Thursday 28th
February 2019
It was drizzle then rain this morning. However, by the time we left
the boat to try, again, to visit inside the Abbey, it had cleared up. We got to
the Abbey at 9:30 to find it, once again, closed.
Very disappointed, we were about to leave when a gentleman turned up
and let us in. It was well worth the persistence. A truly fascinating place and
very peaceful. We were left to our own devices and had the place to ourselves.
Little remains of the original building other than some stone pillars that run down
the centre, a row of clerestory Norman windows, some stonework in the tower
from the 12th century and there are some 14th century
stained glass windows.
There are two tombs, one believed to be of Abbess Osanna who died
circa 1130, and one of Lady Elizabeth Cockayne whose father built Pooley Hall
and died in 1418. Both tombs are incredibly detailed. There was also a gravestone
to one Aston Turville, son of the owners of Pooley Hall, who died in 1674 at
the age of just 12 days. The stone is well preserved although a section of it
has worn away. The inscription contains a poem although, unfortunately, some of
it has been lost.
The Abbey Church of St. Editha, Polesworth
Returning to the boat, we had a good look around the canal-related
buildings close to the mooring. These contain canal-side cottages, stable
buildings and workshops. While the cottages are well maintained and lived in,
it is a shame the same does not apply to the outbuildings, many of which are
falling into disrepair.
We left the mooring and slowly cruised to Alvecote just 1¾
miles away, ¼
of the distance we had walked yesterday and not even long enough to heat the
water. The mooring at Polesworth was fine and quiet but after no more than 100
yards there was a persistent drone from the M42. There are numerous bends in
the canal until the motorway is reached and these must deaden the noise. Beyond
the motorway the canal passes through Pooley Country Park with glimpses through
the trees of the pools caused by mining subsidence.
Alvecote is a place that has always intrigued me and fired my
imagination. It was the home of Samuel Barlow, a well-known canal carrier, it
contains a long established boat building business, you see many boats
registered in Alvecote and there is a Priory ruin. Once moored we went for
another walk along the canal and returning via Alvecote village.
There is a marina that homes many old working boats, however, there is
a feel of boaters being unwelcome. Our guide marks a winding hole and water
point where there is a now a marina-owned pub/restaurant. The winding hole has
a marked buoy floating in exactly the place where a boat would turn, very naughty, and the
water point is difficult to see, usually they are well indicated.
The boat yard also has a number of old working boats, some being
restored, and with the iconic yard buildings, the scene is reminiscent of days
past.
Beyond the marina the outskirts of Tamworth are quickly reached and
across the canal there is the all-too-usual building site where the housing of
the town is being extended. It seems as though this green and pleasant land is
all too quickly disappearing under concrete, we see new build housing
everywhere.
We crossed over the railway onto the Shuttington Road and headed back
to Alvecote. This is quite a busy road, we walked along it for about ½
mile and the road-side rubbish was constant. Plastic pop bottles, beer cans and
take-away food containers.
Alvecote is another pit village consisting of just two rows of pretty terraced cottages. The whole place was spoilt
though, when we realised that the high wall opposite the terrace was a gypsy
camp.
We had arranged to have mail delivered here only to find the post
office closed years ago even though it still has an on-line presence.
We visited the ruined Priory. Only small, about 10 yards by 20, it was
founded in 1159. There is little that remains apart from some walls and the
entrance door. Curious that there is no interpretation board. Beside the canal
is the well-preserved Priory Dovecot. Apparently the site suffers vandalism
which is a great shame. 
Alvecote Priory Dovecot
We called in to the marina pub, aptly named the Samuel Barlow. The
canal is a great leveller of people. There were two rough looking guys off a
boat who started talking to us, the dog is a great ice-breaker. Before moving
onto the boat we would have given these guys a wide berth, however, having
boats in common we started talking, they were OK and we enjoyed our time
although it was very different. The one had been homeless before sorting his
life out after a divorce. He remarried and got a job and is now the carer of
his brother-in-law, the second guy, who has learning difficulties. This second
guy so took to Harvey, and Harvey to him. Everybody has a story and we should
not judge.
Weather: rain in the morning. Once this had cleared it was a fine
enough day although overcast and cooler than of late.
Day Total: 0 locks; 2 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Boat Lift;
engine running hours 1.0
(including running for hot
water etc)
Overall Total: 342 locks; 741 miles; 32 tunnels; 7 Swing Bridges; 2
Boat Lifts; engine running hours 469.5
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