Day 107 - slow boat to Coventry.

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0 locks, 424 in total.







We set off this morning just a fraction later than possibly the slowest boat on the canals – and we followed them (very slowly) along the remainder of the Ashby Canal, through Marston Junction and back onto the Coventry Canal. Two hours after starting we were still behind them, as were another 3 boats – all of us desperately trying to avoid going up the rear end of the boat in front of us. I turned around and dramatically raised my hands to our follower who's crew reciprocated and then came forward so we could all have a conversation/moan. We only had another mile of this as I knew the slow boat was heading left onto the North Oxford – sadly our immediate follower was going that way too. At the next junction Mr Slow Boat pulled in for water and the chap behind us did a victory dance!







We had 5½ miles till we reached Coventry Basin – a mix of industrial, ex-industrial but now out-of-town shopping centres, housing and just a little rural tranquility. We felt like celebrities as so many young children ran to the canal to wave at us; we wondered quite how infrequent boats were along this arm and, more importantly, why. Moorings were scarce and slightly inhospitable; if we can't get in at the basin we're going to be trawling all the way back to Hawkesbury Junction, we thought – might get there for an evening meal.







There were just 2 boats in the basin – we had such choice of moorings that we could not make a decision but think we've done all right, even if the last minute change involved an Australian tourist helping out with a mooring line. We are situated just outside Coventry's inner ring road, so virtually the town centre. There is no canalside bar/restaurant and this pleases us as it's Friday evening. There are only offices, a few shops and some historic building. However there is CCTV and we've seen 4 Police patrols so far......







John and I went separately into the town centre this afternoon as it was too hot on board to leave Hattie and she really doesn't do towns if she can help it. The centre of Coventry was devastated by German bombs in 1940 and perhaps this is why they value what is left of their historic buildings – they probably have more preserved than many towns who ripped out their hearts in the 1960s building boom. We're hoping to follow a Town Trail the next two evenings and visit the 'new' cathedral tomorrow.

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Photos

Hawkesbury Engine House
Used to pump water from local wells into the Coventry Canal when needed.

Entry from junction onto North Oxford Canal
It's a really tight turn back on yourself so I'm glad we're approaching it from the other way on our return from Coventry. The boat behind us obviously had been here before - he kicked the crew out and she led the boat round on the bow line.

The Greyhound pub....
...apparently very good food here.

Cash's One Hundred Houses.
Except that only 47 were built and only 37 remain. There was living accommodation on the two lower floors and the top floor had power to drive looms. These houses perpetuated the cottage industry but on a scale to compete with the large mills.

The basin is shaped like a letter 'Y'
One of the top arms has a swing bridge, shown here in open position.

Slightly larger than life statue of James Brindley.
He was employed by Coventry Canal Company for only a year but never mind. Every time I catch sight of this out of the corner of my eye I think that it's a real person standing by our boat.

Old warehouses.
Once used for storing cement and grain.

Comments

[amanda]

Hello!
Hello Helen, John and Hattie, Thank you for another interesting snapshot of your adventure, cannot believe you are day 107 already. Carry on having fun, looking forward to your next entry ;) love to all Amanda