Fradley (Trent & Mersey Canal) to Huddlesford (Coventry Canal)

Our friendly lock keeper

Yesterday (Tuesday) we stayed put, and did some jobs on the boat, Kev mended the solar panel boxes and I washed the cratch cover and swept up.  It was another warm sunny day.  In the afternoon we went for a walk down the locks, then back to the boat and chilled out for the rest of the day.

Waiting our turn at the lock

Down we go

We are on the move today and have two locks to go down.  There were quite a few boat moving so we left our mooring about 9.15am and waited for the lock.  There was one boat in front of us and one coming up.

Out he comes

In the next lock

There was a lock keeper on the lock so he did one gate and I did the other.  We were soon through the first lock and onto the next.  There was a lock keeper on that one as well so he got the lock ready for us and Kev brought the boat in.  The lock keeper said he would finish doing the lock so I walked on down the towpath, went over the bridge to the Coventry canal. 

Fradley Junction

Kev came out of the lock to the Junction and turned off the Trent & Mersey canal and onto the Coventry canal.  There is a small swing bridge at the entrance to the Coventry canal, so I swung it open and Kev chugged through, I then shut it behind him.  We moored at the water point to fill up with water.

Turning onto the Coventry Canal

Going through the swing bridge

We then chugged on along the canal, newish territory for us having only done this once before a few years ago.

Chugging on the Coventry Canal

The Coventry Canal Company was formed in 1768.  The construction of the canal took just over 20 years and the complete line finally opened in 1790.  The canal was profitable, shipping coal north via the Trent & Mersey canal and south via the Oxford canal.  In fact, commercial traffic continued to flow north until  June 1960.

We chugged on along the canal for a few miles and moored at Huddlesford.

Lovely Iris on the Canal

When we were moored up, we had our number taken by a Canal & River Trust Inspector they do this so they can keep a record of where boats have moved to, usually they are on foot or on a bicycle, but this one was in a canoe, that was different, not seen that before, nice way to travel and do your job at the same time though.

An Inspector Calls (by boat)!

We had lunch then went for a walk up the lane to Wood house Farm and Garden, it is about a 20 minute walk.  It sells Rare Breed Beef and pork and fruit and vegetables and eggs.  Unfortunately it wasn't open today, it is only open Friday and Saturday 11am to 4pm but we will be back up this way later in the year so will call there again on one of the days it is open.

We walked back down the lane past The Plough pub which is just off the canal.  It looked really nice so we will pop in there tomorrow for a drink.

We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow, then off again on Friday.

Moored at Huddlesford