5 August 2011 - Brinklow to Bedworth

A good bit cooler than of late, but at least a dry day.  Walked dog through fields while Annie prepared breakfast then set off.  Moving past Rugby and towards Coventry but still out in the country with no built up areas, just the occasional farm.  An intermittent squeak from the engine slowly became worse during the morning.  When an unattended boat floated out in front of us, mooring pins having come out, Annie jumped off to re-tie it.  I used the opportunity to up the engine covers and investigate the squeak. Verdict that its a bearing in one of the alternators (we have two) and not a show stopper.

By 1pm we arrived at Hawkesbury Junction which is the northerly end of the North Oxford canal, where it meets the Coventry canal.  This is a lovely spot, full of canal memorabilia, including an old steam engine house.  Moored the boat and wandered in to town to buy bread & milk.

Immediately before the junction there is an insane little lock that drops the boat all of 6 inches down to the level of the Coventry Canal.  Here we got talking to Alan and Di of Nb Henry Edward Thomas, a conversation which was resumed when we both stopped for water just round the corner.  Agreeing that we couldnt keep chatting on the water point (other people needed it) we decided to adjourn to a mooring two bridges further up, showing a waterside pub next to it.  When we got there the pub was derelict and the mooring empty but for one unattended boat.  Non-plussed we pulled out chairs on the bank and cracked a couple of bottles of wine.  Stayed here for the night..... Just before turning in Alan and Di walked passed, they had seen a boat coming along in the dark, big headlight on with lots of music blaring.  It came passed at speed, missed our two boats but T boned the other moored boat - bang!  They swiftly reversed and continued on their noisy way.

The Newbold Tunnel.  Congrats to BW for installing such a magnificent lighting scheme!