Friday, 10 July 2009
FORMULA ONE OMNIBUS
Rowington embankment; Friday 10th July.
Yesterday, we caught the bus to reconnoitre Stratford prior to our arrival by boat.
(Actually, I forgot to take my camera; photographs will follow when we make our second visit)
The driver was to be congratulated: he looked like an older version of Nicki Lauda wearing spectacles and proceeded to drive very fast. Unfortunately, either his glasses were for reading; or his acceleration sense had not yet been fully developed.
We were subjected to two crash stops, both of which were totally preventable; he was very lucky that all of the passengers were holding tight to the seat in front, otherwise some injuries could have been sustained.
We arrived and alighted thankfully in Stratford, close to the river and Bancroft Basin where we hope to find mooring space on our waterborne arrival. We had a look at the river and chatted to the manager of the river trip boats. All three were built at Lake Windermere in the early years of last century; two were collected from there, the other was working on Loch Lomond. They looked beautiful with wonderful hull lines, complemented by the canopy. They have been converted to electrical power with overnight battery charging, a very pleasant way to travel as we discovered on Coniston Water last year.
We looked around the town, which has some lovely buildings and now relies on tourists for income. Apparently some bloke lived there a long time ago who fancied himself as being quite handy with a scribing tool. We will find out more about him when we return.
Today, we moved away at 5.45am for the 21 locks at Hatton. We arrived at the bottom lock at 6.05am and had cleared the 20th by 9.00am. Not bad time as 16 had been against us. We tied up there and treated ourselves to a Café breakfast sitting outside in the sun. It tasted good and hit the spot exactly. We did the last lock and whilst filling the water tank at the tap above; Hugh and Jenny from Nb.Along Shortly walked up. They were going to the Hatton shopping outlet and had walked from Saltisford. We chatted for a while and then moved along to Rowington embankment our stopping place for the night.
2009 Totals: 362 Locks – 657 miles – 16 Bus pass uses.
Yesterday, we caught the bus to reconnoitre Stratford prior to our arrival by boat.
(Actually, I forgot to take my camera; photographs will follow when we make our second visit)
The driver was to be congratulated: he looked like an older version of Nicki Lauda wearing spectacles and proceeded to drive very fast. Unfortunately, either his glasses were for reading; or his acceleration sense had not yet been fully developed.
We were subjected to two crash stops, both of which were totally preventable; he was very lucky that all of the passengers were holding tight to the seat in front, otherwise some injuries could have been sustained.
We arrived and alighted thankfully in Stratford, close to the river and Bancroft Basin where we hope to find mooring space on our waterborne arrival. We had a look at the river and chatted to the manager of the river trip boats. All three were built at Lake Windermere in the early years of last century; two were collected from there, the other was working on Loch Lomond. They looked beautiful with wonderful hull lines, complemented by the canopy. They have been converted to electrical power with overnight battery charging, a very pleasant way to travel as we discovered on Coniston Water last year.
We looked around the town, which has some lovely buildings and now relies on tourists for income. Apparently some bloke lived there a long time ago who fancied himself as being quite handy with a scribing tool. We will find out more about him when we return.
Today, we moved away at 5.45am for the 21 locks at Hatton. We arrived at the bottom lock at 6.05am and had cleared the 20th by 9.00am. Not bad time as 16 had been against us. We tied up there and treated ourselves to a Café breakfast sitting outside in the sun. It tasted good and hit the spot exactly. We did the last lock and whilst filling the water tank at the tap above; Hugh and Jenny from Nb.Along Shortly walked up. They were going to the Hatton shopping outlet and had walked from Saltisford. We chatted for a while and then moved along to Rowington embankment our stopping place for the night.
2009 Totals: 362 Locks – 657 miles – 16 Bus pass uses.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
WARWICK
Saltisford canal trust; Wednesday 8th July.
Building spotting in Warwick was the task for today. The market place had nice buildings on two sides; the market hall on one other side. The Market Hall was built in 1670 and until their infilling in 1879, had open arches for market stalls, the arches supporting a meeting hall above. The Market Hall is home to the Warwickshire Museum although no one was at home when we called. When the refurbishments are completed, it will be open to the public once more.
The remaining side was occupied by a 1970’s lookalike concrete and glass building which was at odds with the surroundings. Closer inspection reveals that stone has been used in place of concrete: unfortunately, the dimensions of the design are such that from a reasonable distance, the impression remains of concrete. You are ahead of me already – it was of course the council offices.
When I see unsympathetic development of this kind, I think of the savings that could be made by abolishing planning departments and planning officers; the end result surely could not be worse.
The Tourist Information office is situated in a fine grade 1 listed building that once was the Court House. It was designed and built by Francis Smith, was started in 1721 and completed in 1731.
The collegiate church of St. Mary has occupied its prominent site in the centre of the town since it was founded in 1123 by Robert de Newburgh, 2nd Earl of Warwick. The Nave and tower were destroyed in the great fire of Warwick in 1694 and both were rebuilt in 1704.
It is a fine building with many interesting features, one of the oldest of which is the Crypt dating from the original Norman building. The base of a ducking stool is displayed there. The chancel has some beautiful glass including some by Charles Kempe.
The Beauchamp chapel, built in the fifteenth century is home to the tombs of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick; The Earl and Countess of Leicester, Robert Dudley and his wife Lettice; and that of his brother Ambrose, Earl of Warwick.
We returned to the boat where we were joined for supper and the evening by John and Phyll Saxon of Nb Lion; great company and good friends. It was very nice way to round off the day.
2009 Totals: 341 Locks – 651.5 miles – 14 Bus pass uses.
Building spotting in Warwick was the task for today. The market place had nice buildings on two sides; the market hall on one other side. The Market Hall was built in 1670 and until their infilling in 1879, had open arches for market stalls, the arches supporting a meeting hall above. The Market Hall is home to the Warwickshire Museum although no one was at home when we called. When the refurbishments are completed, it will be open to the public once more.
The remaining side was occupied by a 1970’s lookalike concrete and glass building which was at odds with the surroundings. Closer inspection reveals that stone has been used in place of concrete: unfortunately, the dimensions of the design are such that from a reasonable distance, the impression remains of concrete. You are ahead of me already – it was of course the council offices.
When I see unsympathetic development of this kind, I think of the savings that could be made by abolishing planning departments and planning officers; the end result surely could not be worse.
The Tourist Information office is situated in a fine grade 1 listed building that once was the Court House. It was designed and built by Francis Smith, was started in 1721 and completed in 1731.
The collegiate church of St. Mary has occupied its prominent site in the centre of the town since it was founded in 1123 by Robert de Newburgh, 2nd Earl of Warwick. The Nave and tower were destroyed in the great fire of Warwick in 1694 and both were rebuilt in 1704.
It is a fine building with many interesting features, one of the oldest of which is the Crypt dating from the original Norman building. The base of a ducking stool is displayed there. The chancel has some beautiful glass including some by Charles Kempe.
The Beauchamp chapel, built in the fifteenth century is home to the tombs of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick; The Earl and Countess of Leicester, Robert Dudley and his wife Lettice; and that of his brother Ambrose, Earl of Warwick.
We returned to the boat where we were joined for supper and the evening by John and Phyll Saxon of Nb Lion; great company and good friends. It was very nice way to round off the day.
2009 Totals: 341 Locks – 651.5 miles – 14 Bus pass uses.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
INTO THE FUTURE
Saltisford canal trust; Tuesday 7th July
Myra had designated today as a shopping day; we started by tying up outside Lidl at Warwick. Whilst Myra was inside, I was watching the future of this country on their way to school along the canal towpath opposite. If our future depends on that lot, then I will be completing the membership forms for Exit as a matter of urgency.
Each group, as the wandered along, was busily destroying bushes at the edge of the housing estate; there were about six heaps of branches that had been broken off and some had been thrown into the canal. Then I heard the sound of stones hitting the boat moored behind us. I removed one of the window top lights and pointed the camera at them, just in time to prevent two of them actually throwing at our boat. They shouted ‘Camera’ and as one; they immediately covered their faces and heads. Yobs in the making they may have been, but I was impressed with the lightning fast reaction to the shout.
Having started the day with some of Warwick’s finest, it then began to rain. We arrived at the moorings outside Tesco with spaces to spare; it was only 8.35am!
We shared the Cape two locks with a boat from Weltonfield and the steerer and I had a chat about mutual friends. We arrived at the Saltisford arm where we will stay two nights, in order to look around Warwick tomorrow.
Myra was obviously missing her swimming sessions in the Thames as she wasted little time before swimming in the canal when we had moored against another narrowboat. Actually, she missed her footing when crossing the back end of the next boat and slipped in. The decks were wet, and the other boat did not have anti-slip paint on the deck. She was not hurt, but I was a bit annoyed that she had wasted water and fuel heating it; by having a shower this morning.
We moved down the arm and moored against an ex-BW flat; the decks are flat and have years of non slip paint on them.
2009 Totals: 341 Locks – 651.5 miles – 14 Bus pass uses.
Myra had designated today as a shopping day; we started by tying up outside Lidl at Warwick. Whilst Myra was inside, I was watching the future of this country on their way to school along the canal towpath opposite. If our future depends on that lot, then I will be completing the membership forms for Exit as a matter of urgency.
Each group, as the wandered along, was busily destroying bushes at the edge of the housing estate; there were about six heaps of branches that had been broken off and some had been thrown into the canal. Then I heard the sound of stones hitting the boat moored behind us. I removed one of the window top lights and pointed the camera at them, just in time to prevent two of them actually throwing at our boat. They shouted ‘Camera’ and as one; they immediately covered their faces and heads. Yobs in the making they may have been, but I was impressed with the lightning fast reaction to the shout.
Having started the day with some of Warwick’s finest, it then began to rain. We arrived at the moorings outside Tesco with spaces to spare; it was only 8.35am!
We shared the Cape two locks with a boat from Weltonfield and the steerer and I had a chat about mutual friends. We arrived at the Saltisford arm where we will stay two nights, in order to look around Warwick tomorrow.
Myra was obviously missing her swimming sessions in the Thames as she wasted little time before swimming in the canal when we had moored against another narrowboat. Actually, she missed her footing when crossing the back end of the next boat and slipped in. The decks were wet, and the other boat did not have anti-slip paint on the deck. She was not hurt, but I was a bit annoyed that she had wasted water and fuel heating it; by having a shower this morning.
We moved down the arm and moored against an ex-BW flat; the decks are flat and have years of non slip paint on them.
2009 Totals: 341 Locks – 651.5 miles – 14 Bus pass uses.
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