Lovely few days.

Hi All.

How was it for you then?

Did you have a lovely Platinum Jubilee Weekend?

We spent the whole four days at Hillmorton, watching the world go by.

We had an amazing All Day Breakfast at the cafe. OMG I can totally recommend it. We also walked up into Hillmorton, which is an elongated village, with a pub, co-op, post office and a couple of other small shops. 

Saturday evening we went to watch Kate and Heather, the Alarum Theatre perform Muck and Shovel and Mary Rose. Both excellent performances. Muck and Shovel was performed outside, in wintery, windy weather and so for Mary Rose we all piled inside the cafe and we were all somewhat warmer.

They were also doing an different performance on the Sunday, but the weather was so awful, we decided to stay on the boat in the dry and warm.

After a somewhat wet and windy weekend, this morning we left from below Hillmorton locks at 9:00am, the weather was dry and calm, all be it overcast. 

We had a good run, meeting a few boats along the way.

Our boating day finished early at 12.10pm when we moored up outside Braunston Marina, having boated for 3hrs 10mins and only done 3 locks. Amazing to see Braunston so quiet on the boat front. Whilst sat eating lunch, I heard a "Hello Jo and Keith" from a boat passing and it was lovely to see Rupert and  Alison Smedley on Sandbach, they had been at the Crick Boat Show for the weekend. I dare say we will see a few boats from that weekend.

Pop back soon xx

 

Hawkesbury Junction to Hillmorton.

Congratulations to her majesty the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee. 

Queen Elizabeth II, has served our fine country for 70 years and shown true resilience, through some difficult time.

Today we woke to lovely sunshine and a Wren who was shouting loudly, to be heard above the other birds. 

Turning off the Coventry Canal.

Arriving on the Oxford Canal.

We left Hawkesbury junction at 8:45am, and met a fair few boats on the move, anyone would think there is a Platinum Jubilee long weekend going on 🤣.

We met several boats in bridge 'ole's. we gave way to them, because it was easier for us to hold fast and let them through.

Some cattle decided they needed to take a paddle to cool themselves down.

After a pleasant days boating we moored below Hillmorton locks a 2:50pm, 6hrs 5mins, 1 lock. We are going to stay here for the rest of the weekend. Because there a lot of boats out and about, moorings may become hard to find, so we will stay put and enjoy the weather and a walk up into Hillmorton.

I hope you all have a wonderful Jubilee weekend.

Pop back soon x

 

Sutton Cheney to Hawkesbury Junction.

 

Hi all.

Yesterday we did Sutton Cheney to Stoke Golding. It was pretty uneventful, with a few boats on the move. The highlight of the day was the evening meal at The Mango Tree in Stoke Golding. If you love Indian food, then do go and give them a go. The food and service were excellent and well worth the stroll up into the village. They have been there for 14 years, so they must be doing something right.

This morning we left Stoke Golding at 9.15am, with the intention of getting to Hawkesbury Junction.

We had a very pleasant pottle to Hinkley, where we stopped for food at 10.20am. We stopped opposite Trinity Marina, got our trolleys and rucksacks and walked the couple of mile up into Hinkley to find Lidl. Our thinking was, that Tesco at Rugby would be mega busy tomorrow, what with the long Bank Holiday Weekend for the Jubilee. Having done our shopping, we did the walk back to the boat at 12 noon and whilst we were on the move, I stowed all the shopping away, made lunch and a coffee.

Our time on the Ashby was almost over.

Met these gorgeous horses, before leaving the peace of the Ashby Canal.

As we approached Marston Junction to turn back onto the Coventry Canal, another boat wanted to swap places with us. It all worked like a dream and no paintwork was exchanged.

We went back past Charity Dock and its wonderful display.

All moored up for the evening by 3.25 pm.

Pop back soon xx

Shackerstone to Sutton Cheney.

 

Hi everyone.

After a fabulous weekend, playing on trains, it was time to move on again. We left Shackerstone at 9:00am,  it was overcast, with drizzle at times.

We had a nice run to Sutton Wharf, with quite a few boats on the move.

Between bridges 41 and 42, there was a tree down and it was very difficult to get by, because the towpath side was very shallow. We managed to creep past very slowly, but for anyone deeper drafted than us at 2ft 6 in, they are truly going to struggle. I reported it to CRT and they have it on the agenda to sort out this week. 

Lovely Donkey's enjoying the grass

We moored at Sutton Cheney at 12.05pm, 3hr 5mins, no locks. 

The sun decided to pop out for a while, but it is now cloudy again. Sausage Casserole and Dumplings are cooking for dinner tonight. We will then see what tomorrow brings.

Pop back soon x

Trainssssssssssss

Hi All.

We have had the best weekend. We have had a couple of amazing sunsets to gladden the heart and to set up a perfect weekend. The plan with being at Shackerstone, was to go and play at the railway station.

Saturday, we were hoping to go on the steam train, but sadly it was not running due to a lack of crew, so instead they put on a diesel DMU.

We spent most of the day riding up and down the Shackerstone preserved railway in the guards van, with our friend Rod, who was on guard duty for the day. We, enjoyed lunch and drinks in the cafe. I can recommend their pasties, they were amazing and they come with a salad for £3.95. We literally spent all day at the station from 10 am till 5 pm and had a blast.

Today (Sunday), we got to play with steam. We had pre-booked our tickets, so were very pleased the steam loco 419 was on and we got to have a trip down to Shenton and back. 

Shackerston station has been got its bunting up for the Jubilee this coming week. There were a lot of people there today enjoying a Sunday Roast and trip on the steam loco, we enjoyed day 2 and another pasty. We both love steam and railways. I was definitely in my element. 

The carriage we sat in, felt like being in a Harry Potter film, we just needed the sweet trolley to come along. A brilliant weekend was had.

Pop back soon x

 

Snarestone to Shackerstone.

 

Hi all.

This morning, we woke early to the sound of the wind and the birdsong. The breeze was showing no sign of calming down, so we sat in bed and had a cuppa, whilst listening to the radio.

Once up and sorted out, we waved goodbye to Snarestone Wharf at 8.40am and headed off from whence we had come.

Back through Snarestone Tunnel, which is only short, but requires us to take off our long pipe and put the short one on and we also took our back cabin chimney down, just in case.

Out into the sunshine and on our way. 

We were not the only one on the move today.

I love boating through wooded areas. I do wonder if their are wildlife eyes watching us from the woods and in the trees, such as Owls, Deer etc. 

An hour and twenty minutes later we were moored at Shackerstone, so just a short hop for us today.

After a cuppa, we decided to take a walk up to the station, to see if anything had changed in the past 10 years. It was clear to see it is still exactly the same.

We then had a walk around the village.

St. Peter's Church. 

Nice to see the Rising Sun is still here, but although it advertises they do food all day, they do not. They are open from 12 noon, but only do food on Wednesday steak night, Friday Pizza night and Sunday Roast. There was a time when it was food all day with a large menu, but not at the moment, which is a real shame.

The old School, which is now a Village Hall. Nothing much has changed in the village, which in some ways is nice, because so many places we see have changed such a lot, with lots of new housing, which can spoil small villages. 

The brisk breeze today has had a real chill in it, which is not what we were expecting. But our solar panel has enjoyed plenty of sunshine, to keep the batteries topped up. All is okay in my world today.

Pop back soon x

Stroll to Measham.

Dear followers.

It was a very overcast steel-grey sky, which greeted us this morning. But undaunted, we put our walking boots and coats on and headed off from Snarestone Wharf and went on a 2 mile stroll to trace the route of the Ashby Canal, which is under restoration.

About half a mile has been re-watered so far and it is already teaming with life.

A pen looking after her Cygnets.

Where they have gotten to so far. It is mammoth task to get to Moira and I cannot see it happening in our life time, but we were told they hope to reach Measham in the next five years.

We found one of the seam markers for the mines which used to be worked along the Ashby Canal.

The route is well signposted, which has been put in place over the last five weeks. The noticeboards make an interesting read and give a great explanation as to what used to be along the route. 

We reached Measham and the old railway station, which is now a museum. The canal will travel along the old railway line and pass by the railway station and platform, which will be very exciting. 

Having walked around Measham, we enjoyed a nice cuppa and toast in Robin's Nest Cafe. It gave our legs a much needed rest. Great, cuppa, staff and the prices were very good as well. 

We retraced our steps, back along the route to head back to Snarestone Wharf, where we enjoyed an ice cream tub and a chat with Michael who helps to run the shop at the Wharf, which helps to raise much needed funds for the canal restoration. 

You can have your name on a brick, which will be going into the Aqueduct for a modest cost. A brilliant idea I think. 

All in all an excellent day was had by us both. We will be on the move tomorrow.

Pop back soon.