This is the blog of Norwyn & Sheila aboard their narrowboat Shell Bell.
We set off for Milton Keynes today in sunny but windy weather. Only one lock today just before Solomons bridge in Cosgrove and we went through with the family we locked up with yesterday. Then we said goodbye to them as they were turning round to head home.
solomans bridge
Next stop was the outskirts of Milton Keynes where we moored in some super moorings near some appartments. Tesco was just over the footbridge. As we got further into MK we went over the Grafton Street aquaduct and finally moored at Campbell Park (lovely). Captain Norwyn decided to take me shopping so we walked to the centre, after he had lent his pliers to a couple of lads who had a problem with a bike, and guess what – the shops are great but all closed!!! And i expect it will be some time before the next shopping trip.
- Shell Bell moored at Milton Keynes
We pulled the pins (mooring stakes) at around 10:00am and left Bugbrooke on a dull windy day. The plan was to get to Gayton junction and stop for water and empty the loo cassette, We made good time and moored at the sanitary station in a strong wind – well done the captain, with everything sorted it was time to be on our way but then two boats caught in the wind and blocked Shell Bell’s path. With this minor drama sorted we were on our way. The next challenge was only a short distance away – the Blisworth tunnel at 3057 yards long it is the third longest tunnel open for navigation in Britain. All went well except for the minor collision with a boat coming the opposite direction whose captain blamed shell bell’s tunnel light for blinding him!!!!! As if??????
Blisworth tunnel captain is in the dark again
Once through the tunnel we had to negiotiate the seven locks at Stoke Bruerne. Being double locks two boats can go into together andwe teamed up with a family of eight on a 65 hireboat on holiday for the week, We had a pleasent trip down the locks with them in a mixture of sunshine and showers and of course the wind, We said farewell as they moored up for the day at the bottom lock we cruised on to Yardley Gobion and moored for the night with storm clouds looming.
waiting for the locks with our locking partners
It was a good idea that we decided to have a short trip yesterday. After the Braunston Tunnel (a lot less scary than Harecastle)
There is light at the end of the tunnel
we had to tackle seven double locks (luckily we locked up with a father and his two sons who were on a bonding weekend – made it quite easy). We moored at the top lock and got on with a few jobs. Whilst checking the engine Captain Norwyn found a stray bolt and discovered it was from the prop shaft. There should be four but now there were only two.
Today the first trip was to the chandlers to get replacement bolts. After a bit of hacksawing and choice language Captain Norwyn declared the boat ready to roll but as we were near to The Heart of the Shires shopping village we went to have a look and ended up buying a new teapot because the spout fell off the other (yes Kirsty – buy cheap, buy twice – glad your’re back safely).
After lunch we set off along a very pretty section of the Grand Union canal and finally moored up at Bugbrooke at some lovely moorings.
For those who wanted to know our exact location we will when possible include a map of our location fingers crossed.
We awoke to bright sunshine which shone brightly on the hills. Apparently the strips which can be seen in the field are known as furrow field patterns and were created by the villagers in medieval times as they cleared the forest and in doing so ploughed strips throwing soil towards the centre. Gradually the strips which ran parallel to each other made up a furlong or cultura.
Braunston church across the furrowed meadow
It looks quite impressive. Our journey today took us past Braunston Junction where the Oxford canal branches off and we joined the Grand Union canal. Curved metal bridges with a brick archway in the middle mark the turnoff to the Oxford canal.
The junction of the Oxford and Grand Union canals
We had decided to have a short run today and stopped after the top lock of six at some quiet moorings (except for the sound of the locks being operated).
An interesting piece of information. We were told by a man walking past the boat that our back mooring ropes are actually absail ropes so look out we may take up the sport!!!
The impressive Braunston Marina
This morning we left Hungerfield at around 10:00am in light rain and very overcast conditions,although the temperature remained warm. The plan was to get to Rugby by lunch time and visit the the large Tesco store close to bridge 58. All was going to plan until we reached Rugby, and, with the rain now heavy most boats had moored up to take respite from the weather so moorings were at a premium. We did manage to find one spot past bridge 59 so it was out with the mallet to hammer in the mooring pins and tie up. The visit to Tesco was succesful and we returned to the boat for lunch but whilst we were having lunch a boat came past rather fast and managed to get our mooring pins to break free from the soft bank , so we decided to move on and the rain continued to fall. By the time we arrived at the flight of three locks at Hillmorton the sun was shining. The locks where very busy and we were number 5 in line, and yes while waiting the heavens opened with very heavy rain to see us through the locks. Once through we carried on for about an hour with rain easing we moored at the bottom of Barby hill.
steering in the rain
queuing for the locks or dredging the canal
It was very hot and sunny as we left Polesworth for Nuneaton. On our journey we had eleven locks to go through. Very hard work but the nice thing about locks is that you meet some lovely people and today was no exception. There was a lady in front of us and one behind and through the locks we managed to keep up a conversation and well as help each other through. It’s interesting to learn where people have been and are heading and what experiences they have had.
What do they find to talk about ??
While I was working had Norwyn was lucky enough to hear and see a Grasshopper Warbler. We also saw a Kingfisher perched on a branch with a fish in his mouth.
Finally we moored up at Nuneaton and went in search of Sainsburys. We have an app. on our phone which tells us where the closest supermarkets are. Sainsburys should have been half a mile away. We set off and got lost. A very nice man walking his two dogs directed us through the park (better than the road) and eventually we found Sainsburys!!! We think the app shows us the distance as the crow flies but unfortunately we don’t have any crows to get our shopping for us.
Coventry in the distance
Leaving Nuneaton behind we trundled along. Today we would leave the Coventry Canal and go on to the Oxford Canal. We changed canals at Hawkesbury Junction which was a lovely place with a pub on the junction (which we did not go into). Only one small lock today and on our way to moor near Hungerfield at All Oaks Wood. Captain Norwyn cooked chilli for tea. Only downside is that we have no signal on the iphone. Have had to resort to Sheila’s little pink phone which everyone used to take the mickey out of. Good old vodaphone.
Hawksbury junction
We set off around 10:00am this morning, although overcast it was very warm and we made good progress in convoy with two other boats. We parted company with them at Fazeley Junction when we stopped for lunch and a visit to the shops for more supplies.
crane at the BW building at Fazerley
Leaving the junction around 2pm in glorious sunshine we had a very pleasent cruise through Tamworth and the only two locks that we needed to go through today. Around 5pm we moored at Polesworth in still glorious sunshine. Tomorrow we have a busy cruise with around eleven locks to get us to Nuneaton.
we head south
As we left Alrewas we planned to stop at Fradley junction to take on water, get rid of rubbish etc. It was so hot after doing four locks (although we did have some help from very kind people who were out walking) so Sheila went to the shop and got a magnum for us to cool us down. Lovely!!!!
For the first time we were turning left after the junction lock and headed through the swing bridge into the Coventry Canal. It’s nice for us to be somewhere different. The canal was quite busy and we passed some very beautiful gardens. However, we managed to find a good spot to stop for lunch. We noticed in one or two places that there were irrigation pipes in the canal. We hadn’t really thought about where we were heading today but we chugged on and finally moored up at Whittington. After tea we went for a walk along the canal and saw a plaque which marked where the Coventry Canal and the Birmingham and Fazeley canal meet.
plaque marking where the Coventry meets the Fazeley and Birmingham canal
Sheila also won the mighty light on ebay which should help her see her cross stitch in the dark. You know by now that she is not allowed a light on – must look after the precious batteries!!!! For your information they are doing fine. We are thinking of buying then dinner suits as they are so important.
Shell Bell moored at Whittington
We intended to begin our journey early today but we just didn’t wake-up until 8.30 so it was almost ten o’clock when we left the marina. The sun was shining and we looked forward to being on the cut again. After about an hour and a half we started to meet the boats at the IWA festival and very soon we were surrounded by boats of all shapes and sizes. Many were decorated with bunting and looked very festive. Getting through wasn’t easy but Captain Norwyn managed to steer Shell Bell safely past the hundreds of boats and only hit one. (It was a new one but never mind).
steering Shell Bell through the maze of boats
The journey was slow but it gave us a chance to get a good look at the boats. Some of the houses by the canal had decorated and had set up stalls selling food, jumble etc. Just as things were thinning out we found ourselves behind the lavender boat and we just had to slow down further as it collected rubbish and human waste from the moored boats.
The Lavender Boat
Eventually we got through and made our way to that famous water park beginning with B and ending with N where we have stopped so many times. We had our lunch and then continued. From Branston to Alrewas was very quiet and we saw only a few boats. We managed to find good moorings at Alrewas just past the lock.
it was narrow
Today we went to the I.W.A festival at Shobnall Fields Burton on Trent .Very good it was too. We had a good look around the narrow boats on show and now have some ideas for changes we hope to make to Shell Bell. Tomorrow we leave for our trip down the Coventry Cana,l it should be interesting going through Burton as it is choc a bloc with boats at the festival. Hopefully we will post some pictures of the canals equivalant of the M25 tomorrow.We have spent our spare time cleaning and generally tidying up the boat, oh and of course captain Norwyn has done some fishing. A note for my good friend Andrew Lawrence, Ben is working on the tracking add -on to the blog so hopefully soon it will be easy to work out where we are.
