Trip Report Route: Leicester Ring, Nottingham, Ashby Canal, Warwick Boat: Jimsonweed, 65 feet Owner: Canalboat Holidays, Weedon, GU Time: July 2nd to July 16th, 1999 Day 1, Friday, July, 2nd, Weedon - Crick We came from Ljubljana, Slovenia (1700 km) with two cars in two days. Our base was Weedon, Canalboat Holydays, run by Norman and Jenny Clarke. We appeared in base about 11 o'clock, just to see where it is. We were very surprised, when Jenny told us, that Jimsonweed (our 65 feet home for next 14 days) is almoust ready. So, we should start earlier and make Wattford locks today! But before we had to make some shopping (gas station outside of Weedon was the only shoping place), had to look at few antique shops and had to drink first bitter in the England. The Heart of England was a right place for that. Let me introduce my crew: my nyme is Nenad and I am the captain. My wife Breda is major cook, and our son Luka (12 years) can do everything. My friend Ante, would help me in stiring and his wife Natasa would help Breda in kitchen. This was our third cannal holidays. Jimsonweed is very confortable, with three cabins and two toilets. Beside color TV there is also video player, which was mostly used by Luka. We finally departed at 13:00 and reach bottom Buckby lock in 14:30. No luck, we had to make all 7 locks alone, but my crew worked proffessionally so we came to Norton Junction at 16:15. We made right turn to Leicester section of GU and arrived to Wattford locks at 17:00. We had to wait for two boats in front, but it didn't take long. Lock keeper was very friendly and we learned the process very fast. So we reached top lock at 18:00. My plan was to moor near pub EDWARDS (Bridge 12) so we were boating for another hour. We passed 1397 meters long Crick tunnel, where we have not met any incoming boat. EDWARDS was mentioned in Pearson's guide as "slow food" restorant. Our common opinion was that it was the best food this year in England. Ther was raining during the night. First day we made 11 miles, 14 locks and 1 tunnel in 5 hours. Day 2, July, 3rd, Saturday, Crick - Foxton In our plans, we have astimated to start each day between 8 and 9 o'clock, but we found out that everybody was awoken allready at 6:00. So we refilled the water and were sailing untill 8:00, when we stoped for the on board breakfast. As we have been ahead of schedule, we decided to go to Welford for shopping. Today was Breda's evening for cooking, so we hoped to find some fresh meet. Welford Arm was not busy. According Pearson's guide there is no turning point for 65 feet boat at the end, but I took a risk. True, there is only few feets more, then the lenght of our boat at the end of the arm, between water point and small boatyard, but I suceed to turn the boat without touching the ground or other boats. Then we moored and went in village. We found a gas station on another side of village. Ther was some food (meat too!) to buy. Friendly clerk (the only person on our holidays, who knew where was Slovenia) told us about Post Office in the village, which has greater choice. We have been surprised, as in our country Post Offices are selling only post articles and not food. In any case, we went to Post Office, which was near to our boat and bought the rest of supplies. We finished in Wharf Inn on pint of good ale. We took off from Welford at 13:45. In 1070 meters long Husband Bosworth tunnel we passed a boat without trouble and moored near Foxtone top lock at 16:00. There were two lock keepers, one for top five and another for bottom five locks. There were lot of people and children wondering around. I believe that to be a lock keeper is not easy work, The lady lock keeper on the upper part was trying to explain every detail. She even suggested the good places for mooring on our journy. For the place I planned to moor next night, she said was very dangerous (vandals!). In interesting chat passed 30 minuts, when we entered first lock. After that everything was very fast, and we left last lock at 17:30. We moored and went to BRIDGE 61 for earned beer. First time I tried TIGER, and it was very good. I also went to walk arround remains of inclined lift. It would be first class attraction, if some day it would operate again. For a pitz for museum was too late. Today we made 22 miles, 12 locks and 1 tunnel in 9 hours. Day 3, July 4th, Sunday, Foxton - Glen Parva We had an early start from Foxton at 6:30. After 1 hour we reached last tunnel (Saddington) on this streach. As there was no other "crazy" boaters so early, we passed the tunnel fast. After 5 locks, which we had managed by ourseleves, we moored near Bridge 80. It was exellent sunny day so we put the table outside on front deck and had a good english breakfest. After the meal Natasha wished to go out of the boat. She steped on the bench but missed it and had fallen between the banch and boat fence. The skin on her leg was scratched from knee to.... As she was a brave girl, recovery was very fast. So we went for a walk to Garden Center recommanded by Pearsons Guide. It took us half an hour to reach it. On the way there we had met walkers, cars, riders on horses and cycles. And the road is very narrow. Garden Center was paradise for ladies, while Luke spent most of time in Miniature Village. It is realy beautifull even you can see small canal and locks! Luka had made a lot of photographs. In one moment, looking for the best position, he had fallen over a stone and got a similar wound as Natasha this morning. Two similar accidents in one day, too much! Luka was also brave, in spite of pain there was no tears. Ladies have bought some flowers and pots, which would make our boat nicer. We returned to the boat and untied at 12:30. For next 7 locks we finally found a partner boat "Silver Sun". They have been in hurry, as they wished to make Leicester ring in one week. We stopped at Bridge 87 and had a earned pint (or two) in "THE NAVIGATION". Next stop was at Bridge 92, where we made a shoppinng in South Wigston. For two last locks that day we had a new partners. We moored by Bridge 98 near COUNTY ARMS together with both today's partners. It was the place, which lockkeeper at Foxton had not recommanded. The part of cannal this day was very dirty, with lot of unnatural vast. Between others I have found old shirt (!) round the propeller axis. We have seen a lot of dead fishes (not small!) during today's drive. After the dinner and bitter, we had a very peacefull night on the boat. We made 13 miles, 17 locks and 1 tunnel in 7 hours. Day 4, July 5th, Monday, Glen Parva - Leicester - Barrow upon Soar The earliest start at 6:00. After four locks we entered river Soar. Enterance is almoust invisible. At the beginning one can not see the difference between the cannal and the river. First weirs were very peacefull. I believe that in the case of high water there is total different approach. After some time I have discovered, that boating the river is faster. There was no much trafic on the river Soar that morning. At 9:00 we moored at Castle Gardens in Leicester and had a breakfest. We needed special key to exit the pontone. The walk through Castle Gardens to Market Place in the Town Centre was only 15 minutes. Market is realy interesting place with all that shouting merchants trying to be louder then the neighbour. We bought some fresh fruits and other stuff to fill the stock on the boat. We returned to the boat at 12:00, untied and continued under bridges of Leicester. At Thurlmaston lock BW team was repairing paddle on bottom gate. They informed us that we have to wait for 15 minutes. Natasha made a coffie. It was exellent weather. After a while we saw a sightseeing boat full of elder people aproaching. They have not stoped but went direct in the lock overtaking BW green service boat! Without asking anybody, captain's wife started to close the gate. BW staff was angry and asked them to wait for us. So we entered the lock beside hotel boat. The captain asked me if they would go out first as they are in hurry. Of course, I had nothing against, so they left the lock first. After a short time we encountered, that their boat was slower than we were. It was not possible to overtake him, so we had half a hour slow drive untill next lock. Then I said to the captain, that we should go out first. He was not very happy, but didnot complained. When both boats left the lock, my crew wished to close the gate, but the captain of the neightbour boat didnot allow! He said that they would turn and return in 15 minutes! We moored in Barrow upon Soar at 17:30. Alltogether we are half a day ahaed of schedule! Today we made 21 miles and 16 locks in 9 hours. Day 5, July 6th, Tuesday, Barrow upon Soar - Nottingham Another early take off (6:00) - another beautifull morning. River Soar was quite and peacefull. Some open flood locks has speeded us. We tried to fill the water in Loughborough (Bridge 39), but the pressure was so low, that it would have taken few hours to fill up. So we proceeded to Bridge 41, where we found many water connecting tabs. And the pressure was OK. Then we made breakfest stop at Devils Elbow. In another 1,5 hours we reached Soar-Trent Junction. Trent is bigger and stronger then Soar. We turned left to be on safe distance from Trent Weir. After a short cruising we turner right in Cranfleet Cut which is the begining of Trent navigation to Nottingham. With the lock at the end of the cut we came again to the level of Trent. Cruising on Trent was exellent. It was difficult to keep the speed of 4 mph. I had a feeling that ther boat could go at least 6 mph. After Beeston Marine there is Beeston Cut, last canal section to Nottingham. We moored in the town center near Magistrates Court and opposite of BW building. It was 3 pm. We have seen there very strange young people (drugs, alcohol or...) so we felt unconfortable. In spite of that we decided to stay moored there for few hours and visit Castle and Robin Hood Museum. The most interesting part of the castle is Nottingham Regiment Exebition. I believe that Princess Ane is in charge of the regiment today. Robin Hood Museum is fairy tail for children and little elder "children". Luka was fascinated with the kind of open cable car, which has driven us through the museum. Is it possible not to buy anything in big suvenir shop at the exit of Museum? Expecting the worst, we returned to the boat. But the boat was on the same place with all flowers on the roof. As we decided earlier, overnight mooring would be in front of Sainsbury supermarket, which is ca 500 m back. So we had to turn. We found a turnining point (not mentioned in Pearson's Guide) after next bridge, so we have not needed to go to canal corner or even to Trent Junction. There were lat of boats moored in front of Sainsbury, but we found a place for us. It was ideal mooring for filling the stock. In nearby American Restorant we had a good English dinner and English ale. We were a day ahead of schedule. We made 21 miles and 12 locks in 8 hours. Day 6, July, 7th, Wednesday, Nottingham - Burton upon Trent On early morning cruising on River Trent there is a lot of wild life. We used our cameras a lot. We tried to fill up the water at Cranfleet Lock, but we faced the same problem as earlier: low pressure. At 10:00 we reached Sawley Lock, the only electric lock on our journey. It took us few minutes to study operating procedure. After the lock we had breakfast. In Shardlow (Bridge 3) we moored at 11:30 and finally filled our tank with water. Our todays goal was Burton upon Trent, but we came ther to late to visit Bass Museum. And we found it after 30 minutes walk from Bridge 32. So we moved to Bridge 33 and had a good boat party. We made 26 miles and 11 locks v 10 hours. Day 7, July, 8th, Thursday, Burton upon Trent - Tamworth We untied at 6:30. In two hours we reached Fradley Junction. After good breakfest we left T&M andturned into Coventry Canal. At 14:30 we came to Fazeley Junction. We continued for next two locks untill Bridge 73, where we moored. We went in Tamworth to visit "The most beautifull small castlle in England". It was about 30 minutes from canal. Castle and flower gardens, sponsored by local Lion's Club are realy beautifull. In the castle are three "speaking" figures. The trick was in video projection of actor's speaking head into the doll head. I have intentionally broken the light beam, and alarm started immidiately. Everybody was afraid, but nothing hapened. On the way back we have noticed Snow Dome, artificial ski slope under the roof. We missed the street and becouse of that we walked 1 hour to the boat. We were still a day ahaed schedule. Today we made 22 miles and 12 locks in 8 hours. Day 8, July, 9th , Friday, Tamworth - Ashby Canal We started at 6:15 and filled the water at Bradley Green (Bridge 48). After that, my working crew had made 11 locks untill Atherston. After the last one we made a break. Then we continued to Hartshill (Bridge 41) where we found new built marine to pump out. Imidiately when we tied up, big owners dog jumped to the boat on back side and made a walk in the kitchen!. Nobody was afraid. In spite of some problems with the pump, operation on to toilets was pretty fast. Last two days of our holidays we discovered that they did not put enough chemicals in one toilet. "Smell" was terrible. At 13:30 we moored in Nuneaton (Bridge 20) to visit THE BOAT. After the recovery we continued to Ashby canal Junction. There we turned left and cruised to Bridge 5, our overnight mooring. THE CORNER HOUSE had a standard good beer. We made 19 miles and 11 locks in 7,5 hours. Day 9, July, 10th, Saturday, Ashby Canal We left our overnight mooring at 6:30 and refilled the water in Hinckley (Bridge 15). There is a lot of wind on Ashby Canal. As my company is Triumph distributor for Slovenia, we have checked the state of building process on new Triumph plant near canal, outside of Hinckley. Cruising on Ashby is much slower then on Coventry or T&M. We arrived in Sutton Cheyney Wharf at 10:30, where we planed to moor and go to Bosworth Battle Center through the woods. There were no free mooring places. In any case we turned at winding hole and drove in reverse 100 m to water point. We temporary moored there prepared to move away if somebody would need the water. We hoped that somebody would leave the mooring. While waiting, ladies made a breakfest. We were just starting to eat, when another boat came for water. We, of course, moved out. Captain of the nearby moored boat have seen what was going on and invited us to tie up on his boat to finish the breakfest. He sugested us to go King Richard's Fiel mooring (half an hour further), where should be enough mooring places. So, after the breakfest we turned again at turning point and cruised to sugested destination. When we came there, I made a mistake not turning at winding hole before mooring. There was lot of space, we tied up the boat and take a walk to Battle Field. The trail is good signed with descriptions of battle. Battle Center, which is about 30 minutes from the boat, is impresive with lot of details and good movie presentation. In the Battle Center restaurant I've got the last can of beer! We have been back on the boat at 14:00. As we have been turned in wrong direction, we proceeded on Ashby untill Bosworth Wharf at Bridge 42, where was the next winding hole. On the way back the canal was much busier then in the morning. There were a lot of one-day cruisers, which were very slow and unpredictable. In a moment there were a conwoy of 6 boats with two first comers on the top driving 2 mph and going from the left to the right and back! So we arrived in front of "LIME KILNS" (Bridge 15) at 19:00. Dinner and beer were exellent. We lost all advantage on schedule. Today we made 24 miles in 8,5 hours. Day 10, July, 11th, Sunday, Ashby Canal - Braunston We untied again at 6:30 and cruised against the wind untill Junction with Coventry Canal. Ante and Natasha took theirs daily jogging from that point to Hawkesbury Junction, where North Oxford Canal begins. Junction is very impresive, as you have to turn 360 degrees. There is lot of space, but it was strong side wind, which pushed me to near to side. I had to make some maneuvring to enter stop lock at the begining of Oxford Canal. We cruised untill Stretton on Fosse (Bridge 28), where had a breakfest and made some shopping in good stocked canal shop. We continued about midday. As I wished to see F1 race in Silverstone, we moored little before 13:00. As everybody knows, first start was cancelled so we continued. Later, before second start of race, Ante took a steer, as he was not so interested in F1, so I could look at TV. Signal was changing, but it was possible to follow the race. After the sucessfull start, I came back on steer, and Luka was informing me about the situation in the race. After Bridge 48 we passed through the shortest tunnel on our holidays (Newbold, 229 m). As boat beer level was down, we moored in Rugby by Bridge 58 and visited 5 minutes far away Tesco. We bought not only beer, but full carriage of food. It was too heavy for carrying, so we pushed carriage to the boat, unloaded the stuff and Natasha returned the carriage to Tesco. There she saw the notice, that this was not allowed. Nobody complained to us, but I can understand the management, as we have seen at least 5 carriages in or near the canals during our holidays. I could not undersand, why people would not return the carriages after the use! Back on the boat we found out that Coultard won Silverstone. David was my favorite! The traffic increased, we have been in queye on three last locks to Braunstone, where we moored at 19:00. MILL HOUSE is exelent for food and ale. Today we made 30 miles, 4 locks and 1 tunnel in 11 hours. Day 11, July, 12th, Monday, Braunston - Lemington Spa We untied at 6:30 and turned right on GU Main Line, which is identical to Oxfor Canal to Napton. In Napton we turned right again in direction of Warwic, our last destination on GU. We moored 15 minutes after Junction on Calcutt top lock to refill the water. Untill the end of the day we had to pass 21 locks - hard work for our crew. We have been alone, but most of the locks had water in our favour. My crew made it exellent, without any hurry we needed in average 7,5 minutes by lock. After last flight lock in Long Itchington (Bridge 25) we made earned one hour break. Following lock (staicase of two) we reached in half a hour. When we were in lock, I saw a boat behind us. So we waited for him and managed next locks together. I forgot to mention, that I was teaching Luka how to steer the boat all the way. Now I left him first time to enter and leave the lock alone. Of course I was supervising all the time. He did it exellent without touching the sides or gates, with adequate speed which didnot required strong reversing in the lock. Luka will be good and carefull captain one day. We finished with last lock at 14:00, 4 hours ahead of schedule! Beer was waitng for us in boat's fridg, so we moored in shadow of wood (it was very hot summer day) near Redford Semele. After the break we proceeded to Leamington Spa, where we moored near Bridge 40 at 15:30. It was the end for today, so we went to the city and looked beutifull parks and shops. Today we made 16 miles and 21 locks in 7,5 hours Day 12, July, 13th, Tuesday, Lemington Spa - Warwick - Long Itchington We started the engine at 6:30 and reached Warwick at 8:00. First we refilled the water at Bridge 50, then we cruised to Saltisford Arm to turn the boat (there were no free mooring places) and went back to Bridge 50. After the breakfest, at 10:00 we took a walk to Castle. It is pleasant walk of ca 30 minutes. I should not speek about Castle and gardens itself. They are definitly wonderfull and worth to visit. We returned to the boat at 15:00. It begun raining! Unbileivable, It was first daylight rain in England in 11 days! As we have been ahead of schedule, we decided to wait untill rain would stop. It hapened in 30 minutes. Then we untied and cruised to Long Itchington (Bridge 25) for ovrernight mooring, where we arrived at 20:00. Today we made 12 miles and 12 locks in 5,5 hours. Day 13, July, 14th, Wednesday, Long Itchington - Braunston As we have been ahaed of schedule, we decided to have "late" start for last two days of holidays. So we started at 8:00. Our crew finished with Stockton Flight (13 locks) in two hours. We moored again at Calcutt Top Lock, refilled the water, had a breakfest and visited canal shop. After one hour we proceeded to Napton Junction and then on GU to Braunston, the goal of todays trip. In Braunston we moored near Marine and took a walk through the village. The second (and last) 5 minutes rain catched us near the church, but we have been prepared with rain coats. After return to the boat Luka and me took another walk to the Tunnel Enterance and back. The unpleasant smell has apeared from rear toilet. I have checked the matter. The toilet was not full. The reason was in unadequate pump out few days ago. As we have thought, that pub by Bridge 4 is the best, we moved the boat through first three locks and moored opposite the pub at 17:30. Owner of Art Shop near the pub didnot recommanded that one (microwave fast food!), so we took a short walk back to the village. In old pub (17 century) we had slow dinner and the best ale in England - Tiger Gold). After return on the boat we found a very low water (ca.50 cm below normal level). We retied the ropes hoping that the level will not decrease any more and went to beds. Today we made 11 miles and 16 locks in 5 hours. Day 14, July, 15th, Thursday, Braunston - Weedon We have awaken in little unleveled boat! BW has recognized the low water level and started to fill the canal. As we have been very tight on ropes, outer side of boat was higher then inner side. We retied the ropes and the boat was "happy". The water was still coming over lock gate, so after the morning coffie I had to retie the ropes again. We finally started at 8:00. When we passed the last lock, lockkeeper put a notice on the lock, that it was temporary closed for water refilling purposes. We have been lucky! Nobody so early in Braunston tunnel so we had some time for special pictures and movie. At the enterance I left Ante on the side to make movie of boat entering the tunnel. After 10 meters in tunnel I reversed to pick up "movie maker". We repeated the procedure at exit. First I unloaded Ante near the exit, then returned in the darkness and came out once again. I can tell you the movie is exellent. At 9:00 we reached Norton Junction. With this our circle was closed. We turned right towards Weedon. While we were refilling the water, husband and wife from moored boat asked as if they could share locks with us. Of course we agreed, but our plan was to moor near farm shop after lock two. So we shared only two locks. Farm shop has fresh eggs and bread and tasting cherry and apple pies. We prepared the best breakfes on the route. The only problem was M1 on one side and railway on other. We moored at Canalboat Holidays Marine at 13:30. Everybody was on lunch. Our plan was to put all unnecessary stuff in the cars and move to the pub NARROW BOAT (Bridge 26) for overnight mooring. When we finished with loading the cars, the owners returned from lunch. We asked them how early we could return the boat, as we should drive another 1700 km to our homes. They said that it was not problem at all, an we could return the boat any time and leave the keys in the box. They had even not check the boat. Of course, everything on the boat was OK. Thank Jenny and Norman for kindness and help in any sense. We left marine at 14:30, turned at winding point at Bridge 28 and returned to Bridge 26 at 15:30. There we had free afternoon, everybody did what he wished: Luka was drawing, Breda was studying books, Ante was sleeping and Natasha was walking arround. I was editing this dairy. At 19:00 we went to pub for last dinner and pints. Today we made 13 miles and 10 locks in 5 hours Day 15, July, 16th, Friday - Weedon We started at 6:40 and tied the boat in marine at 7:00. After unloading last items (flowers, plants etc) we had the last coffie on the boat. Last check, locking, keys in the box and boating for 99 was over. We have only 1000 miles to our homes. That morning we made 0,5 miles in 20 min. Alltogether we made 261 miles, 168 locks and 5 tunnels in 107 hours. The average lock time was 10 minutes, while the average speed was 3,3 mph. Estimated lock time was 10 minutes, while estimated speed was 3,5 mph.