Tag: Canal

  • Sent to Coventry

    Sent to Coventry

    This is the final full day of our adventures on the South Midlands and Grand Union Canal networks. So far we’ve travelled from Rugby towards Banbury, then thought better of it and headed back up to Market Harborough via Braunston, across onto the Welford arm, then on up to the Ashby Canal, and today we’re…

  • It’s Almost Like A Holiday

    It’s Almost Like A Holiday

    For the first time this trip, the Captain, the SSO, and I had breakfast before untying the boat. That’s right, we didn’t rush off at the crack of dawn, on some foolhardy quest to cover as much of the inland waterways as possible. Don’t worry, normal service will resume tomorrow, I’m sure. Instead, we sat…

  • The Shortest Day

    The Shortest Day

    I should start by warning you that this entry features the ripping of clothes, bodily functions, and definitely has a sting in the tail. As much as you may disbelieve what you are about to read, I promise you, it is all true… (some might say “you couldn’t make it up!”) Knowing how busy Braunston…

  • Braunston or Bust!

    Braunston or Bust!

    Now picture the scene… you’ve gone to bed, and are just settling down to a well earned night’s sleep when the boat unexpectedly rocks, and you hear a noise. “Something is on the boat.” Says the Captain. “Check it out.” I slip out of bed, creep cautiously through the galley and the dinette, then I…

  • Off To Market

    Off To Market

    After yesterday’s change of plan, we started today much firmer in our decisions. We had a goal in mind, to get to Market Harborough and find the sundial. The only things standing in our way were six hours of travelling, including a tunnel, a double staircase, two swing bridges and a lot of green countryside…

  • Best Laid Plans…

    Best Laid Plans…

    We woke early this morning, the Captain and I with the same thought on our minds; we’d already had enough of the very busy Oxford Canal. The SSO’s opinion on the matter was left unspoken, but if his snoring was anything to go by then he was in total agreement. So then, what were we…

  • A Narrow Escape

    A Narrow Escape

    The day began with great intentions, we set the alarm nice and early, had a check list of things to do – just to make sure we didn’t waste a single second before setting off. As the boat wouldn’t be available until 2PM, we decided to visit a National Trust garden on the way up.…

  • The Tiny Boot

    The Tiny Boot

    This teeny-tiny boot, sits upon a pin that holds the tiller in place on this particular canal boat. What did this image teach me? That someone out there makes customised brass canal tiller pins, and that now I know it’s a thing, if (when) I retire and spend my days pootling about on a narrowboat…

  • The Little Brass Horse

    The Little Brass Horse

    I spotted this little chap on the front of a canal barge, near Caen Hill. What did this image teach me? You’ve really got to keep your eyes open (and your camera to hand).