Hatton Shopping Village

This afternoon after Tracey had caught the train back to London, the other Derek, Carrie and I set off for Hatton Country World. We left my Derek still nursing his sore toe behind.  Wow! did he miss all the lovely goodies in the Toffee Shop,  I relented and bought him a bag home to keep him quiet.  Although it was a cold and a dismal day there were a lot of people about.  It only took us about half an hour to walk back along the towpath and across the field which was a bit waterlogged but we were ok, walking boots are definitely needed at this time of the year.  I forgot my camera unfortunately and took this photo with my new phone so sorry it is not up to the usual standard.

Eat your heart out Derek

Tomorrow we will head off for Kingswood Junction, how long we will be there who knows, the forecast is for more snow and ice this week and they are predicting it may last for 10 days or so.  Not as long as the last spell but who knows.  Time will tell. 

Anyone for an Ice Cream?

The Cabin Cafe near the top of the Hatton flight.

Different Perspective

Dot took this photo while in control of Nb Uccello while the other Derek did some lock's.

Hatton Flight.

21 Locks, 3.01 Miles. Now moored at Bridge 56. Paul from Waterways Routes helping us up the Hatton Flight.

Yesterday,due to the lack of diesel availability between Warwick and Birmingham it was decided to back track to Kate Boats and fill up. Derek on Uccello emptied his spare can’s into his tank and then took Gypsy Rover for a cruise. Unfortunately I was laid low with a bout of Gout in the big toe and was trying to keep off my feet so Dot, Carrie and the other Derek did the honours while I kept Derek’s dog Bungie company on Uccello.

Dismal looking day on the Hatton flight but no rain.

Today’s original plan to set off up the Hatton flight at 10am but we decided to postpone it and make another decision closer to lunchtime due to rain. Paul from Waterways Routes had arrived by train to give us a helping hand but a unanimous decision to wait until later as the weather forecast predicted an improvement. Sure enough just before Noon the rain stopped and it was all go,go,go. Thanks Paul for all your help and our complimentary copy of the BCN DVD, now we can plan our way around Birmingham.

British Waterways depot on the Hatton flight.

Most of the locks were still in our favour from Nb Caxton’s decent of the flight several days ago although some had filled sufficiently to hold the gates shut necessitating a quick empty. As was to be expected at this time of year we were the only boats on the move except for 1 boat that we had passed early on its moorings came through just after we had moored up for the day. We had a good run up the flight as it took us just 2 hours 50 minutes with the 5 of us.

We last saw this relic at Fradley Junction. It's an old Fordson.

2083 locks, 4079.89 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Warwick

2 Locks, 2.11 Miles Now moored at the foot of Hatton Locks.

While Dot and I walked back to Tesco’s this morning Derek and Carrie called over to Kate Boats about a pump out. The response they got was that the machine was frozen and would be staying that way. They at least recommended Saltisford Canal Centre( as had Paul on Waterways Routes, at £10.)  Carrie rang the centre and found that they could accommodate their request so we thought that it would be wise for us to go as well under the present weather conditions.

We crunched our way through ice about 1-2 inches thick and just managed to reach the facility shed at the start of the Saltisford Arm. Due to the arm being seriously iced over and boats moored in the winding hole at the terminus we had to reverse out and find fresh moorings along the towpath. We finished up having to travel up to just below lock 26 of the Hatton flight.

After all this unplanned cruising and ice breaking we were glad to be finally mooring up for the day. After a hot drink to warm the inner man Dot then had to take off to the Warwick Parkway railway station to meet Tracey who is coming to join us for a week. Hopefully by the time she returns to London we will have made the top of the Hatton flight, a mere 2 miles, but don’t hold your breath waiting as the weather may have other idea’s. Both boats are all set for the next 14 days but after that we could have problems if we are still moored here at the bottom of the flight. As the saying goes “Watch this space”.

2062 locks, 4076.88 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

To Stay or Not To Stay?

0 Locks, 2.88 Miles Now moored in Warwick.

We knew we were in for a cold night last night but it turned out colder than expected. The canal started to freeze over before it even got dark last night and during the night, 3am to be precise, the Mikuni central heating kicked in as the boat temperature dropped below 10^oC.

Leslie from Nb Caxton. She walks miles along the towpath with Floyd and Fletcher

This morning Derek and Carrie on Uccello set off about 11am as they need to call in to Kate boats tomorrow. We opted to stay put as we were expecting Joe and Lesley on Nb Caxton to call in. By about 1pm there was no sign of them and the midday weather forecast had changed with forecasters advising that the weather pattern over the next week was going to be somewhat unpredictable. With the threat of overnight temperatures of –8^oC we didn’t want to get trapped in ice out here in the country so we cast off for better moorings.

Joe the other half of the crew of Caxton. On the way to Braunston to get the boat stretched.

Along the way we eventually did meet up with Joe and Lesley on Caxton but we just hove to for a quick chat. Sorry about the change of plans guys we had intentions of staying but we couldn’t afford to be iced in with a full tank of you know what. Hopefully we will get to spend some more time with you later in the year. At Tesco’s we caught up with Derek and Carrie who had just been shopping to stock up the pantry. A unanimous decision to push on to Kate boats was made where we are now currently moored. If we should be unfortunate enough to get frozen in again we will have access to all facilities within easy reach.

Bungy helping Carrie to moor Nb Uccello.

2060 locks, 4074.77 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

A Walk through Radford Semele

The White Lion pub at Radford Semele. Couldn’t resist a closeup. That's one big house with 15 chimneys to sweep.