Sunday 19th July

Rugby to Brinklow Marina

Short hop back to the marina. Relieved to find that the car started.  On the way home I dropped Peter off at Luton parkway station.

Saturday 18th July

Braunston to Rugby

Carried on down Braunston locks and then onto the Oxford canal at Braunston Junction. As there was space to moor outside the Royal Oak at Hillmorton we moored there for lunch. There was a better choice of beers than I was expecting,  three, but the food was of the standard we expected from a Hungry Horse pub. We moored for the night on the towpath side near Tescos. We ate before heading to town. Went to the Merchants Inn in search of real Perry where they had 2.

Friday 17th July

Weedon to Braunston

Moored below Bucky top lock to go for lunch in the New Inn.  We had to sit outside and ask for an umbrella to keep off the rain. In the afternoon we carried on through Braunston tunnel and started to descend Braunston locks. Managed to moor above lock 2 near the Admiral Nelson where I had booked a table for 2 plu dog. We had an excellent meal albeit that the service was a bit slow.

Tuesday 14th July

Leighton Buzzard to Willen Park, Milton Keynes

On leaving Soulbury bottom lock Muffin escaped and then tried to get back on again which resulted in another soaking. We stopped there anyway for water and discovered due to the high pressure that the hose has lots of pinholes courtesy of Muffin. We then moved onto the trial 2 day moorings and went to the Three Locks pub for lunch. For the evening we moored near Daves boat in Milton Keynes and went to the Barge Inn for  dinner.

Monday 13th July

Bulbourne to Leighton Buzzard

Whilst waiting at Marsworth top lock another boat appeared from the Wendover Arm. This was the boat that Tony Redshaw had built and fitted out and he was on board with his wife. We shared locks with him till we stopped for lunch on board at Slapton wharf. Leighton Buzzard had no dog friendly pubs with food so we had a take away on board before going to try the Red Lion. One of the resident dogs came over and had a brief argument with Muffin. After a pint there we went to try the Black Lion which is not in the Good Beer Guide. It was obvious that it deserved to be in the GBG and I speculated that it would be in the next one.

Sunday 12th July

Winkwell to Bulbourne

Set off up the locks but soon ran into a problem, the pound above lock 58 had very little water in it. We had to run water down from the next two pounds to sort this out which held us up by 1 1/2 hours. Peter had arrived by train and we stopped below Berkhamsted bottom lock to go for lunch in the Rising Sun. They only had Cheese or Cheese and Ham ploughmans but several nice beers. After lunch Andy left us to catch a bus to Aylesbury. Peter and I carried on up the rest of the locks to the summit and then on to Bulbourne. A very peaceful mooring there. Had a sandwich on board before heading to the Grand Junction Arms for a beer.

Saturday 11th July

Kings Langley to Winkwell

Stopped for lunch above Boxmoor middle lock to go for lunch in the Fishery Inn. The menu was almost identical to last night as both pubs are owned by M&B, so I was able to have the vegeterian dish that I fancied but didn't have. The Brakspears Oxford Gold was dissapointing. Carried on to Winkwell for the night, however Andy was not feeling well so we did not visit the pub!

Friday 10th July

Croxley to Kings Langley

Stopped at Hunton Bridge and went for lunch in the garden of the Kings Head. After lunch carried on to Kings Langley. Went to the Rose and Crown for dinner outside.

Thursday 9th July

Cowley to Croxley

An early start to try to make the most of the cooler morning. Stopped at 11am above Black Jacks lock near Harefield to go to the Old Orchard for lunch (GBG). This is another Brunning and Price pub but with better beer than the last one in Odiham. Two of the beers ran out while we were there but there were still enough to keep us amused. Stopped for the evening above Common Moor lock at Croxley and went to the Red House to eat and then onto the Sportsman (GBG) for more interesting beer.

Wednesday 8th July

Greenford to Cowley

Stopped to try and get gas at High Line in Northolt which was not open, and Willowbridge marina where they wanted £3 to empty the Portapotti, which we declined. At Bulls Bridge we turned right up the Grand Union then left at Cowley Peachy junction onto the Slough Arm. The first bit was very fast then there was a very slow bit, then the boatyard moorings, but the rest of the canal has been fully dredged and was fast enough. Spotted Tortoise and Floss on the moorings. Chris joined us with his bike and we moored by St Marys road bridge and retired for lunch in the Red Lion where Andy I. was waiting for us. Andy J. left us here to catch a train at Langley station. Carried on after lunch to the end where we turned and came straight back. Stopped on the way for gas at Highline yachting. Back on the Grand Union we moored for the night below Cowley lock. Went to the Malt Shovel for the evening.

Tuesday 7th July

Olympic Park to Greenford

Turned around and went back up to the Hertford Union junction where we turned left onto the Hertford Union. At the top lock Andy spotted a lightweight windlass in the water below the lock and manage to retrieve it. Turned right at the other end of the Hertford Union and headed towards Paddington. We kept catching up with a boat I had met on the River Stort so he agreed to wait at the next lock and we shared the rest of the locks to Camden. I had already decided not to stop at Little Venice and we didn't go down to Paddington but there were no moorings free anyway. Stopped outside Sainsburys at Kensal Green for supplies. Carried on to Greenford where we moored for the night on top of something in the water, and adjourned to the Black Horse.

Monday 6th July

Waltham Abbey to the Olympic Park

Sunday 5th July

Ware to Waltham Abbey

Set off from Ware at about 10am in-between rain showers. Stopped at Stansted Abotts Marine to fill up with 116l fuel. Stopped for lunch at the Fish and Eels, Dobbs weir. Another Vintage Inns, was only epecting 1 beer but there were three pumps clips on show but the Brakspears was off. Had Sunday lunch here. Moored for the night north of Waltham Town Lock. Walked into Waltham Abbey which I had not been to before, and we hada pint in The Crown. Unfortunately the town is full of McMullens pubs.

Saturday 4th July

Ware Boat Festival

Lazy morning, took Muffin for a walk before it got too hot then sat on the front deck in the shade to watch the parade of boats. This was a bit of a shambles, despite the rules stating that they should be very close together and should all go up to the lock to turn around, the boats were 5 minutes apart so I suspect that many boats moored up before doing the full course and we witnessed one boat doing so. After that I watched the boat handling competition which consisted of a 180° turn, touch the priory wharf quay to get off and shake hands with someone, then a 360° turn followed by touching the towpath to get off and shake hands with someone else. In the evening we went to eat in the Punch House followed by some decent beer in the Royal Oak. Shoulda gone Hertford...

Friday 3rd July

Roydon to Ware

Set off aiming to get to Hertford for lunch but when we got to Stansted Abbotts lock there were 2 boats already in the lock and another two waiting. Also one of the top paddles was not working so filling the lock was slow. After the delay we carried on through Ware having a sandwich on the move and got to Hertford about 2pm. Went for a beer in the Old Cross Tavern. After that we headed back to Ware and took our mooring W7 alongside another narrowboat. In the evening was the barbecue which was well organised.

Thursday 2nd July

Bishops Stortford to Roydon

Wednesday 1st July

Sawbridgeworth to Bishops Stortford

Tuesday 30th June

Roydon to Sawbridgeworth

Monday 29th June

Enfield Lock to Roydon

Sunday 28th June

Mile End to Enfield Lock

Saturday 27th June

Greenford to Mile End

Friday 26th June

Teddington to Greenford

The inspection launch behind us asked if they could follow us to Brentford but after speaking to the lock keeper they went one hour earlier because they were in a hurry. We joined another narrowboat that was going to Limehouse in the lock and we were out on the tidal Thames at 10am. We were fighting the incoming tide most of the way to Brentford. Turned into Brentford creek and through Thames lock which was still branded as British Waterways! At the gauging lock there was someone there to operate it for us but she didn't open the sluices in the right order and opened them too quickly. At the next lock we caught up with the inspection launch who had only stopped for a pumpout so had only goined 1/2 hour by going one hour early. We moored below Hanwell bottom lock to go to the Fox for lunch. On the way up the flight Rob arrived to join us for the day. At Bulls bridge junction we turned onto the Paddington Arm and moored for the night near the Black Horse by the canal at Greenford. We had a meal in the Black Horse then walked towards the station to try the Railway. After a pint there Rob went to catch a train home and we returned to the Black Horse.

Thursday 25th June

Walton to Teddington

In the morning we went in search of two difficult geo-caches. I managed to spot one disguised underneath a wooden bridge but we failed to find the other one under the old Walton bridge. We had lunch outside the Anglers on the riverside before we set off as we could only go as far as Teddington due to the tide times. On arrival at Teddington I booked the lock for 10am. We went to eat in the Tide End Cottage then to the GBG pub, the Mason Arms.

Wednesday 24th June

Guildford to Walton

Tuesday 23rd June

Godalming to Guildford

Set off at 930 to get to Guildford for lunch. Stopped on the same moorings as before and walked to the Stoke where we had pizzas for lunch. Even the sandwiches are folded pizzas! After lunch we moved on and moored at Dapdune wharf which was not open to the public today. This was so that we could return to the Stoke to try the other three beers.

Monday 22nd June

Guildford to Godalming

The navigation on the stretch that we were in was closed today between 11 and 12 so we went to the Stoke pub hoping to get breakfast there after 10am, however when we got there they had changed their opening time to 11 so we returned to Jacob for breakfast there. The stoppage was to do with National Forces week and the Navy were taking a flag from Dapdune wharf to Town wharf in RIBs. Set off at noon and moored in the town centre. Walked to the Keystone where we sampled their 2 beers between us and had hot dogs made with Cumberland sausage in baguettes. After lunch we set off to get to Godalming for the evening. We went all the way up to Town bridge but we couldn't wind there so we backed down to the winding hole where we turned and moored on the offside so that I could go to Sainsburys and Petsathome. Then we moved across to the towpath and walked into town to the Red Lion. They had 6 beers and between us we managed to sample most of them. The only food was Pieminister pies with mash and minted peas.

Sunday 21st June

Woking to Guildford

Set off to get to Woodham top lock for 930. When we got there JennyB was waiting for us and we shared the locks. They were going up the Wey too but only as far as the Anchor at Pyrford. We carried on to go to the Seven Stars near Ripley for lunch. The London Pride there was not nice but the sunday roasts were good.

Saturday 20th June

Brookwood Country Park to Woking

Set off at 830 to get to St Johns top lock at 9. There were 2 boats already there and none due to come up so we followed the 2 boats down the flight. Stopped briefly at the sanitary station at Bridge Barn then moved across onto the moorings for the Bridge Barn Beefeater pub. Andy left us and we walked to the Crown in Horsell for some beer. Back on the boat we ate the sandwiches and Eclairs that Andy had left behind. In the evening we had a meal outside the Beefeater and when it strarted we hurriedly finished our meal we retired to Jacob with our pints. Later after it had stopped raining we went back to the Crown where Stedmans Ale from the local Horsell brewery was now on.

Friday 19th June

Ash Vale to Brookwood Country Park

Thursday 18th June

Ash Vale

Day trip by train, Ash Vale to Alton then onto the Watercress line Alresford.

Wednesday 17th June

Odiham Castle to Ash Vale

Tuesday 16th June

Frimley Green to Odiham Castle

Monday 15th June

Brookwood Country Park to Frimley Green

There were two other boats moored next to us and they both made it to the Brookwood bottom lock before us so they went up the Brookwood and Deepcut flights together and we followed. Fortunately there was another boat coming down so we could leave the locks open behind us until we crossed. Andy J. arrived by train and caught up with us. Stopped for lunch on borad in one of the locks as we kept catching up the other two boats. On reaching the top we carried on to Frimley Green where we moored by Frimley Lodge Park. Walked to the Rose and Thistle for a meal. Andy left us here then Ian and I went to the Old Wheatsheaf and finally to the Miners Arms. From there we walked back through the park.

Friday 12th June

Brookwood Country Park

Andy left us here and later on we went home by train from Brookwood station.

Thursday 11th June

North Haw to Brookwood

Set off at 9.15 and turned into the Basingstoke Canal to get to the Woodham bottom lock at 930. We were greeted by Matt who had opened all the locks in the first flight for us. As there was another boat coming down we were able to leave all the locks open for them. After the 6 locks in the flight we carried through Woking to the sanitary station opposite the Bridge Barn pub where I emptied the loo and we got some water. The other boat was here taking a rest here, an unusual wooden boat with a single cylinder Gardner. Before we have completely filled with water we set off to get to St John's bottom lock at 130. We did not see Matt again and now we had to empty all the locks behind us. After going through locks 9 and 10 we were unable to shut the top gates so we informed the Canal centre.  Stopped briefly above the top lock to check the local shops,  there was a Coop there. Then we carried on to the water point in Brookwood park where we completed filling up with water. On the way to the pub we checked the moorings near Brookwood bottom lock but these were so bad that we decided to stay put. Andy and I had a pint in the pub. Again no dogs allowed inside and the beer was very average. We returned to Jacob where we had a barbecue then we all went back to the pub for another average pint.

Wednesday 10th June

Windsor to New Haw

Andy J.  Arrived and we set off downstream at 1110. Another quiet day and we didn't have to share any of the locks.  We only had to self operate one lock. Turned off the Thames below Shepperton lock onto the River Wey. Purchased a transit licence to get us to the Basingstoke canal tomorrow. Stopped for the night above Haw lock and went to check out the White Hart nearby pub nearby. They only allow dogs in the garden so we decided to have an early dinner there before the sunset.

Tuesday 9th June

Henley to Windsor

Today was quieter than yesterday. At WIndsor we moored on the north bank, the Eton side, for which we had to pay £8 again. Went for a meal in the nearby Watermans Arms. The beer was good but the food was average, but at least it was not expensive. Then we walked into Windsor where we had a pint in the Carpenters Arms.

Monday 8th June

Beale Park to Henley

Another busy day with lots of lock sharing. Stopped for water at Shiplake lock after being unable to get some at Mapledurham due to a change in policy to avoid congestion at the limited mooring there. Moored on the west bank below Henley bridge for which there is a charge of £8.  Went to eat in the Little Angel on the east side of the bridge then on to the GBG entry The Bird in Hand.

Sunday 7th June

Beale Park Boat and Outdoor Show

I went for a look round the show on my own in the morning.  An interesting mix of boats from canoes to steam boats. Later we went back together for another look. After the show had closed we returned to Jacob.  Having seen someone else swimming in the river nearby I was encouraged to do so and take Muffin with me. First we tried Muffin with his life jacket on and he was swimming well, then we tried him without the life jacket and he was still able to swim well. However although he seemed to want to get in to join me, he didn't. After that we had a barbecue.

Saturday 6th June

Oxford to Beale Park

Another long day to get to Beale Park in one day. Left Oxford before 9 to get to Iffley lock after 9. I was a bit annoyed when I saw the lock gates closing and only 2 narrowboats inside. I think the gates paused but briefly but we had to wait. So we had to share with a large cruise boat.  I didn't think we would both fit in but when I spoke to the lock keeper I saw the lock is wider than the gates. Stopped at Days lock to empty the loo, stopped at Sheridan Marine near Moulsford to get gas,  and finally got some water at Cleeve lock while waiting for a boat to come up. We got to Goring lock at 1745 but it was already on self operate mode.  Unfortunately the water point there is for containers only so we couldn't get any more water. Moored behind the larger island at Beale Park. As it was a sunny Saturday it was quite busy so we took 10 hours rather than 8 1/2 hours.

Friday 5th June

Oxford Osney bridge to Folly bridge

Decided to stay in Oxford another night after our long day yesterday, but to save time on a long day tomorrow and to charge the batteries a bit we moved slowly down through Osney lock and moored below Folly bridge. Went to the Turf Tavern for a 3 course meal with beer. Then we arranged to meet up with Andy again at the Crown. 

Thursday 4th June

Lechlade to Oxford

Set off about 9 hoping to get Eynsham today and do a short day tomorrow to get to Oxford. On arriving at a lock at 1450 to find it on self service we decided to take the opportunity to fill up with water and hope that a lock keeper would return at 1400, which he did. Finished filling with water at 1415 and carried on. We were making good time even doing 5mph some of the time and I realised that we could make Oxford tonight but might have to do the last two locks ourselves. I got Andy I to check on the moorings at East Street and he said that there was plenty of room so we pressed on.  Arrived at Kings lock at 1745 and the lock keeper was still there so we only had to do Godstow lock ourselves. 

Andy came to meet us once we had moored and we set off to eat in the Kite nearby where dogs are allowed in the back yard. After that we had a very cold pint in the Jolly Farmers then onto the St. Aldates Tavern where we had a very nice Dark Star Victorian Ruby Mild at 6%.

Wednesday 3rd June

Tadpole Bridge to Lechlade

Set off at 910 about half an hour later than planned. They seem to have cut back on the manned lock hours so they don't open till 9am and one of the locks was unmanned so we had to self operate.
Moored in the field below the Lechlade bridge. Walked into Lechlade and went to the pet shop, then we tried to get some beer from the Halfpenny brewery at the brewery tap but they didn't have any. Then we went to the butchers/greengrocers. Finally we were obliged to try beers from the two local breweries in the Swan Inn. Apparently the the Old Forge and Halfpenny breweries share the same brewer.

Tuesday 2nd June

Tadpole Bridge

Due to the high winds which were predicted till late in the day we stayed at Tadpole bridge. Ran out of water in the morning but managed to extend the hose reel on the pub to reach Jacob. In the evening we went for another meal in the pub, only two courses and no pudding wine.

Monday 1st June

Wolvercote Junction to Tadpole Bridge

Prepared Jacob for the river by getting out the anchor, long ropes, and remote engine stop rope. Backed up to the junction and went through Dukes cut. Turned left to get to Kings lock to buy a licence though I discovered that you can now buy them at Eynsham lock which I couldn't 15 years ago. I got a 1 month licence. Had a non stop long run upstream to Tadpole bridge to get to the Anchor Inn. The moorings were empty! At 8 we went in for our evening meal. The food was so good that we had 3 courses. Martin had a glass of wine with the meal and we both had pudding wines with dessert, but apart from that we stuck to the beers.

Sunday 31st May

Upper Heyford to Wolverton Junction

Foolishly decided to stop for lunch at the Rock of Gibraltar. I was suspicious when I saw that the moorings were empty and sure enough they were not doing food. It seems that it has changed hands again and have not yet got their act together. Having gone to the effort of moor we decided to have a beer anyway which was also a bad idea as none of the three beers were on form but not bad enough to reject. Carried on to Wolvercote junction where we moored on the mooring below the lock and just past the junction. Unfortunately at Wolvercote lock Muffin tried to walk across the bottom gate on what looked like a board that you could walk on but it was not wide enough and he fell in again. After dinner on board we walked down the towpath to the Plough Inn on the green at Wolvercote which I had always noticed when passing. Despite being a Greene King pub they do usually have a real guest beer and one was put on during our visit, Robinsons Dizzy Blonde. Andy left us here to go home and we walked back to the boat via the national cycleway number 5.

Saturday 30th May

Banbury to Upper Heyford

Myself and Andy went to Morrisons first thing and Martin went shopping in the mall. So a late start hampered by a wait for two other boats at the first lock. Decided to have a barbecue at Upper Heyford so we moored short of the lock where this is a sheltered wide towpath. After that we walked up the hill to the Barley Mow for some Fullers beers including their new Oliver's Island.

Friday 29th May

Cropredy to Banbury

A wet morning and not far to go so we delayed our departure till after lunch and arranged for Andy to meet us in Cropredy rather than Banbury. We got a bit wet a few times on the way and moored on the offside outside the Castle Quays shopping centre. Went to the Olde Reindeer Inn for a meal and stayed there to enjoy the Hook Norton beers.

Thursday 28th May

Fenny Compton to Cropredy

Set off earlier today around 10am. Had a good run down the Claydon locks meeting boats coming the other way at every one. Once again remembered a great time many years ago (1984?) spent playing Northampton skittles and drinking cider in the Rising Sun pub that is no longer, just a bus stop named after it as a reminder. Stopped for lunch below the bottom lock. Carried on to Cropredy where we went through the lock and filled up with water before mooring for the night. Took Muffin for a walk round the village and booked a table in the Brasenose Arms which was advertising its dog friendliness on a sign by the lock! They had a real pie on the menu so I had that.

Wednesday 27th May

Braunston to Fenny Compton

Muffin wanted to go out very early today, 630am! So we went for a wander round Braunston marina. Later on I went to Midland chandlers and Wharf House narrowboats chandlery. Stopped for a late lunch at the Folly Inn at the bottom of Napton locks. I had foolishly believed their website which said that they would be serving food till 230, but on arriving at the bar I was informed that had already stopped serving food. So we just had a pint in the garden in the sunshine. Worked our way up the locks and pressed on to Fenny Compton where we moored on the end of the long term moorings as it was 8pm by then. Unfortunately whilst I was mooring Muffin jumped off the rear deck and ended up half in the water. I pulled him out and after we had eaten our dinner I fired up the generator to use the hairdryer on him. Unfortunately this meant were then too late to go the pub again.

Tuesday 26th May

Crick to Braunston

New batteries arrived before 11am and we were ready to leave at about 1130. On arrival at Watford locks there was a queue and we were told that we were number 18 on the list. Several hours later and after much shuffling we got to the locks. Had a clear run through the Braunston tunnel. Considered mooring above the locks at Braunston but decided to carry on instead. The boat that was behind us in the queue at Watford caught us up at the second lock but they took the last place in the pound below the Admiral Nelson. We tried to moor by the main entrance to Braunston marina past the end of mooring sign but there were still rings, however there was an underwater obstruction so it was not suitable. So we carried on a bit and moored in a free space on the long term moorings. By this time it was 9pm and by the time we had eaten it was too late to go to the pub.

Monday 25th May

Crick

As promised the boat inside of us left at 830am leaving us next to the bank so Muffin can come and go as he pleases now. The almost empty gas bottle finally ran out and I went to get an exchange all the way from the marina. Dave arrived with a friend from Nuneaton and we met up in the entertainment tent. I bought a 150w solar panel,  an all black one like the old Siemens ones but bigger and just the right size to fit behind the exhaust. After the show had closed we moved to fill up with water at Crick wharf then carried on to the winding hole to turn around.  We spotted a space marked for a 55ft boat on the way and tried to get into it on the way back but we didn't fit.  So we carried on back to Crick wharf and took up the offer made to us earlier by the guy who has the mooring outside the Moorings restaurant to use his vacant mooring.  This is where we had arranged for the new batteries to be delivered so we didn't need to get up early to move again. After dinner on board we walked into the village for a pint in the Wheatsheaf.

Sunday 24th May

Moored at Crick

Took Muffin for a long walk up to bridge 15 to check out a possible mooring spot with better tv and phone reception. On my return our neighbours announced that they were planning to leave early tomorrow so we decided to stay put.

I went back to the show to see the third battery supplier and everything else.

After the show had closed we went there for dinner alfresco and to listen to the music. The entertainment tent was packed due to the headline act, Hazel O'Connor.

Saturday 23rd May

Moored at Crick

Visted the show late in the afternoon and stayed on to enjoy the music and the beer festival. Took Muffin for a walk up Cracks hill to enjoy the sunset. He was thoroughly enjoying it, unfortunately he got carried away and decided to roll in some cow shit.

Friday 22nd May

Watford to Crick

Moved on through Crick tunnel. There was no one to greet us with our goody bag and instructions to where our reserved mooring was. However we were soon hailed by another boat that we were supposed to breast up with. This was hardly closer to the festival than last year despite having paid even more for a class 2 mooring. However we eventually managed to get a tv signal by deploying the big aerial. We also managed to get 3G for the mifi but it was so weak that we couldn't do much. In the evening we went to the festival for the beer and entertainment.

Thursday 21st May

Braunston to Watford (no not that one)

Decided to try to get to Crick today as it's only supposed to be 5 1/2 hrs if there isn't any queueing at the locks. On arrival at Braunston bottom lock there were already 2 boats waiting. So after waiting for them to go through we ended up sharing with another boat that we had been moored near with a dog that Muffin had played with yesterday. Lunch on the run again and turned at Norton junction to go north towards Crick. Surprised to find no boats waiting at Watford locks. We were allowed to go straight up the first 2 locks but waited in the first for a boat coming down. There were two volunteers assisting the lock keeper. At the top we stopped to top up with water etc. By this time we had decided due to the nice weather not to get to Crick today but to have a barbecue in the countryside south of the tunnel.

Wednesday 20th May

Rugby to Braunston

One of the two bottom locks at Hillmorton is being repaired so one of each of the other 2 pairs are also out of use. Never the less we were only held up for a short time at the second lock. We had lunch on the run and moored early on the outskirts of Braunston as usual. We walked to the Admiral Nelson where we had a table booked in the games room. For a change we had wine with our meals and both were excellent.

Tuesday 19th May 2015

Brinklow marina to Rugby

Eventually left the marina at 6.40pm but didn't have far to go to reach Dave who was moored at Brownsover. After a spicy beef salad on board we walked into town. We went to the Victoria Inn first, but dogs are not allowed in the lounge bar and there were no seats in the  public bar. So we went to the Merchants Inn instead.