Weston to Atherstone
Saturday 5th
October
Something I forgot to mention
in the previous blog. As you all know by now, we’ve been concerned by the state
of our batteries for quite some time. Despite the addition of that Alternator
to Battery Charger, they still don’t seem able to hold a charge overnight.
Yesterday morning, for
instance, despite running the engine for two hours the night before, we had
barely the 12 volts showing on our panel. And this was with just the one set of
lights switched on, those in the dinette.
When I switched the radio on
all I could see was the facia light, but no sound came through. When Wifey
checked the voltage we had 10.4 volts showing. 10.4? What the hell is going on
here?
Now, with six 110Ah batteries
down there in the engine bay, fitted up to a 90Ah Alternator running without
the ATB unit, I would expect a far better result. However, although the power
in the batteries is maintained for a longer period, the system is still not
quite right.
I’m wondering if we might not
be better off with just four batteries, rather than six. With that ATB in place
they would come up to full charge much quicker and, maybe they would hold that
charge for longer. I guess we’ll just have to take expert advice.
Of course, with the ATB in
place we haven’t availed ourselves of a marina hook-up to the mains this year.
We would have thought that, by cruising for 2 to 3 hours and running the engine
for another two hours in the evening, would have done the trick. Expert advice
is most definitely needed here, and I know just the man to ask, Mike, from
Debdale. We’ll be inviting him along when we get to Crick so, while he’s
checking out the heating, perhaps he’ll be able to advise us on the electrics.
If not, then perhaps he’ll know someone who can.
Monday 7th October
On Saturday morning we upped
sticks and headed for Great Haywood and pulled in before the bridge and water
point. This spot is pretty shaded, with trees on both sides of the canal but at
least we can get TV from here.
At lunchtime on Sunday we
strolled down to the local for a drink and sat outside in the sun. Lovely! The
rest of the day was spent in the usual, lazy fashion.
This morning we’ll head off
to the pig farm, but first we’ll top up with water.
Tuesday 8th October
Calm, but cloudy yesterday
morning for our run through to the pig farm and, not wanting a boat covered
with falling leaves, we moored just past one tree and in the open. This morning
we are covered in leaves. They do seem to float a long way!!
Apart from said pig farm
across the other side of the cut, there’s nothing much of interest, just peace
and quiet. We can just about hear the Virgin trains passing in the distance,
but there’s nothing else to disturb the day or night. So, why did I have such an
awful night’s sleep? The fact is, my legs and feet played me up for most of the
evening and, since I can’t leave them behind when I go to bed, they continued
to do so throughout the night.
Today we’re off to Rugely for
a bit of shopping, after which we’ll plough on to Handsacre.
Wednesday 9th
October
We made it to Handsacre in
just two hours total cruising time, with an hour in between at Rugely.
Unsurprisingly, considering the time of year, we haven’t been passing that many
boats. There are still a few holiday boaters about and, of course, those hardy
types who stay out all year. We’re somewhere in between, I suppose.
Anyway, Handsacre, where we
usually find a few boats already moored up, well, there were only a couple, so
finding a spot was simple and, until we retired for the night, we still had
only two neighbours. Yep, I do believe the 2013 season is all but over.
Handsacre doesn’t have a lot
going for it either, except perhaps a nearby pub, another one further up the
hill and a couple of shops that are even further away. So, since we only
normally sample pub stuff on Sundays and had already bought the paper at
Rugely, there was no need to walk to the shops yesterday. Another chill out
day!
Today, all being well weather
wise, we’ll be off to Fradley Junction.
Now, my good friend Alan
Oxley, left me some books to wade through, one of which is Zulu Rising by Ian
Knight. This is a huge tome, running to over 700 pages of facts about the Zulu
war of 1879. I can’t say it’s easy going, but it is certainly fascinating and
all the info contained within it is from factual accounts and interviews from
both the British and Zulu participants. But, what really comes home to the
reader is the utter stupidity of the powers-that-be of the time. Suffice it to
say that, thousands of people died, from both sides and all at the whim of one
man, Sir Henry Bartle Frere who, without permission from HM Government, ordered
the invasion of Zululand. Had it not been for the tosspot arrogance of Lord
Chelmsord, who really believed he could contain and thrash 30,000 Zulus, the
outcome could well have been far different.
Ah well, I doubt that our lot
would have acted differently today. They’re still a bunch of arrogant idiots!
Friday 11th
October
Yesterday we had a five mile trip
to Whittington and were treated to some fairly strong followings winds along
the way. But, despite the heavy clouds, we weren’t rained upon, thank goodness.
However, after a visit to the shops; which is quite a long, uphill walk; the
winds picked up and became much stronger as the day wore on. It all culminated
in heavy rain overnight and, what with those noisy trains not that far away,
sleep was not easy to come by.
It was still raining quite
heavily first thing this morning but, since Rusty didn’t seem in much of a
hurry to spend a penny, I left her to sleep. Unsurprisingly, since she’s a
canny pooch where the weather is concerned, she awoke just as the rain stopped.
She’s pretty good to me sometimes.
This morning, if the weather
holds, we’ll trot along to Fazely Junction.
Sunday 13th
October
We were most fortunate on
Friday morning because, although the trip to Fazely Junction was OK; no serious
rain or high winds; the situation changed quite dramatically later in the day.
So much so that, when Saturday morning arrived we were in the midst of some
pretty nasty weather. So, instead of moving on to Polesworth, which is where we
wanted to be for the weekend, we were obliged to stay at Fazely.
This morning is quite calm so
far but, if the forecasters are to be believed, that will change later on and
we’ll be in for more wind and rain. So, whether we get to Polesworth today,
that’s in the lap of the gods, I’m afraid.
Now, Friday afternoon was a
time that restored my faith in human nature, and here’s why. Soon after we
arrived at Fazely, a lady from across at the flats opposite asked if I had read
the book, ‘The Shiralee’ which, as you all know, is where the name of our boat
came from. I told her, no, I hadn’t read the book, but had seen the 50s film
starring Peter Finch and that is why we gave that name to our boat.
She then told me that she had
recently found the book on Amazon and had quite enjoyed it. To which I replied
that I would have to look out for it myself as I wasn’t aware that the film
came about as a result of a book.
Later in the afternoon this
same lady came around to the towpath side walking her dog and, much to my
surprise, handed me the book. She then said, “I’ve read it now and it’s only
right that, since you have the boat named after the book, you should have it.”
Now that is what I call generous. She had walked all that way around the
houses, just to give us the book. I was quite taken aback, I really was.
Incidentally, the book was
dated 1957 and had come from Australia and still has the dust cover, even
though a bit tatty after all these years. Sadly it’s a book club copy rather
than an original which, since the film also came out in 1957, would have been
written sometime earlier.
Monday 14th
October
We’re a little behind
schedule, having spent the past three days at Fazely, when we should now be
leaving Polesworth. And all because the rain just doesn’t want to stop. But,
like it or not, we’ll have to make a move today as we’re running low on water.
Fortunately, if the weather continues in the same vein, if push comes to shove
we can always move along a couple of hundred yards and moor up again. There are
plenty of moorings here at Fazely.
We were fortunate yesterday
when just as we were about to walk round the shops for a Sunday paper, we
spotted the coal and diesel barge coming through. We would have topped up at
Springwood Haven Marina, probably sometime this week or next, but the barge is
cheaper and more convenient. Unfortunately we forgot to replace our empty gas
bottle, so we’ll still have to stop at Springwood for that.
Tuesday 15th
October
After our four day, enforced
stay at Fazely Junction, we are now well behind in our aim to be at Crick by 1st
November. Not that it matters when we get there and, if this milder weather continues,
I’m all for staying out. But, for the sake of having the heating system sorted,
the sooner the better.
Now, yesterday morning; and
what a morning it was; rain, rain and more rain. But, since it had been over a
week since we had last topped up with water and, since the rubbish was piling
up in two bags, we really did have to get a move on. So, with the rain chucking
it down, off we went to the facilities point and did the necessary. After about
half an hour there; water points are very slow along the cut; we moved on about
200 yards and moored up again.
We don’t really mind cruising
in light rain because, courtesy of our son David, we have a rather large
brolly. However, what we don’t like is for Wifey to be clambering over locks in
such weather. We have two locks between here and Polesworth where, much to our
delight, there is an excellent butcher’s and, across the road, a greengrocer.
There are also several pubs, but we won’t be bothering with those this time
through.
Fortunately it is calm and
dry this morning, so we should get to Polesworth. Polesworth is always worth a
visit, if only for the pork pies and fresh meat.
Wednesday 16th
October
A much better day yesterday,
with a pleasant cruise down to Polesworth where, of course, we visited aforementioned
butcher and spent about £12. But all that is in our normal routine, we grab the
goodies as and when we can and take advantage of the good shops.
Thursday 17th
October
From Polesworth yesterday we
moved along about five miles, passing through two locks along the way. We were
in the enviable position of having the place to ourselves, so we let the engine
run for an hour extra so as to watch Hugh F-W at River Cottage. That man will
do anything with anything, but he’s fun to watch. Yesterday he was extolling
the virtues of fruit and the many ways it can be used in cooking.
He also started a scheme,
whereby schools are given fruit trees to grow and thus enjoy future crops. What
a great idea!
Today is supposed to be
bright and sunny, at least for the early part, which is just as well as we want
to get to Atherstone this morning and this involves four locks over about a
mile, and I much prefer Wifey to tackle them in dry weather.
Friday 18th
October
Happily, we managed the one
mile and four locks to Atherstone in an hour and without getting wet.
Surprisingly enough we did have some rain, but it didn’t last long and we had
done all our shopping by then.
Today we are hoping to get to
Springwood Have Marina,but only to stop for a gas bottle, then we’ll moor up a
little further on. Tomorrow morning we’ll be heading for Hawkesbury Junction,
where we’ll spend the weekend.
Now, when I post this blog,
in just a couple of minutes time, I’m hoping I will be able to include a photo
of the latest pastel painting I’m attempting. As you may recall, from several
months ago, when I tried this Blogger wouldn’t, or couldn’t accept it.
Something to do with Internet Explorer, I think. So, be warned because, if that
problem is still there, no photo.
This is the view at Luddington on the River Avon
Wish me luck!
Cheers for now
Dave, Sheila and Rusty
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