Past Marston Junction where the lock free Ashby Canal diverges, it is a fairly uninteresting cruise through a short rural section before you are enveloped by the entrails of Chilvers Coton and Nuneaton.
There isn’t much to write about Nuneaton, it’s sad when the only notable thing to write about is the wonderful line of allotments. Sorry, Nuneatonians! Three huge areas line the off-side of the canal and it is fascinating to travel by them at different times of year to see how the plots develop. It is worthy of mention that virtually everyone is being used.
Boot Wharf had its usual jumble of boats and more and more resembles Braunston Bottom Lock. Not just were they double breasted on the yard side, there was also a line of boats on the towpath side leaving just a narrow curving channel to squeeze through.
At the old Judkins Quarry site on the outskirts, housing is now going up around what appears to be the perimeter of the huge crater dug out during the quarry’s working life. Hope they secure the edge before the kids start playing there. However, the Warwickshire pyramids are still standing proud. Mount Jud still rises over the quarries at Nuneaton with another pyramid visible further on at Hartshill.
A short cutting follows, formerly the preserve of the quarrying industry. Old wharves, pipes, gantries and other industrial detritus line the canal, with a bridge carrying a conveyor moving aggregate from one side to the other. Its sides and base are covered in a green mesh designed, no doubt, to catch any gloop that might fall between the planks on the bridge decking. Judging by the bulges, quite a lot has fallen through. There are so many wrinkles and bulges they resemble Norah Batty’s stockings.
In complete contrast, just a hundred yards or so further on, you emerge through a bridge into a wonderful landscape. All the depressing urbanisation that is Nuneaton and its quarrying industry is left behind and the Anker Valley takes over. Wide views open up to the east across the river and main line railway to the Charnwood Hills on the horizon whilst on the opposite bank wooded slopes rise to the west.
I rate the section of the Coventry from here to the outskirts of Tamworth as one of the best anywhere. There is also plenty of piled banking encouraging you to tie up along here. There are occasional sightings of derelict brick or stone built wharves and demolished bridges recognisable only by the channel narrowing and their abutments, giving a hint of the forgotten transport needs of the quarrying industry hereabouts.
Sadly the maintenance yard at Hartshill has been deserted by BW – there are no work boats visible and a “To Let” sign has appeared on the range at the back of the site. Here's a picture we took last year with workboats where they should be.
We could now see dark clouds approaching from the west and fortunately made it to the moorings at Atherstone. As we ate our lunch, we had our first rain (shower) for many weeks. As we shopped in the town centre later, there was a heavy prolonged downpour and it continues to drizzle. The forecast tomorrow is for rain, sleet, snow and sunny intervals. Confused?
The old hat factory that has been empty and falling into dereliction for many years has at last a 'Sold' sign on its road facade. I hope that when redevelopment takes place they retain some of the old fabric, although the canal frontage is pretty ugly. We used to try and count the smashed windows (as you do), but usually gave up when we reached three figures!
Just to finish off, we've just been entertained (if entertained is the right word) by 10 male ducks squabbling over 3 females, with one very confused moorhen paddling like mad to clear the area. God, I hate ducks!
No comments:
Post a Comment