict? Yes, Mr Pearson, “the spirit of romance, soft shoe shuffling,” does remain alive, the pound is enchanting, despite the occasional heavy passing shower.

At Wordsley junction we take another right and cruise down the Stourbridge arm to its terminus at the bonded warehouse at the Town Wharf and a secure mooring. Stourbridge is a town that has been a centre of glassworks, the old centre of which is separated from the historic wharf by that scourge of many a town; a dual carriage way urban bypass. Fortunately this one has a convenient pedestrian underpass which is put to good use in travelling to a splendid Indian Restaurant to celebrate the fact that himself has notched up another year.

Having seen the best of the Stourbridge we retrace our steps to the Staffs & Worcs rather than taking the passage up the locks to the long Netherton tunnel and into the centre of Birmingham again. On the outskirts of Wombourne we moor below Bratch Locks. We take a short walk to have a look at the flamboyant turreted pumping station which houses Victoria and Alexandra, a pair of magnificent steam engines which have been lovingly restored but not open for viewing on this occasion. Instead we make our way up the street to the station building (the track bed now in use as a cycle and walkway) to the station cafe and the compulsory tea and cake. Bratch locks, as we may have mentioned before, are a treasure. Originally a three-chambered staircase lock they were early on converted to three separate locks with side pounds. The distance between one chamber and the next however is only about three feet so there can be no passing between locks. The lovely octagonal toll office is a base for a lock-keeper who oversees passages up and down. From the top lock there are lovely views over the surrounding country. Herself has declared it “One of the most delightful spots on the waterways”.

So we continue on upwards. It is some years since we last cruised the upper half of the Staffs & Worcs. The weather has been indifferent, windy with showers. August is turning into a regular miserable month. We pause for the weekend at Penkridge where, as we moor, helself observes a small hairy dog swimming with great gusto from beneath the bridge we have just come though. “The dog’s in the canal!!!!!” When you’ve only got little legs you can’t haul yourself out so are forced to paddle back and forth looking pathetic. That’s what becomes of being too eager to get ashore. A firm hand round the collar and out he comes, shake and shiver, daft mutt.

At Great Heyward Junction we turn eastward onto the Trent and Mersey and familiar water to moor below Haywood lock and a day visit to Shugborough Hall beside the canal. Now in the care of the National Trust, Shugborough is the former home of the Earls of Litchfield and in the house is a small exhibition of Patrick Litchfield’s photographs from the 1980’s. More is open to view since we were here last, including the County Museum. And of course with a NT property lunch and a cream tea in the middle of the afternoon is essential; merely as a matter of quality control you understand. We have to convince ourselves that NT tearooms are always worth a visit.
At Colwich lock we encounter what we have so far managed to avoid in this peak holiday season – serious queuing! With ten boats ahead of us it takes us two hours to get through. At Fradley junction, a one time base for our shared ownership boat Scimitar we turn onto the familiar Coventry Canal. Hopwas and the Tame Otter (that’s the River Tame that goes through Tamworth) is a must stop place for himself; good beer and good food.

At Fazeley junction herself is delighted to find that the sawmill sells off-cuts and she is able to obtain a supply of nice logs – insurance against the approaching cold weather. So up to the top of the Atherstone flight for a lock free trip to Coventry and some sunshine at last. At Hawkesbury junction we continue on down the Coventry to the Canal Basin in Coventry itself. When we arrive the revitalised basin is empty and we have it to ourselves.

The Heir Apparent may disparage modern architecture but in the magnificent spiritual space which is Coventry Cathedral one could not agree with any generalisation on the subject. At Sunday Eucharist here we had the full panoply of cathedral liturgy as the service included the installation of the new Cannon Precentor, formerly Vicar of Newbury whom we have encountered before on our passages through Newbury on the Kennet and Avon. Here we rest and spend several days exploring the delights of Coventry, searching out the remaining parts of the medieval city, and visiting the excellent Herbert Museum. Today we should have left, but with winds gusting at 30mph and more we decided to stay put. Move.....??? Tomorrow will do. What’s the rush?