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Our problems began shortly after we moved through the new shopping developments that flank the canal and realised there was some sort of canoe racing about to start. We didn't expect that it would actually take place in and around us until the first batch of rowers came past as we approached Hardwick lock - passing on both sides, in fact, and cutting in front of us with no obvious regard for their own safety. As we approached the lock we could see the youngsters hauling their canoes out of the water, running with them up the side of the lock and then depositing them back into the water right in front of another narrowboat waiting to come down. Despite all the warnings from the man holding the boat, they ignored him and raced back into the water. Behind us a barge arrived with the people on board clearly furious that there had been no warning of the racing, there were no signs to say where the course began and ended and virtually no stewarding of the racers who clearly had no idea how to pass other boats in safety. He said he had telephoned BW and given Plodder's name as witness and we were happy with that.
The tensions grew, however, as we moved on up the canal until they almost erupted when a group of more mature young men, on their way back down the course, again started passing on both sides, one of them cutting inside us as we came out under a bridge. Only quick thinking at the tiller saved his boat from being crushed - the oarsman was already scrambling up onto the towpath to safety.
The rest of the day was comparatively uneventful and after I had assured Dave and Susan that this was not an everyday feature of life on the Cut we moored at our planned destination just short of Fenny Compton where we enjoyed a welcome meal and a beer.
Susan and David at Napton Locks
October 27
Another very early start in splendid weather brought us to Napton locks without meeting other boats but soon we were passing others coming up, making our passage through very quick and easy, although Dave admitted he felt a bit tense with all the scurrying to and fro around us. He didn't look it, bringing the boat in and out of the locks like an old hand. At the bottom of the flight we watered and then continued on through the darkening afternoon, mooring close to the Royal Oak a short run from Hillmorton Locks. The plan had been to arrive at Rugby next day where Dave and Susan had booked a boat-handling course for the 27th. I would leave them there and they would then bring the boat on to Stoke Golding in their own time. Unfortunately that night Sue was violently and repeatedly sick .
October 28
We were up and about fairly early again ready for the trip to Rugby but Dave looked worried. Sue had been sick again that morning, felt dizzy and nauseous and could hardly stand, much less attend a full-day's boat-handling course. And she certainly could not help Dave over the next few days to get Plodder up to the Ashby. I offered to stay on board and help them get back to familiar territory as quickly as possible while Dave tried to postpone the course, ringing up first thing that morning. The people running the course would have none of it even though Dave was happy to fit in with any day offered next year at short notice when the instructors might have a slot free at the last moment.
So we moored briefly at Brownsover Park to get more food supplies from the nearby Tesco and then cruised on to Hawkesbury Junction for the night. Dave stayed aboard with the still poorly Susan while I walked over to the Greyhound for a meal and a drink.
October 29
Our final day's cruising began almost as early as the others and by 9 am Dave was turning Plodder into the first bridge hole on the Ashby. We reached Trinity marina by mid morning, got rid of more rubbish and completed the last lap, mooring up behind Snecklifter until Dave could check there was room on the official moorings beyond Bridge 27. For the last hour Sue joined us on deck so she got to see something of the canal they had lived near for the last couple of years but she still didn't look fit. I was just relieved to have helped bring the boat to Stoke Golding on time and delighted that while I drove on the longer "faster" sections, Dave took the tiller to take her through every difficult bit.
Plodder relaxes back at Stoke Golding
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