Shenton to Dadlington - Ashby Canal

The forecast for today was that it would be very hot, so we left our mooring just after 9am so we wouldn't be travelling in the heat of the day, although it was already very warm as we set off.

Horses & Geese Enjoying the Sun

Passing Sutton Cheney Wharf

This stretch of the canal seemed quite shallow and when passing boats coming the other way, we ended up on the side a few times but soon slid off and went on our way, its not a very nice feeling though, as you are usually on an angle but that’s the joys of boating.

We chugged on and after a couple of miles, we arrived at Sutton Cheney Wharf where we stopped at the services for water, to get rid of rubbish, etc. 

Lovely Flowers on the Canal

Coming to Another Bridge

When we had filled up, we went on our way passing the cafe that is at the wharf and on along the canal.  There were lots of nice wild flowers growing on the banks and we passed a field with horses and geese enjoying the sunshine.

We traveled for another mile or so and tried to moor up in a nice sunny spot but couldn't get the boat into the edge, too shallow, so we went on a bit further under bridge 30 and moored up just beyond the bridge.

Inside the Church

Church at Daddlington

We walked up the road to the village of Dadlington which is very small, just a few houses, a church and a pub.  We went to have a look in the church which was quite small but very nice. 

Church Notice Board

Dadlington is notable for its claim that the Battle of Bosworth took place within the parish rather than at the better known site to the north.  The Church notice board proclaims "that in 1511 King Henry VIII authorised the founding of a Chantry Chapel to commemorate the souls of those killed at the Battle fought in this Parish in the Field of Redemore".

Great Sign at the Pub!

The Dog & Hedgehog

We then walked back to the pub, which is called the Dog & Hedgehog and is apparently the only pub with this name.  We wanted to go in there as back in 2007 we hired a boat on this canal and we went to this pub then, so wanted to call in again to see if it had changed.

We think it is different owners but it was still as nice inside and the owner and staff were very friendly.  The food was really good as well and the pub was heaving and a lot of them seemed regulars as they were greeted by their first names, always a good sign the pub is good. 

10 More Miles to Go

Moored at Dadlington

Suitably full, we walked back to the boat but a different way as there was a cache on the footpath through the field and which led back to the canal.  After a bit of searching, we found the cache and walked down to the canal.  We came on at Bridge 31 so we walked along the towpath to Bridge 30 where there was another cache which we found as well then back to the boat.

We then spent the afternoon sat outside in the shade watching the world and a few boats go by.  We are staying here tonight then going around the corner tomorrow to a nice mooring where we stopped on the way up.

Moored at Dadlington

Weekend at Shenton - Ashby Canal

Saturday 4^th August

Shenton Aqueduct

We are staying put today so after breakfast we set off along the canal to the aqueduct down the steps and on to the road.  Just up from there is Aqueduct Farm which has a farm shop but it wasn't open so we went on along road and would try again on our way back.

Inside the Church

Shenton Church

Lots of Antiques

We came to the Church and went to see if it was open, it was so we went in for a look around, it was quite small but very nice and had some lovely windows.  We then walked on down the road and turned right and there was another farm there, called The Stud Farm which also had a small farm shop but is only open Friday and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.  It was open so in we went, they had fresh lamb so we bought some chops and also pork sausages.

They do their own charcuterie so we bought some salami and chorizo.

Cafe at Whitemoors

Not far along the road was Whitemoors Antiques which we visited on our way up the canal, it is such a nice place, they have all these units, containers and rooms full of antiques, and you can just browse at your leisure and there is a reception where you go to pay, such a great idea as you can just browse to your hearts content and there is no one waiting to pounce on you as soon as you go in the door.

More Antiques

We had a wander around, I have been looking for a hand held dressing table mirror for some time and would you believe it, we found one, it was in a set with a hair brush and clothes brush which I don't want but the whole set was just £2!  What a bargain, so I bought it and the two brushes can go to the charity shop.

Me and the Steam Engine

There is a nice cafe in the grounds so we had lunch there.  We both had ham ploughman’s, the ham was home cooked and jolly good it was too.

After lunch, we had another wander around, then set off back to the boat.  Near the church, there was an art gallery with a cafe so we popped in there to have a look.   The first farm shop was open so we went in and we bought some King Richard sausages so hopefully they will be nice.  We then walked on down the road back to the boat.

Steam Engine

We chilled out for a while, then walked down to Shenton Station to the battlefield line as we were going for a trip on it and guess what the steam engine was running, it hasn't been able to run for 6 weeks because of the hot weather and it has only been diesel so we were dead lucky.

Old Carriages

The train came into the station, then the engine uncoupled and went down the line, the guard went down the platform and changed over the points by hand, then the engine hooked onto the front of the train.

We boarded the train and off we went along the track.  Its a five mile journey stopping at Market Bosworth station then ending at Shackerton.

Guard Changing the Points

Great Sign on Platform at Shackerstone

We had about 20 minutes at Shackerstone before our return journey, so we got off the train, had a look in the shop, then got an ice cream, then got back on for our trip back.

We left Shackerton Station and back along the track to Shenton.  It was great fun as they use old carriages but they were very comfortable and it was great it was steam, we couldn't have timed it better.

We then headed back to the boat.  We then just chilled out, but we really enjoyed our day and especially the train ride.

Sunday 5^th August

It was already very hot when we got up, but the side of the boat on the towpath was in the shade, so Kev did some sanding as he wants to get this side painted now.  I did a few chores, we then had lunch and in the afternoon we walked up to Shenton station, across the track and onto the battlefield walk. 

We followed the path and came to King Richard's well where he is supposed to have taken his last drink before the battle with Henry Tudor.  There was a cache nearby so we looked for that and we found it.

King Richard's Well

Speckled Wood Butterfly Came to Visit

We then walked on up to the Heritage centre and had a cup of tea in the cafe then got an ice cream and sat in the shade.

We then walked up to the sun dial which again was showing the correct time and down the hill and back to the station, a nice circular walk.  There was another cache near the station and we went to find that and we got that one as well.

Off down the road we went and back to the boat.  It has been really hot today so we won't be doing much more this evening, just chilling out in the shade then tomorrow morning, we are on the move.

Shackerstone to Shenton - Ashby Canal

We are moving on today and it was already very warm as we set off along the canal.  There were a few boats moving around but the canal wasn't too busy.

Approaching Shackerstone Aqueduct

We went over the aqueduct leaving Shackerstone and on along the canal we went.

Lots of Reeds Lining the Canal

Lovely Morning on the Canal

In some places, there was lots of reeds growing on the sides which make the canal quite narrow.  We stopped at Market Bosworth as there is a shop in the marina and we needed some milk, they didn't have any fresh milk but they did have some long life so that will keep us going until we get to some shops next week.

Passing Market Bosworth Marina

Tree Down

We then chugged on our way and then came across a tree partially blocking the canal but we got by okay and would you believe it a bit further on there was another one down, but quite a small one so we got by it okay.  After a couple of miles we were approaching Shenton where we moored up not far from the Aqueduct.

Another Tree Down

In the afternoon, we walked up to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre which we visited on our way up the canal.  They have a nice cafe there selling Marshfield ice-cream so we had a tub of that and jolly good it was too.

We then walked back down, over the railway line and back along the road to the canal.  While walking back to the boat we found a slightly better place to moor, so we moved the boat down.

We are now staying here until Monday as tomorrow we are walking up to Shenton where there are a couple of farm shops we need to explore and also Whitemoor Antiques is in the village so we will definitely be calling in there and on Sunday we are going on the heritage train which runs from Shenton Station, it is usually steam but due to the hot weather it will be diesel but should still be fun.

Moored at Shenton

Terminus of the Ashby Canal to Shackerstone - Ashby Canal

Wednesday 1^st August

Yesterday (Tuesday) we stayed put and didn't really do much, just a few jobs, Kev did some painting.

Leaving the Terminus

Coming to the Tunnel

We are on the move today and it was another sunny warm day.  We went over to the boat shop and told the chap who runs it we were leaving, so he said he would swing the bridge for us.

In We go!

Another Bridge

We undid the padlock and bolt and he opened the bridge and through we went.  We stopped at the water point to fill up and then we said goodbye to the terminus, it has been great staying there a few days, such a peaceful nice place,but now time to start heading back down the canal.

Nearly at the End

Out into the Daylight

We chugged on under a couple of bridges and soon came to the tunnel, it was all clear so into the darkness we went and was soon coming out into the sunshine.

On we went, through a wooded section, we passed a couple of boat coming the other way and after a few miles we were approaching Shackerstone where we moored up.

Very Dry Fields

Wooded Section

Comma Butterfly

Church at Shackerstone

This is where the Battlefield Line is, so in the afternoon we walked down to the station, trains were running and the cafe was open, so we had a drink and sat on a bench on the platform and the railcar came in.  A coach party then turned up so the train was very busy.  They aren't running steam at the moment due to the dry weather.  At 3.30pm the railcar left and we watched it go then walked back along the road, we did a cache on the way, we looked for it the last time we were here but this time we were lucky and we found it!

Rail Car at the Station

Moored at Shackerstone

While we were out walking, we saw a lovely butterfly which kept landing on the hedgerow but moving off before I got a good photo, I did get one in the end and it was a Comma, so that was good as don't think we have seen one of those before.

We then walked up to the church but unfortunately it wasn't open.

We walked back to the boat and in the evening we had a BBQ as it was a lovely sunny warm evening.

Thursday 2^nd August

The Old Railway Line

Old Carriage

The Rising Sun

We are staying put today so mid-morning we went out for a walk onto the old railway line which is now the road into the station.  There is an old railway carriage there and there was a cache on it so we had a look around and we found it.  We then walked back down the road to the pub, The Rising Sun and we were going to have lunch but they weren't serving food so we just had a drink.  We haven't been in here before and it was okay, but not as friendly and inviting as The Globe at Snarestone, but at least we had a look.

We went back to the boat and chilled out.  It is a really nice spot where we are moored, very sunny and really quiet around here.  We are staying here again tonight then off in the morning.