Ansty

Today's Canals : Ashby, Coventry, Oxford

The weather was a day of two very different halves. Mid morning heavy rain arrived and was very persistent until after lunch. At times it was quite windy which made it even more uncomfortable. when we set off again in the afternoon, the sky cleared rapidly and we had largely blue sky with fluffy clouds until after we moored. At least it was better that way round!

We needed just a few grocery items and a paper so Mike set off in search. He took a quick look at the Londis local store which Christine visited last night but it did not have most of the items. So, as we had plenty of time today, Mike set off to walk into town, just over a kilometre. he looked for a suitable bus but the timing was not right.

The town centre has lots of small shops but few national chains - a WH Smith (for newspaper), Wilkinson's and a couple of Greggs (alas for a loaf). The Co-op, although a large electrical and furniture store, had only a small food section but did provide two items on the list! Eventually, all the items were located and Mike set off back to the boat. At first it looked as if the buses were not being kind but, just after leaving the central area, a 48 bus came as needed and cut out the main part of the walk back. At least it keeps the bus pass active!

Later than usual we cast off and continued down the Ashby Canal with still five miles to go. It was now very wet and, sensibly, Christine kept well wrapped up inside as Mike gradually dripped more and more!

Our second bridge is called Lime Kiln Bridge and the building alongside gives the same message. Perhaps we will one day find the history behind these.

The photos are neither bright nor interesting - even the rain does not show up well! Just before we looked for a lunch stop, a short distance ahead of Marston Junction, we passed nb Yarwood, one of the blogs on our list that we follow. Although the chimney was smoking, anyone on board was well wrapped up so there was no chance to say hello.

nb Yarwood

Mike was rather grateful when he spotted a mooring spot even though it meant pins - the ground was rather soft so there was a question about what might happen when boats passed by. In fact it turned much quieter (perhaps everyone else was doing the same thing?) and we were still well fixed when we set off again.

By now the sun was emerging and Christine took over the steering - still not warm enough to sit outside.

We were followed through Marston Junction

At Marston we turned onto the Coventry Canal once more.

Charity Dock

£1.60 a gallon?

the next corner we passed the well-known canal landmark: Charity Dock. It looks rather as if it is aiming to be the buried treasure site for future industrial archaeologists! No doubt it is some time since its fuel was this price - or even sold by the gallon. The garden alongside is noted for its collection of characters which seem to have expanded since we were last here.

Newdigate Colliery Arm

The long stretch close to Bedworth was once busy with coal mines but only a label on the map helps to distinguish this as once the Newdigate Colliery Arm. The mines have now been greened over, returning the landscape for modern uses.

Hawkesbury Engine House

As it is over three days since we filled our water tank, this was a priority stop at Hawkesbury Junction. By now the sky was bright blue and whilst we waited for the tap to do its job we were able to find some better photos of the remaining features of this junction.



Hawkesbury Junction : Coventry left and Oxford right

The two canals were long at odds with each other when being built, each fearful of the commercial advantage of the other. In the end the two were linked, after running parallel for for some distance but with a stop lock. This prevented the Coventry Canal owners from taking more water than necessary from the Oxford Canal. There is only a few inches difference rise in the lock.

Coventry Gauging Stop

The Coventry also has a gauging stop where the company could measure how much load a boat was carrying and so levy an appropriate toll.

Hawkesbuty Stop Lock

Suddenly the junction was very busy and we had to wait in line for the lock whilst Mike popped to the sani station.

Now on the Oxford Canal it was a pleasant late afternoon cruise - warm enough to sit and read at the front!

We continued in the sunshine until Ansty where we found a mooring spot - and possible a pub for a meal

11.7 miles - 1 lock