The top of the Ashby & Shakerstone again

We woke at the South Portal of Snarestone Tunnel to a fishing competition who's participants seemed to go on for miles. Mindful that we needed to get back to Shakerstone to find Whiskers' tracker we set off sharpish.

Thankfully the sky was blue and there was even some warmth in the sunshine. Snarestone Tunnel is only 228m long but there is no towpath through, so Vicky took the dogs inside Rainboat and gave them peanut butter on their Licky Mats. Thankfully Tiger was too engrossed in this treat to get scared and we emerged from the North Portal just as they were finishing up.

Ashby Canal was originally 31 miles long but the northern section between Snarestone and Ashby-de-la-Zouch was built through the Leicestershire Coal Field. Subsidence gradually destroyed this nine mile stretch, reducing the navigable length to 22 miles. The last possible turning point for boats as long as Rainboat is Snarestone Wharf; the headquarters of the Ashby Canal Association. Here we found a small chandlery and brick a brack stall as well as restored canal artefacts and information on the association's fundraising and restoration work. Boats less than 50ft long can continue northwards from Snarestone and turn just after Bridge 62, before Gilwiskaw Brook Aqueduct. There is an IWA Silver Propeller site here but we would have had to reverse Rainboat a considerable distance, in blustery conditions, with boats moored on either side. In other circumstances we may have waited for a calm day but we needed to get back to find Whiskers' tracker before the battery ran out. Instead we filled with water, emptied our bins, bought an 'Ashby Canal' brass plaque from the chandlery and a coffee mug from the brick a brack stall before winding and retracing our steps to Shakerstone.

The Pit Pat app showed the tracker in a field through a Blackthron hedge, brambles and Dog Rose and over a 2m wide drainage ditch. We walked up and down to see if there was an easier route but eventually Vicky took the sickle and gang plank, hacked her way through the the thorny undergrowth and over the water. The cat owner we'd met the last time we were here saw it as an opportunity for adventure so followed on behind. When we were within a metre of the icon on the map he spotted Whiskers' collar - yay! It really does work well! A relieved Vicky returned with it in hand and spent most of the rest of the day in bed 😴

On our last visit the Victorian Tea Rooms at the Battlefield Line Heritage Railway Station been recommended. Despite the trains not running at this time of year it opens on Wednesdays and weekends so Will went along for a cheese cob on Saturday. The two rooms were full of families and couples and there was a real buzz in the air. Vicky had recovered enough by Sunday afternoon to return with him. There was nothing vegan but she enjoyed a pot of mint tea in a china cup and saucer while Will had a delicious slab of Victoria Sponge in front of a roaring log fire. It was near closing time and we were the only customers but it gave us a chance to look around. The walls and windowsills were packed with Victorian memorabilia, from photos of the Queen to tea tins and childrens toys. The owner happily chatted away to us and was obviously a real labour of love (possibly verging on obsession) that brought joy to him and those visiting who visited. We'd definitely recommend a visit.Läs mer