Friday 24 May 2013
Piglet: Hawkesbury Junction - 24th May 2013
On Friday the wind was blowing a gale and it kept raining so we spent most of the afternoon in the Greyhound talking to fellow boaters.
Thursday 23 May 2013
Piglet: Coventry and Back - 23rd May 2013
Joanna left us early in the morning and stuck for something to do for the rest of the day we decided to take Piglet into the centre of Coventry as that was the only part of the Coventry Canal we hadn't done before.
We set off at 10:20 and pretty much immediately picked up a load of rubbish on the prop whilst holding back for a boat emerging under Coney Lane Bridge so we stopped shortly after for a trip down the weed hatch.
When that was cleared we were on our way again. The wind was pretty strong and cold but at least it wasn't raining.
We passed the rear of the Ricoh Arena where we'd been the night before and could see the cranes inside dismantling the stage.
The trip into Coventry wasn't too bad and it was quite nice to be on an urban canal for a change.
On entering basin via the low bridge our first impressions were quite good. However with all the "No Splashing the Towpath" and "No Mooring" signs along with a pretty pointless looking swingbridge blocking access to any decent moorings we felt a little underwhelmed.
Turning round seemed to be easier said than done too. Coventry Basin is a kind of Y shape with the canal entering up the stem and splitting into 2 arms. No matter what we tried I kept getting blown side on into the bit between the 2 arms. A helpful passing boat suggested we tie our front rope to a bollard and motor the back end around which worked a treat and we were soon heading back out of the basin as the wind decided to drop too.
An hour or so later we were back where we had moored the night before at Hawkesbury Junction. Then the sun came out and the wind dropped!
10 Miles 6.25 Furlongs
0 Locks
We set off at 10:20 and pretty much immediately picked up a load of rubbish on the prop whilst holding back for a boat emerging under Coney Lane Bridge so we stopped shortly after for a trip down the weed hatch.
When that was cleared we were on our way again. The wind was pretty strong and cold but at least it wasn't raining.
We passed the rear of the Ricoh Arena where we'd been the night before and could see the cranes inside dismantling the stage.
The trip into Coventry wasn't too bad and it was quite nice to be on an urban canal for a change.
On entering basin via the low bridge our first impressions were quite good. However with all the "No Splashing the Towpath" and "No Mooring" signs along with a pretty pointless looking swingbridge blocking access to any decent moorings we felt a little underwhelmed.
Turning round seemed to be easier said than done too. Coventry Basin is a kind of Y shape with the canal entering up the stem and splitting into 2 arms. No matter what we tried I kept getting blown side on into the bit between the 2 arms. A helpful passing boat suggested we tie our front rope to a bollard and motor the back end around which worked a treat and we were soon heading back out of the basin as the wind decided to drop too.
An hour or so later we were back where we had moored the night before at Hawkesbury Junction. Then the sun came out and the wind dropped!
10 Miles 6.25 Furlongs
0 Locks
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Piglet: Newbold to Hawkesbury Junction 22nd May 2013
Set off from Newbold early at 7:48 am in order to make certain we reached our destination of Hawkesbury Junction at a good time.
Nearing the junction all the visitor moorings seemed to be full but whilst passing through the stop lock, Becky got talking to a CRT employee who said there was plenty in the Coventry direction. Turning left at the junction there didn't seem to be that many spaces. There were a couple of boats moored between the junction and the water point with at least one beyond it. Past the last boat there was a grassed area to the left which looked ideal, so we moored up tight to the last boat which meant we were sticking 6ft into a no mooring area but I think we can live with that. I still can't work out why it was no mooring as the entrance to the basin opposite was a fair way away.
After she'd arrived we went to the Greyhound for lunch which was absolutely lovely with so much choice!
We finished our meal and went back to the boat for a bit before returning to the Greyhound and waiting for our taxi which arrived on time and not long after we were at the Ricoh Arena.
Concert
After the concert we arrived back, had a quick nightcap and were soon off to bed!
11 Miles 5.25 Furlongs
1 Lock
Nearing the junction all the visitor moorings seemed to be full but whilst passing through the stop lock, Becky got talking to a CRT employee who said there was plenty in the Coventry direction. Turning left at the junction there didn't seem to be that many spaces. There were a couple of boats moored between the junction and the water point with at least one beyond it. Past the last boat there was a grassed area to the left which looked ideal, so we moored up tight to the last boat which meant we were sticking 6ft into a no mooring area but I think we can live with that. I still can't work out why it was no mooring as the entrance to the basin opposite was a fair way away.
We'd booked a meal at the pub on the junction, the Greyhound, and arranged for Joanna to leave her car there overnight so we got on with a few jobs while we waited for her to arrive.
After she'd arrived we went to the Greyhound for lunch which was absolutely lovely with so much choice!
We finished our meal and went back to the boat for a bit before returning to the Greyhound and waiting for our taxi which arrived on time and not long after we were at the Ricoh Arena.
Concert
After the concert we arrived back, had a quick nightcap and were soon off to bed!
11 Miles 5.25 Furlongs
1 Lock
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Piglet: Braunston to Newbold - 21st May 2013
Sometime in the past year our friend Joanna asked us if we'd like to go and see the band Muse who were playing at the Emirates Stadium in Coventry. I'd previously seen Muse live in 2010 so was very happy to take up the offer.
Another bonus was that the Oxford Canal and the Coventry Canal run very close to the stadium so what better accommodation could we have than to take Piglet up to Coventry for a few days.
We set off from Braunston just before 9:30 am and reached our normal stopping off point at Newbold shortly before 2 pm.
We went to the excellent little Co-op to stock up with a few bits and pieces before having a spot of lunch and then a few pints in the Boat which seems to have a new landlord every time we visit!
12 Miles .75 Furlongs
3 Locks
Another bonus was that the Oxford Canal and the Coventry Canal run very close to the stadium so what better accommodation could we have than to take Piglet up to Coventry for a few days.
We set off from Braunston just before 9:30 am and reached our normal stopping off point at Newbold shortly before 2 pm.
We went to the excellent little Co-op to stock up with a few bits and pieces before having a spot of lunch and then a few pints in the Boat which seems to have a new landlord every time we visit!
12 Miles .75 Furlongs
3 Locks
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