Day 11 - Hinckley

A bright sunny morning saw us walking Lizzie along the towpath before setting off to meet John’s cousins for lunch at ‘The Marina’.  When we arrived they were already there: Bernard & Lyn, Heather & Pete and Heathers sister Hazel & husband Ron.  Hazel & Ron live in the state of Indiana in the USA.  Ron was in the USAF at Sculthorpe, Norfolk when he met and married Hazel.  John has no recollection of meeting Hazel before, so it was quite an event.  We enjoyed the meal and catching up with everyone.  We invited everyone back to see Digitalis and cruised back up the Ashby to Bridge 22 before turning in the winding hole and returning to Hinckley.

At the end of the day - Hinckley Wharf

 

The trip ended off the day brilliantly, this being the first time Ron and Hazel had been on a narrow boat.



Day 10 - Market Bosworth to Hinckley

We left Market Bosworth in the rain giving thanks for the newly fitted stern cover.    Eventually the rain eased and we stopped to take on water at Sutton Cheney Wharf.  We hoped to moor near Bridge 17 at Hinckley but this was not to be the case but we found a mooring just a little further on at Bridge 16.

After dinner we walked along Nutts Lane to the Coventry Road to book a table for eight at the ‘The Marina’ ready for Tuesday lunchtime.  This was to be a special lunchtime get together with John’s cousins Bernard, Heather and Hazel.

Day 9 - A Day at Market Bosworth

After a leisurely morning dog walking and reading, we set off to walk into Market Bosworth for a pub lunch.  The Olde Red Lion is situated in the centre of Market Bosworth and is well worth a visit as the food is good and value for money.  We arrived first but were soon joined by Martin, Melissa, William, Georgia and finally Steven.

In the afternoon we walked to the station at Market Bosworth where there was a heavy horse show.  It was a magnificant display of Shire horses and regalia which impressed William and Georgia, we then boared the steam train to Shenton.  At the station we were able to see the wonderful display of glass blowing by artist Richard Golding, unfortunately Richard was not blowing glass on this day as he had technical problems with his furnace.  There was still enough time to walk to the Battle of Bosworth Country Park.  The children enjoyed the audio presentations en route and sitting in King Richard III and Henry Tudor’s seats around the magnificent sundial.  The day ended with a return train ride back to Market Bosworth.

Day 13 – Tusses Bridge to Hilmorton Locks

The weather forecast for the day wasn’t great so we made an early start with the canopy up.  We stopped for lunch just beyond “All Oaks Wood” near Hungerfield.  The weather did not improve as we pressed on to Rugby where we passed Andy, our instructor on the Helmsman’s course, coming in the opposite direction.

Passing by Hilmorton we went up the twin locks to moor on pins just beyond the top lock.  This is not our favoured method of mooring especially when the towpath is wet and the pins don’t feel particularly firm.

Day 12 - Hinckley to Tusses Bridge

As we made our way back down the Ashby towards Marston Junction we passed by Burton Hastings and through the cutting which bounds a static caravan park.  The caravans that are at the top of the cutting have some interesting back gardens that tumble down the cutting to the canal side.  Before reaching Marston Junction we decide to moor up for lunch.  Here Anthea has an incident slipping on a rubber fender as she made her way along the gunwale towards the bow.  Fortunately she did not finish up in the canal but did bruise her shins quite badly.

At Marston Junction we join the Coventry Canal and turn towards Hawkesbury Junction passing Charity Dock and the display of manikins. 

 

 This video is un-edited and was taken whilst at the tiller of Digitalis whilst passing by Charity Wharf.  The background sound is that of the engine of Digitalis which is interrupted by the noise of a circular saw and then a conversation with the owner of the saw which you will note was not understood!

Hawkesbury Junction is busy as usual and we are helped by a local mum and her children who were on the way to Grandmas for tea.

Mooring up for the night was always going to be close to the M6 but we did manage to find a spot close to Tusses Bridge on the Oxford Canal, that put a high hedge and trees between us and he road reducing the noise considerably.

Day 8 – Shackerstone to Market Bosworth

As we have breakfast we can here railway engines in steam with great clouds of smoke and steam emerging from behind the trees.  After breakfast we walk to Shackerstone station and find we have to purchase a platform ticket for a £1 to gain access to the station.  Platform tickets are a thing of the past and back in the ‘Good old days’ these cost 1d (that’s one old penny!).  The platform ticket gives us access to the Museum and the station tea room where the home made cakes can only be described as excellent value for money.  We meet several people who have had the misfortune of being on the platform when the last train departed and are covered in sooty ‘smuts’.  As the train arrives we beat a hasty retreat not wishing to indulge in a coating of soot!

We spent the afternoon cruising to Market Bosworth, stopping off Sutton Cheney Wharf to top up with water.  We arrived at the 48 hour moorings by Bridge 42 around 4:00pm.  With shopping for provisions a necessity we set off to Market Bosworth town centre which is about ¾ mile from the bridge. As we walk up station Road towards the town centre we pass the Market Bosworth Golf and Country Club.  A hoarding announces that the golf and country club was due to be completed in 2009.  Whilst there was plenty of evidence that the golf course was complete and maturing, the porta cabins bore little or no resemblance to the artist impression of the country club!  Market Bosworth has a plentiful supply shops and pubs around the market place.  We booked Sunday lunch at the Old Red Lion which seemed the best value.  Fish ‘n’ Chips was planned to be our evening meal but we could see no prospect of getting back to Digitalis and them still be hot.  Note to self: get the bikes on Digitalis then distant shops would not be a problem!

Day 14 – Hilmorton to Napton

Our last cruising day starts in beautiful sunshine and Anthea & Lizzie walk the towpath for some miles.  After re-joining Digitlas we are chased by really black clouds as we head back towards Braunston.  We press on in the hope that they don’t catch us up.  At Braunston we turn right towards Napton, somehow the clouds seem not to have followed us, so we sat in the sun to eat our sandwiches.  No sooner had we finished lunch when the black clouds sneak up behind us and seizing their opportunity, dump a load of really cold rain on us before we have a chance to get the canopy up.  Now thoroughly wet we cruise on to Napton and back to the Marina. Upon reflection and  overlooking the recent wetting, we agree we have had a splendid fortnight, re-enforcing our decision to change our lifestyle.

Day 7 – Congerstone to Shackerstone via Snarestone

In the morning we walked to Shackerstone and the northerly end of the Battlefield Line.  Here we found that the railway would be open at the weekend and that they are planning a heavy horse display on Saturday and Sunday at Market Bosworth.  As we walked back to Digitalis for lunch we picked more blackberries.

After lunch we set off to the end of the Ashby Canal which is just beyond Snarestone.     The canal used to go all the way to Moira but due over mining of coal the canal collapsed but there is a plan to restore the canal to its former glory.  Where the Ashby Canal currently terminates we moor and see much evidence of the restoration programme.  After a brief look around we cruise back to Snarestone where we moor for the night.

Day 6 – Shenton to Congerstone

After breakfast we walked to Shenton which is at the southerley end of the Battlefield Line where you can take a ride on a steam train at the weekends.  At Shenton station we watched an amazing artistic glass blower Richard Golding producing very colourful ‘T’ light holders in a variety of patterns.  The display of his work has to be seen to be believed.  There is also a potter on the other side of the rail track where we saw some very ornate items in production.

From Shenton station we took a circular walk which took us to the Battle of Bosworth Visitor Centre.  Here we learnt some interesting facts about the Battle of Bosworth – ‘The war of the Roses’.  There is also a large sundial in the grounds of visitor centre that shows the principle characters on both sides of the war.  We saw the coffin of King Richard at the visitor centre which poses the question “What about the burial site at Grey Friars in Leicester where the remains of the same King Richard have been recently discovered?  Along the circular walk were a number of information posts, some of which displayed armour and weapons whilst others were recordings that you can listen to.  King Richards well can also be seen on the walk, where the King is reputed to have drunk from before the battle.

After lunch we cruised up the canal passing by Bosworth Wharf to moor at Congerstone some 5 miles north of Shenton.  Contrary to the forecast the weather has been good so in the evening we decide to take a walk into Congerstone to have a drink at the pub but the pub turns out to be a classy restaurant/wine bar, not best suited to boaters and their dogs.

Day 5 - Hinckley to Shenton

Today is wash day - another new experience!  This involves not only the washing machine but also the 'Travel Power' unit which has not previously been called into service.  As it turns out this is not a problem.  We travel out of Hinckley through mainly argricultural countryside to moor up at Stoke Golding.

After lunch we set out on a circular walk from Bridge 27 to Stoke Golding, through the village to rejoin the towpath at Bridge 25.  The hoisery factory in Stoke Golding has been converted into apartments and is now called the 'Courtyard'.  Mounted on the wall of the 'Courtyard' is a clock that was presented to the village of Stoke Golding.  The clock has subsequently been restored and represented in 1952 at the time of the accession of Queen Eliabeth II.  The station at Stoke Golding is a station that never was on a railway that never carried a train.  The railway was dismantled in 1900. 

We cruised towards Shenton stopping off at Sutton Cheney Wharft to take on water.  The promised showers began and they chased  as we made our way along the canal.  As we looked back there was a beautiful rainbow and some rather dark clouds.

Wash day worked out well!

Day 4 - Following the Ashby Canal to Shenton

A new day and the rain has stopped.  After breakfast we set off up the Ashby Canal, Anthea and Lizzie walking the towpath whilst John was at the helm of Digitalis.  At Bridge 8 Anthea and Lizzie rejoin Digitalis with the days harvest of blackberries.  We cruise on until lunchtime and moor close the Lime Kilns at Hinckley by Bridge 15.  After lunch we decide to explore Hinckley and find a supermarket.  Having walked about half a mile along the towpath we emerge on to the Coventry Road where we ask for directions to a supermarket.  The supermarket we are told is far away, about 15 minutes walk - I don't think this is a long way away in anybodies estimation!  We set off towards the supermarket and notice a number of buses passing us in both directions.  Sure enough in 15 - 20 minutes we come upon two supermarkets.  By the time we have done our shopping and are ready to return to Digitalis the sky is overcast and rain looks imminent.  One of the buses seem like a good idea to get us back to Digitalis and avoid a good soaking.  Before boarding a bus we ask the driver if this bus will be going via the Coventry Road.  "Yes" he says, so we board the bus and off we go.  Soon we make a left turn which is not in the direction we expected but never mind the driver knows what he is doing.  Its not long before we start to recognise buildings that we had seen before but on the other side of the bus - ah! we are doing a circular route.  Before long the bus pulls up and the engine stops, so we ask the driver when does the bus get to the Coventry Road.  "It doesn't" comes the reply.  So now here we are in the centre of Hinckley, further away from the Coventry Road than when we boarded the bus and faced with the prospect of  a longer walk back to the boat.  After much muttering we make it back to Digitalis, the good news is we did make it before the rain really set in. All's well, that ends well!

Day 3 - Hawkesbury Junction to Ashby Canal, Bridge 2

Another leisurely start today - we could certainly get used to this!  We make our way up the Oxford canal through the picturesque Warwickshire countryside which is only spoilt by the electricity grid station just short of Hawkesbury Junction.  This is in complete contrast to the junction itself with its old buildings, lock and basin.  Out of the lock we had to make 'U' turn under the footbridge to take us on to the Coventry Canal.  Just opposite the Old Engine House we moor for lunch whilst we take on some water.

In the afternoon Anthea ans Lizzie walk the towpath to bridge 15. Just before bridge15 we pass many permanetly moored boats on the oposite side, on their plots is a wonderful selection of manikins. Just on the bend is Charity Dock, displaying a selction of rather sad looking boats. It begins to rain as we approach Marston Junction and turn on to the Ashby Canal.  As we pass under Bridge 1 it begins to rain more heavily and it seems that the sensible thing to do is moor up and call it a day.  Just past Bridge 2 we find a suitable place to moor.  Our haste and panic to moor is sensed by Best Mate Lizzie who makes a leap for the towpath which is much further away than she estimates.  Lizzie now finds out how cold the water is and has to be unceremoniously dragged out of the canal - let us hope that she will not want to repeat this any time soon!