The 50th Anniversary Trip - Day One

 Friday 1st October 2021

Our route was the "Warwickshire Ring", which Willow Wren say is "100 miles and 100 locks", although that underestimates the lock count by a significant number! In 1971 we had begun to do the ring anti-clockwise, but turned round at Brinklow after the first day: nobody is sure why. Despite the shorter days we also found time to do the Coventry Arm from Hawkesbury Jc, but this time round we opted for the plain-vanilla clockwise version.

With Hillmorton locks closing to boats at 16.30 we'd negotiated a 14.30 start from Rugby Wharf. I was the first of the crew to arrive (unlike the rest I didn't go via the "Steam Hammer" pub between the station and the wharf) On presenting myself at reception I was asked to return to car park "beyond the cones" and wait there until the rest of the crew had arrived, whereupon we would all be admitted to the wharf together!

Further Covid precautions meant that only two of us (named in advance) were then shown over the boat and told where everything was and how it worked (except, it became apparent later, the heating!). Only then were the rest of the crew allowed to board.  Having confirmed to Willow Wren that we had all arrived we then had to admit that one crew member was missing. Hugh was the only one coming by car and the only one who had been unable to find the boatyard. Unfortunately, having the only car, he was also bringing the food for the first few days.  By now we were anxious to get away and Willow Wren were equally anxious to get rid of us as they had other boats to despatch. Fortunately, Jeanette, who was driving Hugh, rang at just the right time to say they were still lost so we arranged to meet them at Hillmorton and got on our way.

Getting ready to load supplies at Hillmorton. Clive in a tangle with the ropes!

At Hillmorton there was a prime example of how hire boaters can be treated differently on the cut. Having been helped through the bottom lock by the volunteer lockies, the obvious place to load the food into the boat was on the upper lock landing. It would only take a minute and there were no other boats around, but no sooner had we stopped than one of the volunteers was over to tell us we couldn't tie up there. In fairness, she accepted our explanation and we were soon on our way for an uneventful run to Braunston, arriving just as it got dark and managing to find the last available space to tie up before the junction.

We'd been planning a meal in the Old Plough in the village and, with it being Friday night, had attempted to book a table by email, albeit with no response.  Fortunately, passing the Boat House, we decided to eat there instead. The food and beer were good enough, but it wasn't really "pub-like" enough for us, so we headed off to the Old Plough - to find that at 9pm on a Friday night we were just about the only customers and that there was only one ale - "Hobgoblin" on tap. Some of the party headed off to try the Wheatsheaf, but the rest of us just made the best of what was a disappointing Friday night.