Radford Semele

Today's Canal - Grand Union

We had moored at Bridge 26A last night as it was the most convenient place from which to walk into the village of Long Itchington. we had already discovered that the service was Family Worship at 9.30.

Holy Trinity from a distance

It was a pleasant walk and took around 15 minutes. Initially we re-traced our steps from last night along the railway track and up to the road where we could see the church in the distance across the fields. Before long we were crossing the River Itchen and in the village itself.

The church is in the middle of the village and is constructed mainly from light coloured limestone but with darker sandstone on all the corners. At one time it had a steeple on top of the tower but that was lost in a thunderstorm. In its place there is now a large weathercock.

We were made very welcome as we arrived. The congregation was 35 - 40 in number and the service was led by a Reader. Afterwards we were encouraged to stay and chat over a cup of coffee.

Mike and Alice were interested to hear from one of the men his life story as he started work as a youngster in the nearby cement works (which we had been trying to research last night). after 15 years there, the lure of higher wages drew him to the car parts industry in Leamington where he stayed until he took early retirement. He was able to tell us a little about the history and what it was like to work in the cement factory.

On the way back to the boat we diverted via the village Square and Alice took a detailed interest in a timber framed house close to the churchyard. We also popped into the village Co-Op and came back with more items than the milk which was planned! Most of the crusty loaf of bread went at lunch time and the strawberries are for dessert tonight.

Waiting for water to fill

Back at the boat we changed and set off although ten minutes later we stopped again for water and rubbish. No sani station here so that- urgent - item had to wait a little longer. Whilst we waited for the tank to fill, Mike and Alice walked around to the nearby bridge and, in so doing, discovered a fruitful blackberry patch!

Bascote Staircase

Before long we arrived at the top of the four Bascote Locks. The difference here is that the top two locks form a staircase. Sadly, two boats - with plenty of crew - had just gone down so all the locks were set against us. even so, we completed them in 40 minutes, according to our log.

We were trying to identify butterflies today and also take some photos. Never easy and most attempts were dismal failures - this is the best. Now what is it?

Looking up Bascote Flight

One more lock was supposed to be the schedule before lunch but the two ladies conspired against Mike and so we opted for a mooring as soon as possible. he almost had his way as the next pound had only a few places where it was possible to moor on the bank and the first two were already taken by people enjoying their lunch in the sunshine. Fortunately all round there was enough room just above the next lock!

The loaf we bought earlier proved excellent and most of it disappeared into sandwiches of various compositions and Alice took advantage of the Petit Filou which we found in the shop.

Off again and dropped down another couple of locks to the sani station. We have stopped here several times in the past and, for us, it was pretty notorious as one of the least pleasant facilities on the system. We had heard that work was being done and as we pulled in Christine immediately spotted that the old hut had been completely demolished and a new open air disposal unit had been recently installed.

At one point Mike became rather worried that he could hear an unusual rhythm to the engine. He was relived to discover a couple of minutes later that three boats were moored up and enjoying an afternoon listening to music from two large speakers on the towpath. As we came nearer it was possible to hear the music and not just the bass beat which was what had so confused poor Mike!

Still more locks followed until we reached Radford Bottom Lock, our last for today . Immediately above the lock is a large railway aqueduct, part of the same railway that we explored last night. Whilst Mike took the boat down to the lock, Alice and Christine followed the track up to the top - the aqueduct was quite a bit higher than Bridge 26A.

Sadly, they discovered after following the signs for Offchurch Greenway they arrived at the top after many zig zags, only to discover that it does not cross the viaduct which was blocked by a very locked gate!

By now it was time to think about mooring. We did have time to continue through Leamington and even to Warwick. However, we took the soft option and moored up at Radford Semele, opposite the church which has now been re-built after a disastrous fire several years ago. Although it is only one field away from the canal, it is quite a long route to walk to it so, despite best intentions, a visit will have to wait for another time!

Radford Semele Church

At least this gave Mike more time to prepare our roast chicken for tonight, along with two stuffings and plenty of vegetables (something different for everyone!)

Time also for Alice to catchup on her plan to read a book a day (Her school challenge is to read six book over the holidays: no challenge for Alice as she may do that in a week!). She finished the first last night and today started on The Various by Steve Augarde - she is on chapter 9 already despite having spent most of the afternoon helping with the locks. still, there is another hour til dinner time!

4.9 miles - 10 locks