Thursday 14^th June – We thought we would get an early start today but not likely as it was a very rainy morning. We finally got on the move by 10.30am. We intended to get off the Oxford Canal and onto the Coventry Canal or maybe even onto the Ashby Canal today. The junction for the Coventry Canal (Hawkesbury Junction) was about 5miles so with my slow trundling we should be there in about 90 minutes. We cruised along the last part of the Oxford Canal going under the M6 near Brinklow and under the M69 near Ansty. With no locks and just the one swing footbridge that connected a boatyard, it was an easy cruise to the Junction. There was a queue of boats waiting for the lock at Hawkesbury junction but it didn’t take long to clear as the lock only drops or rises about one foot. After the lock we have to turn right under a bridge and then immediately right again through a very narrow cut under a footbridge and passed the Old Engine House. We were now on the Coventry canal and surprise, surprise it started raining again. We stopped for a bite to eat to let the rain pass. We then carried on and after a short time we could see the entrance of the Ashby Canal, how narrow.! Would we get round without hitting it.? Yes we did, just.

The Ashby Canal is a 30mile stretch out on its own. It was used for moving coal from the Ashby coalfields. Due to subsidence from the deep coalmines the canal is now only navigable for 22miles and terminates 1mile after going through the tunnel that passes under Snarestone village.

We only cruised for about one mile on the Ashby Canal when the rain started again but with luck on our side we came across some nice moorings. We just got moored and the hatches closed when the rain came down and it was pretty much torrential then for the rest of the night. Much to our surprise the sun was shining the following morning so we set off and cruised for a couple of hours till we reached Hinckley. We moored up to find bread and milk but strangely enough ended up at a pub. It was called The Marina and was right on the edge of the canal. It was lovely sitting out in the sun watching the boats going passed but how long would it last before the rain returned.? We had a couple of beers and then headed back. It didn’t last long, as we arrived back at the boat the rain started and we had a massive thunderstorm. We waited about an hour for the storm to pass then moved off. We decided we would cruise for as long as possible before either the weather or the light stopped us, at 8.15pm the weather finally stopped us, we moored at Market Bosworth just 6miles from the end and found some fish and chips.

Saturday 16^th June – The weather hadn’t changed much, a mixture of sunshine and showers again. Because of the weather we didn’t bother rushing around to get away, we caught up on a few jobs and then at about 10.00am we headed off during in a sunny spell. As we were about to leave a boat pulled up and the chap aboard warned us about the mooring restriction further down the canal because of fishing matches. We trundled on down towards the end of the canal and it was a trundle as we caught up a boat even slower than me. 1.00pm we finally reached Snarestone, the village with the tunnel running underneath it and the last one before the end of the canal. We moored to have some lunch, as we didn’t want to follow the slow boat through the tunnel. After being sworn at by a fisherman for not even being in the way, we moved and moored near the entrance to Snarestone Tunnel. Which was quite handy as the steps nearby went straight into the garden of the local pub called The Globe. We went for a walked through the village above the tunnel, ok it was after a couple of pints. We walked to the end of the canal so we knew what to expect the following day. It was fine, quite wide and a 70ft turning point so we shouldn’t be a problem, well not for us anyway.

The following morning (Sunday 17^th June) we came through the tunnel and headed to the end where someone was already turning. We waited and waiting, the guy wasn’t having a lot of luck, he tried turning one way then he tried another way and he still wasn’t round. I think if Mark hadn’t helped him we may still be there but it did turn out that he hadn’t had the boat that long.

We got turned and headed back through the tunnel, away from Snarestone village and towards the fishing matches that were taking place till 1pm. To make a change it was a lovely sunny day, we passed the three guys in the canoe and then cruised into the fishing matches. After being sworn at yesterday it was quite satisfying making them all move. We arrived back at Market Bosworth about 1pm for just a short stop to fill up with water or that what we thought. The water point was right opposite a turning point. The restaurant day boat had to come along at that time and want to turn, he’s 70ft, and the turning point is 72ft, we were right in the way. We tried pulling the boat right back to boat behind us but still there wasn’t enough room, we ended up having to reverse the boat out along side the other moored boats. Finally he managed to get turned and we could finish filling with water and get going again. As we cruised on toward Stoke Golding where we planned to stop for the evening, I slowed down for a narrow bridge and to my surprise I saw Cassie take a flying leap onto the tow path, I guess she really needed that wee. I quickly reversed and managed to coxes her on to the back of the boat with a bag of crisps, we’re now very careful at bridges, hehe.!

Monday 18^th June – We had quite a late get away this morning as Mark had a few things he needed to do to the engine. We got away by midday and headed towards Hinckley. We stopped at the marina to fill with diesel then carried on, yes the sun was shining and we didn’t even stop for a pint at the pub on the marina. We didn’t get far though, on the edge of Hinckley we stopped to get eggs just as it started raining. Luckily it was just down from the Lime Kilns Pub so we stopped on there mooring. It hammered it down again for several hours, by the time it did stop it wasn’t worth carrying on so we just moved the boat across the canal onto the public moorings. Tuesday’s weather forecast was looking good so we decided on an early night and an early start the following morning to get a good days cruising in. We wanted to finish the Ashby, get back onto the Coventry Canal and get passed Nuneaton before we stopped for the day.

Up early the following morning (Tuesday 19^th June), the sun was shining, it was time to go, we left the Lime Kilns about 8.30am, well that’s early for us, hehe.! We had 5miles then we would be back out onto the Coventry Canal. It was quite a slow cruise back to the entrance of the canal as this section is quite shallow and it slows the boat down. Eventually we made it to the entrance just as a hire boat wanted to join it, he was going so fast he had to go straight passed, Hehe.! You can just make out the two people on the back of the boat in photo 64.

We stopped for breakfast shortly after joining the Coventry Canal as neither of us fancied stopping any closer to Nuneaton. After breakfast we made a move and cruised right through the centre of Nuneaton with no problems. After another couple of miles we came across The Anchor Inn right on the side of the canal so we thought it would be rude just to pass by, hehe.! Like usual we had a couple of beers and then got on our way. We cruised onto Atherstone where there is a flight of eleven locks. We couldn’t find anywhere we wanted to stop so we started going down the flight, in the end we did the whole flight and found an excellent mooring at the bottom.

Wednesday 20^th June - It was so windy we decided not to move, we spent the day catching up on all those jobs you cant do whilst cruising along. We then went for a walk back along the towpath into Atherstone Village. According to the map/guide there isn’t much in Atherstone but much to our surprise there are lots of shops, banks, takeaways and it seemed every other building is a bar or pub. Too much for temptation we had a few beers, got some takeouts from the bargain booze shop and then ordered a pizza to have canal alfresco style.

As the weather for Thursday (21^st) was rain all day and still windy we stayed put again. I’m so glad we did, the canal is so busy, all the boats are making there way to the boat festival at Braunston this weekend. I thought we had moored far enough away from the lock but at one point the boats were queuing past us for the lock.

We first saw the blacksmith, his wife and the boats on TV so when I saw them go past I couldn’t resist grabbing Mark and Cassie and going to see them. We walked up the canal towards the Braunston lock flight. By the time we caught them up they were in the second lock. I asked if they would mind if I took some pictures of the boats and from that moment we started to chat. One of the boats was built especially to have a forge in the front, he just rolls up the covers when he’s working and the other boat they lived on. They told us how they travel around all summer to the different shows and festival then stop in the Dudley area over winter. We helped them through the lock flight chatting all the way, they were lovely people and as they were in the last lock he threw us a lucky horseshoe and they cruised off he shouted, “don’t loose that horseshoe”.

The narrowboat Dover was also from the same TV program. It was moored in Braunston Marina waiting to be sold. With Dover they showed an ex-working boat being restored. It was then filmed on the Grand Union Canal travelling along its original working route between London and Birmingham.

All the rest of the boats in the album Boats Along The Way are just ones we’ve come across on our journey.

Thursday 10^th May, prop day. It started a lovely sunny day. That was great as Cassie and I had to wander around until the prop was done, which should have taken about 3 hours, not that bad if its a sunny day. 11.00am the marina rang to say they were ready for us. We turned the boat and headed to Braunston Marina. We turned into the entrance with me expecting someone to take over and steer it into the dry dock, but no.! They waved us on, I have to get it in the dry dock, panic..! They did help a bit with some shouting and tugging of ropes. Finally we’re in the dock, tied up and we’re off the boat with Cassie. They started to empty it, this would take about 45mins as it works on gravity and has to empty in to a stream about 150yards away which then eventually finds its way back into the canal. Finally it was empty and work began, Mark was aloud to go down into the dry dock to see what was going on but ended up helping. Every thing is going fine till they found we needed a longer prop shaft, as there wasn’t enough room between the prop and the boat. One big problem they couldn’t get the old shaft out. Some bright spark has welded the bearing on. They decided they were going to grind the bearing off and put a new one on. As the grinder came out Cassie and I went for a walk up the towpath. We walked up to the bottom lock shop in the drizzle. When we got back Mark was stood talking to someone not looking happy. They had started to grind the bearing off then his boss told him he wasn’t allowed to do it. But before deciding this they had cut off the anchor bracket that Mark spent hours making before we left, he was not happy. There was no way of getting the old shaft out, all they could do was knock the original shaft as far through as they could. Six hours later and after a lot of banging, shouting and even swearing (not from Mark) the job was done. The boat was re-floated, moved out the dock, turned and we moored on the side of the marina, where we would stay the night as its now 6.30pm. Not bad for a three hour job.! We were so glad to get the boat back, one knowing the job was finally done and two having somewhere dry and warm to sit down. Then the hunger and thirst set in. It was time for a bag of chips on the way to the pub for a beer or two I think was well deserved after a very trying day.

After yesterday all we wanted to do was get as far away from that marina as possible. We filled with diesel, water and bought Cassie a life jacket, which she is absolutely petrified of and then we left for Napton on the Hill. We cruised along the very twisty, shallow, narrow South Oxford Canal in the sunshine but soon the cloud began forming and before long the drizzle started. After cruising for about three hours we reached Napton at about 1.00pm. There was a flight of nine locks and an open pub, the pub won. We had a few pints, a bite to eat and a laugh over some games of pool with other boaters. After the pub shut (they all seem to shut about 2.30-3pm) we ended up staying at Napton the night as it didn’t stop raining.

Saturday 12^th May. We wanted to start quite early to be first in the locks but no chance. By the time we got to the first lock at 830am they we’re queuing. There were two boats waiting in front of us, by the time we got in the first lock they were queuing right round the corner from behind us. By the time we reached the second lock a chap from the British Waterways turned up to check all the locks were ok. As he walked back down the flight he drained a few of the lock pounds. This meant we could open the gates and go straight in. That saved some time and effort. By 11.30am we had reached the top of the flight. Just round the corner we found a lovely place to moor (no pub) for a break and for Cassie to have a run around. We left for Fenny Compton about 2.30pm, on the way just coming up to a bridge Mark shouts stop, a lamb had jumped in the canal. We finally stopped and moved the front of the boat to side, right next to the bridge, hoping another boat doesn’t come through as I’m pretty much broadside across the canal now. Mark jumps on the side to pull the lamb out. The lamb swam away and then manages to climb out by its self. 4.30am we arrive at Fenny Compton with a bang as I hit the second for the two bridges entering Fenny Compton Wharf and yes there was a pub with people outside to see, but at least I was far enough in front of the hire boat we had overtaken earlier for them not to see, HEHE..! Time to stop for a rest (beer) must be getting tired if I hit the bridge, well that’s my excuse. As we sat in the beer garden we got talking to a chap who had also just had a lamb jump in front of him in exactly the same spot, we decided it must be the lambs favourite pass time.

The follow morning (13^th May) it was slightly drizzling, we decided we would make an attempt to get to Cropredy. We had nine locks, a flight of five then a flight of four and several pubs to get by. As we reached the first lock the rain got heavier and heavier. Between the locks there really isn’t anywhere to stop. We carried on getting wetter and wetter. We made it to the bottom lock of the first flight where all the other boats had stopped but we carried on. We were so wet now it couldn’t get any worse. We reached the next locks, I don’t think we had a dry thing on us, through the locks and into Cropredy. It was busy, would we find a place to stop? Eventually we found a place, only a 20 minute walk from the nearest pub, The Red Lion and what a lovely pub, a great selection of real ales. I think that’s why Mark had a slight wobble and fell against someone’s boat oops! When we finally got back to the boat it was good night from him.

Monday 14^th May – Yesterday we had decided if there were any chance of rain today we would not be going anywhere. It was raining on and off again, my mind was made up I wasn’t going anywhere, well maybe to the pub. The rain eventually stopped so we went for a wander around the village and yes ended up back in The Red Lion. By the time they shut at 3.00pm the sun had come out and we decided to move on towards Banbury. We had been told not to moor in Banbury so we stopped what we thought was just short of Banbury. We walked into Banbury, which ended up being about two miles and yes we ended up in yet another pub. This time it was called The Old Reindeer. It had a dog-hating cat so we sat outside for a time until it got to cold. We then ventured in hoping not to come face to face with the cat. Luckily the cat was in the other bar but it was still keeping an eye on Cassie. As usual we get chatting to the local and time gets away. We really needed to get going back too try and beat the dark, it was like a route march back to the boat not helped by Cassie chewing right through her lead. Cassie was really good and stayed by our sides and we managed to reach the boat just before dark. With no lights for a couple of miles its very dark down the towpaths.

On Tuesday (15^th May) morning we moved the boat just inside Banbury. We found a spot between some other boats. Getting chatting to them they said there had been no problems there at all but it might be different right in the centre at weekends. The one small problem where we moored, there was a bakery that operated 24hrs and it was noisy. Couldn’t here it from the pub though, HEHE..! We stayed in Banbury for the rest of the day shopping and catching up on jobs.

Wednesday morning turned out to be lovely and sunny so we set off again towards Oxford. It wasn’t long before the sky began to get very black. The rain started as we got near to Kings Sutton. We came along side some nice moorings so we decided to sit it out there and see what the weather did. We got moored just in time before the heavens opened. The rain carried on and on so we decided to stay put for the rest of the day. When the rain finally stopped we took a wander across the fields to the village shop, no pubs open it had gone 3pm, back to the boat to sit out the rest of this very wet day.

Thursday (17^th May) was not looking good, it was still raining. We wanted to get to Aynho Wharf to day, not just because there’s a pub there, we had visitors coming on Friday morning. The rain eased up so we decided to make a dash for it, all we needed was a couple of hour. Its only about three miles with two locks. One of the locks, Aynho Weir Lock was where the River Cherwell and the canal cross. This had to be crossed with care if there had been heavy rain. Great we had had plenty of rain. We approach the lock looking for the level indicator boards, we couldn’t see it. Mark set the lock and we carried on. Whilst sitting in the lock we noticed the indicator board. The water level was up to the top of the amber, not far out the red. Amber - proceed with care, Red - stop. Oh well we where across now. Lets hope we don’t have much more rain else we may get stuck here on our way back. Last stretch to Aynho Wharf and the sun was still shining. We arrived just in time to squeeze one pint in before the pub closed at 3pm, we did however have a couple of beers later on that night.

Friday morning we had family coming to see us and it was looking good as the sun shone. After a couple of beers and a bite to eat we went for a cruise down the canal to the next turning point. We needed to turn around, as we would start heading back in the morning. We need to be back at Napton on the Hill just after the bank holiday as we have family visiting. We needed to go under a few lift bridges, one of which took Mark right off his feet, and through one of the deepest locks on the Oxford Canal at 12ft deep, turn and then get back. The weather was now looking unsettled and the wind had got up. The lock and bridges were no problem but turning was quite interesting. We started turning and the wind blew us back, eventually we got turned and we headed back. We made it back without getting wet again. The wind was getting stronger and stronger, if this carried on we would not be going anywhere in the morning.

In the morning the wind was still blowing, in the end we decided to make a move. I was still not sure if it was a good idea. After being blown all over the place for a couple of hours we where back at the moorings near Kings Sutton where we had stopped earlier in the week. We stopped there again as steering the boat in that strength wind was quite a battle. We sat it out there for the rest of the day hoping the wind would drop for tomorrow.

Sunday 20^th May. What a difference a few hours make, the wind had dropped and the sun was shining. We headed back to Banbury to moor near that noisy bakery again. We stayed for a couple of days so we could stock up on supplies and find Cassie a vet, no problems just her wormer. We left Banbury on Tuesday 22^nd May with the sun shining. As it was such a lovely day we were going to see how far we could get. We really wanted to get back to Fenny Compton Wharf but I bet because of the lovely weather everybody would be on the move. We approached the first of thirteen locks we needed to do before reaching Fenny Compton. There were two boats waiting. The first went in as we got there, short wait then we were in. We didn’t bother rushing, as we would only catch them again at the next lock and the next and the next. As we approached Cropredy there were signs warning of dredging ahead. Two boats and ourselves where waved on passed the dredgers but there was only room for two boats and there was also one boat coming the other way out of the lock. They kept waving me on but where was I going to go, I decided to reverse back passed the dredger and go in behind it, that would allowed the boat coming out the lock to get passed. We then moved up passed the dredger and just hovered in the middle of the canal until one of the other boats moved. We finally got through the lock and continued on our journey. The two boat in front had both stopped so hopefully we would have a clear run. We got through the next ten locks without any problems, meeting a few other boats along the way and then it was just a short cruise, arriving in Fenny Compton by 3.45pm. We stayed in Fenny Compton for several days catching up on more jobs and a few more beers. The weather had changed for the best, typical as we weren’t moving anywhere. Cassie got pecked on the head by a vicious swan so she’s now got a little bald patch, hopefully her hair will grow back. On Saturday 26^th May the sun was shining so we decided to move off towards Napton on the Hill, it was only about a two hour cruise away. Before we left we filled up with water. At the water point Mark got chatting with a guy who had a boat called Muchgigglin it was styled on the old working boats with the most beautiful sounding Russell Newbury engine. After filling with water we then had a steady cruise towards Napton on the Hill following Muchgigglin. We had planned to stop at the top of the Napton Lock flight on the fourteen day moorings for a couple of days, we would then move down a couple of locks to be near the campsite that my parents would be staying at. We reached the moorings just as it started to rain we stopped but Muchgigglin carried on down the lock flight. We waited till the rain had cleared then went for a walk with Cassie down the lock flight. I was so glad we had moored at the top, it was total chaos through the locks. With it being the school holidays virtually every lock had a hire boat in it and a queue of them waiting to go through. We wandered to the pub got a couple of pints and sat near the first lock to watch the chaos. Eventually Muchgigglin came out the bottom lock, I think he was glad that was over, I’m glad we opted to walk down. Well that was until the heavens opened walking back, we got absolutely soaked. The weather forecast for the next few days wasn’t good either and it was right. It rained none stop all the next day, typical bank holiday. We sat with the fire blazing watching all the hire boats getting soaked this time but by the end of the day we had had enough of sitting on the boat, playing cards, me loosing at chess and watching rubbish TV. We decided to risk walking back down to the pub. We got the umbrellas out and off we went. It didn’t seem to bad till we got out into the open and nearly got blown away but we fort the elements and made it to the pub, soaked again but at least we got a pint, hehe.! It was no better walking back either, we must be mad, all that for a beer hehe.! Monday (28^th May) morning it again rained and rained, more cards, more loosing at chess and more rubbish TV. The afternoon seemed to be brightening up, the sun was trying to come out. After a while we decided we would move down the couple of locks I mentioned earlier. What a great idea that was, the heavens opened again but one good thing we did get the mooring space we had planned on. Oh and one other thing we were now only a thirty minute walk to the pub, hehe.! and yes we did take advantage of it only getting slightly wet going there. We spent a couple of days with my parents doing thing and going places. On Thursday 31^st May we planned to have a cruise back to Braunston and then my parents would get a cab back to where they were staying. Up early Thursday morning and the weather was looking ok. All the checks done on the boat and we’re set for the off. Braunston was about a two cruise after we get out the bottom lock. All the locks went to plan, we were out the bottom lock and on our way to Braunston. After cruising for a while the weather started to turn and the rain began, then the heavens opened, I was wet again. Nothing I can do about it just keep smiling well that was until we ran out of diesel and just had to float till we hit something to stop us, luckily there were no other boats to hit. We came to a stop right in a narrow part of the canal, after some pushing, pulling and shouting at a hire boat for going to fast we got clear of the narrow part. I was sure we had just run out of diesel and there wasn’t any other problem. Luckily we had carried fifty litres in reserve under the engine boards all the way from Eaton Socon. Mark poured the fuel in the tank and turned the key, churn, churn, churn. The starter battery was getting flatter and flatter, was it going to start.? But with the last bit of power in it the engine started, we were off again. We made it the rest of the way without getting that wet, there were just some very threatening clouds and some loud claps of thunder. We moored in the first space we found as it seemed really busy and we thought we’d have trouble finding another space and that was right, Braunston was absolutely packed with boats and people. By the time we had had a couple of pints, a bite to eat and a wander round the day was nearly over and everybody was tired and ready for a sit down, ok ready to fall asleep.

We have pretty much stayed in the same place after getting back to Braunston waiting for the side hatch to be done on Friday 8^th June. We did move the once, on Saturday 2^nd June we moved for diesel, water etc and what a once that was. We were filling up with diesel in Braunston Marina with another boat waiting to do the same when the guy from the other boat managed to fall off the front of his boat into the canal. He was not a young man and was having trouble getting out. With people shouting advice from all directions we manage to pull him out. Apart from a soggy watch and wallet the chap was fine and we moved off. Still staying in Braunston we tried to get back to where we had been moored but being lunchtime by now many boats had stopped and our place had gone. We stopped on the Mill House Pub mooring opposite where we had been moored. We decided to have a beer and wait for the other boats to move and then push it back across. Whilst sitting on the pub balcony having a beer Cassie was messing about in the ivy growing along to front when she pulled out a £5 note, so that was another round, hehe.! Eventually a boat moved and we pushed over to the other side where we planned to stay till Friday, side hatch day.

The rest of the week was quite uneventful apart from one incident. On Wednesday 6^th June we were sitting on the Mill House balcony again when the coal boat came along and we asked time to drop us two bags outside the pub and later we would push the front of the boat over to pick them up, seemed a good plan. After a couple more beers we wandered back to the boat, untied and pushed it over, we got the front over to the other side, all going to plan, Mark puts the coal on the front and pushes the front back. I’ve got the middle rope pulling the boat back thinking everything is ok when a chap runs down the towpath and tells me there’s someone hanging off the front of the boat. As Mark pushed the front back over and jump back on he missed but managed to hang on to the side so he didn’t go right under. With the chap now holding the rope I went to the front to find a pair of hands clinging on and a head peering over the side, after dragging him back onto the front deck it was then time for much laughter.

 Friday 8^th June we had the side hatch fitted, it all went to plan and we had the boat back by mid-afternoon. It was nice to have something go to plan after all the problems with the prop. We then stayed outside Braunston Marina for a couple of days to get some paint on the new hatch. On Tuesday 12^th June we moved to the beginning of the North Oxford Canal just outside Braunston ready for an early start the following morning, well that was the plan. That night we had a few beers and said buy to some really good guys we had met. The following day didn’t start quite as early as planned, we finally got away by 11.00am. So it’s Wednesday 13^th June and we’re finally on our way to Wales. We got a few hours cruising in before the rain came, we made it just north of Rugby where we moored for the night. Well guys that’s us pretty much up to date finally will up date again soon.