From dominicfam@proweb.co.uk Mon May 3 18:25:03 1999 Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 19:08:01 GMT From: Brian L Dominic Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: canals@blacksheep.org Subject: TRIP REPORT: The Voyage of the Doris Katia (2) Part the Second - in which the boat nearly meets with a disaster and we take a diversion. (Hillmorton - Coventry Basin) Cast: Brian Tristan - younger son (17 and built like a brick s***house) Paul - Tristan's mate Various boatyard personnel (in person and on phone) We were woken at around 0700 by the passing of working NB Saltaire en route to Langley Mill, but before setting off, there were the chores to do. Doris is owned by an Army Major, so I took the hint (a large tin of Brasso) and polished the tiller and tiller pin to a pristine shine - also checked the engine (it was there). Paul (clad only in very small underpants and a very large tattoo) made coffee. We set off at 0740 and soon arrived at Hillmorton Locks, where we hit a problem. Doris is based on the K&A, and had only worked up to Braunston through broad locks. When we therefore reached our first narrow locks........ a couple of second-hand windlasses at three quid apiece soon sorted THAT out! It was nice to see BW staff out and about trying to keep the towpath vegetation in check - not easy at this time of the year. Nice also to see a well-laid section of hedge outside Rugby. We paused at Stretton for a pumpout and suckout of the bilges (allegedly water from the shower which is why the shower drain pump had been undone, BUT the water was clean, not soapy.......) On the outskirts of Coventry, panic when water came over the eighteen inch high bulkhead forward of the engine into the boat itself! The bilge pump was brought into play, and it was discovered that the weed hatch leaked - not a lot but enough to build up over a time. Got on the mobile and decided to head down the Coventry Arm to let Club Line put a fresh seal on the following day. Passed Sutton Stop at 4-15, arrived Coventry Basin at 6-15, having had to go down the weed hatch in earnest to remove a length of knotted blue polypropylene rope from the prop. As we were winding prior to mooring, Ian-the-Builder came on the mobile and we agreed the course of action. Dinner - Clear Chicken & Noodle Soup (will post the recipe) and then a gentle potter round the basin, which has changed a lot since I was here with a pregnant Susan 20 years ago in "Josephine" from Welford Boats - there are now a row of craft shops on one side of the basin, though it was disturbing to note that a number of these had closed. 21 miles 2 locks Brian Web Sites: (Golden Valley Light Railway) http://www.proweb.co.uk/~dominicfam/ (Canals) http://www.proweb.co.uk/~dominicfam/boat.htm