TRIP PREP

 

Coventry

 

David got busy on some calculations today.  We have traveled 60.5 miles on the canal, navigated 29 locks, and have generated 53 hours on the engine in 8 days. 

We are still trying to figure out the most efficient use of the washing machine.  It drains the battery power quickly so must only be used while moving.  You need to use it when you are not stopping and slowing down for locks because it shuts off. We wash when we know that we have long straight stretches on the canal. The drying of our unmentionables, etc, is done by hanging our wet clothes on the wall radiators.  I love putting on my warm “radiated” gloves each morning.

Along the way David downloaded an App that would give us a reading on our stored power. Toward the end of our trip today, David noticed on his phone that we were down to 23% battery power. I checked to see if the washer or anything else could have been left on draining the power. We were OK in that regard, but the percentage kept dropping. We decided that it was time to stop for the day and investigate.

It didn’t take long for David to realize that same App was giving him a reading for the charge on his cell phone, too!  His phone was nearly dead, but thankfully, our power for the evening was ample.  Steep learning curve.

  We went through our first tunnel today. I was assigned the prestigious job of switching on our tunnel light.  It was shorter than expected and there were no approaching boats, so I didn’t get the added honor of blowing our horn.

We stopped for water today and were shocked how low our tank was. We had stopped once before and maybe it wasn’t as full as I thought it was when we stopped filling. It took at least 30 minutes to fill the tank. David commented that a full tank at the bow was going to lower the nose in the water and should help with our visibility. What a difference. I wasn’t on my tippy toes looking over the roof of the boat.

We are struck by how clean the tow paths are along the canal. So little trash and even in the water, you only see the occasional plastic bottle or beer can. On our way back to the boat last night, we saw a mini fridge abandoned by the gate to the path. This morning we saw it floating in the canal. Some nut thought it would be a good idea, I guess.

We have floated by three golf courses along the way. Even the grazing land looks as groomed as a golf course. The sheep and cattle all look quite content even with a limited menu.

We passed by another type of permanent mooring. Instead of about an 1/8 of an acre patch of land adjacent to the dock, some moorings have a strip of land about the width of a driveway with a narrow gravel access road. Even with this limited space, many still manage to have their flower gardens and viewing benches.

                                                             Private moorings

We see many dog walkers along the path as well as lonesome fisherman. They come equipped with a chair of some sort and fishing gear eager to throw in a line. Passing boats churning up the water do not help with their prospects.

It took us a week, but we figured out the scanning feature on the TV. We now get some news so not completely in the dark, but then again, maybe it’s safer in the dark!

All the boats have their names painted on the side.  Most take on female identities with simple names like “Hester” “Lucy” and “Rose”. Saw a “Bob” and “Harry” the other day and chuckled to myself thinking of my uncle. Other names we can remember are “Conundrum”, “Pint Pot” and “Tickety-boo” which means “It’s just fine”. Our friend, Captain Ron used to use that expression a lot to ease our minds. 

                             Some boats are decorated very similar to this 

There is a jungle of shrubs and brambles along the canal. When we hug the non-tow path side of the canal to make room for a passing boat, you need to be careful of tree limbs and branches which drape over the water. One morning I was saying “Good Morning” to a cheery boater and didn’t duck. I was scratched across the forehead by some thorny branch that left “idiot marks”. Ouch

Tomorrow we are heading further into the city central of Coventry. Hoping there are moorings available. So far we have had no difficulty finding a mooring spot when we need it.

 Ashley called and we were able to serenade our birthday boy, Hunter, on his fourth birthday today. They are camping by the ocean in southern California. Hunter was a bit distracted by the promise of a birthday bacon breakfast with Daddy and going to the tackle shop for fishing gear.

Went to the one and only nearby pub for lunch.  It was good but not the traditional pub grub or atmosphere.  We were impressed with their Christmas Day menu of three courses for around $25 and there were some tantalizing choices. They also were taking reservations for Boxing Day and a New Year’s Eve Disco Party. The neighborhood will be rockin.

                                  I could use one of these in Murphys!