Rugby to Brinklow marina
Just a short uneventful trip back to the marina.
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Sunday 30th June
Napton to Rugby
Winded outside the pub and returned to Napton junction where we went straight on towards Braunston. It was the weekend of the Braunston boat show and when we got to Braunston turn the working boats were using the junction to form a parade, so we had to wait for a gap before we were allowed through onto the Oxford north canal.
We stopped for lunch on board on some suitable piling further north. Then we carried on through Hillmorton locks where there were 2 volunteer lock-keepers at the bottom lock. We moored for the night in Rugby on the 24hr offside moorings near Tescos. After dinner on board we walked into town to the Seven Stars, now refurbished and selling Banks & Taylors. Then we went to the Squirrel which is very small and only had one interesting guest beer. Finally we went to the Merchants.
Saturday 29th June
Leamington Spa to Napton
Arrived at Radford Lock and as we were going in another boat appeared so we were able to share locks all the way to Bascote locks.
Moored for lunch on board near Long Itchington and walked across the fields to the Harvester and then to the Green Man.
After lunch we carried on up the Stockton and Calcutt Locks to Napton junction where we turmed right. I had been unable to book a table at either the Folly or the Old Olive Bush. So we decided to risk trying the Napton Bridge Inn. Fortunately there was a good space left on the moorings outside. After dinner in the pub we walked to the Kings Head which we had not been to for 20 years. It is a Hook Norton pub and had been recently refurbished and has Cask Marque approval. The beer was good and it sounds as though it might have been a better place to eat.
Friday 28th June
Rowington to Leamington Spa
Early start to get to Hatton. However we made slow progress as the pound was low. On arrival at Hatton top lock we filled up with water while waiting for a boat to share the locks with. No boat had appeared by the time the tank was full, however a working boat had come up the flight so we started down solo to take advantage of the full locks. We made reasonable progress with 3 people and only using paddles on one side, and got down the flight in 3 1/2 hours.
Moored near the Cape of Good Hope and went there for a late lunch. The beer seemed a bit fizzy to me but he food was nice however it was strage to be there when it was empty.
After lunch we carried on to Leamington Spa stopping at Tesco on the way, as we had decided to spend the night there for the first time on Jacob. This is because there are now more pubs in the GBG in Leamington Spa than in Warwick, and we were encouraged by our lunchtime visit last year.
We had dinner on board then went to the Talbot Inn and Somerville Arms, both of which we had visited last year and the Woodland Tavern which was a new entry and open till later.