Brother Chris – and that bridge!
Author: Steve Carter
June Visit – Midsummer
Another brief, five day trip to the boat. Taking more “stuff” and getting Viv more used to the start up procedure and then, well, just chilling out at Midsummer. Plus of course the small matter of the Wharf Inn having their beer festival this weekend … 19 beers plus ciders . . nice.
dog roses . .
bridge 34
the Welford arm of the Grand Union Canal Leicester section) – tranquil . .
Bridge No 1
the beer festival … Dark Star APA was the winner but it took a few goes
Very nice setting . . we even went back the next day for more!
This time, on Saturday, we walked back to bridge No 40 and took a bridle way across poppy fields, barley & wheat fields to Welford.
Idyllic location – no roads, trains or planes . .
And with the shopping bought in Welford – Viv prepares a Chilli with Rioja, of course.
nice, quiet spot
… time to return to civilisation . .
Viv took this photo to show how the horse-drawn boats would wear the edges of the bridge away with the long tow ropes – hence the iron strips – they still wore away
Next trip should be the biggie – a month or two … up to Chesterfield and back, calling in at Leicester, Nottingham and maybe the Erewash too …
Chance for a visit & some remedial painting
Up on the boat for a few days – just me – time to turn the engine over and take her out for a spin plus do some remedial painting after all the knocks and scrapes
She looks pretty good … but off to Welford junction – a nice stone quayside and a place to turn her around too…
Port side done – turn her around to do t’other side …
Job done! Off to the Wharf Inn for a pie and a pint!
Brother continues his journey across Sweden
Through the Gota canal and now down to Lacko Slott
mv Passim
Passim travels through Sweden
Keep up to date with my Brother’s boat travels as he chugs thought the Gota canal in Sweden: http:mvpassim.tumblr.com
Sailing on board Passim – my brother’s new boat in Stockholm – quite a different kettle of fish from Adagio! But great fun
Easter Trip
Hats, gloves and waterproofs for a drizzly Good Friday trip to Welford
Nice to get away
Busy time as a lot of folk also out for their first trip – lots of hire boats too
Moored at Welford – 50 yds from the Wharf Inn! And also next to another Adagio!!
Nice cosy spot – fire’s on. Good beer in the pub (Oakham Inferno)
Morning visitor – looking for food
Will he eat from my hand?
Of course!
That’s all folks!
We had planned to stay there but with itchy feet we decided to move on to Foxton – a new pub!
The drizzle had cleared up and the canal looked more serene.
At the junction it was a right turn to Foxton
We saw plenty of wildlife – many heron and the odd kingfisher too.
Husbands Bosworth tunnel to contend with first
Finally got the dog to be still and lie down on his mat
Arrival at Foxton – very busy with half a dozen “craft” boats selling all things from sweets, cheese and general boat stuff. Tricky to swing the boat with all this parked flotilla. Don’t think we’ll be staying long …long enough for . .
Ah, the very small pub with a very small counter but good beer:
Back on the boat to find somewhere a bit quieter and scenic
This will do – between bridges 59 & 58 and by Lubenham Lodge, posh house to our right and nice scenic views to our left:
Used the spring mooring lines . .
as there was plenty of traffic … all heading down to Foxton but it soon went very quiet …
time to relax – this is what boating is all about … and then open the Ribera del Duero and prepare the Spag Bog – thanks shipmate!
Next day … Sunday … slow start then a gentle chug back to base . .
I was concerned about the batteries but they haven’t had much use and the Smartgauge device blew a fuse last year and so lost its calibrations which takes many cycles … still everything still works …
Back past North Kilworth and the planned mega marina
Toby seems happier when he can see where we’re going …
nearly home – time to hang the flags out
Adagio reversed in to her berth, funny how people are keen to watch this manoeuvre but never that ready to help! This way round means we can sit in the cratch and watch the world go by . .
a glass of Brewdog Punk IPA and some sunshine!
All set for a glorious Summer now
Work goes on for the new Slipway at Yelvertoft
The bigger diggers were churning out loads of lovely mud and strange obstructions were sitting in the canal. Can’t be long before the breakthrough.
It looks more scenic the other way:
Just to prove “I was there!”
Back to the boat – fire’s on and there she is snuggled down in the marina
Pix from the March Visit
Despite all the winter ice, wind and rain, she still looks in good nick
The mushrooms needed “doing” – the layer of special wax that Viv had put on was still keeping them in good condition – it didn’t take much to shine em up & apply new wax:
