Friday 30th May

Willoughby to Brinklow Marina

Cool cloudy but dry day.

Stopped for lunch above Hillmorton locks.

Stopped for water below the locks.

Thursday 29th May

Norton Junction to Willoughby

Stopped at the top of Braunton locks to go for lunch in the Admiral Nelson.

After lunch carried on down through the locks and up the Oxford canal to Willoughby wharf where we managed to have a barbecue despite the wind. Then we walked into Willoughby to go to the Rose Inn for a drink.

Wednesday 28th May

Yelvertoft to Norton Junction

A miserable day.

Stopped above Watford locks for lunch.

Went to the New Inn for dinner so I could try the local faggots.

Tuesday 27th May

Welford to Yelvertoft

Having emptied one gas bottle we went out of our way and turned North at Welford junction to go to North Kilworth Wharf to get a replacement. Stopped for the night at Yelvertoft. Foolishly I had not rung the pub there and when we turned up we discovered that the whole pub was fully booked for an eating event. So we had a pint and called for a taxi to take us to the Wheatsheaf in Crick. After another good meal there we discovered that they offer a taxi service to the canal at Crick, so we asked if they could take us to Yelvertoft, which they did.

Monday 26th May

Crick to Welford

As it was due to rain we decided that it would be too muddy to go to the show and with the promise of better weather at the end of the week that we would extend our trip till Friday. So we set off for Welford, stopping on the way for lunch.

In Welford we went to the Wharf Inn for the evening. As it was raining and the Wharf is in the GBG we decided not to try the other pub.

Sunday 25th May

Crick

A nice day with sun. In the morning I went for a quick flit round the show on my own. Purchased some Venison salami, engine oil and a mifi device with external aerial to try to overcome our lack of internet.

After lunch on board we went to the  show and looked at a few boats.

Then we walked into the village to try the food in the Red Lion. The food is cheaper than the Wheatsheaf but not as good, beer choice also not interesting. After that we went to the Royal Oak to try the beer there, and finally to the Wheatsheaf.

Saturday 24th May

Crick

Rain and hail today so did not go to the show.

Keith and Tim paid us a visit while it wasn't raining.

In the evening we went the entertainment tent where Toyah Willcox was due to perform. It was very busy and we couldn't get a seat and we ended up outside looking in through the open sides. The beer was starting to run out.

Friday 23rd May

Norton Junction to Crick

On arrival at Watford locks there were only two other boats waiting and it wasn't too long before we were making our way up the flight.

Stopped at the services by the top lock to fill up with water and empty the loo. The water pressure was very low but that gave us a chance to have lunch.

After emerging from Crick tunnel we were soon hailed by another boat that we were supposed to moor alongside. Unfortunately as this was in the cutting we could not get TV or phone signals.

In the evening we headed into the village and to the Wheatsheaf. We had an excellent three course meal which came very quickly and they had a few interesting beers in good nick.

After that we went to the festival site to the beer tent which had a good choice of 46 beers. We managed to get a seat to enjoy the entertainment.

Thursday 22nd May

Willoughby to Norton Junction

After entering Braunston bottom lock another boat appeared and we shared all the way up. We moored at the top and walked back down to the Admiral Nelson where we had the seafood platter to share.

Later we carried on through Braunston tunnel meeting nothing coming the other way! We moored for the night before Norton junction. After dinner on board we went for beer in New Inn. They have 5 beers, nothing exciting but all in good nick.

Wednesday 21st May 2014

Brinklow Marina to Willoughby

After lunch we set off towards Braunston. Stopped for the night at Willoughby wharf where we had a barbeque.

Then we walked into the village to the Rose Inn. Only two beers and one not at its best, so only worth going there to eat.