Back on the water

 Apologies!

There was a post about the end of our springtime travels but we are not at all sure about where it has gone.  Just to fill in though, we got home safely and have spent a few weeks at home where life has had it's ups and downs, with some sad news of family and friends, busy time in the garden and some very mixed weather.

We are now enjoying some  time on Hunters Moon slowly cruising the Oxford Canal towards Braunston. 

Before venturing out we had a few days in Maureen the motorhome hoping to cycle round Rutland Water. However, the weather defeated us and we have had to postpone this adventure.

Maureen and a wet Sid and Jenny

Having reached the half way point of the year we are wondering where summer is. A few nights ago we had a fire to keep us cosy while the rain fell and the wind blew.

One job that we have wanted to get done on Hunters Moon for some time now is to paint the gunnels. Well, yesterday we found a perfect little mooring and after a little vegetation pruning we spent the afternoon preparing and then painting the port side gunnels. A good job done!

Mixed weather!

 Monday: started sunny, warm and still but late morning the clouds started to build and dark clouds loomed. So we moored before the rain came. Then we heard thunder, then a few spit spots of rain and then the wind picked up and the skies opened. The force of the rain was deafening inside Hunters Moon! We were really glad we had stopped when we did. The rain subsided but persisted throughout the evening.

Tuesday: Woke to a very grey and overcast morning with a light drizzle. We decided to make progress but it was bitterly cold and despite winter woolies, hats, gloves and waterproofs Sid was frozen so we stopped for lunch, lit the stove and gradually thawed out with the help of homemade leek and potato soup. The sun did show itself briefly late in the afternoon but we were lovely and cosy so once again stayed put.

Wrapped up against the cold!

Wednesday: it looked like a beautiful, sunny morning and was much less cold, However, we were moored in a sheltered spot and when we got a short way down the cut we were aware of the very challenging wind. This wind got worse and worse and we were blown aground several times so once again as soon as we found a suitable place we stopped. The sun was shining brightly so to the sound of the sheep bleating in the field opposite our mooring we spent a very pleasant afternoon listening to the wind around us and enjoying the sun.

Listening to the wind and the sheep 

in the sunshine 

I wonder what tomorrow may bring?

We made it!

 

Hunters Moon turning onto the Ashby Canal

After several false starts thanks to our problems with the generator and the solar panels and contemplating returning to Fenny we are now on the Ashby Canal. The past couple of days have started bitterly cold but by the afternoon the temperature has risen to a very pleasant 18°. Today the wind has dropped and we have had a glorious cruise. We have made our usual stop at Spinney Bank Farm Shop where we got the usual warm welcome and some great home-made provisions as well as some tasty looking lamb chops for Sunday dinner.

Peaceful mooring on the Ashby

Just fuelled up from the fuel barge and bought some much needed coal. We came away with some but with the evenings being so cold we have lit the stove every evening - not what we expected. Still it is still only April,

Bluebells along the towpath

Moored tonight at an absolutely beautiful spot just outside Stoke Golding.

Boating is a funny old pastime!

Sid at the helm.

After much indecision with the  generator working and not working, heading north then back to south Sid felt confident enough to resume our original objective, the Ashby Canal. We therefore set off again on a very cool morning with a cold easterly blowing, both wrapped up well but our spirits were high having made the decision to continue our cruise. However, the cold wind increased as we travelled along the North Oxford Canal, so much so that not only were we both freezing, despite the clear blue skies and glorious sunshine, but it was becoming dangerous to continue. An early stop on a lovely, open mooring was made, the fire was lit and we got warm and cosy while the wind raged outside. We were convinced we saw 'white horses' on the water during the afternoon!

Unexpected sight along the cut.

The next day the wind had abated a little and the sun was once again shining. A pleasant trip took us to Hilmorton Locks, which although busy, we proceeded through quite quickly. And so to Rugby to refresh provisions, and in Sid's case, clear the prop of a large, heavy duty, plastic bin liner, which had made a good job of entwining itself around the prop. This didn't do his back much good so we decided to stay out for the night. After days and days of peaceful moorings it is strange to hear the noises of a busy town.

We are certainly enjoying the glorious spring sunshine and both look and feel a little healthier than when we left Chichester.

Now you see me!

Now you don't!

Had to be quick to catch this speedy hare.

That's boating for you!

 Are we heading north or returning south? That is the question!

Everything was going so well until Sid says, " I think there is a problem with the generator." It had stopped working, therefore we can only rely on the 12 volt system. We should be able to manage. Then he notices that the solar panels are no longer producing any amps, therefore not topping up the batteries. But more of a problem since we have a fridge and small freezer to run. Normally, Sid has a think and a tinker and voila! all fixed. Not so this time. He spent hours trying to get the solar working but no luck so we decided the best thing to do was to head back to base and get someone to sort out our problem. Rather dejected we started heading south, which was the right decision. We didn't want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere if the batteries failed.

Sid winding Hunters Moon to head south!

We moored overnight and woke to a beautiful sunny, if a bit chilly morning. Sid decided to have one more go at getting the solar panels working. He hates to be beaten AND after much tweaking of connections voila they started producing some power. But, the generator was still a problem so continuing back to Fenny seemed the wise solution. Sid started the engine and Jenny was preparing to release the bow line when Sid shouted for her to come and look at something. Low and behold the generator was now working! All to do with battery levels.

So, now we were all ship shape again we journeyed to the nearest place to turn Hunters Moon round and proceed north again. 

Sid winding Hunters Moon to head north!

It took two days out of our schedule but thanks to Sid's perseverance we can continue on our travels.

Bluebells

Blossom

Butterflies

2026 Season: Here we go.

Well here we are at last on the water again after our thwarted season last year with low water levels resulting in closed locks. From July onwards Hunters Moon was confined to the marina. We were able to continue using her as our floating cottage but could not go anywhere.

Still looking good.

21 years old

So, we are hoping for a better boating season this year. Hence our early start.

For us to venture out of the marina so early in April is unheard of.

First lock of the season

Marston Doles

We are heading off to the Ashby Canal for our shakedown cruise. This journey only involves 13 locks out and the same back so after last years marathon on the Thames Ring this should be a doddle.

Our first few days out have been mainly overcast, not too cold but very windy. When the sun does break through it is glorious just not enough of it. Fortunately, we haven't got wet, yet!

Passing the water buffalo 

on the Napton Flight

Tonight we are moored at a favourite,  peaceful spot just outside Braunston.

Hunters Moon moored 

for lunch in Braunston 

Our neighbour tonight

One sad note however, the butchers in Braunston has gone ☹️. We used to get great pies, meat, fruit and veg from it. A sad loss.

HS2 works

HS2 bridge across the Oxford Canal

Look closely and you can see the original 

brick bridge 127 in the background 

Approaching Braunston

The Ring completed

Well, here we are back in Fenny Marina where we started just 30 days ago. It has been an interesting, challenging, eyeopening and sometimes disappointing trip.  The changes we noticed along stretches of the Grand Union and Oxford Canals were definitely not for the better.  Too many deserted, sunk, abandoned and generally neglected boats beginning to clog up the waterways.  The biggest problem on the Oxford Canal is too many narrowboats travelling both up and down the canal bringing about low levels of water on some lock flights.  There is also the problem of leaky locks draining pounds.  We were held up for 24 hours due to a pound emptying and CRT having to let water down from the summit so boats can continue on their way.  The consequence of that , of course, is that the summit becomes a problem to navigate due to low water.

What we really need is some meaningful rain otherwise the summer may be difficult for boaters as well as the farmers!!

However, we had a great trip.  We met some lovely people, enjoyed travelling through our beautiful country side and were lucky enough to have fantastic weather.  There were  lots of very cold evenings and nights which meant we lit the fire on many occasions  but daytime temperature rose to the mid 20's in the early weeks of our time on board. The wind was the thorn in the side.  A nagging northerly airflow hung around us for the entire time, which pegged temperatures BUT we had no rain, which is bizzarre because we treated ourselves to new waterproofs in the sales in January and they are still hanging, complete with tags, unused!!

To bore you with a few statistics, we travelled 245 miles, passed through 176 locks, 141 of these being manual (the Thames locks are all automatic even when they are self service) and clocked up 132 engine hours.  We drank plenty of wine, enjoyed some tasty meals on board and some most enjoyable meals and beers in cosy pubs and even managed a couple of bbq's.

All in all the 30 days that we were travelling was great fun but it is unlikely we will attempt the Thames ring again.  Water permitting we will travel northward later in the year and explore the Ashby Canal again.

Hunters Moon coming out of the last lock on her cruise

Phew!