Thursday 28th June

Billington lock to Evesham

Today we just went as far as Evesham. On arrival we moored at Packington Gardens and headed off to catch a bus to Bretforton where went for lunch at the Fleece Inn.

In the evening we went to eat in the Old Red Horse. Then to the Trumpet which is now run by Hook Norton and had three of their beers. After that we went to Bar 24 to sample some beer from the Evesham brewery. They just had one beer which was cheap but disappointing.

When we got back to the boat the river had risen and wasn't far below the level of the quayside. We checked the EA website and that showed that the level had risen but was levelling off. So we loosened the lines a bit and retired to bed. I was kept awake by people in the park talking till gone 1.30am.

Wednesday 27th June

Set off at 830 and we were the first boat going south.

Stopped at the boatyard on the outskirts of Stratford. They don't sell river licences but I did fill up with diesel there. They are now part of Valley cruisers.

There was one space left in Banford basin so we occupied that and purchased a 7 day licence for the Avon. Went to the West End pub for lunch.

After lunch we locked down onto the river and headed downstream. Although we wanted to get to Bidford we thought that the moorings would be full so we stopped at the last lock upstream.

There were 2 narrowboats moored there already and a guy on one of them confirmed our suspicions about Bidford as they had come upstream and been unable to moor there.

Walked into Bidford and went to The Frog to eat, it was steak night and there was a rock academy competition taking place. After that we checked out the New Saxon but their one beer pump was full of cleaning fluid. So we went to the Old Bull which has cask marque approval.

Tuesday 26th June

Through the Lapworth link and turned left to go down the Stratford canal, stopping briefly at the sanitary station.

Moored at Preston Bagot and went for lunch at the Crabmill, which is part of the same small group of Lovely Pubs gastropubs as the Boot Inn.

Moored for the night at Wilmcote. Went first to the Masons Arms which only had one real ale. We ate there and then moved on to the Mary Arden Inn which had three national real ales.

Monday 25th June

Set off in time to arrive at the bottom of Hatton locks before 9. No boats in sight behind or ahead so we started up the flight. Unfortunately all the locks were full so someone must have been up before us. After a while we started meeting boats coming down so then they were all empty.

Moored after the top lock and walked back to the Hatton pub, which has recently been refurbished and renamed, and is now more upmarket. They had a choice of 4 real ales.

After lunch we pottered on to Kingswood junction. Here we moored immediately past the junction so that we could back up and turn into the Lapworth link.

Went to the Navigation Inn which has just been refurbished so was not doing food yet. They had a beer called Lapworth Gold from Byatts, the new Coventry brewery. Then we went to the Boot Inn which has a choice of 3 real ales and the food was still excellent.

Sent from my android device.

Sunday 24th June

I found the source of last nights leak. It's where a screw goes through.

Set off by 930, dry and sunny spells.

At the first lock, Bascote staircase, we were joined by hotel boat Periwinkle, and we shared locks all the way to Leomington Spa.

In Leomington we had a small lunch on board and then went to the Talbot Inn, where we were the only customers for a while. Then we moved on to the Somerville Arms.

After that we continued our cruise to Warwick. I rang ahead to the Saltisford Arm and booked a mooring there. However there were plenty of moorings near the Cape.

After mooring in Saltisford we walked back to the Cape where we discovered that we were too late to eat there. So after one pint there we moved on the Thomas Lloyd to eat and then on to the Old Fourpenny Shop.

 

Saturday 23rd June

Set off shortly after 8. Dry and windy with sunny spells. Passed through Braunston junction without any delays due to the historic boat show.
We turned right at Braunston towards Napton. Moored at bridge 102 and walked up the hill to Flecknoe where we had lunch in the Old Olive Bush.

After lunch we turned right at Napton junction.

At Stockton locks we took advantage of help from a family and make quick progress down the 9 locks.

Moored just past the bridge near Long Itchington. We went to the Harvester pub to eat, no not one of those! It's been in the GBG for a very long time. Then on to try the Green Man which I have not been to before but is now in the GBG. This was busy with locals.

We had already checked the beer range in the Buck and Bell which is now sporting a Les Routier. plaque. We decided not to try the Duck on the Pond as it is a Charles Wells pub as is the Two Boats which is in the GBG.

We checked out the Cuttle Inn, but a live band was about to play so we went to the Two Boats instead.

Friday 22nd June

Departure from home delayed by UPS delivery which arrived just after 1pm. Shopping in Sainsburys, Rugby. On arrival at the marina I tried to drain water tank prior to refilling it, but failed and set off for the water point in Rugby.

Made good speed due to the high level of water and lack of moving boats. Ian met me at the water point where we filled up in record time.

Then moved through the bridge and moored opposite the visitor moorings. Walked into town using the rebuilt footbridge over the railway and went to eat in the Lawrence Sheriff. After that we went to the Raglan Arms which was quiet, the Merchants Inn which was busy, and the Alexandra Arms, also quiet. The Merchants no longer has dual spout handpumps.

I was kept awake by the revellers on the hire boat near us.

Sent from my android device.