Coventry Canal Basin

We seemed to have been heading towards the basin at the end of Coventry Canal for ages but today we finally reached it!

The channel branched into two prongs and initially there didn't seem to be room to moor. There were laminated 'No Mooring' signs tied to some mooring rings and a stretch of private wharf. Will scoped out a space on the left prong and winded Rainboat before backing her in. It was a dead end so we had a bit of privacy with nobody needing to walk or cruise past us. However we were very close to buildings sobwe had poor reception and there wasn't any trees or other plants around, making the place feel a bit soulless.

There were a few shining lights to be found though- a local recommended a little café on the opposite side of the basin for breakfast and the Portuguese café and shop beside it for lunch. Both seemed popular but we visited the Portuguese place and were welcomed with open arms. Will had octopus and Vicky a Portuguese salad with a side of Lupin Beans (we didn't even know that lupin flowers produced beans!). Most of the customers spoke Portuguese and many were visiting to buy traditional King Cake (Bolo Rei) and Queen Cake (Bolo Rainha) - ring sponges topped with nuts and candied fruits for after Christmas, New Year and Kings Day or 12th Night. Here's an article on them if you want to find out more: https://catavino.net/bolo-rei-bolo-rainha-portu…

After a day of rest it was time for the yearly Duckworth get together at Pete and Maggie's house in Tile Hill. Sue, John, Kaiya and Peter had driven up from Orpington and dropped in for a visit and a walk round the basin. Kaiya had met Mr Whiskers at the farm and was pleased to get reacquainted. They gave Will a lift to the party while Vicky settled the dogs and rested, following on later in a taxi.

There were 16 of us in total but Pete and Maggie triumphed over the logistical challenges and it all went smoothly. It felt really good having so many of the family there and catching up with people we hadn't seen in a long time.

The following morning niece Vicky, her husband Dave and our great niece and nephew Kaiya and Peter paid us a flying visit on their way back to Orpington. Vicky and Dave hadn't seen Rainboat or met any of the furries before so it was fantastic that they made the time when they had such a long drive ahead.

With only a few days until Christmas we spent our time relaxing, exploring and preparing. A pedestrian and cycle bridge led over the ring road, past the colourful high rises and in to the nearby city centre. There was a small Christmas Market, a ferris wheel and on one occasion a brass band. The main shopping street and mall was busy but shoppers quickly evaporated in the surrounding areas.

Another thriving hub was the indoor market. There was an impressive range of stalls which we enjoyed perusing. We picked up all the veggies needed for Christmas dinner and had a lunch of samosas and a pasty (not the best we've eaten, especially after the server heated the samosas in a microwave, rendering the pastry soggy).

For Christmas we moved a few hundred metres to the towpath just outside the basin where there was grass for the dogs, we could see trees on the opposite bank and the sun reached the solar panels when it chose to show itself. The big day was a quiet one with a lie in, presents and dog walking before Will worked his magic in the galley 🎖🪄 A venison joint and mushroom wellington with lashings of roasties and vegetables. Just perfect 🥰

On Boxing Day Maggie and Pete whisked us away to Stonleigh to see the Mummers Plays and Morris Dancing! They were even happy for Leo to come along. The amateur actors were a bit disorganised and as is traditional, stopped at various places along the way to fortify themselves with mulled wine and beer. Features which only added character to the event which we both really enjoyed. Thank you Pete and Maggie!Les mer