nb Bridge Street

Wednesday 19 th December 2018 It was raining quite heavily when we first awoke this morning. There is something quite cozy about being in a warm bed on the boat, listening to the rain on the roof. We opened our last bag of coal today. Of course it is all a learning curve, we call it evolution, but we do not know how long a bag of coal lasts, how many fills of the scuttle per bag, or how many we will use in a winter. We will have to take more notice. We got up at 8:30 once the rain had stopped and after breakfast, we left Snarestone. We had been here for over a week excluding our little trip to Snackerstone. There would be worst places to spend a week. We have quite enjoyed ourselves here but are now headed back down the Ashby to be off it by the 9 th January, the rescheduled date of the stoppage at bridge 6. A strong sun was shining directly in my eyes making it difficult to see ahead, but also creating wonderful effects with sun rays and mist rising from the wate...

Tuesday 18 th December 2018 The day dawned wet and windy. We caught the 8:40 bus into Measham and had our breakfast in the same café as yesterday. Brenda then went to have her hair done, while Harvey and myself went off exploring and soaking up some local history. I love it. The Ashby Canal originally went to Moira, some 8 miles on from Snarestone, along a convoluted route that linked up the local coalmines at Measham, Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe and Moira. These eight miles of canal were abandoned in the 1940’s because of mining subsidence. There are plans to restore the missing link that could see completion in 5 years. There are about 2 miles around Moira already in water. We passed out of Measham along the route of the canal but the path quickly became narrow, where back gardens had been extended, and overgrown. Eventually leaving the housing behind, the canal bed crosses a field before coming almost alongside the abandoned former Ashby to Nuneaton railway line facing t...

Monday 17 th December 2018 We had a busy morning. We shifted early to visit the service point beyond the tunnel, then winded and returned through the tunnel to the mooring but closer to the pub where the bus leaves from. We took the 10:40 bus into Measham for shopping. Had a lovely breakfast in a café there. After the shopping we returned on the 1pm bus. We had bought loads of stuff and it is always a job storing it all. Tomorrow we are going back into Measham. Brenda has a hair appointment and I plan to walk to Moira and return along the abandoned bed of the canal. Just hope the rain holds off. The afternoon was filled with hanging out the washing, a few jobs and Brenda arranging post and catching up on e-mails. Weather: a fine day. Day Total: 0 locks; 1 mile; 2 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 2.0 Overall Total: 323 locks; 634 miles; 30 tunnels; 5 Swing Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours     ...

Sunday 16 th December 2018 We spent the morning cleaning the boat and then took the dog for a long walk as he was being left on his own this afternoon. We left for the pub to meet with Chris and Donna for lunch at 1pm. On the way there I was bitten by a dog in a totally unprovoked attack. He tore my trousers and proper drew blood. The owner was devastated and, while he compensated us for the trousers, he has a 7-year old daughter and a big decision ahead of him concerning the dogs’ future. As always it was good to see friends. We had a lovely meal, the pub and restaurant were as busy as we had been led to believe, just as well we had booked. They completely cocked up the charge and, three 3-course meals, a 2-course meal and all our drinks came to £29.95. Chris and Donna had brought out our Christmas drink. This has saved us a lot of carrying and we were very grateful. As soon as this had been carried back to the boat Chris and Donna left us for their drive home. A n...

Saturday 15 th December 2018 We had a walk around Shackerstone and visited the railway station. The first train of the day had been warming through since I got up at 6:45 this morning. The station was very busy with lots of excited children going on the Santa Special. It was nice to see.        Shackerstone Village from the canal bridge                                                                                 St. Peter’s Church, Shackerstone                                 ...

Friday 14 th December 2018 For reference, as of 9am this morning, it has been 39 hours since the engine has been run and the battery levels are at 89%. The logistics for overwintering on the Ashby Canal with no car, are not good we have found. On the 22 miles of canal there are just 4 waterpoints, the one at the terminus at Snarestone means passing through the tunnel and the nearest winding hole is at Shackerstone 3 miles away. There are just 2 places to empty the loo. The only town of any size is Hinckley just 5 miles from the junction. Apart from that there are only small villages, and the only ones close to the canal that have shops are at Market Bosworth, 1 ¼ miles from the canal, and Stoke Golding. We are meeting up with Chris and Donna at Snarestone for Sunday dinner but were running short of water. This meant either reversing through the tunnel and for ½ mile beyond, or going to explore Shackerstone, wind there and return on Saturday. We decided on the latter....

Thursday 13 th December 2018 We took the bus into Measham. The 2 hourly service is run by a private company and connects all the small villages between Atherstone and Measham. Cost £2.20 each, return. Measham is famed in boating circles for its distinctive pottery. Dark brown, heavily glazed and overly decorated. It is, unfortunately, no longer made. There was not a great deal in the town which was a bit of a disappointment as it is well known on the canals. Both the railway and the canal have long been abandoned through the town although the beds of both are still easily visible. The restoration plan for the canal will see it follow the railway bed and will involve the building of a new aqueduct over the High Street. Apparently this could all be completed within 5years. After that the continuation of the restoration to Moira should be straightforward as most of it is already in water.   ...