Hartshill

Although it was bright when we awoke, it soon turned wet and cold - and remained that way until we moored. The rain was intermittent but long spells of drizzle kept the non-steerer firmly inside all day.

Alphabet Lodge

The run up to Sutton Stop was straightforward and uneventful, as we gradually approached the motorways, firstly crossing under the M69 and then running alongside the M6. Just before the M69 we spotted Alphabet Lodge - no idea why it has this name!

Wyken Arm

When the M6 was built, part of the canal had to be re-aligned and the bridge over the arm now used by Coventry Cruising Club is at a slight angle to the current canal. The arm itself was part of the original canal and left behind when the Oxford was improved in the nineteenth century and many of the meanderings straightened out.

Just before the junction stands a huge electricity pylon, looking like some giant alien from a sci-fi novel!

Sutton Stop Lock

Before passing through the stop lock we took on water (A local moorer reported that this is the best flowing tap of all the ones at this junction - there are four or five). Whilst the tank was filling, we also carried the elsan over the bridge and disposed of rubbish in the bins.

Hawkesbury Junction

There are several old and interesting buildings dotted around the junction - for reasons we have not discovered one of them has a West Midlands Police blue lamp on it! There is also an interesting terrace of cottages alongside the pub.

We turned north along the Coventry Canal and continued up to Marston Junction where we moored up for an hour to have lunch and to warm through. Central heating is a welcome bonus on days like this!

Marston Junction

Turn Over Bridge

Bridge 18 is labelled in Nicholsons as Turn Over Bridge, which should indicate that it carries the towpath from one side of the canal to the other. yet the map also shows that the towpath continues on the same side, so Mike was intrigued to see why. It is close to the site of Griff Arm (there were many large quarries just to the west of the canal along here) and a clear towpath could be seen from the bridge to the arm but no further. Presumably mystery solved - unless someone knows better!

We were skirting Nuneaton and one of our guides suggested that there were a couple of Post Offices and other shops near to Bridge 21 so we pulled in and Christine went in searhc of a newspaper. Alas, she returned empty handed.

Mike spotted an early set of cygnets - two of the three were happily resting on top of one of their parents but the other was getting used to the water. Unfortunately we were also approaching a tight bend which demanded attention and only part of the action came into the camera shot!

The numerous quarries led to many railway branches being constructed but almost all of them have all but disappeared. Occasionally the remains of a bridge mark the crossing point.

Hartshill Wharf

We passed through Hartshill Wharf, at one time an important maintenance yard where much would have been happening - it is hard to imagine the bustling scene.

Shortly after Mancetter Bridge and one-time wharf (not much to be seen now) we moored as the Atherstone flight is not far ahead. That will have to wait for the morning.

14.0 miles - 1 lock