From roger@haynes.screaming.net Sun Aug 29 11:32:48 1999 Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 17:06:59 GMT From: Roger Haynes Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Newsgroups: uk.rec.waterways Subject: Trip Report,Teasel comes South - Part 1 After the disappointments of June, beginning the trip to Harefield and breaking down near Lichfield, we were at last ready to start again. I had gone up to Streethay earlier in the week just to check all was ok and to give the rebuilt SR3 a quick run. It sounded good, mind you it bloody should for the total cost. Fri the 30th Jul arrived and luckily (and with a modicum of cunning) I was able to skive off early and get on the road. We (myself, Pip and son Russell) arrived at Streethay after a good journey from Uxbridge lasting only an hour and a half. The weather was scorching, as it had been for a few weeks. (Writing this I look out of the window and its raining again, the good weather seems just a memory know). Loading up Teasel we deiseled and changed a gas bottle and left Streethay just before 3.30pm, I had also left an interior light on in the car, as I was to discover later. Not wanting to push the engine hard to start with, we had decided to cruise until fairly late on the first couple of days to get some time in hand as we only had a week to complete the journey. It was fantastic to be back on the water, especially with an engine that did not envelope you in clouds of smoke. It was very quiet on the Coventry as we cruised through Whittington and Hopwas, saw Corixa II moored and a notice on a tree at the bottom of the garden opposite for Canal Planner, the back door of the house was open, called out "hello Sid", but did not see anyone. It is very pleasant countryside around around this area and I could start to feel the old waterway magic unwinding me as we gently slipped through the quiet waters and villages, hardly any other boats were moving, very peaceful. As we passed some boats moored a chap on one called over "I wish everyone would pass at that sort of speed, thank you". Made you feel all self rightious!! The quiet ended for a while as we approached Tamworth. Having decided on fish and chips for the first night, we moored up and went hunting. Not 100 yds from the canal we bought some of the best f&c I have ever had, can`t remember the name of the chippy now (my notes are on Teasel-get them later). Walking to the shop we passed lots of bloke wearing Villa shirts and then saw a poster for a Tamworth v Villa friendly that night. Hmm wonder if I can get away with taking a couple of hours to get the food?, not worth the risk and I was too hungry anyway. Supper consumed, washed down with a couple of pints in an adjacent pub, we decided to go on for another hour or so and then stop for the night. Arrived south of Polesworth and moored up leaving Atherstone locks for saturday morning. A great first afternoon, but was it hot on the water or what, could be fun inside tonight. Next: Saturday 31st Atherstone, idiots at Sutton Stop, beer barbecue and feeling odd! Regards Roger -- Roger Haynes nb`Teasel` Reply to canals@haynes.screaming.net --- The UK Waterways Network - http://www.ukwaterways.net/ * bringing the inland waterways community together * You are currently subscribed to canals as: george@adiva.com To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-canals-407N@ukwaterways.net