We do a big shop first - this time at Tescos in Lichfield but there is also a large Morrisons in the town so we have enough food to last the 7 days - always enough beer and wine as well. Happy, friendly staff at Kings Bromley and the marina seems very secure.
Wasn't sure which route to take this year as we have been round the 4 Counties (both ways) and over the last 2 years have been around a fair few parts of the BCN - so decided to try to get to Newark via the River Trent. Not too sure about rivers though, went from Bath to Bristol and back last year and think we prefer canals to rivers. Still worth a go and www.canalplan.org.uk said it was possible at about 8.5 hours a day.
Started Saturday lunchtime (about 1.30) from Kings Bromley marina - reversed out of the mooring and the front was caught by the wind (63ft length) - give it some welly said the lady in the nearest boat - so much for taking things gently at first eh? Managed not to emerge into the cut in front of anyone else and proceeded towards Frandley Junction - weather slightly overcast but fine. Got as far as Barton Turns before mooring just after the lock. Day 1 video
Didn't start till almost 10.30 - very lazy and the weather was very nice indeed. Moored up just after Swarkestone, miles for anywhere. Day 2 . Every now and again you see the same boats, either you go past them or they past you - almost a ever present on the outbound trip was Joshua (seen here moored by Hurst Pierpoint). My wife and I had a look at a old BCN tug boat not used for hiring via Saisons who have a couple of boats with portholes - I quite like this style but she thinks they made the inside of the boat too dark - so I was interested to speak to the owners to see what they thought - finally caught up with them on our return trip when we saw them moored on the Trent - I'd applied for 2012 tickets to watch the white water events and it was a good opportunity to see the course which is right by the side of the river. Ice creams for sale nearby as well. The owners kindly let us look inside the boat, and very nice it is too - Trish still isn't sure about portholes...
I think about now I realised that Newark wasn't possible (or practical) so decided to get as far as the River Trent in Nottingham and moor outside County Hall on the river itself - good moorings with loads of rings on the steps to moor to. Day 3
Given the appalling weather forecast (heavy rain, thunder etc.) decided to head down the Trent to the Ferry Boat Inn at Stoke Bardolph, one lock away, as the other alternative, the Erewash canal wouldn't be that much fun in the rain - given all the locks. As it happened we had a few spots of rain and then it was lovely and sunny all day - the pub has few moorings and so that wasn't on (area marked out for a 'trip boat'. So it was back into the Nottingham Canal - showers all round and filled up with water (next day noticed we left behind the BW key) and moored next to the Nottingham Castle marina - nice place to moor and a very busy towpath. Day 4
Yet another warm and sunny day - noticed no BW key at Beeston lock so thought we would try up the Erewash to the couple of boatyards there - no joy but at least we can say we have been up the canal - even if it was only for a few miles. Crystal clear water with loads of fish visible - shared the lock back down with a just collected 74 year old (no name) boat going to the Ellesmere Canal Museum - impressive beast.
BW key and cork purchased from Sawley Marina so that's OK then. £10'ish so not cheap....Day 5
Yet another nice day - no wonder the water levels are low everywhere. Dropped into Mercia marina to buy a 'insurance' BW key for next time.. early finish right by the railway line - at least it would be quiet at night - it wasn't,. Doom and gloom said the weather forecast for Friday Day 6
Well the forecast was right - rained all morning and most of the afternoon - heavy at times as well. Still you don't appreciate the good weather if thats all you get. Camera inside the cabin looking through the window rather than outside. Spotted Granny Buttons at Horninglow Marina - I've been reading Andrew's blogs for a few years now and it was good to see the actual boat itself - very nice too,
Last day before returning the boat - needed to fill with diesel, water and get the 2 toilets pumped out. Good job it wasn't that windy as not too sure of manoeuvrings the boat in marinas - there isn't loads of space. Took a look at the 70ft hire boat Ivy May which lives at the marina - loads of space on board and possible a future hire boat for us. Day 8
Given that we enjoy boating and the life on the canals we are giving some serious consideration as what to do next. Current options are to look to hire for about 3 weeks next year - perhaps end of May/June - to see whether we link being on a boat for longer than the week - given that this will cost about £2k (less if we went for Ivy May) I'm thinking of buying a boat at about £15k - saw 3 for sale around this price on our route and I have the numbers to ring - would fit into a £20k budget - and could possibly be re-sold for approximately the same if needed. Of course this comes with the £3k per year costs and where to buy a mooring.... So many decisions.
Finally - a boat after my own heart - his n'her Bromptons, as sometimes you have to get off. Neat I thought.
