Around The Cape!

Ian; the manager of the Saltisford Canal Trust (the Saltisford Arm, Warwick) ... which is to be our base of operations for the next couple of months - had requested our arrival in time for the garden-party to celebrate the opening of a new building on the site

That's the new building.

; had asked for a bit of entertainment. Entertainment was duly provided, and not just sea-shanties either! The weather cooperated and a good time was had by all.

Before we got to Saltisford, of course, we had to get around The Cape of Good Hope ... 

One of the most famous pubs on the canal system.

We didn't get past entirely unscathed ... there was an ale which I've never tried before ... it was excellent!

So ... only a few hundred yards before the end of this first leg of a journey. It's been 370 miles and 325 locks; but now the (b)Log of the Narrowboat Moonstone is taking a rest. We have festivals here in Warwick, Bromyard and Groningen, Holland and - though I may find that (b)Log withdrawal kicks in in the meantime - I'll be back thereafter.

Cheerio for now, Tom.

Back to Long Itchington.

Hello folks. It's been almost a week since last I reported and in some ways it's been frenetic whilst, on the canal, life has been more leisurely.

All the plans for our attendance at the Cleckheaton Folk Festival worked as hoped; with our friend : Brian Mayland providing transport between the boat and the car rental depot. Our 200+ mile commutes went without incident, and my part of the festival went well ... if I do say so myself! Much of our time in Cleckheaton involved spending time with several friends whom we've not seen for quite a while; so that was particularly enjoyable for both Lyn and me.

Back 'on the cut' by Monday evening, we travelled a mere 4 or 5 miles before stopping for a (much needed) early night. Since then we've cruised some more miles, and traversed a few more locks, until our arrival, here, in Long Itchington.

Some of you alumni of the Warwickshire Ring versions of our FLOAT TO THE FESTIVAL expeditions may remember this delightful village, and, in particular, The Buck and Bell; a truly delightful 'gastropub'! Nigel is still 'mein host', and our meal, last evening, was delicious!

We're now only a few miles and locks from Warwick, and the Saltisford Arm; which will become our 'base of explorations' for the next few months. Despite all our previous visits to Warwick (with some of you!), we have yet to visit the castle, and several other significant places in the vicinity. We'll try to rectify these omissions.

We'll let you know when we arrive in Warwick. 'Til then ... cheers!

Change mode of travel.

Thursday, July 2nd. (At Blisworth Village)

Since entering (for the second time) the Grand Union Canal - from the Thames Lock at Brentford - we've made 74 miles and 89 locks. Our complete trip (thus far) encompasses 334 miles and 297 locks.

We're parking Moonstone in Blisworth Marina, over the weekend, in order to take a (rental) car up to Cleckheaton (in Yorkshire) Folk Festival. Once we're back on the boat, we have only three or four days of cruising to bring us to the marina in the arm of the  Saltisford Canal (in Warwick); and the end of this first episode of our Grand Procession!

Yesterday we traversed the famous Blisworth Tunnel.

 

(3,076 yards. (2.804 kilometres; nearly 1 3/4 miles)

To our surprise (though why should we be surprised?) one of the readers of this (b)Log: Rob Folsom, of Tacoma Sound (Sound Engineer on three of my recordings!); has steered a boat through this marvel of Victorian engineering!!! I'd bet you sang a song or two, en route, didn't you, Rob?

This transit was - again - 'an experience'; though it would have been easier if the tunnel was actually straight. ;-)) Sometimes; in life; the light one can observe is the end of the tunnel. Twice on this journey, it was a boat coming towards us. Strangely ... we were (obviously) the more experienced and capable crew!!! Our boats are seven feet wide, and the widest part of the construction is barely fifteen feet. Singing in these places is a great joy. When, eventually (after about 50 minutes) we emerged from the North end, we found we had an audience awaiting us. Their comments were exceedingly gracious.

The weather - once out from the pleasant coolness - was very hot (for England); about 33 degrees; almost 92, for our American readers. We were pleased to pull over to the canal-bank, and have some time and a meal with our old friends: Rose and Brian.

All for now, folks. Live well. Tom and Lyn.