23rd April 2009
We had intended to go to Coventry and beyond but things conspired against us. Things are actually Jo's health, she suffers from depression and it struck.
We spent a day and a half at the marina doing useful things like fitting fair leads and setting up out new cassette loo and then Jo felt up to leaving.
We moored between Napton and Braunston. The next day we set off with gorgeous weather and visited Willoughby near the Oxford Canal. It is a nice little village but the pub was shut!!!!! Then it was towards Rugby. On Barby straight we saw this cute little boat.
Passing Rugby wharf we found some inconsiderate moorings from a boatyard. This time we could get through but it was on a blind bend approaching a narrow bridge!
We arrived at Hillmorton locks to find a very slow boat in front. Finally they moored on the lock landing area , ignoring the right hand (the locks are paired) full lock with open top gates proceeded to fill the left hand one. We drove into the right hand and asked them what was the trouble. They said it was too hard to get into the right hand one. We were through the lock and into the next and half way down before the left the first one!
We moored beneath the locks for the night.
This is our new Cratch board.
The next day Jo decided she wanted to go home so we turned at the entrance to the Rugby arm. Jo did a very good job and we were well pleased.
When we stopped for water Jo slipped off the bank and went up to her knees between the boat and bank at the front. Full astern stopped the boat and she was able to scramble out but it could have been a bit nasty. Much examination of the navel later concluded don't jump a gap when the boat is moving. We knew that of course but still do it sometimes!!
We went back up the locks at Hillmorton and were asked for advice from a young couple in a day boat. We helped them out which made us feel good.
We passed an interesting boat on the way called Jameson (after the Whiskey) it has a semi-trad rear deck but had a sliding hatch at the front with a boatman's cabin! A bit unusual.
The evening (still with great weather) saw us moored at Braunston for supplies. Jo was a bit better and we had enjoyed the day.
Back to Calcutt under a clear blue sky. At one of the bridges (one with a blind s bend through it) workmen were repairing it and there was traffic control with stop and go boards! Quite novel. Calcutt locks saw another couple just setting out who asked for advice. Jo says the young lady was wearing only a bikini top and shorts but I didn't notice.
Jo did another very expert bit of steering to get us on the pontoon backwards.
Our final experience was emptying the cassette loo - yuk.
Despite Jo's health we did enjoy most of it.
Cheers Graham
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