Saturday 10 October 2009

Atherstone Top Lock to Hawkesbury. 1 Stop Lock.



We went a lot further than we were going to today, the weather was glorious and as we probably haven't got too many of this type of day left this year, out came the T shirts and sunglasses. There was no stopping us, we were off.



I was trying to get the smoke from some of the other narrow boats and the gentle mist on the water to set this mornings scene, if you look VERY closely you might just make some of it out.

The disused factory on the right is where the felt hats were made that put Atherstone on the map.

They have the most amazing coal yard at the top lock, amazing to us because whenever we have been to it, it is never open. The digger for loading the coal looks like someone just left it as the door is open and swinging, the door to the office is open and swinging too but the gates are chained shut. Oh well.



This, now quite unimpressive place is where Valley Cruisers used to operate from and is where I took my very first narrow boat hire. They have moved quite some way along the canal now and we dropped in for some gas today. No old faces, but that was a long time ago.




What can you say? Bootiful really Bootiful to quote a certain Bernard Matthews.




I know this bull is only up to his chest, but there was not too much room left in the canal for us to get past him.



Back through Hawkesbury Junction to find this boat selling Specialist Welsh cheese outside the Greyhound Pub. Not something you would expect to be honest, but each to his own.

Moored outside the Elephant and Castle again for tonight, (was that only a week ago?).

Until next time.........................

1 comment:

Brian and Diana on NB Harnser said...

The cheese boat attends lots of waterway events. He sells a Welsh cheese wrapped in wax