Hinkley

Today's Canals : Coventry, Ashby

Usually we do the car shuffle at the end of each trip just in case we end up somewhere other then planned. In this case we are committed to leaving the boat for four weeks at Hilmorton Marina and they agreed that we could leave our car there this week. (The previous marina also charge substantially for the privilege - the first time we have encountered that)

So, Mike set off at 8:30 to drive down to the marina. The rush hour traffic around Nuneaton made for slow progress at first but on the motorway, apart from a slow patch around one of the intersections, it was reasonably clear.

Mike was welcomed at the marina and shown where our berth will be. He was advised that if he walked a little way up the hill he would have a more frequent service than just outside (which was where he planned to catch a bus into Rugby). As he had a little time, he followed this advice but in the end it was the same bus that he caught - and that was 10 minutes late!

At Springwood Haven Marina

There was a short 12 minute walk to the station and he was in good time for the train. Christine had texted to ask Mike to collect some cash if possible so he diverted to the Asda store near the station. This meant a brisk walk to the canal bridge as Christine had agreed to bring the boat out of the marina and about a mile down the canal so that Mike did not have the longer walk. She arrived in sight just two minutes after Mike arrived!

Grey and Blue skies

The day started bight although quite chilly. There were two or three showers later on, one quite heavy, but generally much pleasanter than forecast!

Site of Griff Arm

Nicholsons marks the site of the former Griff Arm - we could just identify it, now only a few metres long. The Griff Collieries date back several centuries with the late eighteenth century marking the start of earnest development. Canal branches and, later, railway branches were created to take the output to its industrial destinations. The coal reserves were gradually exhausted and the last pit closed in 1960.

A little before Marston Junction we stopped for lunch - we recalled that the first part of the Ashby is not easy for mooring.

Martson Junction

Off again and before long we arrived at the junction where we turned left onto the Ashby Canal, notable for having no locks.

Alongside the junction bridge we spotted the first milestone. Each canal has a different design of milestones, in this case they are very simple and indicate the distance from either end. However, the present terminus is short of the original as a section was lost through mining subsidence, although work is in progress to link up with the detached portion which is in good condition. As it stands we can cruise for about 22 of the original 30 miles.

There are some designated mooring spots but much of the towpath bank is inaccessible through the weed growth. However, we continued to enjoy the sunshine!

Most of the Ashby Canal is rural and avoids towns - villages are quite sparse. However we did go close to Hinkley. The start of the town is marked by the short arm to Hinkley Wharf - now used as private permanent moorings.



Hinkley Wharf Arm

We had planned to stop overnight near the town so that we could pick up a paper in the morning. We came in to a good mooring but then realised, from adjacent houses, that the direction for a TV signal was blocked by trees so we carried on.

By the time we found a suitable spot we were back out into the countryside so we will have to think again about newsagents! At least we should be able to watch the new Doc Martin episode later tonight.

11.2 Miles - 0 Locks