Journal

Oh Coventry! Let’s get out of here…

Natascha wanted to leave 5 minutes after we arrived at Swan Lane Wharf. It’s a fact – she didn’t like at all where we ended up. Feeling anxious already when cruising on Coventry Canal, she claims she hasn’t seen that many rats jumping into the canal before, the water way became increasingly dirty, the surrounding area desolate.

Was this our new home?

It became abundantly clear to her that she won’t last for long in Coventry and made that very clear to Adnan. Nat cried and screamed simultaneously and wanted to sink Quintessence.

On top, our next door neighbor came to introduce himself, he had a very angry small dog. The Germans bombed Coventry flat during WW2, and this is England and he’s English etc etc. Ok, he was from an older generation, still, his introduction didn’t help. All the others weren’t exactly our sort of people either, one of the neighbors had a massive dog and she introduced herself with her husbands name, and her husband with her name. Then she realised the mistake and started laughing loudly. She had a drunken stupor. Didn’t help either.

At least the cat seemed happy, she had a good patch of land to herself and she didn’t mind the rather large anthill right next to our boat.

Natascha had to go to work to London and was relieved to be away for a few days. Upon her return it was time to consult the CRT website to find if, by any chance, a countryside mooring near by was vacant. There it was, a mooring in the Warwicksire country side, not far from Coventry, in a village called Lapworth, the exact location is Kingswood Basin.

We headed straight out there. We really loved the site, there was a fellow boater, waving at us, asking whether we are there to view the moorings. Sure we are, and he replied it’s the best mooring in the UK, we should apply for it. So we did. Got the place secured with a deposit. We were so relieved, we could so well imagine us staying here. The nature was stunning, the basin peaceful. The cat will have a blast and we can go for long walks. That was a quick way out.

But before moving to Kingswood, it was time to get ready for two trips – one, down to the Coventry basin and we had a month long visit planned to Switzerland. Quintessence will stay at Swan Lane Wharf for the duration. At least she was safe there. The “moving in” at Kingswood was scheduled for mid September.

 

 

 

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Log

Journey to Coventry, the last section

Summary

This is a trip of 10 miles, 6¼ furlongs and 1 lock from Stretton Stop to Stoke Heath Basin.

This will take 4 hours and 30 minutes.

From Stretton Stop travel northwest on the Oxford Canal (Northern Section – Main Line) for 7 miles, 2¼ furlongs and 1 lock to Hawkesbury Junction, then travel south on the Coventry Canal (Main Line – Coventry to Hawkesbury) for 3 miles, 4 furlongs to Stoke Heath Basin.

Route

Oxford Canal (Northern Section – Main Line)
From Stretton Stop [see navigational note 1 below] (Rose Narrowboats) to:
Ansty Bridge No 16 [see navigational note 2 below] 3 miles, 2 furlongs, 0 locks
Wyken Arm Junction

Old Colliery Branch
2 miles, 4¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Sutton Stop

Also known as Hawkesbury Stop Lock
1 mile, 3½ furlongs, 0 locks
Hawkesbury Junction

Junction of the Coventry Canal Main Line with the Oxford Canal Northern Section.
½ furlongs, 1 lock
Coventry Canal (Main Line – Coventry to Hawkesbury)
From Hawkesbury Junction (Junction of the Coventry Canal Main Line with the Oxford Canal Northern Section.) to:
Exhall Basin [see navigational note 3 below] 1¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Stoke Heath Basin Having passed through Heath Crescent Tunnel. 3 miles, 2¾ furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 10 miles, 6¼ furlongs and 1 lock. There are at least 3 small aqueducts or underbridges and 1 tunnel (Heath Crescent Tunnel. ).

This is made up of 10 miles, 6¼ furlongs of narrow canals; 1 narrow lock.

This will take 4 hours and 30 minutes.

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Log

Journey from Rugby to Stretton

Summary

This is a trip of 5 miles, 7¼ furlongs from Boughton Road Bridge No 59 to Stretton Stop travelling northwest on the Oxford Canal (Northern Section – Main Line).

This will take 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Route

Oxford Canal (Northern Section – Main Line)
From Boughton Road Bridge No 59 (Brownsover) to:
Rugby Visitor Moorings 1¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Rugby Visitor Moorings (disused) [see navigational note 1 below]

No Mooring Allowed
1¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Rugby Wharf Arm Junction 2 furlongs, 0 locks
Newbold Visitor Moorings (14 day) 7 furlongs, 0 locks
Newbold Wharf

Also known as Newbold-on-Avon, Newbold on Avon
1 furlong, 0 locks
Newbold Tunnel (South end)

Visitor moorings up to Newbold Wharf
½ furlongs, 0 locks
Newbold Tunnel (North end) Having passed through Newbold Tunnel No 49 [see navigational note 2 below]. 1 furlong, 0 locks
Falls Bridge Wharf

Armada Waterside & Boat Hire. Also known as Armada Boat Hire
3½ furlongs, 0 locks
All Oaks Corner

Canal turn at the boundary of All Oaks Wood
2 miles, 4¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Easenhall Lane Bridge No 34 [see navigational note 3 below]

Brinklow, ¾ mile west
2¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Brinklow Arm Junction (disused) 1½ furlongs, 0 locks
Stretton Arm Junction 4 furlongs, 0 locks
Stretton Stop [see navigational note 4 below]

Rose Narrowboats
¼ furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 5 miles, 7¼ furlongs and 0 locks. There are at least 3 small aqueducts or underbridges and 1 tunnel (Newbold Tunnel No 49 [see navigational note 2 below]. ).

This is made up of 5 miles, 7¼ furlongs of narrow canals.

This will take 2 hours and 21 minutes.

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Log

Journey to Rugby

Summary

This is a trip of 10 miles and 3 locks from Braunston Marina Western Entrance to Boughton Road Bridge No 59.

This will take 4 hours and 26 minutes.

From Braunston Marina Western Entrance travel west on the Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Braunston to Norton) for 3¼ furlongs to Braunston Turn, then travel north on the Oxford Canal (Northern Section – Main Line) for 9 miles, 5 furlongs and 3 locks to Boughton Road Bridge No 59.

Route

Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Braunston to Norton)
From Braunston Marina Western Entrance (Entrance for Marina Services and Brokerage) to:
Gongoozler’s Rest Café Boat ¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Turn [see navigational note 1 below]

Junction of the Grand Union, Oxford and Grand Junction Canals – Bridges No 93 & No 94. Also known as Braunston Junction
3 furlongs, 0 locks
Oxford Canal (Northern Section – Main Line)
From Braunston Turn [see navigational note 1 below] (Junction of the Grand Union, Oxford and Grand Junction Canals – Bridges No 93 & No 94. Also known as Braunston Junction) to:
Midland Chandlers (Braunston) a few yards, 0 locks
Navigation Bridge No 85

Site of the Navigation Inn. Willoughby village approx 1 mile southwest
1 mile, 6¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Kilsby Road Bridge No 74

B4038. Also known as Tarry’s Bridge
4 miles, ½ furlongs, 0 locks
Hillmorton Wharf Marina

Also known as Blue Haven Marine
1¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Crick Road Bridge No 73

A428. Also known as Wharf Bridge (Hillmorton)
1 furlong, 0 locks
Clifton Wharf

Home of Clifton Cruisers

Having passed through Hilmorton Locks.

2 miles, 4¾ furlongs, 3 locks
Boughton Road Bridge No 59

Brownsover
6½ furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 10 miles and 3 locks. There are at least 4 small aqueducts or underbridges.

This is made up of 9 miles, 5 furlongs of narrow canals; 3¼ furlongs of broad canals; 3 narrow locks.

This will take 4 hours and 26 minutes.

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Braunston Tunnel & a stop over at Braunston Marina

Braunston tunnel is over 1.8 kilometre long, has a curve somewhere, water gushes down the ceiling and walls – basically it’s an adventure to pass through it. On top, if another boat passes it requires a good wiggle for them to pass each other. We managed.

We were quite relieved when we reached the end of it. 1.8 kilometre have never felt so long. And yes, there is that famous light at the end of every tunnel…

We moored up at Braunston visitor moorings, actually we were lucky to find a spot at all, July is high time. We headed straight out to the marina, we had some work to be done. The back hatch needs fixing and our very old oven had to be replaced. We were strolling around Braunston Marina and came across Carl. Firstly, Braunston is a fantastic Marina, secondly Carl is the most helpful person one can wish for. Quick chat with his mates and we were asked to move Quintessence into the marina. And we moored next to a beautiful old and restored barge. We love Quintessence but check out Monarch!

Braunston Marina at Dusk

And our shiny new oven, installed by Carl. What a pleasure to look at and more importantly to cook with. Worth every penny and it wasn’t cheap.

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Log

Journey to Braunston, or boaters heaven

Summary

This is a trip of 15 miles, 3¼ furlongs and 13 locks from Wright’s Lane Bridge No 45 to Braunston Marina Western Entrance.

This will take 7 hours and 4 minutes which is 1 day, 4 minutes at 7 hours per day.

From Wright’s Lane Bridge No 45 travel northwest on the Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Norton to Gayton) for 11 miles, 2¼ furlongs and 7 locks to Norton Junction, then travel west on the Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Braunston to Norton) for 4 miles, ¾ furlongs and 6 locks to Braunston Marina Western Entrance.

Route

Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Norton to Gayton)
From Wright’s Lane Bridge No 45 to:
The Wharf PH 2 miles, 3½ furlongs, 0 locks
Bugbrooke Bridge No 36

Bugbrooke village half a mile east
a few yards, 0 locks
Heyford Fields Marina

@Heyford Fields Farm, Bugbrooke Road, Nether Heyford, Northants.
3½ furlongs, 0 locks
Heyford Wharf Bridge No 32

Nether Heyford village half a mile northeast. Many moored boats in this area. Furnace Lane
7½ furlongs, 0 locks
Stowe Hill Marina Service Wharf 1 mile, 5¼ furlongs, 0 locks
The Narrow Boat PH (Stowehill) ½ furlongs, 0 locks
Weedon Wharf 3¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Weedon Bec Visitor Moorings 1¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Weedon Station Bridge No 24

A45
3¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Whilton Marina

48 hours mooring on the towpath side
3 miles, 1 furlong, 0 locks
Buckby Top Lock No 7

The New Inn is sited alongside the lock. Also known as The New Inn (Long Buckby)

Having passed through Buckby Locks.

1 mile, 3¼ furlongs, 6 locks
Norton Junction

Junction of Grand Union Leicester Section with Main Line
1½ furlongs, 1 lock
Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Braunston to Norton)
From Norton Junction (Junction of Grand Union Leicester Section with Main Line) to:
Braunston Tunnel (East end) 1 mile, 6 furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Tunnel (West end) Having passed through Braunston Tunnel. 1 mile, 1¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Top Lock No 6 2¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Bottom Lock No 1

The Boat Shop is in front of the lock

Having passed through Braunston Locks.

4¼ furlongs, 5 locks
Union Canal Carriers Ltd

Home of Adventure Fleet
¼ furlongs, 1 lock
Braunston Visitor Moorings (Marina End)

48 hour moorings (April-September) / 14 day moorings (October-March)
2½ furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Marina Western Entrance

Entrance for Marina Services and Brokerage
¼ furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 15 miles, 3¼ furlongs and 13 locks. There are at least 5 small aqueducts or underbridges and 1 tunnel (Braunston Tunnel. ).

This is made up of 15 miles, 3¼ furlongs of broad canals; 13 broad locks.

This will take 7 hours, 4 minutes which is 1 day, 4 minutes at 7 hours per day.

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Aqueducts, passing Stoke Bruerne, Blisworth tunnel and finally a break!

It was a hot day, already in the morning the sun seemed merciless. But we had to get another 15 Miles or so going before we will have a two day break. Shortly after we started we passed the New Bradwell Aqueduct, it’s slightly uncanny to cross a motorway on a barge on water.

And then came the Iron Trunk Aqueduct, where water crosses over water.

We passed Stoke Bruerne, then Blisworth Tunnel.

On the other side of the tunnel. Lush nature greeting us and a tow path repair going on.

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Log

Journey to Gayton

Summary

This is a trip of 15 miles, 3¼ furlongs and 8 locks from Stantonbury Bridge No 75 to Wright’s Lane Bridge No 45.

This will take 6 hours and 44 minutes.

From Stantonbury Bridge No 75 travel northwest on the Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Gayton to Brentford) for 14 miles, 2¼ furlongs and 8 locks to Gayton Junction, then travel northwest on the Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Norton to Gayton) for 1 mile, ¾ furlongs to Wright’s Lane Bridge No 45.

Route

Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Gayton to Brentford)
From Stantonbury Bridge No 75 to:
New Bradwell Footbridge No 71B 1 mile, 2¼ furlongs, 0 locks
New Bradwell Aqueduct

Crosses Grafton Street. Also known as V6 Aqueduct
½ furlongs, 0 locks
Wolverton Railway Bridge No 71A 4 furlongs, 0 locks
The Galleon PH 1 mile, 1¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Galleon Wharf

Also known as Old Wolverton Wharf
½ furlongs, 0 locks
Wolverton Aqueduct

Also known as Great Ouse Aqueduct, Iron Trunk & Cosgrove
2¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Cosgrove Visitor Moorings

14 day moorings
2¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Winding Hole below Cosgrove Lock ½ furlongs, 0 locks
Junction with Old Stratford Arm ¼ furlongs, 1 lock
The Barley Mow PH 2¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Castlethorpe Wharf Bridge No 64

Castlethorpe village is three-quarters of a mile north east.
6½ furlongs, 0 locks
Thrupp Wharf Marina

Site of Castlethorpe Wharf
½ furlongs, 0 locks
Stoke Bruerne Services

Also known as Stoke Bruerne Sanitary Station
4 miles, 5 furlongs, 0 locks
Stoke Bruerne Bottom Lock No 20 ¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Stoke Bruerne Top Lock No 14 [see navigational note 1 below] 6 furlongs, 6 locks
Spice of Bruerne

Indian restaurant
a few yards, 1 lock
Stoke Bruerne and Waterways Museum a few yards, 0 locks
The Boat Inn (Stoke Bruerne) a few yards, 0 locks
Waterside Café a few yards, 0 locks
Bob The Blacksmith 3 furlongs, 0 locks
Blisworth Tunnel South End

Milepost 20
a few yards, 0 locks
Blisworth Tunnel North End Having passed through Blisworth Tunnel. 1 mile, 6 furlongs, 0 locks
Gayton Junction

Junction with Grand Union Northampton Branch
1 mile, 6¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Norton to Gayton)
From Gayton Junction (Junction with Grand Union Northampton Branch) to:
Gayton Visitor Moorings

14 days moorings
¾ furlongs, 0 locks
Wright’s Lane Bridge No 45 1 mile, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 15 miles, 3¼ furlongs and 8 locks. There are at least 3 small aqueducts or underbridges and 1 tunnel (Blisworth Tunnel. ).

This is made up of 15 miles, 3¼ furlongs of broad canals; 8 broad locks.

This will take 6 hours and 44 minutes.

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