20170613
Thurs 15th June, Willington to Reading
Moored for lunch at Pangbourne and went to the Elephant Hotel to eat.
A hire boat from Aldermaston overtook us and then we saw it slow down with steam coming from the engine bay. We offered a tow and took them to the next lock. They gave us a bottle of wine as thanks.
Called at Better Boating for fuel at 84p/l. I was allowed to do the fill and managed to get 141l in! A new record. We turned off the Thames and onto the Kennet & Avan canal. Moored for the night on the 24 hr moorings buy the goal.
We had a sandwich on board then walked to the award winning Nags Head where Andy met us for a drink. Unkown to us it was the night of the presentation of their latest CAMRA award and we were treated to hot dogs after that. On the way back we called into the Ale House.
Mon 12th June Tadpole bridge to Radcot Bridge via Lechlade
After that we winded below Halfpenny bridge and headed downstream. Moored on the moorings for Kelmscott Manor. Went to the Plough for a pint but as it was Monday they were going to shut at 8pm. So we carried on downstream to Radcot where we went to the Swan. We were pleased to discover that it is now home to the Old Forge brewery and they had two of their beers available.
Sunday 11th June Oxford to Tadpole Bridge
Saturday 10th June Thrupp to Oxford
Left Thrupp at 8.25. Drinkwaters swingbridge had boats moored on both sides of the bridge on the off side. Another boat came from the other direction and as there were two of them they left me through first. I moored briefly on the 24hr moorings at Wolvercote junction but then when one of the hire boats from Heyford came along I followed them throught the two lift bridges. So rather than stop at Wolvercote and have to mess around with buses I carried on into Oxford. Moored on the 7 day moorings which are very nice but much further out than I normally moor. Ian arrived by train and we went for lunch in the Gardeners Arms. I had read that they specialised in vegetarian food but in fact thats all they have and much of it is vegan. However I like good veggie food and they had a few good ales. We did not move after lunch and in the evening we went into town and into the St Aldates Tavern to eat. The first pint that I had wasn't very good but that they had a good selection of other beers so we stayed for 2 more which were much better. Foolishly decided to go to the Turf Tavern. they only had 5 ales on, but we did manage to get a seat outside and then inside later when it started to rain.
20170610
Friday 9th June Lower Heyford to Thrupp
Left Lower Heyford at the wrong time as several hire boats were all trying to get into the boatyard by 9am. A very pleasant day, warm with some sun. Stopped for a rest and early lunch below Bakers lock at the start of the river section. After that I carried on for Thrupp. Shipton lift bridge was open. I moored up at Thrupp lift bridge and just as I was looking at the controls a boat appeared from the other direction so I opened it for him. He was single handed so we arranged that he would close it after I had gone through. I got a spot on the 7 day moorings and went to check out the Boat Inn. I had a swift half and returned to Jacob for a cup of tea. Later I returned to the Boat Inn for an early dinner at 6pm.
20170609
Thurs 8th June Banbury to Lower Heyford
Stopped at Aynho and went to the Great Western for lunch. This place has gone upmarket since my last visit and I had really good 8oz burger.
Moored for the night in Lower Heyford. Went for a drink in the Red Lion before going with Andy to the station where he caught a train back to Reading.
Wed 7th June Fenny Compton to Banbury
Moored in Cropredy and went for lunch in the Red Lion. We weren't sure that it would be open but it was. Very quiet but very good beers and food. Moored for the night in Banbury. After eating on board we went to the White Horse for a drink. Sadly this meant that we missed their Yappy hour!
Tues 6th June Braunston to Fenny Compton
Braunston to Fenny Compton Wharf
Late start as we only wanted to get to the bottom Napton locks for lunch. Moored on the 24hr mooring below the locks and went to the Folly for a very good lunch. After lunch we went up the locks and carried on for Fenny Compton. We moored on the long term moorings again as it was about 7pm. Had a light bite on board then went to check out the Wharf Inn. Another pub with only one beer on, so I tried a new cider instead.
20170607
Mon 5th June Brinklow to Braunston
Set off at 8.25 with a view to getting to Napton tonight. However when I worked out that would put us in the middle of nowhere tomorrow night I decided to only go as far as Braunston today. Light rain all morning. Stopped for lunch on board on piling in-between bridges 78 and 79. After that we carried on without rain to Braunston where winded in the marina entrance before returning to moor almost opposite the Mill House, or whatever it's called now..
We went to the Old Plough to eat in the public bar, nice food but the only beer on was Doom Bar! So after finishing our meal we walked on to the Admiral Nelson, passing the Wheatsheaf which no longer has real ale. After another drink in the Admiral Nelson we walked back along the towpath.
20170605
Sunday 4th June 2017
Arrived at the marina too late to set off to pick up Andy J by boat, so I collected him from Rugby station by car then we went for a swift half in the Merchants Inn before going back to the marina.
20160710
Monday 11th July
Brewood to Windmill End
An early start to get to Autherley junction for 10 where Andy was due to meet us, having spent the night in Wolverhampton. He arrived there as we were going through the stop lock. Turned right to get to Aldersley junction and then up the Wolverhampton flight. All the pounds were low for the first half of the flight then we started meeting boats coming down and the rest were ok. Moored above the top lock. We walked with Peter to the station where he caught a train back to London and we went through the underpass to go to the Great Western for lunch. There Andrew Todd was waiting for us. After lunch we carried on down the Old main line, down Factory locks onto the New Main line and through Netherton tunnel to get to Windmill End where we moored for the night. Walked to The Old Swan where we had dinner in the Smoke room. I had Faggots for the second time this trip as they are homemade, not as good as the ones from Welshpool, but still good.
20160706
Sunday 10th July
High Offley to Brewood
A late start to get to Gnosall for lunch. Stopped at Norbury wharf for gas and diesel on the way. Moored in Gnosall and went to the Navigation Inn for a Sunday roast. After that we carried on to Brewood. We had something to eat on board then walked into the village centre to go to the Swan Hotel. There was a stag party going on but we got some seats and enjoyed a few beers there.
Saturday 9th July
Market Drayton to High Offley
Had a a lie in while it rained then went for lunch in the Red Lion. After that we set off but stopped almost immediately to fill up with water. The flow wasn't great and then another boat started filling up and using the toilet and it got much worse, so we didn't finish. Up through Tyrley locks and on to High Offley. Moored north of Anchor Bridge for a change and noticed that Leah was there so we were moored next each other. Having been sold for £42k she has changed owners again, had a repaint and is now moored on the Caldon canal.
Had something to eat on board then went to the Anchor for some 6X. There was some live folk singing to keep us entertained. Olive is still the landlady.
Friday 8th July
Audlem to Market Drayton
Managed to get away up the locks before anyone else when we spotted a boat coming up the lock behind us. Moored in Market Drayton on the 'overnight' moorings in time for a late lunch in the Red Lion near the town centre. This is the new Stones Brewery tap so I was disappointed to find only 3 beers available, but the food was good. There was a good pet shop in town and I got some new grooming tools and chews for Muffin. We stayed in Market Drayton overnight and had dinner in the Red Lion.
Thursday 7th July
Wrenbury to Audlem
Set off to get to Natwich for lunch. There we moored on the 24 hour moorings and walked into town to the Black Lion. This wasn't as dog friendly as we had been led to believe, but they had a warm room outside that we were allowed in. Unfortunately they had run out of Oatcakes but the food we had was good. After lunch we carried on to Audlem where we moored above lock 12. Went to The Lord Cumbermere for dinner.
Wednesday 6th July
Welshampton to Wrenbury
A long day to ensure another night in the Bhurtpore at Aston. As we were a bit ahead of schedule we ventured down the short Whitchurch arm, winded and moored back on the main line. Walked into Whitchurch for lunch at the Black Bear. The first beer that I had a sample of was not good so I settled for something else. The food was good.
After lunch we carried on and moored once again near Wrenbury for the walk to Aston for dinner at the Bhurtpore which was very good and less crowded this time despite the football match with Wales playing. The New room had been booked for a function so we were allowed to have Muffin in the bar area.
Tuesday 5th July
Maesbury to Welshampton
Set off early to get to Frankton locks again for noon. we arrived early and were first in the queue. Once up we headed for Ellesmere and went up the arm to go shopping in Tescos. As there were no other spaces we moored right at the end. After that we carried on to Welshampton to spend another night in the Red Lion there. Only a two course dinner this time.