Plans changed.

Our plans for the day went to pot as soon as we woke up. When I got up to make the tea it was dull and drizzly and the wind was blowing from the stern. My plans were to do an oil and filter change and otherwise potter about in the engine hole. That didn't seem very appealing in light of the climatic conditions. By the time I got back to the bedroom with the tea news plans were laid as we had a text from a friend asking about visiting us today. This involved moving to a place with easier access and a parking place, so we were on the move.

This was our view on the off side over looking the countryside and the houses near Rowington.

It was very noticeable how wide the Grand Union in this area is compared with the Worcester and Birmingham and the Stratford upon Avon Canals. The Grand Union was the last great hope for the commercial use of the canals in the 1930's. It was at the time of the Depression so the Government put money into the scheme to widen and deepen the canal so as to enable 100 ton barges passing from London to Birmingham. Unfortunately political will and money ran out and the complete scheme was never completed. The above photo shows one area that was not completed. The wide canal suddenly shrinks in width as on the tow path side there is a steep drop so would have taken large scale earth works to build it up to widen the canal, so it didn't get done. I do wonder why they didn't just widen the other side that would mean just taking another half width of canal out of the bank that doesn't rise too steeply at all.

You can see how the whole bank has been built up with reinforced concrete. The water level is usually just below the bulwark and as you pass the wake slaps underneath it in a very 'Grand Union' fashion. It also means that the use of piling hooks and chains is rare for mooring on this canal, and the pins have to go in quite a way into the tow path. The above photo shows  a bridge that wasn't widened in the works. Although the era of 100t barges passing didn't come about the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co. was set up and they worked with narrow boats in pairs, a motor and an unpowered 'butty'. That way they could take advantage of using the double locks breasted up but could also transit the pounds in line ahead so as not to be stopped by the narrow bits.

From Rowington to Shrewley Tunnel seems to be an area where growing Christmas trees is big. There are rows of them from tiny wee saplings to these much bigger ones. I expect that these are ones that will grace shopping centres or big homes of distinction!

I bet this pair of boats could tell a story or two. I'm no expert but I would think these would be a very expensive bet for restoration now.

Shrewley Tunnel has the village on top and has the interesting feature of the horse tunnel too. It take the horses up to the road and then they would have been led over the top and down to the other portal. Despite it being two way working I decided to wait for this boat to come through and despite it being only 443 yards long it seemed to take for ever as they were savouring every moment. I also love the cast iron stanchions that seemed to have been left un-painted but still look great.

We moored just by this Bridge 56 as the Hatton Station is just next to the canal with some parking and only a few steps down. Chris has recently had a new hip so we didn't want him to have to walk miles or hurdle stiles etc. Interestingly the bridge is one of those that was actually widened for the use of larger boats on the canal as can be seen with the concrete built bridge and larger width. Interestingly they still provided a tow path for horse towing!! If they had been serious about the scheme couldn't pedestrians have walked over the road and down the other side. Mind you I'm very glad they didn't.

Chris arrived for lunch and didn't stop talking until he left about four hours later! We have now caught up with all his news and have made tentative arrangements for future liaisons. Hopefully it wont be to long now. I knew I should have said 'white rabbit' this morning!!! June already. Good to see you Chris and thanks for the rhubarb.