Tuesday 30th October 2018



We were up at 5:40 ready for an early run into Coventry. We pulled the boat down and across the canal to the water point so as not to wake anybody. After watering, we set off for the 5 mile run.

It turned out to be easy going and we only saw a handful of people. There are a few really tight bends and awkward bridge holes. The housing in quite a few areas would suggest it was sensible to have done an early run. Better safe than sorry.

The original junction between the Oxford and Coventry Canals was at Longford, a mile further down the canal from the present junction at Hawkesbury. There was a dispute between the two canal companies over tolls. The two canals actually ran side by side until the junction was moved to Hawkesbury. The bed of the Oxford Canal can still be seen and, at Longford, the canal widens where the junction used to be.   









                                                                                              Longford Junction





Towards the end of the run, we came across a huge new housing development. There is an old Daimler Benz factory which has been renovated into apartments. Last time I was along here this building was almost derelict. Cash’s “Hundred Houses” is an elegant row of weavers’ houses, where the living accommodation was on the two lower floors and the top storey was occupied by the looms, driven by a single shaft from a steam engine.  









                                                                                        Cash’s One Hundred





We were moored up at 8:50. Coventry Canal Basin is a delightful place entered through a very small bridge with no towpath, a security measure from when the canal was built. Originally, no boats were left in the basin overnight and there was a gate fitted across this bridge.

The basin itself is bordered on all sides with old wharf buildings now converted into shops and offices with apartments above. The original road entrance to the basin had a toll office with entrances on both sides with weighbridges, one of which is still in place.



   





Brenda went into the city centre for a taste of civilisation and shopping therapy, she didn’t buy much. I stayed on the boat, had some quiet time and later walked to a B&Qs for some bits. The red paint that had been put on the boat hook has now been drying for four days, it has been brought inside to see if that helps it cure.

Later in the afternoon, another four boats arrived unscathed.



Weather: a cold but clear day.



Day Total: 0 locks; 5 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 2.0

Overall Total: 309 locks; 533 miles; 24 tunnels; 3 Swing Bridge; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 322.3




























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