Friday 29th May

Kidsgrove to Congleton

Short hop this morning to get to bridge 86 where there are some moorings, and its the place to moor to walk to Little Moreton Hall. Its a mile away over the fields but it was a beautiful day. The hall is owned by the National Trust and is a moated half timbered building, notable for having a long gallery at second floor level. It was quite busy due to half term and the good weather. I was unable to get in the restaurant and had lunch back on Jacob.

Carried on to Congleton where I went to eat in the Queens Head then down to the Beartown Brewery Tap for a beer or two. I finished off with a pint of Pandamonium, which was excellent, nectar. Sarah Hughes may have something to worry about.

Thursday 28th May

Barlaston to Kidsgrove

Set off early on a warmer day with little wind. At the first lock I discovered I was not the first boat going north, and was following them all day, ending up mooring behind them for the night.

Stopped for gas at Etruria then carried on to Longport where I moored on the 24hr moorings. The pub I chose no longer does real ale, one pub was boarded up, and the other was closed and up for sale. So I ended up having lunch on board.

After my late lunch I carried on to Harecastle tunnel. I had to wait an hour, but was the first in the queue to go through in a convoy of three. I got through in about 35 minutes despite having to slow down to lower the exhaust a few times.

Moored for the night just east of Poole aqueduct. Went to the Red Bull pub to eat. They had an extensive selection of fish dishes. I went for the Smoked Haddock and Leek sausages! with mash and veg. Excellent. I could have stayed for another Robinsons beer but the sweet menu didn't inspire me and the Blue Bell was calling. I don't think I have ever been in this pub despite its presence in the GBG for years. It never does food and is not open weekday lunchtimes. However it is well worth visiting, even if it isn't folk night.

Wednesday 27th May

Salt to Barlaston

Grey and cold this morning and it rained most of the way to Stone. Fortunately it stopped raining before I got to the locks in Stone. I went through three locks before stopping. Went to The Swan for lunch, a Stones house. The old Stones brewery is by the canal, not sure where the beers are brewed now, or by whom.

After lunch carried on up through the Meaford flight and stopped for the night at Barlaston. Here the Crown and Cushion is by the canal and had a cask marque plaque outside. They had a beer and curry offer on tonight so that made my choice easy.

After having eaten I walked round the village. There are some very expensive houses round here.

Tuesday 26th May

Rugeley to Salt

Short run this morning to Great Haywood. Went for lunch in the Clifford Arms. After that I went to the Shugborough Hall estate. I went round most of the gardens and the farmhouse and watermill, but didn't have time to see the walled garden or the house itself.

After that I made the short trip up through Weston to Salt Bridge. One of the boaters I met on the way had just come from there and highly recommended it. He forgot to mention the the canal is right by the railway there, and that the moorings are not very deep and gravelly, so there were strange noises all night.

Went to the Holly Bush Inn to eat. The car park was full, as was the pub. However one of the waitresses managed to find me a table. Its won various awards for food, which was good, and the staff are really good.

Monday 25th May

Fazeley to Rugeley

Left early to get to Fradley for an early lunch. Arrived there about 1215 and moored south of the junction. Went to the Swan for a quick pint, but decided not to eat there as they were quite busy.

Fradley was not too busy with boats when I passed through but I did get the swingbridge worked for me. At the first lock the fender got dragged down out of the way and the front deck got flooded with leaks from the top gate, but not enough to cause a problem. I foolishly went through the second lock without adjusting the fender and I now have more room in the glasses cupboard. I stopped after that to adjust the fender.

I was thinking of stopping at the Plum Pudding near Armitage, which is now an expensive Italian brasserie, but when I got there there was loud music blaring out from the pub across the road, so I decided to press on. It had started to rain by then but only drizzle. Looked at the Ash Tree pub but it was a 2 for 1 pub, which is not much use for one person, and the moorings are that nasty piling that goes in and out.

Carried on to just before the first visitor mooring in Rugeley where there were several other boats moored, apparently without problems.

There are no GBG pubs so I walked to the Plaza which is a Wetherspoons conversion of a cinema. Also checked out the other two pubs with cask marque approval, but was not impressed enough to go in either.

Sunday 24th May

Harsthill to Fazeley

Left about 9am. An even better day than yesterday, clear blue sky.

Arrived at the Atherstone flight where the top lock had the requisite 6 bollards, including 3 new square wooden ones designed so that rope will not slip on them. The rest of the flight only had 5 bollards, disgraceful. Initially not much help from other boats down the the Atherstone flight but it got better.

Stopped for lunch above lock 10. Set off again just in time so that both locks were set for me. I was disgusted that the locks at Bascote only had 3 bollards.

Initially I moored for the night on the 7 day moorings just before the junction, but after some kids had thrown some stones towards Jacob, I decided to move further on, past Peel wharf. On my way out to find something to eat I received a text from Mike and Rosie who had just passed Jacob on his neighbours boat. I jumped on at the junction and we went on into Fazeley Mill marina. Unfortunately they were just out for the day and had to get back home. I went to the Bulls Head in Two Gates for a drink then on the way back I got an Indian takeaway.

Saturday 23 May

A beautiful day. Set off at nine to be at the Greyhound at Hawkesbury junction for lunch. Had a cold pint of mild, but wasn't inspired by the menu so I retired to Jacob to eat.

Set off again at 1.30 just as the lock got busy. Headed north up the Coventry canal. Passing through Nuneaton I noted that it had improved with new housing by the canal. As there are now two pubs there in the GBG it might be worth stopping there again someday.

Stopped for the night by the Anchor Inn near Hartshill. This is an Everards pub in the GBG. I overheard one customer ask for smoothflow. He was told that they only had real ale and he was persuaded to try some Tiger. I ate in the pub with another pint of mild, then retired to Jacob before the entertainment started.

Friday 22nd May 2009

Arrived at the marina at 4.30 having been shopping in Daventry.

Eventually I was ready to leave at 8.15 and got as far as the 14 day moorings near Brinklow.

Sunday 20th July

Newbold to Brinklow Marina

Very short morning, just to get back to the marina. Was presented with my electricity bill on arrival. Car started OK.

Stopped on the A45 in Willoughby to see what was left of the Braunston and Willoughby station on the old Great Central Railway. Stopped in Rushden to visit the Rushden Transport Museum at the old station. The bar was very busy and the barman was not very friendly because we'd come in the wrong door and not passed the signing in book. We eventually got served when there was no one else that he could serve instead. Although I wasn't expecting to get food there, they do normally in a carriage outside, but not this weekend. We were also disappointed to find that none of the indoor exhibits were open. So we had a look round the outdoor exhibits and left, glad that that we hadn't made too much effort to get there.

Drove down to Luton where I dropped Peter off at Luton Parkway station. Then to finish off my holiday I went to Someries Castle which is threatened by the expansion of Luton airport.

Saturday 19th July

Long Buckby to Newbold

8am start today. Because it was early in the day we could see right through Braunston tunnel, and we only met one boat coming the other way.

After that it started to get busy going down the locks at Braunston, and for the rest of the day.

Moored for lunch right outside the Royal Oak, Hillmorton. It's now a Hungry Horse pub but does have Cask Marque accreditation so the beer was good even if it was only Green King IPA and Abott.

Shortly after lunch we passed Kyamanzi from Brinklow marina, so the school holidays must have started in the area.

Moored for the night at Newbold. Due the nature of the bank I had to use the two 'tyre' fenders as spacers and springs at both ends.

Went to the Crown for a meal, which was disappointing compared to their sunday lunch, and especially after some excellent meals we've had elsewhere.

Friday 18th July

Gayton to Long Buckby

Late start this morning. Stopped at bridge 32 to fill up with fuel at Fred
Tarrys, only 88p/l!

Stopped for lunch at The Narrowboat, Stowe Hill, where we had a two course meal.

After lunch carried on and up through Bucky locks but moored for the night in the pound below the top lock. Had a snack on board then watched some of the first nights prom before going to the New Inn which now has Cask Marque accreditation.

Thursday 17th July

Billing Aquadrome to Gayton

Set off at 840. When we got to Billing lock there were 2 boats just going up. The pound above the lock which was quite low yesterday had now filled up. By the time we were in the lock Orchid II appeared and joined us. We shared locks as far as the sanitary station in Northampton where they stopped.

Went through the first lock onto the canal to moor and went for lunch in the Malt Shovel.

After lunch we set off up the locks to Gayton junction where I emptied the loo and then turned north on the Grand Union.

Moored near the footpath to Gayton. Walked into Gayton for a very good meal in the Queen Victoria. After that we tried the Eytyn Arms which is more of a locals pub and only had GK IPA.

Wednesday 16th July

Irtlingborough to Billing Aquadrome

Set off at 8am. When we got to Wollaston lock there was an insurance inspection going on, so we were held up for half an hour. By this time Lady Mary appeared and we shared locks for the rest of the day.

We had lunch on board on the move and went as far as Billing where we moored on the visitor moorings in the Aquadrome.

Walked to Weston Favell to the Bold Dragoon where we had good food and beer. We got a taxi back to the Aquadrome.

Tuesday 15th July

Wadenhoe to Irthlingborough

Set off at 915am, not long after Star. Caught them up at the next lock and we shared locks until Woodford where we moored below the church as before.

Went to the shop first this time before it closed for lunch at 130. Then to the Dules Arms for lunch.

Today was hot and sunny all day for a change.

Carried on as far as Irtlingborough where there is plentiful mooring space by the Doc Martins leisure centre and Rushton Diamonds ground.

Walked into Intrlinborough where several pubs had been turned into Chinese or Indian restaurants. We only found 2 pubs and we had some London Pride in the Oliver Twist. Then we went to Tesco Express to get provisions for tomorrows lunch. Then back to the boat for a light meal.

Monday 14th July

Fotheringhay to Wadenhoe

Left at 9am, just after the boat that had been moored in front, so that we could share locks.

Moored above Ashton lock again and walked to the Chequered Skipper for lunch.

When we got back to the boat Lodestar was moored behind us. This will probably be the last time that we see them.

On the way upstream we saw a Red Kite.

At Wadenhoe where we had to back down the millstream to the end of the garden of the Kings Head to the last free space.

Walked round the village to find the post office which was shut, for a year we later discovered.

Went into the Kings Head to eat.

Sunday 13th

Wansford Station to Fotheringhay

Went to have a look round the Nene Valley Railways base at Wansford.

Back tothe boat to let out the boat that was moored inside of us. Then back to the station and caught the 1140 to Yarwell then back through Wansford to Peterborough and finally back to Wansford.

Had a snack in the tea bar then set off up river. Moored for the night at Fotheringhay castle mound and went to eat in the Falcon. Unfortunately being a Sunday in summer they were only doing a barbeque, but it was good.

Saturday 12th July

Whittelsey to Wansford Station

Slept well till 5am when hordes of youths went by on the towpath.

Set off at 830 to be at Stanground lock for 1000.

When we got to the Nene we turned to go downstream to go as far as Dog in a Doublet lock where the Nene becomes tidal. Turned round there and back up to Peterborough. Here Paul and Andrew had brought Peter by car.

Went for a Thai lunch with real ale in Charters barge. After that John and Gavin left with Paul and Andrew, and Peter joined me for the final week.

We headed upstream for Wansford. There was canoeing activity below the first lock so that made getting into the lock interesting. The second and third locks were overflowing so much that we did not need to open any paddles to fill them.

At Wansford station there was one narrowboat, Maybe, on the new pontoon so we went alongside them.

Went to the station where there was a private party goung on, but they allowed us to buy sandwiches which we took back to the boat to eat.

Later we went for a walk to explore Stibbington and to look at the possibility of getting to the Sibson Inn on the other side of the A1. However we decided this was not a good idea.

Friday 11th July

Stonea to Whittelsey

Unfortunately there were trains all through the night so our sleep was rather disturbed.

Set off after 830am and went all the way down the Twent foot as far as where Old Pophams Eau goes off to Nordelph. This looked very narrow and weedy and navigation down the rest of the Twenty foot to Mullicourt Aqueduct is not advised so we turned round and back to the new bit of Pophams Eau to get back onto the Link Route and head for March.

Moored in March and went for lunch in the Acre. After that we emptied the loo at the sanitary station and the called in Foxs marina for fuel and water. They wanted to charge £1.10/l but because I'd been quoted £1.00 on the phone I got away that that.

Ashline lock was against us as a hire boat had just gone through. They moored by another boat on the official mooring but I decided to carry on and moor where we had coming the other way.

Had a snack on board then we went to the Bricklayers Arms and then on to the Boat which we had visited 3 weeks ago.

Thursday 10th July

Holme to Stonea

Set off at 830 and passed Monks Lode and Great Raveley Drain, then at Nightingale Corner we turned towards Exhibition bridge. The air draught guage said 1.5m and we need 1.8m so we turned and backed up to it just to prove that we couldn't get through. We saw 3 MLC weed control boats heading that way.

Back through Lodes End lock where the water levels were equal ,then at Wells Bridge we turned onto the Forty Foot Drain.

At the third attempt we moored so that we could walk into Chatteris and go to the Walk the Dog pub. Here they had two good beers and we had a snack to go with them.

On the way back to the boat we popped into the Co-Op. Then we carried on along the Forty Foot to the junction with the Sixteen Foot Drain. I had been hoping to go down as far as Horseway Lock but it was too narrow to turn and also shallow and we had difficulty backing out.

So we went down the Sixteen Foot and managed to moor by the railway bridge at Stonea. Here the Golden Lion had 2 ales and food so we ate there.

Wednesday 9th July

March to Holme

Went shopping in Tesco Express first thing then set off at 7.45.

At Floods Ferry we carried on the old course of the River Nene through Benwick. Then we turned up High Lode to Ramsey where we turned round and backed up beyond the turning place as there was already a narrowboat on the one mooring. Went to the Jolly Sailor for a pint, then bought lunch in the bakery opposite and took it back to the boat.

Set off again and turned left at the end of High Lode and through Lodes End Lock. Then at Nightingale Corner we turned off the old course of the River Nene and up New Dyke to Holme. We initially stopped at the point where the OS map shows the end of navigation, but after consulting the other information we carried on almost as far as the east coast mainline. Here there was room to turn and we moored.

Walked to the Admiral Wells where I had booked a table for 7pm. They had 5 beers on but they were all quite similar. We all ordered the Guinea Fowl but they only had one left, so two of us were unlucky.