River Avon, Stratford on Avon, Thursday16th July
We decided to visit Rugby by bus; the journey from Stratford had taken us two hours 15 minutes overall. To reach Stratford from Crick had taken three and a half months.
It was a couple of years since we had wandered around Rugby, we saw a few boarded up shops as expected; the recently opened ASDA superstore and the new Co-op in the building stage were unexpected changes. I hope that these will bring trade back to what had been a town in decline over the ten years that we have been visiting.
Myra found a pair of sandals to her liking; I found a mega breakfast in a café which was to mine.
We know the canal from Braunston to Warwick very well, it was interesting to travel in the same area and get a different perspective by road. One of our mooring places is below Radford Semele village; we know now that the nearby road bridge is on a good bus route to Leamington and has been filed away for future use.
On our return to Stratford, walking by the basin, the shortage of moorings had been compounded by the BW workboat tied there and by a promotions boat from the southern Grand Union which has now been there for 5 days. I hope that they are not promoting Mathematics as the moorings have a 48 hour limit. Whilst most people play by the rules it is always the selfish few that end up ruining it for us all eventually.
End of rant –well! It was good to see nb.Peking with her new owners; I wonder if they will travel as far as Farnham did.
2009 Totals: 404 Locks – 675.5 miles – 18 Bus pass uses.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
SPENDING MONEY!
River Avon, Stratford on Avon, Wednesday 15th July
We strolled around Stratford this morning, looking at the reduced price books in WH Smiff and Waterstones. I spent 90pence on a pocket sized railway book. I feel the need to really push the boat out now and again.
We visited the chandlery at Avon Boating next to Clopton bridge; they are in the process of building up the stocks at present, but they have more useful items already then a lot of chandleries. They both helpful and friendly and they deserve to do well.
We bought a pair of rond anchors for mooring, which were proving very hard to track down anywhere.
We have also purchased our visitor licence for the Upper and Lower Avon from the Tourist Information Centre. It costs £55 and lasts for 15 days and although the trip to Tewkesbury can be done in 15 hours; we will take our time to visit some of the towns and villages on the way.
We moved off into a strong breeze and went into the river lock under the watchful eyes of at least half of the population of Stratford: well, a coach load of visitors anyway. Luckily, I did not disgrace myself and when the other boat arrived in the lock I was able to bring the holding rope on board. We have travelled nearly half a mile down river, mooring opposite All Saints Church in lovely surroundings.
2009 Totals: 404 Locks – 675.5 miles – 18 Bus pass uses.
We strolled around Stratford this morning, looking at the reduced price books in WH Smiff and Waterstones. I spent 90pence on a pocket sized railway book. I feel the need to really push the boat out now and again.
We visited the chandlery at Avon Boating next to Clopton bridge; they are in the process of building up the stocks at present, but they have more useful items already then a lot of chandleries. They both helpful and friendly and they deserve to do well.
We bought a pair of rond anchors for mooring, which were proving very hard to track down anywhere.
We have also purchased our visitor licence for the Upper and Lower Avon from the Tourist Information Centre. It costs £55 and lasts for 15 days and although the trip to Tewkesbury can be done in 15 hours; we will take our time to visit some of the towns and villages on the way.
We moved off into a strong breeze and went into the river lock under the watchful eyes of at least half of the population of Stratford: well, a coach load of visitors anyway. Luckily, I did not disgrace myself and when the other boat arrived in the lock I was able to bring the holding rope on board. We have travelled nearly half a mile down river, mooring opposite All Saints Church in lovely surroundings.
2009 Totals: 404 Locks – 675.5 miles – 18 Bus pass uses.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
LEAMINGTON SPA
Bancroft basin, Stratford on Avon, Tuesday 14th July
When in Stratford, with all of it’s associations with William Shakespeare, we took the only possible course of action. We caught the bus to Leamington Spa.
The route took us all around the houses to Warwick and then almost directly to Leamington. At Wellesbourne airfield, there was a Vulcan bomber static on the threshold; it was XM655 which has occasionally performed taxiing runs but is not in flying condition as is XH558.
Leamington had a pleasant surprise awaiting us. In stark contrast to nearby Warwick, the Leamington planning committee deserve a pat on the back. Parade, the main shopping street and the side roads should be held up as a model to be followed in my opinion.
Individual shops have their signs, but they are small and do not spoil the overall effect of clean, high quality terraces. There were surprisingly few boarded up or empty shops. The whole town was clean and there were colourful flower beds in abundance.
As you may have formed the impression; we liked the place – a lot.
There is tea by the gallon available in the Museum and Art Gallery café. An extremely large pot for two was £2.40; we lost count of the number of refills. Owing to the close proximity of the comfort facilities and the availability of the Times and Telegraph newspapers; we could have spent most of the day in there.
On returning to Stratford, we walked across the Tramway bridge and along the riverside on the east bank. By CP Witter lock and in the opposite All Saints Church, a group of young canoeists were being briefed before going down the weir. We had a look over the lock and then went to watch the canoeists shooting the weir. They were really having fun, lots of shouting and plenty of adult instructors very close to hand.
It was a very well organised event and good fun for us to watch. We will most likely go onto the river tomorrow as there is a lovely mooring opposite the church
2009 Totals: 403 Locks – 675miles – 18 Bus pass uses.
When in Stratford, with all of it’s associations with William Shakespeare, we took the only possible course of action. We caught the bus to Leamington Spa.
The route took us all around the houses to Warwick and then almost directly to Leamington. At Wellesbourne airfield, there was a Vulcan bomber static on the threshold; it was XM655 which has occasionally performed taxiing runs but is not in flying condition as is XH558.
Leamington had a pleasant surprise awaiting us. In stark contrast to nearby Warwick, the Leamington planning committee deserve a pat on the back. Parade, the main shopping street and the side roads should be held up as a model to be followed in my opinion.
Individual shops have their signs, but they are small and do not spoil the overall effect of clean, high quality terraces. There were surprisingly few boarded up or empty shops. The whole town was clean and there were colourful flower beds in abundance.
As you may have formed the impression; we liked the place – a lot.
There is tea by the gallon available in the Museum and Art Gallery café. An extremely large pot for two was £2.40; we lost count of the number of refills. Owing to the close proximity of the comfort facilities and the availability of the Times and Telegraph newspapers; we could have spent most of the day in there.
On returning to Stratford, we walked across the Tramway bridge and along the riverside on the east bank. By CP Witter lock and in the opposite All Saints Church, a group of young canoeists were being briefed before going down the weir. We had a look over the lock and then went to watch the canoeists shooting the weir. They were really having fun, lots of shouting and plenty of adult instructors very close to hand.
It was a very well organised event and good fun for us to watch. We will most likely go onto the river tomorrow as there is a lovely mooring opposite the church
2009 Totals: 403 Locks – 675miles – 18 Bus pass uses.
LOCKS AND MORE LOCKS
Bancroft basin, Stratford on Avon, Monday 13th July
With 17 locks in front of us and a weather forecast promising rain in the afternoon, we made an early start. The system worked as we passed by the Wilmcote moorings just as two boats were preparing to move off. Before then, we had Edstone Aqueduct to have a close look at. It is 200 yards long, and although it is only some 30feet above the valley floor, is still impressive. It spans both a road and two railway tracks. I think that some of the best views of Aqueducts are from ground level.
Dropping in the first lock, a boat moved away from the moorings below; we did not see them again as by now there were few boats coming up the flight which makes the job just that bit easier. The boat behind us was a hire boat with a family from Denmark; the parents both spoke better English than most of the BBC radio announcers. On reflection, perhaps that could be phrased better: they spoke excellent English. The lower four locks were short of water as the canal is badly silted; I took an age to get out of one and both the oncoming boat and mine ran aground. We both managed to get going, but we are certainly getting plenty of practice.
Moving into the basin at Stratford, it really is well placed for the town and for buses!
The Danish family moored next to us and after a fish supper in the chippy, we sat outside with them until well after dark. We touched on most subjects including the use of wind tubines. Apparently they have so many in Denmark that the problem now is what to do with the excess generation as it is wasteful and costly to let the blades freewheel. One of the latest ideas is to use the surplus to produce Hydrogen and power cars from it. Their government also seems to be incapable of thinking more than four or five years ahead. Perhaps I should find that fact reassuring.
2009 Totals: 403 Locks – 675miles – 16 Bus pass uses.
With 17 locks in front of us and a weather forecast promising rain in the afternoon, we made an early start. The system worked as we passed by the Wilmcote moorings just as two boats were preparing to move off. Before then, we had Edstone Aqueduct to have a close look at. It is 200 yards long, and although it is only some 30feet above the valley floor, is still impressive. It spans both a road and two railway tracks. I think that some of the best views of Aqueducts are from ground level.
Dropping in the first lock, a boat moved away from the moorings below; we did not see them again as by now there were few boats coming up the flight which makes the job just that bit easier. The boat behind us was a hire boat with a family from Denmark; the parents both spoke better English than most of the BBC radio announcers. On reflection, perhaps that could be phrased better: they spoke excellent English. The lower four locks were short of water as the canal is badly silted; I took an age to get out of one and both the oncoming boat and mine ran aground. We both managed to get going, but we are certainly getting plenty of practice.
Moving into the basin at Stratford, it really is well placed for the town and for buses!
The Danish family moored next to us and after a fish supper in the chippy, we sat outside with them until well after dark. We touched on most subjects including the use of wind tubines. Apparently they have so many in Denmark that the problem now is what to do with the excess generation as it is wasteful and costly to let the blades freewheel. One of the latest ideas is to use the surplus to produce Hydrogen and power cars from it. Their government also seems to be incapable of thinking more than four or five years ahead. Perhaps I should find that fact reassuring.
2009 Totals: 403 Locks – 675miles – 16 Bus pass uses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)