Walked into Rugby and went for lunch in the Merchants Inn. Later on we made the short journey back to the marina.
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Mon 17th July, Bridge 100 to Rugby
Stopped for lunch at Hillmorton. the Cafe was closed, the Stage and Pheasant was not serving food so we walked up to the Bell where we had lunch. Stopped briefly by the reservoir so that Peter could walk to the station. Then we went a bit further to make use of the new mooring rings at Brownsover. Had dinner on board.
Sun 16th July, Fenny Compton to Bridge 100
Moored at 11.30 above Napton Top Lock and walked down to the Folly Inn to find that they were not able to serve food due to a power cut last night. We had a pint and some pickled eggs and walked back up the locks. Went down three locks before stopping for lunch on board. Stopped for water at the bottom of Napton locks but chose the slower of the two taps as we were informed later. Moored for the night near bridge 100 on the Grand Union.
Sat 15th July, Banbury to Fenny Compton
Stopped for lunch on board below Claydon locks. Moored for the night at Fenny Compton where we went to the Wharf Inn for dinner.
Fri 14th July, Lower Heyford to Banbury
Stopped at the Pig Place to try their farm shop and get gas. We had lunch on board on their moorings.
Moored for the night in Banbury just north of Tom Rolt bridge. Went for dinner in the Three Pidgeons then for a pint in the White Horse.
Thurs 13th July, Kidlington to Lower Heyford
Stopped below Bakers lock for lunch on board. After lunch we carried on and moored at the Rock of Gibraltar which has re-appeared in WhatPub. Went in for a pint. Filled up with water at Lower Heyford and then moored for the night and we went for dinner at the Bell.
Wed 12th July, Oxford to Kidlington
Went shopping in Oxford and had lunch in the Turf Tavern. The food is now as disappointing as the choice of Greene King ales. Set off and moored for the night above Kidlington Green lock. After eating on board we walked to the Kings Arms in the old part of Kidlington for a pint.
Tues 11th July, Radcot to Oxford
Had lunch on board whilst on the move. Stayed on the Thames till Sheepwash channel where we got back on the Oxford canal near the Jericho footbridge. Due to the rain we went to the nearest pub, the Bookbinders, where we met Andy. They have a french style Menu du Jour until 7pm which was good value so we had three courses. They also had a quiz so the pub got busy.
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Mon 10th July, Tadpole Bridge to Lechlade then back to Radcot
Carried on upstream to Lechlade where we moored and had lunch on board. Walked into town for some supplies and had a pint of Arkells outside the Riverside. Turned round and went back down to Radcot where we moored in the same place as 4 weeks ago. Went for dinner in the Swan. Their own beer was not at its best this time but the guest beer was.
Sun 9th July, Oxford to Tadpole Bridge
Headed up the Oxford canal then through Dukes Cut onto the Thames. Headed up river and moored near Eynsham, then walked across the bridge to the Talbot where we had lunch. After lunch we carried on and ended up at Tadbole Bridge where we breasted up with a hire boat. Had dinner on board before patronising the Trout.
Sat 8th July, Abingdon to Oxford
On arrival in Oxford the moorings above Osney lock were full so we had to get on the canal to moor opposite College cruisers. Had lunch on board. Later went into town to meet Mike and Rosie at the car park on the old canal basin. Went for a pint in the Royal Blenheim for a pint before going on to the Chequers for my birthday meal.
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Fri 7th July, Wallingford to Abingdon
Stopped for lunch on board at Clifton lock. We ran out of water but had planned to fill up above Abingdon lock anyway. Moored for the night on the 24 hour mooring there. DInner on board then walked over the weir for a wander round town before a pint in the Brewery Tap.
Thurs 6th July, Goring to Wallingford
Moored for lunch in Wallingford. A dutch barge called Susannah moored behind us and I realised that it was Tony Pattinsons boat. Went to the Dolphin for lunch then went to Waitrose for a long shop. Decided to stay there for the night. Had dinner on board and then went to the Coachmakers Arms. They had a quiz on so we sat outside again, unfortunately Muffin did not get on with their dogs this time.
Wed 5th July, Reading to Goring
Margaret and Phil arrived at 830 and we set off through County lock and up the Thames to Pangbourne where they left to catch a train back to Reading. We stayed there for lunch on board then set off for Goring. Having never moored at Goring I was keen to visit. Dinner on board then had a wander round town before having a pint in the Miller of Mansfield. Spotted George Michael's house.
Tuesday 4th July, Theale to Reading
Set off just before 9am. Passed a boat from Sennen who caught up with us at Southcote lock so we shared locks to Reading. We both moored by the gaol. Went for lunch in the Lyndhurst. Margaret and Phil came at 3 to see the boat. Went shopping in Sainsburys while Martin prepared Balado made by Gini for dinner. After dinner went to meet Andy for a drink in the Alehouse.
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Wed 28th June, Caen Hill to Honeystreet
There was no sign of life from the boat in front but the four people on the hire boat behind said they would be ready to start by 830. Started up the flight together at 820 and got through the main 16 locks in 2 hours. Then carried on though the rest of the locks where the hire boat moored opposite Devizes wharf. We carried on and moored on the 48 hour moorings at Horton Bridge for lunch at the Bridge pub.
Carried on to Honeystreet and moored near the Barge. The pub has changed hands a few times and seems to be run by east europeans with an 'Italian inspired' menu, only one beer on but in good nick. Sadly I don't think it will survive with the current menu. There was very little evidence of its crop circle days, an OS map labelled Croppie HQ and a large advertisement on an outside wall for Stonehenge Croppie beer.
Mon 3rd July, Theale
Caught the 650 train to Reading then a train to Hayes and Harlington where I caught a Heathrow connect to terminals 123 and finally another Heathrow Connect to terminal 4. Martin was waiting there and we took the Piccadily line to Kings Cross where we had brunch. Then caught a train home.
In the evening we caught a train back into London and got the 8pm train from Paddington to Reading and from there the 841 to Theale.
Sun 2nd July, Colthrop to Theale
Filled up with water at Aldermaston wharf. Moored for the night at Theale on the 48 hour moorings. Went to the Bull for our evening meal.
Sat 1st July, Kintbury to Colthrop
Moored in Newbury for lunch. Went to the King Charles again. They had 8 beers on and some good food. Bought some Samosas in the market for our evening meal and some Croissant and Pain au Chocolate. Also bought other supplies in Tesco metro. We wanted to moor at Thatcham but the moorings were full so we carried on and moored above the weir by Colthrop lock.
Fri 30th June, Great Bedwyn to Kintbury
Moored in Hungerford on the 48 hour moorings and went for lunch in the John O'Gaunt. Wandered around town and bought some bread from a bread shop! Moored for the night below Kintbury lock as the moorings above were full. Went for dinner in the Dundas Arms then had a wander round the village which still has a butcher and a bread shop!