Two for the price of one.....

.......I know how to save even when posting on the blog.

So two post’s today as my internet signal was weak yesterday.

I left my yesterday about 9:30, the wind and rain had all but disappeared so it was a very pleasant autumnal start to my journey.

Stipers Hill was looking very nice although now it is the home of a motorcycle dirt track which for some will detract from the beauty, I didn’t mind, I thought it gives it a bit more interest.

 Almost opposite Stipers Hill is Hoo Hill which boasts a monument to the former existence of a chapel demolished by Henry VIII in 1538, I doubt he literally did it himself, but you know what I mean, it was during the suppression of the monasteries.

I passed through Polesworth which is quite built up and I will no doubt visit that another day,

In case you're wondering where the pub is, it's over there. 

I liked the name of this little boat, makes me wonder if it was originally twice as long, or is the reference to a drinker owning it? 

Half Cut

The approach to the M42 bridge was rather leafy, many bursts of reverse meant slow progress.

As I approached Alvechurch Marina the rain began to fall and I decided to call it a day, mooring just past this sad looking boat and hoping it wasn't catching.

Last nights mooring.

Friday 20th.

I left my mooring today at 9am, I had a reasonable length journey planned (for me) to get me to Hopwas, it was very cold, bright, but a real chill as per the forecasts.

There are many bridges along this section of the Coventry canal, 12 in fact before reaching the first lock.

As I approached lock 12, one of the two Glascote Locks, I could see a boat already coming up in the lock (I am still going down) so I was happy to think the lock would be in my favour, I slowed right down to give him time to get out and as he did a boat I thought was moored moved off and bashed his way into the lock, no matter, I tied up and went and helped him through, then waited for another boat coming up and saw him through before it was my turn.

Leaving Glascote Lock 12

and looking ahead to 13

One good turn deserves another and as I approached the next lock I could see the boat ahead had opened the paddles to refill the lock for me as he was leaving it, good man, however once I got into the lock I could see he was still on the landing, loosely tied and his boat was wandering in and out across the canal and then of course another boat appeared wanting to go up the lock, his crew helped me through  while he hovered before the lock landing and the ‘loose’ boat, commenting to me as I passed him about inconsiderate boats mooring on the landings, then the chap appeared with a cup of tea, he could have moored further along while he made tea, there was plenty of room.

Not long afterwards he caught me up and was close behind me, so after going across the aqueduct over the river Tame I pulled over and let him go by.

The white object is half a porta potti loo

Passing over the river Tame

Off he goes, no doubt tea near to hand

I passe through Tamworth and again will stop there another time, next came Fazeley Junction, left is to Birmingham but I am heading right to the ‘Four Counties Ring’

Coming out into Fazeley Junction

Birmingham down there

The sky blackened and I decided to stop for tea and a sandwich with perfect timing, a very heavy twenty minute downpour, well avoided.

Moving off again past Peels Wharf now a housing development with permit holders moorings, although no boats inside the area.

Through some more lovely countryside

as the weather improved and then under Ball’s Bridge

the bridges now have names and into Hopwas, I passed through the village and have moored the other side of it.
I will probably stay until Monday. I am on the  48hour visitor moorings but during the winter months November ‘til the end of February, I think, all visitor moorings revert to 14 days unless specifically signed along the lines ‘all year round’, I have a TV signal and good internet and I may even walk back to try a pint in the canalside Pub.

Tonight’s mooring

Total travel: 2 days : 10 miles : 2 Locks