Moored under the railway bridge at Huddlesford junction and went for lunch in the Plough. I had a delicious meal of Hake with Gnocchi and Samphire. Moored for the night south of Fradley junction to avoid the canalside road after it and also to get some shade. Went to the Swan to eat and drink.
20180625
Monday 25th June, Atherstone to Tamworth
Moored at lunchtime in Polesworth where there are no good dog friendly pubs with food. So we had lunch on board.
Moored for the night at Glascote. Again no suitable pub to eat in so I bought a Pizza in the nearby Co-op to cook on board. Walked into Tamworth to the Market Vaults then on to the Sir Robert Peel.
20180624
Sunday 24th June, Hawkesbury to Atherstone
Moored in Nuneaton and went for Sunday lunch in the Horseshoes.
Moored for the night below the locks at Atherstone. Had a bite to eat on board before heading to Angel Ale House.
20180623
Saturday 23rd June, Brinklow to Hawkesbury
Arrived about 11am. Ian slightly later. Had lunch on board then set off for Hawkesbury.
Hawkesbury was busy and we had to moor one bend before usual. This turns out to be a good spot with firm ground for pins and little boat movement. Went for dinner inside the Greyhound. Only one guest beer on. Discovered too late that there was another beer on in the Whippet bar.
20170804
Tues 18th July, Rugby to Brinklow
Walked into Rugby and went for lunch in the Merchants Inn. Later on we made the short journey back to the marina.
20170712
Mon 17th July, Bridge 100 to Rugby
Stopped for lunch at Hillmorton. the Cafe was closed, the Stage and Pheasant was not serving food so we walked up to the Bell where we had lunch. Stopped briefly by the reservoir so that Peter could walk to the station. Then we went a bit further to make use of the new mooring rings at Brownsover. Had dinner on board.
Sun 16th July, Fenny Compton to Bridge 100
Moored at 11.30 above Napton Top Lock and walked down to the Folly Inn to find that they were not able to serve food due to a power cut last night. We had a pint and some pickled eggs and walked back up the locks. Went down three locks before stopping for lunch on board. Stopped for water at the bottom of Napton locks but chose the slower of the two taps as we were informed later. Moored for the night near bridge 100 on the Grand Union.
Sat 15th July, Banbury to Fenny Compton
Stopped for lunch on board below Claydon locks. Moored for the night at Fenny Compton where we went to the Wharf Inn for dinner.
Fri 14th July, Lower Heyford to Banbury
Stopped at the Pig Place to try their farm shop and get gas. We had lunch on board on their moorings.
Moored for the night in Banbury just north of Tom Rolt bridge. Went for dinner in the Three Pidgeons then for a pint in the White Horse.
Thurs 13th July, Kidlington to Lower Heyford
Stopped below Bakers lock for lunch on board. After lunch we carried on and moored at the Rock of Gibraltar which has re-appeared in WhatPub. Went in for a pint. Filled up with water at Lower Heyford and then moored for the night and we went for dinner at the Bell.
Wed 12th July, Oxford to Kidlington
Went shopping in Oxford and had lunch in the Turf Tavern. The food is now as disappointing as the choice of Greene King ales. Set off and moored for the night above Kidlington Green lock. After eating on board we walked to the Kings Arms in the old part of Kidlington for a pint.
Tues 11th July, Radcot to Oxford
Had lunch on board whilst on the move. Stayed on the Thames till Sheepwash channel where we got back on the Oxford canal near the Jericho footbridge. Due to the rain we went to the nearest pub, the Bookbinders, where we met Andy. They have a french style Menu du Jour until 7pm which was good value so we had three courses. They also had a quiz so the pub got busy.
20170708
Mon 10th July, Tadpole Bridge to Lechlade then back to Radcot
Carried on upstream to Lechlade where we moored and had lunch on board. Walked into town for some supplies and had a pint of Arkells outside the Riverside. Turned round and went back down to Radcot where we moored in the same place as 4 weeks ago. Went for dinner in the Swan. Their own beer was not at its best this time but the guest beer was.
Sun 9th July, Oxford to Tadpole Bridge
Headed up the Oxford canal then through Dukes Cut onto the Thames. Headed up river and moored near Eynsham, then walked across the bridge to the Talbot where we had lunch. After lunch we carried on and ended up at Tadbole Bridge where we breasted up with a hire boat. Had dinner on board before patronising the Trout.
Sat 8th July, Abingdon to Oxford
On arrival in Oxford the moorings above Osney lock were full so we had to get on the canal to moor opposite College cruisers. Had lunch on board. Later went into town to meet Mike and Rosie at the car park on the old canal basin. Went for a pint in the Royal Blenheim for a pint before going on to the Chequers for my birthday meal.