The Game is in the Name

I’ve been at my current mooring just past Hinckley for just over a week, during that time I did three cycle rides into Hinckley (2.5 miles) to visit Tesco and stock up a bit, I’ve arranged to put the boat into Trinity Marina for the week 3^rd to 10^th November and hired a car so that I can attend my son’s wedding in Surrey and visit my granddaughter and daughters and I’ve dodged a lot of rain.

I spent a few hours bent double in the engine bay fixing a frustrating long term leak on the hot water cylinder (calorifier), which then left me with a difficult to budge air lock, but I finally cleared that!

I also did a small wiring job re-routing the surface wiring to the tunnel light and horn, which previously went through the metal cratch frame (which I removed), they now pass through the bulk head into the gas locker and reappear just behind the supporting tube terminating with waterproof plugs, this is in preparation for painting the foredeck area (sometime).

As was, you can see the wires coming from the right and laying on the deck

Now hidden from view and terminating with two little plugs/sockets

I was quite keen to move although there is no hurry really as I have over three weeks to cover the remaining length of the Ashby canal and get back to where I am currently moored on the 3^rd November, so at 9:30 with the sun shining, although a chill in the air, I set off.

The canal passes through lovely countryside now, no hint of modern industry or motorway bridges.

Passing beneath bridge 21 which leads to Higham on the Hill

You need to be careful here, although who checks your speed is a mystery.

Havent seen many of these chaps, a little Shetland pony.

Either side of bridge 25 which takes you to Stoke Golding there were Ashby Boat Company hire boats, most are finished cruising now with winter approaching and will lay idle until next year.

Past the entrance to the Ashby Canal Centre where they carry out painting, sign writing, blacking and repairs along with boat safety inspections (needed every 4 years), it has a slipway and a wet dock, if I get the chance I may have a look around on my return trip.

This boat had a sign on it which said ‘Boat under repair.
 Do not touch’ I would never have guessed!

A lovely view of the windy lane leading up to Darlington, just to the left of the parked car is a little picnic area with 24hr moorings.

Passing beneath a weeping willow to reveal a reflected bridge, it looked lovely.

These cows were happy it was warm and took a drink at a convenient spot.

This one wasn't going to let a barbed wire fence stop her getting a drink!

I really liked the look of this boat ‘The Black Pearl’ not the ornaments, colour scheme or DIY rear canopy but the general shape and lines of it, and I loved the two little portholes in the bow, I have to say although the decoration was not my cup of tea it was certainly impressive.

 I was soon at my intended stop, Sutton Cheney Wharf

Firstly taking on water and emptying  the cassette and rubbish, I could not see any real chance of mooring, there was a 1 hour section (I hope the food is served quickly) just by the cafe and a 24hr (full) small section before the service point, but as I moved off again expecting to have to find a towpath spot further along I noticed this nice little landing area, which had looked as though it would be private was in fact a 48hr mooring, so here I am.

This area is where (the exact location is now disputed somewhat despite having the Bosworth Battlefield Center here) in 1485 the Battle of Bosworth took place, and I like this, in the village of Market Bosworth the fish and chip shop is named...... The Batter of Bosworth J hence the post title.

I’ll have a wander tomorrow.

Total today:  4 miles.