Monday, July 26, 2010

Back into locks

Thursday 22nd July. 13 miles, 1 lock, 1 swing bridge.
Diana had to go shopping and I went on to the Herbert Museum expecting to see something on Frank Whittle but all there was was a reasonably modern Jet engine. Also at the gallery was a photo exhibition, from one photographer, of early working narrow boats. That was great to see as they had all been taken at Hawkesbury Junction which we passed latter on in the day.
As we left Coventry we had a phone call from the couple we had dinner with on Tuesday inviting us for dinner when we caught up with them. They had left Coventry on Wednesday. Consequently it was a long day motoring with a junction and small lock to negotiate, along with 5 other boats. I feel good when others on smaller boats have trouble and I luck in with a smooth turn, just like an expert. Doesn't always work that way. From the junction we are on the Oxford canal and back into rural peaceful motoring with the occasional motorway passing by to remind us we are travelling at the best speed.
About 1830 we catch up with our hosts to find pre-dinner drinks & a 3 course meal waiting. Great end to a long day. 1/2 mile east of CV23 oLN.

Friday 23 July. 9 miles, 3 locks.
Continue down the Oxford with a stop for groceries at Rugby. The locals surprised we weren't going to the Rugby museum. Went there in 2006. Met our first ignorant boat hirer who wouldn't move to let others get water. Stopped 1/2 mile south of CV21 4PW.

Saturday 24 July. 7 miles, 0 locks.
Today we go onto the Grand Union Canal. Stopped and went into the town of Braunston. While Diana waited for a wedding to come out so she could photograph it she befriended an old lady who later took us through the village and gave us the history of the buildings. From the village we walked down to the big canal centre. We had been to an Historic boats festival here in 2006. On the way down we looked into an allotment. Diana went in to take photos and met a lady who had a Doctor from Havelock North stay with her when they were buying a boat. We have not met the doctor but had heard of him. small world. From the canal centre back to the boat and through Braunston turn, down the Grand union to moor 1/2 mile west of CV23 8AT.

Sunday 25 July. 7 miles, 13 locks (wide ones)
Off in the morning turn right at Napton Junction heading towards Warwick. At first 3 locks we waited for another boat to join us to ease the workload as we went through together. A hot day so found a bit of shade where we put the chairs out for lunch on the towpath. As we approached the next flight of 8 locks we passed a moored up kiwi couple. Caused a bit of a traffic jam as we tried to come alongside to exchange contacts. That didn't work so he walked down the towpath until we could stop. Diana had had a brief encounter with them at the busy Fradley junction with no time to talk. Chatted to him for almost an hour before continuing through the 8 double locks. Time was getting on and the flow of traffic had almost stopped so was looking at close on 3 hours to go through the next 8 locks. Entered the first and about to close the gate when around the corner comes a boat. Great there is a crew of keen kids and 2 hours later we are through 10 locks and ready to stop for a pub meal at CV47 9QZ. Only 12 locks to Warwick then there is a flight of 20 straight after that.

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