intrepid pony: Fradley Junction

leaving the first lock at Fradley

After several weeks camping in Cornwall to spend time with our daughter and grandchildren it was time to return to the boat for a restful time.

The week ahead was declared dry so the captain decided to try to cruise the river Soar. The first time we tried this river the day started well but boaters warned of a huge storm approaching so we turned and retreated beyond the flood gates to Shardlow as the river Soar can change levels rapidly with heavy rain.

approaching the junction

The weather was lovely as we hit the M23 motorway to drive to the boat but as soon as I turned onto the M25 I hit slow traffic. With temperatures at 20 c we crawled up the slow lane at 20 mph while the other lanes ground to a halt. Knowing something exceptional had brought traffic to a stop we followed the old slow A roads and rejoined the motorway further up.

Once I was at the marina I walked Lottie while the Captain unloaded to prevent the dog attacking the trolley wheels.

Fradley junction

We finally set off at 3.40. boats were moving steadily in both directions but we didn’t have to queue for long. We moored at Fradley Junction just after the Coventry canal joined at a peaceful spot. Although the road only went to the pub at Fradley, it was bustling with motorbikes. Perhaps they had a special Harley week on. At first Lottie barked but gave up after the fourth group of motorbikes passed.

approaching Junction Lock

We were not the last to moor up. Boats stretched ahead of us with fenders touching front and back up to the lock pins. Behind us there was a gap then two boats filled the space from the start of the moorings.

Several boats tried to moor behind us but failed. Some tried shyly then slid down the lock to seek longer slots. Others shouted noisily.

“You can get it in here Rob,” a raucous female would yell.

“No NO you’re going to hit it!”

looking back from Junction Lock

Clearly these boats were 60 footer’s and the space was about 58 foot. Eventually boats stopped trying to moor and locked down to the lower pound and peace reined until the bikers returned from the pub in groups of two or three when the pub closed.