Category Archives: cruising

August 8th 2011 Yet another tunnel

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 […]

August 7th 2011 we nearly lose drive ?

It was a good idea that we decided to have a short trip yesterday. After the Braunston Tunnel (a lot less scary than Harecastle)   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 […]

August 5th 2011 Braunston in the sun

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 […]

August 4th 2011 what happened to the sun

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 […]

August 2nd \ 3rd 2011 All locked out

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 […]

August 1st 2011 We carry on south

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.  Leaving the junction around 2pm in glorious sunshine we had […]

July 31st 2011 We get on the Coventry Canal

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 […]

July 30th 2011 We get through ??

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 […]

July 29th 2011 Visit to the I.W.A. festival

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 […]

July 27th 2011 Back on board

 With the news yesterday that our house move won’t happen for two or three weeks we have travelled back to Mercia Marina today to go back on board Shell Bell. We travelled up late morning arriving at the Marina around 3pm. The afternoon and evening was spent getting things ship shape, a nice walk up the towpath […]