Onto the Ashby

Wednesday 4^th June; Marston Junction and past Hinckley

Although it rained a bit last night, everything was dry by early morning when I walked Jess.  Having read their blog last night, I suspected Alchemy would be moored near the junction, and so she was, but no-one was yet about.  Neither boat was ready to leave till after 9.30 – we just glimpsed them leaving their mooring as we came round the bend, following them to the Ashby.

Alchemy in the distance as we enter the Ashby

After a bit, Dave hopped off to walk Jess leaving me in charge.  Of course the first thing that happened was a boat coming towards me on a bend, too far over to my side, and there was a distinct lean to the roof until Bonjour slid off the silt.  The bottom was too near to the top in a few places but generally there was enough depth for comfortable cruising.

Unusual visitor to a bird feeder

 I picked Dave up a couple of bridges further on, having a bit of a problem when the bow started heading towards the offside as I aimed for the towpath under the bridge.  Dave said the wind had caught it but I think he was being kind.  I sorted it out in the end but it took a bit of doing, possibly picking something up on the prop in the process.  With Dave steering again it was easier to take photos.

Meadow of ox-eye daisies and pylons 

As close-up as I could get

Pylonette carrying one set of power lines under another

We carried on to Hinckley, picking something else up on the prop as we passed through, and moored at bridge 16.  After lunch I walked the mile and a bit to Sainsbury’s.  We really should get into the habit of driving to a supermarket before we leave the marina, especially when we know there won't be easy access to one for over a week.  I could easily have popped into Atherstone.

One way to attract customers - park by a pub.

 I started the walk back, checking the bus times first – I didn’t want to hang around waiting, and the stops are quite close together so I gambled on being at a stop in time to catch a bus.  I didn’t quite judge it right and ended up walking all the way.  At least it was downhill on the way back and I’ve got most of my steps in for the day!  Dave had been busy refilling the stern tube and having fun down the weed hatch.

A dead bag for life.  He nearly had to get the Propmate out but managed to unwind the ex-bag and the other bits of plastic just came free with it.

 We didn’t want to cruise for long, just enough to get out of the built-up area, and moored shortly before bridge 19.  The chap from the other boat there came for a chat while we were still tying up.  He had been there for 10 days and wanted to tell someone about the terrible neighbours he had the night before – 4 cruisers, with generators and generally being anti-social.  We passed them today where they had moved into town, herbal smokes already on the go.

The other boater said the coal boat visits regularly, and goes to the terminus and back in two days, so we shouldn’t have a problem with depth.  He thought that the Ashby’s reputation for shallowness is undeserved.

During the evening we became aware of a low throbbing rumble.   The wi-fi was good enough to discover there was an engineering works beyond the trees about 100 yards behind us, proud to state on their website they worked 24/7.  But once inside with the windows closed it wasn’t too bad so we stayed put.  It rained during the evening.

About 7 miles cruised today.