Best day of the year so far! Bright sunshine and 16 - 18 deg C. Just as we were setting off another boat came by, meaning we were following them all the way to Hawksbury Junction - the end of the North Oxford where it meets the Coventry Canal. No problem! It was a lovely day. At Hawksbury there is a 'stop lock' dropping just 1ft down to the level of the Coventry followed by a 180 degree turn which can be a mission, especially with a pub full of people watching (all sitting outside making the best of the nice weather). Stopped at the water point to top up and also clear the weed hatch - we had picked quite a lot up for some reason. It is then a short (45 minute) hop to the junction with the Ashby Canal wither we were bound.
We popped out from under a bridge ready to make a nifty 90 degree turn to the right straight under another bridge into the Ashby. This canal contains no locks so it isnt Annie's favourite. She misses the social aspect of getting off the boat and meeting other people going through locks.
We moored up by bridge 13, and walked to 'The Lime Kilns' pub at bridge 16, an old coaching inn on the A5. A 60th birthday party was in progress so we made ourselves scarce in the corner and had a meal. Joined in a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' before returning to the boat. A boat came passed in the pitch dark as I was making a phone call on the rear deck. Chap remarked that at least he was sure no-one would be coming the other way!
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| One field contained about 20 Shire Horses. The next - these two little guys |
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| Yet another working boat with butty in tow - a tight squeeze past them! |
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| Tiller firmly clenched between his buttocks, this chap was playing the bongos as he helmed |
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