A brilliant cruising day - sunny with a light cooling breeze, just right. But first, just an explanation of the headline above. Originally the Coventry Canal ran from the city up to Fradley Junction with the Trent and Mersey. However, financial matters forced them to sell off a section from Fazeley to Whittington Brook to the newcomer, the Birmingham and Fazeley canal Company. Why they did not want the detached portion further north we are not sure especially as the changeover point was not even a junction.
Before leaving, Mike went in search of a paper. He had identified two possibilities both much the same distance away, around 8 minutes walking time. He opted for a new Co-Op supermarket in the newer part of Fradley. However, they had no Guardians and so he returned the way he came and then on into the old village where the small Post Office seemed to offer a slim chance. Lo and behold, they had just two copies left! (Sadly, Mike forgot to take a photo of the Post Office only the Co-Op!)
Talking to the lady running the shop she remarked that the other place was more 'Sun' territory and this was 'Telegraph and Guardian' - she went on to explain the history. Across the other side of the canal was a former war time airfield. When it ceased to be used by the RAF, the houses were sold off - the better Officers' Quarters privately and the others to the local authority as council houses. Gradually, the land is being developed with a substantial industrial park but also extensive housing. Some of the new houses looked quite large. The opening of new shops in this area has returned the division that the canal previously represented.
The much-delayed new marina at Kings Orchard is now open although it looks far from complete. They seem to have attracted a few boats, perhaps as many as a couple of dozen but no more than that.
With only two locks today and few other interruptions, it was a day to enjoy the scenery as we gently chugged along. Plenty of boats on the move although almost all that we saw were going the other way (think about it!) Christine snapped this harvested field just beyond the marina. There were also lots of moored boats both in-line permanent moorings as well as those just temporarily visiting (one or two did look as though they were testing the limits of the continuous cruising rules!)
At Huddlesford a short arm - now used as a cruising club mooring - is all that is left of the section of the Wyrley and Essington Canal which once ran to here from Ogley Junction. There are those who live in hope of restoring the link but the map suggests that it will be quite a task.
We spotted, having missed it on previous trips this way, the stone that marks the boundary between the two canals.
After a good lunch break - sadly all the special bread has now gone but we have had at least five good days - we continued. Next stop was a brief call at Peel's Wharf just before Fazeley Junction to dispose of rubbish and empty the elsan.
Left turn at the junction and we were back on the main part of the Coventry Canal with a short run then to the two locks at Glascote. These are not especially deep locks, a reminder of the surveying skills of the original canal builders that could trace a level route over such long distances.
First we crossed over the Tame Aqueduct - Mike was allowed to climb down to the river level to take photos.
The Glascote locks proved comparatively easy to work and were soon behind us, with another long stretch, this 4time until Atherstone. The first part skirts around the housing estates of Tamworth. Pleasant but with even more moored boats!
The only large house we noticed today was Pooley Hall and it was generally hidden from the canal by trees.
No time for the Atherstone flight today so we moored just a little bit short, away from the main line railway and not overshadowed by trees. Alas, having started on this blog we then discover that there is no mobile signal at the moment! (There had been not long before we stopped!)
16.1 miles - 2 locks
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