Monday 17th June - Cape of Good Hope, Warwick to Long Itchington
We worked our way out of Warwick and found this stunning mural on a random wall, quite impressive graffiti.
These were the first wide locks I worked on my own, the gates are massive and the winding paddle mechanism is very hard on some of them. Once the lock is full, opening the gates is fairly straightforward, they should glide through the water!!!
Fosse Wharf is a very picturesque house beside the canal.
Bascote Locks Toll House stands at the top of the Bascote Locks, a flight of 4 locks 2 of which are a staircase.
We moored up for the evening just ahead of the disused railway bridge. Toby and I explored the footpath whilst Dave set up the boat for the evening.
We walked along the canal until we came to 2 pubs one each side of the canal. This is The Cuttle Inn and we were sitting at The Two Boats Inn.
During the evening we were passed by Absumus, a brand new Dutch Barge on its way to London I believe. We could feel the water moving long before it arrived and we could hear the bow thrusters being used continuously to help negotiate the bends in the canal.
9 miles, 12 locks, 5 hrs 42 mins cruising time.
Tuesday 18th June - Long Itchington to Flecknoe Bridge
Ella on our overnight mooring, quiet, peaceful and a TV signal!
The Two Boats where we enjoyed a drink yesterday evening.
We then began the Stockton Locks, 9 in all, very close together, but we were lucky again and were able to share the locks with nbCielo, ably assisted by a volunteer lock keeper as well.
Willow Wren Training Centre, with a boat ready for helmsman training. When we first commissioned Ella we took a helmsman course in Stourport so we could get some experience on river cruising. It was the best thing we could have done!
We passed a lot of historic boats moored up, on their way to Braunston and the historic boat rally next weekend.
Napton Junction where the canal becomes two - Oxford Canal to the right and Grand Union to the left. This time we turned left and headed for our overnight mooring at Flecknoe. Fortunately we were safely moored up before the rain began again!
7.5 miles, 13 locks, 4 hrs 36 mins cruising time.
Wednesday 19th June - Flecknoe Bridge to Norton Junction
6.30 am and it looks like beautiful autumnal morning! You could be forgiven for forgetting we are in June.
The triangular junction with the North Oxford Canal left and Grand Union Canal right is an iconic feature of the canal network and is the venue for the Historic Boat Rally next weekend. The twin Horseley Iron Works towpath bridges were cast at the Works in Tipton.
We moored up a little further on and filled up with water and then went into Braunston Marina where we filled up with diesel. The entrance to the marina has another of these cast iron bridges.
Sitting besides the Grand Union Canal at Braunston, the Braunston Pumping Station engine and boiler house dates from 1897 and once contained a Boulton and Watt steam engine, which was used to pump water back to the top of a collection of locks. The engine house was originally built in 1805, but was rebuilt in 1897 to the form you see now.
We then made our way up the Braunston Locks, 6 in all, and again we were able to share the locks. Then we are into Braunston Tunnel, the seventh longest navigable tunnel at 1867 metres long. It is wide enough to pass another narrowboat and for the first time ever we passed three boats! Quite an experience, as we were blinded by the headlamp of the approaching boat, and just had to hope we were as far over as possible.
We followed the boat we shared the locks with into the tunnel....
... a boat coming towards us with the headlight visible...
... and safely out the other side after 30 minutes.
We moored just before Norton Junction with the Leicester arm of the canal. A good view of Ella from above the canal.
6.5 miles, 6 locks, 4 hrs 30 mins cruising time including stopping for water and diesel.
Thursday 20th June - Norton Junction to Weedon Wharf
Sunrise just before 4 am, stunning sky!
Richard Chamberlain and Ruth on their way to Braunston Vintage Boats Rally. Way off their usual stomping ground as they can't get their boats through the Hurleston Locks, the movement of the lock has made it too narrow for them!
A brand new bridge with a stunning display of poppies all around the bridge, beautiful!
Weedon Wharf was used to carry timber along the canal. The timber would be a mix of sawn and some trees in the round. It also used to sell a variety of coal.
We moored up for the night just past Weedon Bec where it was less gloomy. We went for a walk and found the Tesco Express and the older part of the village, but it seemed sad and the local shops were mostly closed.
5.25 miles, 7 locks, 3 hrs 18 mins cruising time.
Friday 21st June - Weedon Wharf to Stoke Bruerne
The wharf buildings along this part of the canal are quite imposing with three story accommodation.
As we approached Gayton Junction we passed an artist painting the bridge we had just come under.
Gayton Junction has an arm of the canal that heads off towards Northampton where the canal ends but you can then cruise the River Nene to Peterborough before it becomes tidal all the way to the Wash.
Blisworth Mill was originally built as a corn mill and has had various uses - a warehouse, WW2 rations store and a pepper and spice mill, it was converted into flats in 2000.
Entrance to Blisworth Tunnel, 2,811 metres long with enough space to pass another narrow boat. Dave drove through and passed 4 boats in the tunnel. It is the third longest navigable tunnel in the UK and took about 25 minutes to complete.
The Blisworth Tunnel Hut was used as a temporary shelter for boatmen and their horses. It has been renovated with new gates and murals have been painted on the walls inside.
The Blacksmith Forge is run by Bob Nightingale and can be found as you exit the Blisworth Tunnel.
We moored up in the canal side village of Stoke Bruerne. Here you'll find an idyllic picture of passing canal boats, thatched cottages, local wildlife and canalside pubs. Most of the buildings have been here over 200 years. Little has changed since the heyday of Britain's canals.
Saturday 22nd June - Stoke Bruerne
Today we have given ourselves a day's rest and enjoyed a lovely visit from our friends Anne and Steve. A delightful lunch at the Boat Inn and a wander along the towpath to a canal trader.
Sunday 23rd June - Stoke Bruerne to Cosgrove
After putting on water, we made our way into the first lock of the day, it was pretty busy with boats entering the lock, leaving the lock and turning to put on water.
Stoke Bruerne is very popular with visitors watching the movements of the boats. They are known as 'gongoozlers'.
We worked our way down the Stoke Locks alongside nbAlbert and then cruised lock free until we got to Cosgrove.
We passed under a beautiful gothic bridge as we entered Cosgrove. Solomon's Bridge is one of the most unusual on the canal network - nowhere else is this gothic style used. It was probably built this way in 1800 to appease a local landlord, but the exact circumstances are lost in the mists of time. We moored for the evening just past the bridge.
6 miles, 7 locks 3 hrs 24 mins cruising time.
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