Terminus

We did 10½ miles today, made possible by the complete change to the overcast conditions of today. The downside of less sun is that the photos are less sparkling! 

The canal tends to close in a bit north of Sutton Cheney, though at one point we did encounter the broadest and deepest stretch of all, making good speed for half a mile or so. Towards the end of our journey we had to go through Snarestone Tunnel (250 yards).

It's still a bit scary going underground, even though we're used to it by now. It's especially so when the tunnel has a slight curve or is offset from the main direction of the canal, so you can't see the other end as you approach. However, all was well and, shortly afterwards, we tied up at the 48 hour moorings at the furthest extent of the navigation.

Just around the corner is the swing bridge that leads onto the Ashby Canal Association's section, with a wharf where they have a shop and café.

Beyond that is a stretch of a few hundred yards where you can take your boat if you ask nicely.

One of the notable features of the Ashby has been the bench-seats donated by members of the society and others, dotted regularly along its length. and we've been struck by the numbers of couples making use of the towpath for a walk. Just round the next corner you come to Bridge 62.

Seeing the notice up close, you might be fooled into thinking this bridge had quite a history.

In fact, I'm reliably informed it's an old farm bridge recently renovated. Whatever, I went up to get a picture of what the ACA are hoping to turn into fully fledged canal-in-water.

This hole is fine for winding if your boat is 50' or less. If we brought Erin Mae up here, we'd have to reverse the whole way back.

So here we are at the current terminus. One of the interesting features at this point is an old pumping station.

In the grounds of the shop are a couple of beams from the old engine.

I assumed that this would be the pump for the canal, but the chappie in the shop (bored out of his mind on a customer-free day) informed us that it was for providing fresh water for Hinckley, and that the canal's water comes from the Coventry Canal (which we left at Marston Junction).

Over 4 hours travel today. It wasn't quite the slog that it might have been, but I don't think we'll be in a hurry to repeat the exercise!