Dash to the Soar May/June 2009

I continue my crusade to persuade members of Longwood Boat Club to tell us of the adventures (or otherwise) they encounter after passing into the wide world beyond the locks. I hope that if we tell you about our trip you might just maybe say to yourself “I could do better than that” Well get to it and tell the world.

This year we had very few plans up to a couple of weeks before setting out. We had to take into consideration the fact that we believe that all the UK rain is generated in or around Walsall and that we must strive to get south or east as quickly as possible. There is only one route and that’s down the Grand Union, so that was it, off to the Grand Union and the River Soar.

We had read very little about the Soar except to learn that it is very beautiful but also shallow (oops! Dash has a rather deep draught) and that moorings might not be so plentiful. Unperturbed by these minor points we set off on this year’s adventure.

As you might expect Monday May 18^th brought us strong winds, with gales forecast and intermittent rain, quite the norm for our recent cruise experiences. Regardless and dressed in full wet weather gear we set off. We progressed steadily down the canal to the first and then the second bridge when I had a passing thought that, had I, or had I not locked the car? No choice but to walk back and check, No problems here, not even a murmur from the mate, off she set. Well you might guess the result, yes, car was unlocked, all was sorted but not a good start.

Good progress to Perry Barr, where we met a boat a couple of locks up from the bottom. They told us they didn’t want to go much further and enquired where they might turn. I advised them they had little choice but to continue on to the Rushall Junction. The picture on their faces was one of amazement, goodness knows where they came from but one thing was certain they had no navigation aids. I advised them to get a book!

We arrived at Minworth just before eight pm, shattered. If it wasn’t for the sewerage plant nearby this would be an ideal mooring, however “beggars can’t be choosers” as they say.

Need I say the next day was cloudy, a little less wind but dark clouds suggested rain later! Passed a hire boat with a crew from Gt Yarmouth, I don’t think they were enjoying their holiday on the canals. At that time news from home indicated wall-to-wall sun-what else might one expect in East Anglia.

Arrival at Tamworth was fairly uneventful which is more than one can say for the local youths who decided it would be fun to let go of our mooring ropes late at night, be warned,

Day three must be worth a mention as there was no rain forecast (we must have been out of the influence of Walsall!). Our day was hard work but it was nice to buddy up with another boat to do the Atherton locks.

Although we were still unsure of the weather, shorts were the order of the day as we approached Nuneaton. Rain was interspersed with nice hot periods making our visit into the town delightful. Nuneaton is a very nice town with many amenities including an M & S much to you-know-who’s delight. Time here to stock up and buy an umbrella! Evening was spent at Anstey in the Rose and Castle pub where they serve excellent food and Adnams (East Anglian) beer.

A short day led us to a nice mooring at Rugby, beside the Golf Club. An interesting note here, a golf ball landed neatly beside our front door without any damage. I must say the owner of the ball was less than polite when I returned his property.

Busses run regularly into Rugby from here and with a little research we discovered we could reach Crick and hence the Show. Needless to say the show was much as most years excepting that the sun was shining all day, wow! One small niggle, the price of food and drink was astronomic. So glad we decided to take our own especially considering how much we spent on “essential” items for the boat.

Whilst making our way to Braunston we came across an idiot who whilst trying to avoid a fall of water inside the tunnel rammed us with a glancing blow on the bow. Fortunately no damage but hackles were certainly up.

After Braunston one not only meets the traffic from Crick but also the large Grand Union double lock gates at Buckby. These are such hard work and we were glad to team up with NB Shalom to make passage through the seven locks. As luck would have it we discovered he was effectively single handed as his wife was an invalid and unable to help!

As the next day was to be “family day” we were anxious to find moorings within easy access to the A14. After much research we found a superb mooring at Wedon Bec, close to a little lane with parking spots and not so far from the A14. The family had a great day and passed their seal of approval on the boat as this was the first time they had seen it.

This was the limit of our southern cruising as we were trying to make north towards Foxton to meet up with No2 daughter and her family of young boys.

Whilst negotiating the Buckby Locks for the second time we were amazed to be confronted by a large American wearing what looked to be a Stetson and very little else. We were told that he had “lost his boat”. Upon investigation we discovered neither he nor his wife had negotiated locks before and he had only taken charge of the boat literally one hour earlier. The boat was seen to be drifting quite happily along the canal with its mooring ropes trailing behind. He was quite distraught and was about to dive into the canal to retrieve it. Having advised him he could either walk out to get it or wait until the wind returned it he seemed a little calmer. Luckily the wind played its part and the boat came gently to a standstill a few feet away from where we were standing. I was pleased to see that he had not noticed about half a dozen senior citizens drinking at the pub falling about with laughter. Not good for Anglo-American relations!

Watford locks passed with no problems as did Crick tunnel. Crick village was much quieter now that the show had finished and moorings were readily available. It was nice to stroll into the village and get a superb meal in the Red Lion. There were others to choose from but the Lion certainly came up trumps.

Onwards to the Welford arm which proved a great success with No2 daughter and her young family. Three young boys clambering about the roof and fighting (well almost) over the helm is very tiring but a great day was had by all.

Market Harboro arm is well worth a detour. It is a nice run and opens out into a splendid new pool at the end. Here one gets a warm welcome from Malcolm the Harbour Master and for a fiver your own electricity and water point for 24 hours. Market Harboro also has the advantage of several shops and supermarkets.

Market Harboro Inner Basin

Foxton Locks had been on our minds for several days. We had been told many tales of woe where one can wait hours to descend. Our experience was no such thing. The lock keeper was very polite and helpful and the bright sun shine just made our descent a sheer pleasure. It’s a pity there are no longer any sanitary facilities at Foxton despite being marked on the most recent edition of Pearsons.

Foxton Locks

Kilby Bridge was a disappointment, the moorings were almost taken up by itinerant residents and the sanitary facilities were awful our advice is to stay clear.

Birstall Lock was a nice place to moor for a night but no facilities although there was a nice marina close by.

Leicester, did not impress although there are good moorings on a pontoon in the city centre. We were pleased to pass through unhindered.

From about here we were on the Soar for the first time. The cruise up to Barrow-upon-Soar was a treat. We passed such beautiful countryside with not very much traffic and lots of wildlife. Mooring along the river was very difficult, due mainly to our draught so little choice but to stop at Barrow which is quite a busy spot but very pretty. The nearby pub satisfied our desire for food and drink but the BW showers left a lot to be desired.

Barrow-upon-Soar

Loughboro was one of those places we though we might avoid. How wrong we were, Loughboro is a very nice town with excellent facilities for the boater and even the dreaded M&S. I mustn’t complain as they produce some super food which can easily be cooked on board with relatively little effort.

From Loughboro it was a long day in the rain to Shardlow passing through Trent Lock en-route. For those that do not know, one leaves the tranquillity of the Soar to join the torrents of the Trent. We were fighting the current all the way to the locks. Busily avoiding Scout groups in canoes and sailing dinghies all over the shop. It was amazing to meet a narrow boat coming the opposite was travelling at least some 15mph with a large bow wave. We finally reached the lock to be told by the keeper that he was closing navigation within the hour and we had better get a move on to Shardlow. As they say “a nod is as good as a wink” so full steam to Shardlow. Needless to say the pub beckoned soon after arrival.

Our next day is best forgotten. Torrential rain, lots of difficult locks and a very unhappy wife. We made a note to buy some efficient waterproofs as soon as possible!

Shardlow to Fradley was similar to boating on a motorway. Due to the closure of the Trent, all traffic was coming our way. It was a fight all the way to Alrewas where of course the warning boards were on amber and closure was likely. Fortunately we made Fradley and naturally the pub for one of their excellent meals.

Our journey was uneventful until we were on the last stretch up the Rushall Locks. Lock 8 was duly entered, gates closed and water coming slowly in. All progressed well for a while until a torrent of water suddenly poured over the gates, all down the tow path and over the wall into the lock. The boat was clearly in danger of swamping and emergency measures to stop the water were initiated. Finally we were able to leave the lock only to find another boat already in the pound. The water level was very low, and almost no room to pass. A cheery voice suddenly came from the stern “hello” Clearly the owner knew me. Well it was NB Rosa with Monica no less. She said she had “trouble” getting through the last lock and had to “shoot herself out”. Oh Monica what happened, we almost sunk.

Unfortunately our problems didn’t end there. When we came to close the gates of lock 7 they would not shut despite much shoving and heaving. No choice but to call the heavies from BW. Some hour or so later we were released and able to get home very tired but quite proud of our little adventure up the Soar.

Where to next time I wonder!