Valentine’s Cruise 2026

Monday 9th February - Ventnor Waterside Marina to Long Itchington

Welcome to our new adventure, we are aiming to be out for around 6 weeks, cruising to Stratford Upon Avon and back to the Ashby Canal.

We are leaving our marina and heading out towards Calcutt Marina where we can put on diesel.  We would normally put diesel on in our own marina but it is closed today so we are locking up two of the Calcutt Locks to put diesel on across the canal!

This is Chris who filled the boat with diesel and helped us get wood and kindling.  She was very helpful and cheerful and sent us on our way with a big smile.  She is pushing us off the wharf side so that we could make a 180 degree turn and head back down the two locks.

Dave is working us down the Stockton Locks, although there are very grey skies it didn’t actually rain on us which was a real bonus.

My turn now, working these locks is as good as a gym workout!

Beside each of the wide locks there is a narrow lock which is derelict.  The narrow chambers beside the wide locks at the Stockton flight (on the Grand Union Canal) are the remains of the original 18th-century narrow locks, which were replaced during a 1930s modernisation project. The wide locks (or "double locks") were built alongside them to allow for more efficient commercial traffic, specifically for wide-beam boats or to allow two narrowboats to lock through together.

In the afternoon we went for a walk across a very boggy field into Long Itchington to post some letters at the Coop.  This is the Church of the Holy Trinity which dates back to the late 12th century and was restored in 1928.

3.25 miles, 10 locks, 3hrs

Tuesday 10th February - Long Itchington to Radford Semele

Dave and Toby both ready to set off for our cruise today.  Weather was drizzly so plenty of wet weather gear on.

We got to the top of the Bascote Staircase locks where there is a lovely lock keepers house with a boat moored outside.  There was a boat coming up the locks and we thought we could work the staircase together to save water, but the other boat owner wasn’t prepared to do this so we had to wait until they were through.

One of our first sightings of catkins this year.  This is the Hazel tree which has catkins in February, long, soft and golden yellow, they hang in clusters.

Beside the locks just as you come into Radford Semele there is a raised bed which has been provided by the Primary School in the village.  Although not much there at the moment there is evidence of various herbs and will be a delightful source of fresh herbs in the summer.  

We moored up opposite the church on the hill in the village and Toby and I went for a walk along the towpath.  These bushes were just coming into bud, little white buds against the grey skies reflected in the canal.

5.2 miles, 10 locks, 4hrs 24mins

Wednesday 11th February - Radford Semele to Jephersson’s Farm Bridge

A short cruise to moor in Leamington Spa.  We found a lovely Portuguese Cafe and Deli on the way into the town centre and enjoyed coffee and a Pastel de nata.  We also treated ourselves to a lovely blanket for the lounge area.

On the way back we stopped in Pump House garden where Toby could have a run around off the lead.  Lovely snowdrops and the unmistakeable scent of winter jasmine, heavenly!

We then continued on until we reached the moorings before the Avon Aqueduct where we tied up for the night.

2.5 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 24mins

Thursday 12th February - Avon Aqueduct to Cape Top Lock, Warwick

This was taken from our mooring, Jephssons Farm Bridge.  Not sure if this related to the gardens in Leamington.

This is the aqueduct over the River Avon.  The Warwickshire Avon extends from the source of the river Avon, east of the town of Rugby, to its confluence with the river Severn near Tewkesbury. 

  

We passed under the road bridge near the Tesco supermarket and pulled up for a short stop to do a quick top up of food.  When I saw this photo it looked like we were coming out of a tunnel, but no just a wide bridge on a sharp bend.

This used to be another outlet for Kate Boats at Stockton but the signage now suggests that it is Warwickshire Narrowboat Hire. The boats all looked very new and shiny!

Just two locks to take us up to the moorings near the Cape of Good Hope pub where we moored up for the night.

1.75 miles, 2 locks, 1hr 12mins

Friday 13th February - Cape Locks to Hatton Top Lock Visitor Moorings

Today we are going up the Hatton Locks and have arranged for a group of volunteer lock keepers to help us up the flight.  As the forecast is for cold temperature and rain we have dressed accordingly - 2 coats with 2 layers underneath!

We are approaching the bottom lock of 21 locks.  Dave is going to do the first 5 locks and then we shall swap over.  Our volunteers arrived as we were coming up through the lock, well timed!

This was Ron who has been volunteering for about 10 years and uses a bike to cycle between the locks.  The flight stretches over 2 miles so it is a great way to keep fit, either walking or cycling.  

At the beginning of the flight, the locks are well spaced with a decent walk between them, but eventually they become much closer and begin to look rather like a staircase.  The pounds between the locks are short with just enough room to pass another boat, but today we didn't pass any boats.

Tony and Anne were our other two lock keepers and saw us all the way up to the top of the flight.  They were very friendly and said that if they were available they would be happy to help us on our return journey.  

This is the inside of The Hatton Cafe, very cosy and a welcome stop after working the locks. We treated ourselves to bacon baps and cake!  Once out of the top lock we moored up on the Visitor Moorings just as the rain set in fr the rest of the day.

Relaxing on the sofa with Toby and the new blanket, very cosy!








2.75 miles, 21 locks, 3hrs 24mins

Saturday 14th February - Hatton Top Lock to Tom o’ the Wood Visitor Moorings.

A beautiful start to the day, bright blue sky with shining yellow sun, such a rare sighting!

Dave drove the boat whilst I tidied up and tried to deal with the dust created by muddy footprints!

Approaching Shrewley Tunnel, one of the wettest tunnels in the area and after all this rain, it was the wettest we had ever seen it.  Dave navigated his way through the tunnel and fortunately he could see that there was nothing in the tunnel.

We arrived at our chosen mooring and moored before the bridge in order to make the most of the sunshine on the solar panels.

We decided to go for a walk whilst the sun was shining and walked the road between the Grand Union Canal and the Stratford Canal.  A robin entertained us, singing heartily as we stood and listened.

The Lock cottage beside the lock has recently had a new roof, keeping the barrel roof and making the thing look a lot smarter.

We continued walking until we got to the junction back on the Grand Union Canal.  

Two boats met at the junction, neither sounded a horn and they only just managed to avoid a head on collision!

4.25 miles, 0 locks, 1 tunnel 1hr 35mins

Sunday 15th February - Tom o’ the Woods.

We woke to very persistent rain and decided that we would stay and sit out the rain. By early afternoon there was a break in the clouds and we went for a walk.  The goats on the other side of the canal had taken advantage of the lull and come out of their shelters.

We walked along the canal to the first bridge which goes up to the Navigation Inn which appears to be closed from about August last year.  All boarded up and advertising for a new tenant.  

As we were returning we spotted a boat coming under the bridge, the second one today.  We also saw two more whilst we were having lunch.

As we walked back to the boat the heavens opened and it rained once again.  As you can see the towpaths are just a line of very muddy puddles!

Later on in the evening the sun did come out, a super shot of the pub highlighted by the setting sun’s rays.

New Year Cruise 2026 - Week 2

 Monday 19th January - Priors Hardwick to Napton

We left the Summit and headed back towards Napton.  Dave drove the boat and I spent time below cleaning through the boat.  This is the HS2 bridge from the other side, still a work in progress!

Passing one of the farms on route I spotted a single Herdwick, it’s the grey one on the right of the photo.  My favourite sheep!

Here we are approaching the first of the Napton locks at Marston Doles.  This is the site of the old wharf, just above the lock, with the old lock keeper's cottage and the stable block for the boatmen's horses. These buildings were extensively renovated in 1989 and used as the local British Waterways offices for 4 years after which they were occupied by private business.

Unfortunately, Dave managed to drop his windlass in the lock before  it began to empty.  He carries it in a windlass holder on his back and it caught on the door and popped out and in to the water, never to be seen again!  

We continued down the flight of locks and finally managed to secure a mooring in the pound above the bottom lock.

6.25 miles, 8 locks, 3hrs 42mins

Tuesday 20th January - Napton Bottom Lock to Moat House, Braunston

A lovely sunny day but with a biting cold strong wind.  We left our mooring, stopped at the water point and filled up the water tank then set off for Braunston.  The windmill on the hill from the other side.

Dave sporting the bandana I made for him for Christmas, I think he is very pleased with it!

r 

Here we are passing Napton Marina and Boatyard where our friends moor their boat nbDulwich 3.  It is the one on the far side in the middle of the photo.

Beautiful blue sky but with a very strong breeze which made steering the boat a little more of a challenge. 

Passing the turning off the Oxford Canal onto the Grand Union Canal and the way back to our Marina.  We are going to carry straight on towards Braunston.

The twin iron bridges heralding the approach to Braunston.  We are turning right under the bridge and going as far as Braunston Marina where we will turn the boat round and find a mooring space.

We passed nbMinuet, the boat we used to own shares in 11 years ago, she is looking very good and it is lovely to see her again.

We found a mooring on the other side of the canal outside The Moat House.  As the wind was blowing the boat away from the canal side, we provided great amusement for the diners in the pub as we tried to secure her!

Toby and I went for a walk whilst Dave set up the boat for the evening.  I found several clumps of snowdrops being blown around in the wind.  A winter flower, they bloom from January to March and symbolise hope and the coming of spring!

After our lunch, we went for a walk to Midland Chandlery to buy a replacement for the windlass that ended up in the lock.  We also bought an ash shovel for the wood burner, only taken us 11 years to do so!

7.5 miles, 1 lock, 2hrs 48mins

Wednesday 21st January - Braunston to Bridge 103 (The Green Sheds)

A very short hop today out of Braunston heading back towards the Marina.  Dave decided to leave early in the morning to avoid the bad weather - heavy rain and high winds!  However he did all the driving and unfortunately he did get very wet but the wind didn't get bad until after we were moored up.

So, no photos, but we did go for a walk along the footpath in the wind and the rain and it really wasn’t very pleasant.

3 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 12mins

Thursday 22nd January - Bridge 103 to Ventnor Marina

We woke to a much calmer day but with heavy rain, so we waited until it had stopped raining and began our journey back to the Marina.  

After a while it began to rain, gently at first and then really heavy again.  I was wearing two coats to try and stay warm and dry.

Dave took this photo from the front of the boat as we turned at Napton Junction.  We passed this long line of boats, heading towards the locks when we spotted another boat following us.  This was good news as it meant we could share the locks with them!

 

By the time Dave had set the locks the boat had arrived and we went down the locks together.  nbEnigma was also heading for Ventnor Marina and moors in the same basin as us but on the other side. 

Getting the boat into our pontoon was a challenge as the wind was getting up, but we managed in the end!

3 miles, 3 locks, 1hr 48mins

New Year Cruise 2026

 Tuesday 13th January - Ventnor Marina

Hello again, and welcome to the first blog of 2026.  It has been 8 months since we last moved our boat so we are very excited to be able to take Ella out and have a mini cruise.  

The main reason for not getting out for such a long time is simply weather related.  The canal system around the Marina ran short of water over the summer and Canal and River Trust closed the locks to conserve what little water was in the canals.  The reservoirs became dangerously low and although we enjoyed the delightful summer we couldn’t help wishing for rain!

So, today we packed up the flat and the car and drove over to Ventnor Marina with a view to setting off on Wednesday.  However, we discovered that the water pump wasn’t working, no running water!  We phoned our engineer, explained the situation and he arrived at 7.30pm to assess the problem.  Yes, the water pump had failed, but he had a replacement in his van and 40 minutes later we were up and running with a working pump and running water.

Looks like we could be setting off tomorrow after all!

Wednesday 14th January - Ventnor Marina

We woke to a stunning sunrise and a beautiful morning.  However, the temperatures plummeted overnight and the marina and canal are frozen over so we have decided to stay here today and wait for the ice to thaw and leave tomorrow!

Thursday 15th January - Ventnor Marina to Napton Bottom Lock

We have done it!  We have left the Marina, ice has all thawed and we are on our way.  Turned left out of the Marina and here I am waiting at the bottom of Calcutt Locks for Dave to set the lock for us.

We worked our way gently up the three locks and met one boat coming down, they turned into Calcutt Wharf for the services but left the lock open for us which was much appreciated.  This is the view from the top lock looking down the canal towards Wigrams Turn.

This is the reservoir which feeds the canal and it is good to see it is now full.  Looking so much better than last summer.

Coming through Wigrams Turn we turned right and headed off towards Napton.  We didn't pass anymore moving boats but there were plenty moored up along the canal.

We are following the canal around Napton Hill with the windmill clearly visible on the top of the hill.  At this time of the year it is no longer hidden by trees in leaf.

We are approaching the bottom lock at Napton.  Once through the lock we passed some more moored boats and found a space at the end of the line before the next lock.  By the time we had moored up, put up the new pram hood for the first time, it had begun to rain very heavily, so we disappeared into the boat for a welcome spot of lunch.

3 miles, 4 locks, 2hrs 18mins

Friday 16th January - Napton Bottom Lock to Bridge 124 Priors Hardwick

After yesterday’s heavy rain, today is promising to be a much better day.

Once the light mist had disappeared we set off to begin our ascent of 8 locks towards the summit.  Toby is sitting on the roof and it looks as though he is steering the boat, I am there but hidden behind him!

Glorious views across the fields back down towards Napton.  Usually there are buffalo in these fields but there are none to be seen today, perhaps it is too cold for them!

The light in this photo is amazing, the sun is behind the clouds, creating an almost twilight effect.  For the most part of the day the sky was blue and clear of clouds.  

A good shot of Toby waiting for Dave to return to the boat.  Dave did the first four locks and I then took over and did the next four locks.  Toby joined me for the last two and enjoyed walking between the locks.

In this photo, if you look closely you can just make out the white sails of Napton Windmill above the bridge.  Soon after this we met two other boats coming down the flight of locks.  They had been staying at Fenny Compton for Christmas and the New Year and were now heading down through the locks before they close for winter works at the end of this month.

Here is the blue sky I was talking about with a Red Kite soaring on the thermals.  The Red Kite was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland.  

We moored up for the night just past bridge 124, just as the temperature was beginning to drop.  A lovely day’s cruising.

3.5 miles, 8 locks, 3hrs 12mins

Saturday 17th January - Bridge 124 to Fenny Compton

We set off from our mooring and noticed a lot of people standing in the fields carrying shotguns and each had a dog with them.  This vehicle was parked in one of the fields and has a vet’s e-mail on the door.  I’m guessing this was a pheasant shoot?  Not that we had seen many pheasant!

In the summer this is a glamping field and this structure has a large canvas over it.  We have seen a hot tub there in the past as well! 

This was the first of five boats we passed today, it was good to see other people out cruising.  As this is the last weekend before the Napton Locks close for winter maintenance, it would make sense that people were moving to get through the locks before they close.

The HS2 works are continuing, this is one of the bridges crossing over the canal.  Each end of the bridge stops in mid air, it did look very strange.  

The transmission mast is very visible on the summit today.  This is one of our favourite spots to moor as it is very quiet and peaceful.  Usually there are many boats up here during the boating season but today it is empty.  The mast is a  tall, distinctive lattice tower often used for general broadcasting and communications.  

The first swans were have seen on this cruise.  We are so used to seeing swans when we are in Worcester, so this was a pleasant surprise.  A family, two adults and two cygnets.

We continued cruising into Fenny Compton and on towards Fenny Compton Marina where we bought logs, filled up with diesel and emptied our rubbish.  Then we turned the boat in the entrance to the Marina and returned to the visitor moorings near the Wharf Inn.   Pleasant evening with pigs in the field opposite as our only companions.

6.5 miles, 0 locks, 2hrs 48mins

Sunday 18th January - Fenny Compton to Wormleighton Mast, The Summit

A later start today and a very short pootle down to the water point to fill up with water.  It didn’t take very long and then we were off heading back towards the open summit.  Dave did all the driving today ably assisted by Toby who sat in his favourite position on the back of the boat so he can keep an eye on everything!

As you can see, it was very misty and murky, not a lot to be seen across the fields, and no other boats moving either.

A stunning silhouette. 

We moored up just past the transmission mast, lit the fire and spent a quiet afternoon in the warm.

3.25 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 24 mins