From Ashby Canal, back to Coventry Canal and on to Oxford Canal
A perfect boating day, consequently the day started early at 6.30am when a boater decided to turn his boat around a few yards away! It wasn't too irritating as the cloudless blue sky and bird chatter more than compensated. A few others then followed, probably planning to moor up during the heat of the midday, and so there was quite a snail trail of boats making their way to the end of the Ashby where we turned left, and back on to the Coventry canal, and returned to gardens and surburbia.
At Hawksbury Junction as we made our way on to the Oxford Canal, there was a little cluster of boats going our way, each in turn using the Sutton stop lock to rise all of 3"! The midday sun was certainly intense, and we moored up and hid inside for a couple of hours.
We have nearly closed the circle and we are back in familiar territory on the Oxford canal, passing through Rugby and the familiar aerials. The 3 twin single locks at Hillmorton were busy, both sides in use, and proved a challenge for some first timers. One picture today shows the disco effect from the lights inside Newbold Tunnel. Several of the bridge arches have attractive murals, all pretty well intact.
We moored on the edge of Braunston, as we know how popular this place can be. A walk up to the bottom lock confirmed this, and then up through Braunston village and a visit to Midland Chandlers of course, was enough in the still very warm air.
We concluded this particular trip with an evening on the canal terrace outside The Boatman, where 2 meals for the price of one, can work out cheaper than your drinks bill! Many customers like us, watched Mike Kelly (Eureauweb) do cheeky 360 degree turns and pirouette his boat, Marionette round in front of us!
We concluded this particular trip with an evening on the canal terrace outside The Boatman, where 2 meals for the price of one, can work out cheaper than your drinks bill! Many customers like us, watched Mike Kelly (Eureauweb) do cheeky 360 degree turns and pirouette his boat, Marionette round in front of us!
The next morning as we made our way on down the Oxford canal and back to base, we encountered a midstream obstacle of partly sunken boats, 'BW aware' of course. This little lot will take some shifting!
Our next jaunt will be into the Fens very soon, so watch this space.
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