BOATS AND CANALS

I have never been there, but the village/town looks like a place that I should have during my canal trips.

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Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

So the plan was to go to Hillmorton the next day but it was vey cold and windy when we got up so we went to a National Trust house instead. Snowshill Manor. We enjoyed the drive down the Foss Way but I could imagine Roman engineers turning in their grave at how many bends the road now has. We could always go to Hillmorton the next day couldn't we?

The next day it was cold and windy so we drove to Warwick Parkway and took a train to Birmingham. We were on the hunt for a new leather jacket for Jo and a summer jacket for me. We had lunch at Brindley place and eyed up moorings for the challenge in just over a week. After lunch we found three jackets!!

The next day we set off!!!!

It was a nice day for cruising.



We moored on the puddle banks and had coffee in Braunston.

Then we cruised up to the winding hole just short of Hillmortonn turned and headed back to a nice mooring.

This meant doing Barby Straight twice - it is very straight unlike the Foss way.



We went and did a bit of archaeology that evening. This is in the middle of the ex Great Central main line.



We also explored one of the old loops left after the Northern Oxford was straightened, Not very photogenic though.

This is our mooring the next morning.



Then is was back to Calcutt. We had a stroll round the reservoir that evening and came across a number of pieces of concrete with a piece of metal in them all along the embankments. They looked recent. Ideas?



I have just heard that my niece cannot paint the bot's name on in time for the BCN challenge so Jo and I are knocking up some name plates.

Cheers Graham

Af

Planning for BCN challenge underway.

Time settings on time lapse camera sorted - son and I spent ages pretending to go into and work locks in the street. Neighbours just accepted this as normal.

Linen all washed and drying indoors 'cos it's raining!

I have had a few set backs on crew. Rebecca is in Calais working with a charity helping out refugees so can't make it until Friday. Claire has got engaged and has just bought a boat with her partner and they need to get the old one onto a brokerage so she may not come at all.

Claire also hasn't been able to get up to the boat to do the sign writing so Jo and I are putting together some temporary nameplates to hang on the boat for the challenge.

It looks like it is just my son, sister and I to get the boat to Brum. We will have 4 of us on the challenge and an extra hand to do Lapworth and Hatton on the way back. (assuming Lapworth is open).

Sister is starting to plan some meals - this is a delight of the challenge as last year I didn't cook for a week. Normally it is me in the kitchen.

I've already filled in the form for Titford Pools. I get plaque to put on the boat and if I email the form and photos during the challenge it will be waiting at the end. Opps I've just revealed part of my route - I hope Laurie isn't reading this.

Cheers Graham

No doubt he will read it, if he hasn't done so already.

Whatever happens I am sure that you will all have an enjoyable time in one way or another.

Good Luck to both our crews.

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

That problem with Lock 12 is worrying me. We will go through it in the afternoon on Wednesday. If they close it before we get there then it is round the top and down the Birmingham and Fazeley. We'll get to Brum but coming back could be more interesting - they could decide it is broken too much to use when we have already come down Lapworth and Hatton. Worry, worry, worry......

Graham

The closure has been delayed for two weeks according to the latest from CART. viewtopic.php?f=330&t=19577

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Yes but it's the local staff will review the situation that worries me. Cheers Graham

Oh right!

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Looking forward to meeting up again

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Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

That will be nice, we'll see you at the end, we need to leave early (again) to get son back home as he works unlike me!

Packing is under way, departure from Hampshire to the boat (via High Wycombe to pick up crew) is at 9am. We intend to moor at the bottom of the flight from Calcutt to Leamington tomorrow evening.

Cheers Graham

Both Crews, please keep us up to date whenever possible and GOOD LUCK from ALL AT BOATS AND CANALS.

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

We have left Calcutt and are in Stockton Flight. Graham

Moored at Radford Semele having come down 23 locks this afternoon. Cheers Graham

We have come up Hatton and Knowle locks and are now eating on the back deck in glorious sunshine.

Cheers Graham

It went so well until Farmers Bridge then we found a broken lock. Two hours later we got going and are moored a little outside the centre of Birmingham. We met Laurie who has decided to start from here after all. We need to start early and head back to Old Turn by 8am. Cheers Graham