I have been very slow to write this up – its now May 2026 but the memories are still fresh and its nice to relive my adventure as i plan my next trip!
Wild Rover has been trapped in the midlands since July and on the 10th Oct the Coventry canal will open enabling me to get back to Teddington. Not quite the leisurely trip i had a planned but the autumn is beginning and the network starts to close again for the winter works program on the 3rd Nov.
It was a joy to be outside every day as the autumn creep in. To watch the leaves change, the temperature drop and be outside thru all of it. The diesel heater just about kept up with the chilly evenings, there where a few rainy days but mostly it was warm and dry.
Depart Redhill 8th Oct
Arrive: Trowlock Island, Teddington, 26th Oct
Detail Trip Report
184 miles and 141 locks – thank you to Canal Plan for working this out!
8th Oct – A bit anxious about having left the boat for weeks on a public mooring but all is well. I take a gift to the marina office to say thank you for keeping an eye on her, no idea if they did or not but the idea gave me comfort!
Feels good to be moving again and the wide open river of the Trent feels familiar now as i turn east heading for the Trent and Mersey. Moor at Sawely and meet Blossom in the pub who is joining us for a few days
9th Oct – grey chilly start and 9 hours cruising to get us to South Darlow (lock 7).
10 Oct – another long day 8.5 hours of solid cruising. the day started grey and chilly but turned sunny in the afternoon. The engine needed the booster first thing but fine the rest of the day. Moored up near Whillington (bridge 80) for the night,
11 Oct – early start again chilly but warmed up later in the day. Made it to Lock 6 on the Coventry Canal and moored waiting for the morning opening. Said goodbye to Blossom who has to get back for work, will miss the company and the help!
We are now on restricted opening locks, first locking in is 10am and last locking 2pm to be clear by 3pm. There are quite a few boats waiting, quite a few are folks who have done cheap one way rentals to get boats back to their rental basis. Its the 2nd day the locks are open apparently it was very busy yesterday.
12 Oct – day was foggy and cool, such a contrast to upward journey. Filled up water at Hartshill yard, such a beautiful set of buildings which feel abandoned especially in this grey misty day. Stopped just before the north oxford Junction.
13 Oct – Early start with yet another damp cool day with a stop in Rugby for shopping. Made it to lock 2&3 of the North Oxford canal which has closed for the day. Will be the first boat at 10am tomorrow.
14 Oct – Again damp and grey but mild. Prompt start at 10 when CRT staff opened the lock and stopped above Brauntson top lock. Back on the wide locks of the Grand Union is eased by the pairing up of boats as CRT staff manage the flow of boats to conserve water.
15 Oct – Up early to get thru the Braunston tunnel and be waiting at lock 7, Watling Street for 10am opening. Stopped at Stoke Brune, lock 14 on the lock moorings. Again waiting for 10am lock opening. Weather still grey, mild but still.
16 Oct – CRT staff let us thru promptly at 10 and the day turns out pleasantly warm. Moor up at lock 81a Milton keynes, there are avenues of poplar alongside the canal and the paths are paved in fallen leaves autumn is definitely here urging me on.
17 Oct –
18 Oct –
19 Oct –
20 Oct –
21 Oct –
22 Oct –
23 Oct –
24 Oct –
25 Oct –
26 Oct –