Sunday 22nd July

Rugby to Brinklow Marina

Set off at 9am on a cool day with some sunshine. Only 3 or 4 miles to go today.

Had trouble turning into the marina as the offside is shallow. Initially moored on some vacant rings. However after speaking to two moorers, as the resident 'on duty' had gone shopping, we moved up the jetty and tied onto the supports.

The electricity is not connected yet, something to with flooding, but the other facilities I need are there.

Received a call from the taxi driver to say he couldn't find us. So I gave him the name of the road again, but he never turned up and we called another one which did. It was £8 to Rugby station.

We just missed a train and had to wait 40 minutes till the next one so we went into the Café. Caught the 14.33 train which was busy.

Saturday 21st July

Long Itchington to Rugby

Set off at 8.30 in some light rain. Didn't get to share any locks but after a while boats started coming the other way. When we got to Calcutt locks there was a day boat waiting to go up so we shared with them.

Made a detour at Napton junction to go to the Bridge Inn for lunch. The moorings there were full. So we winded and backed through the bridge and moored there.

The Bridge was holding a Summer Festival including a beer and cider festival. We got drinks from the festival bar then took them into the restaurant to eat.

In the afternoon we went back to Napton Junction and on to Braunston. We even overtook two boats! At Braunston we turned north onto the North Oxford canal.

Moored for the night opposite Clifton Cruisers. Had a light meal on board then walked into Rugby. We stopped on the way at the station to check on trains for tomorrow and book a taxi for tomorrow. Then we went to the Alexendra Arms.

Friday 20th July

Warwick to Long Itchington

Set off by 9.30am in the heavy rain which was forecast to last two days.

Shared with a boat through the two Cape locks. Then just missed a boat at the next lock, Radford lock, but they waited for us at the next one.

Stopped for lunch on board at Welsh Road.

Carried on to Long Itchington where we stopped for a mid afternoon pint in the Two Boats. We then decided to spend the night there in the hope that the weather is better tomorrow.

In the evening we went to the Buck and Bell to eat then to the Harvester Inn.

Definitely the wettest day that I can remember.

Thursday 19th July

Rowington to Warwick

Set off by 8am in order to arrive at the top of Hatton by 9am. When we got there there was no one in sight behind us and a single handed boater waiting to go down, so we shared with him.

After a while we caught up with another single handed boater who was going down and not sharing locks. This slowed us down and meant that a pair of boats caught us up and then we had plenty of help the rest of the way down which took 4 hours.

At Budbrooke junction we went straight on into the Saltisford Arm where we winded and moored.

Walked to the Cape of Good Hope for lunch, then we walked into town and followed the town trail.

Went to the Old Fourpenny Shop for a pint then to the Tilted Wig where we ate, and finally to the Lloyds No. 1 to avoid the rain.

Wednesday 18th July

Lowsonford to Rowington

Carried on up the Stratford canal to Lapworth Junction where we turned right into the short link through to the Grand Union. We moored along this underneath the railway bridge.

Went to the Navigation Inn for lunch then straight on to Baddesley Clinton house for the afternoon.

When we got back back from there we set off again, turning right onto the Grand Union. We stopped for water at the Tom O'the Wood moorings then carried on to the bridge near Rowington church. Had a small meal on board then walked two miles to the Case is Altered pub. This is a very good pub which I have been to before by car, but it does not do food.

Tuesday 17th July

Wilmcote to Lowsonford

Went to look round Mary Ardens house. The farmhouse formerly attributed as the one she lived in, is in fact too new, and she lived in the house next door, which the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust also own and is part of the tour.

Left Wilmcote to get to Wooten Wawen for a late lunch. When the only lock on the way came into view we could see that there were already two boats waiting, so we hung around the end of the Bearly aqueduct for a while. We had been under this on our return by train from Birmingham on Sunday.

Moored in the basin at Wooton Wawen and went to the Navigation to eat. Then we walked to the Village of Wooton past the hall, and found the other pub, which looks much more interesting from the outside.

At the first lock in the afternoon at Preston Bagot there was another queue of two boats. Due to this delay we moored two locks down from Lowsonford to avoid the risk of having to do another three.

Went to the Fleur de Lys to eat, where I had one of their famous pies.

Monday 16th July

Stratford to Wilmcote

At leisure in Stratford on a nice sunny morning, followed by lunch in the Golden Bee.

Left to go up the Stratford Canal. Met a few boats coming down the locks, including an hotel boat pair, and eventually caught up with a single handed boater which slowed us down.

Moored for the night at Wilmcote and went to the Masons Arms to eat. The beer choice was poor, Greene King IPA or Hobsons bitter, a clear case of Hobsons choice.

Sunday 15th July

Bidford to Stratford

Left Bidford at 8.45 on a very different day to yesterday, wet.

When we got to Stratford we moored in Bancroft Basin which now has floating finger pontoons. Peter slipped when he took a line ashore and injured his ankle.

We made it across the road to the Pen & Parchment for lunch.

Later we carried Peters bag to the station so that he could catch a train to London. At the station was the weekly Shakespeare Express waiting to return to Birmingham. Myself and Andy bought tickets for that.

We eventually left at 17.20 and it joined the main line near Hatton. It was strange to be on a steam train going fast. At Snow Hill we caught a normal train back down the Shakespeare line.

In the evening we went to the Golden Bee (Wetherspoons) to eat then to the Rose and Crown.

Saturday 14th July

Pershore to Bidford

Left Pershore and passed the boat we had shared locks with yesterday moored at the Anchor Inn at Wyre Piddle. By the time we were approaching the next lock they were close behind us. So we shared the two locks to Evesham where they had booked a mooring for the Evesham River Festival.

We passed through the festival site to the lock where Andy was waiting to join us. We moored above the lock and walked back to the festival for a beer from the beer tent and a pork roll from the hog roast.

After a quick wander round town and topping up supplies in Somerfields we set off again.

Moored for the night on the south side at Bidford on Avon. Went to the Bridge for an excellent 3 course meal. Then we walked around the village and went in the Frog and Bullrush. After that we tried the Bull.

Friday 13th July

Tewkesbury to Pershore

Went to look round the Abbey then set off. Stopped for fuel at Tewkesbury marina but as it was expensive I only got 50l.

Stopped on the rickety mooring at the Fleet Inn at Twyning for lunch. During lunch it started to rain.

After lunch we pressed on for Pershore. We met another narrowboat at the first lock and shared with them to Pershore and they carried on to Wyre Piddle.

Walked around Pershore and found that the Abbey was unlocked so we were able to look inside that to.

Went to the Brandy Cask to eat and I sampled all 3 of their beers.

Thursday 12th July

Worcester to Tewkesbury

Set off at 8.15. At Diglis Basin the orange warning light was on to say that the river was more than 1.5ft above the weir, but when I rang up I was told that was no problem. So we carried on through the two big locks and turned to head downstream and into Diglis river locks.

The current in the river meant we were doing at least 5.5mph without trying.

Moored on the floating 48hr mooring at Upton upon Severn, we had the last space. Went for lunch in the White Lion Hotel where we had starters as our lunch.

Turned off the Severn and up to Tewkesbury. Once through the lock we filled up with water and then moored for the night.

Went for a walk round town. Evensong was on in the Abbey so we weren't able to look round inside.

In the evening we went to the Aubergine Brasserie and had a very good 3 course meal. After that we went to the White Bear where I sampled 2 of their 7 ciders, though only three were proper cider.

Wednesday 11th July

Tibberton to Worcester

Left Tibberton and descended into Worcester. Moored near some houses before we got to Lowesmore basin.

Went for lunch in the Green Man which was very good, then had a wander round town. Took a look at the river which is still flowing quite fast, but we had been told earlier by a BW man that it was open again.

In the evening we went to meet Ewart off the train from Malvern and went for another two course meal in the Green Man. After we had seen Ewart off at the station we went for a pint of delicious porter in the Dragon Inn.

Tuesday 10th July

Stoke Pound to Tibbington

Found ourselves aground as the level had dropped 6 inches overnight. The boat in front got away before us and was working the locks single handed, so we soon caught up with him.

Moored above the lock at Stoke Prior and walked to the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings. We had lunch there before heading back to the boat.

Carried on and got as far as Tibbington just outside Worcester, where we moored for the night. Went to eat in The Bridge, then for a walk through the village and finally another pint in the Speed the Plough pub, which was also a Banks' pub and had a collection of clocks.

Monday 9th July

Birmingham to Stoke Pound

Left Cambrian Wharf by 8 on a cool sunny morning. Down the Worcester and Birmingham and through Kings Norton tunnel. We passed 4 boats in the tunnel. Moored in Alvechurch in time for an early lunch at the Weighbridge.

After lunch there was another hour and two tunnels before the top of Tardebigge locks. We got down the 29 locks in 4 hours. Most of the locks were full and we only crossed with one boat.

Moored below the bottom lock and went to the Queens Head for a three course meal.

Sunday 8th July

Birmingham

Dave left to catch a train home and Billy, David and Jon arrived for coffee. We then went for a trip up the main line and back via all three loops.

Went to the Old Fox for a pint then for a Chinese meal in Chung Yings. Then back to the Old Fox for more beer before Billy, David and Jon went to catch a tain back to London.

By this time Peter had arrived. We went for a meal in Pennyblacks then to the Tap & Spile for another pint.

Saturday 7th July

Birmingham

Changed the alternator belt with diffficulty as it was slightly shorter than the old one. Also looked at the valve gear oilers as one was difficult to regulate down to a slow rate. It's seems to be worn so may need replacing.

Met Dave, Jon, Billy and David in Pennyblacks for lunch then we went to the Prince of Wales for another pint.

In the evening we again met up in Pennyblacks and then went for a meal in Zizzis. After that we took a taxi to the Anchor where David was waiting for us.

Thursday 5th July

Warwick to Lapworth

Set off at 8.30, waited in the first lock for a boat coming up the previous lock but then they stopped for water above the top lock.

Went into Hatton bottom lock and another boat appeared so we shared with them until we caught up with another boat which had spent the night above the bottom lock. We shared with these Canadians all the way to the top which took 4 hours.

Moored on the long term moorings and walked back to the Waterman for lunch. A choice of 4 beers and I had cooked Oysters.

In the afternoon it rained all the way to Lapworth. We turned off the Grand Union at Kingswood Junction and through the original cut onto the Stratford Canal. Stopped for water then through the next 4 locks to moor at Lapworth Wharf.

Went to the Boot for the evening where the food was so good that we had three coures. I had Crevettes, Roast Suckling Pig and Summer Pudding.

Wednesday 4th July

Another bright start to the day but with the threat of rain later. Set off at 7.30.

Turned off the Oxford Canal at Napton Junction onto the Grand Union towards Birmingham. Went down Calcutt locks on our own, then part way down Stockton locks we caught up with a solo boater and shared down to Long Itchington, where we moored just after 11am.

Walked to the Harvester Inn for lunch (no it's not one of those, it's a real pub).

After lunch we carried on through Leomington Spa, which has no GBG pubs, to Warwick, which has three.

Stopped briefly at Tescos to top up my phone and buy provisions, then moored in my usual spot between the two Cape locks and went to The Cape of Good Hope for the evening.

It was very hot in the dining area and a party of 20 boys plus minders were booked in for their evening meal. They were off (at least) 2 Calcutt boats which we had seen arrive.

Tuesday 3rd July

Cropredy to Napton

Left ahead of the other boats and made good progress so we arrived early at Fenny Compton where we went to the Wharf Inn for lunch.

Also made good progress after lunch so we moored above Napton bottom lock to go for a pint in the Folly Inn. However it didn't open till 6pm so we carried on to the Napton Bridge Inn where we moored for the night.

The pub was very quiet and they closed at 10pm.

Monday 2nd July

Lower Heyford to Cropredy

Early start to get to Banbury for lunch.

At Aynho Weir Lock there is a section where the river Cherwell crosses the canal. This too has a wide octaganol lock. There were already two boats in it and one waiting. We watched the Sea Otter boat scrape it's roof corner as it left this lock.

The water level here was in the red but there was no obvious reason why. However when we got to the next lock the boat in front was backing out of the bridge and said they needed to take stuff off their roof to get through. So we went ahead and there was not much spare room.

Moored in Banbury for lunch and went to the Bell. As they don't do food we then got sandwiches across the road and took them back to the boat.

There was quite a queue after lunch to get through the lock in Banbury so this delayed us.

Cropredy was packed with boats and we got the last official mooring on the far side of the village. Went to the Red Lion to eat and the beer was so good we stayed there all evening.

Sunday 1st July

Oxford to Lower Heyford

Set off at 8.40 and through Isis lock where Ian left to catch a train home. Through Sheepwash channel and up the Thames again to Dukes Cut where we got back onto the Oxford canal.

Moored for lunch outside the Boat Inn at Thrupp. The beer choice was dissapointing but the food was better.

When we got to Shipton Weir Lock there was already a boat in it, but he waved us to join him. This lock is wide because it only has a small drop, although this varies because it's where the canal joins the River Cherwell for half a mile. The water level on the strong stream indicator boards here were in the amber section but there wasn't much current on the river.

Stopped at 3pm at the Rock of Gibralter for another pint, as this is in the GBG.

Stopped for the night at Lower Heyford where we went to the Bell to eat. It was quiz night but there is nowhere else to go.

Saturday 30th June

Oxford

A wet start to the day. Went to pick up the new alternator belt then to the station where we caught a train to Didcot. Spent three hours at the railway centre there. They had three engines in steam. Earl Bathurst on the 'main line', Trojan on the branch line, and Firefly on the broad guage line. We had a ride on the branch line and changed on to the broad guage, travelling in an open third class truck behind Firefly.

Caught the train back to Oxford to meet Dave off his train. Went for lunch in Jericho via the boat, then on to the Lamb and Flag.

In the evening we went to the Loch Fyne restaurant to eat. This was my first time in one and we were impressed. Then we went to 'Far from the Madding Crowd' and the Turf Tavern.

Friday 29th June

Oxford to Oxford

Walked up to Osney lock and discovered that they had closed some of the weir gates and were no longer displaying the red boards. So we went back to the boat and set off.

Went up the river as far as Godstow Abbey where we moored to go to the Trout for lunch. The only beer was Landlord served without a sparkler, but the food and service were excellent so I had two courses.

After lunch we went on upstream and turned right into Dukes cut, and at the end of that we turned right onto the Oxford canal to get back to Oxford.

We moored for the night opposite the hire base. Went to the Rose and Crown to eat, then went to meet Peter in the Harcourt. After showing Peter round the boat he drove us to the Masons Arms in Headington Quarry. He also brought us back again.

Thursday 28th June

Oxford

At leisure in Oxford.

Walked to the for General Elliot in South Hinksey for lunch.

In the evening we went to the Angel and Greyhound to eat. Then on to the Hobgoblin, but they had a problem which meant that they had no real ale until Saturday. So on the way back into town we tried the Cape of Good Hope. Finally we went to the Lamb and Flag.