Day 1 - Tuesday 9th September

Warings Green to Rowington - 7 miles, 19 locks, 2 lift bridges

Had to collect a letter from Rachael's so I did that while Paul went to Lady Lane to turn the boat around.

So we set off for our third trip of the year.



Descending the Lapworth flight

Got into a queue behind three hire boats going down Lapworth flight, the boat immediately in front of us seemed to be having trouble managing boat but got quite stroppy when asked if he needed help.

Met Kernow heading up the flight and had a quick chat. They were heading for the Bluebell.







Cruised onto the Grand Union towards Warwick, moored on the embankment above the old "Cock Horse". Not another boat in sight, weather still amazing. Quiet night crosswording and watching TV.

Bought two more brasses for hatch door at lock 14 café - Hatton and Lapworth flights, they are said to be unique to the café.

We saw a very bright, low, orange moon - apparently a "super moon"- the closest it comes to earth.

Day 2 - Wednesday 10th September

Rowington to Saltisford Canal Centre - 5 miles, 21 locks

Started cruising towards Hatton locks at 9.15 in beautiful autumnal sunshine. Mist lying over the canal.

Stopped for coffee at the canal café before negotiating the 21 locks all double. Walking back to the boat we were happy to see two locks set with gates open - we were soon disappointed as two boats beat us to the top lock.



Busy scene near the top of Hatton flight

I set the lock again and a boat approached with an elderly South African couple on board. We worked the locks with them. They kept calling us youngsters and said they would have taken two days to complete the flight if they hadn't met us. It took us 3.5 hours











Dragonfly at Hatton



Sue working the locks on the Hatton flight














Warwick comes into view















Moored at Saltisford Canal Centre

We cruised into the arm to the Saltisford Canal Centre for a pump out (£15) and gas. Decided to stay the night as the moorings are secure and very pretty. Sat out in sun for late lunch (3.30) and read. Couple from Leodien gave us some toffees as a thank you.

Strolled to Sainsburys for odds and ends before dinner, bake off and our zoo.






Day 3 - Thursday 11th September

Saltisford Canal Centre to Bascote - 9.5 miles, 12 locks

Beautiful blue sky morning. Paul did a quick Sainsburys shop - we forgot washing up liquid last night.

Did washing and quick clean of boat. As I turned washing machine on I noticed water coming up through the floorboards. On inspection the engine compartment was full of water - I had heard a strange noise in the night that we had put down to the geese.

Man from Leodien came over to say thank you and goodbye. He wanted to help. The water that that the bilge was pumping out was clean so it was a relief to deduct that the stern gland was the problem - Paul thinks he forgot to screw it down last night - tut tut!



Aqueduct over the River Avon at Warwick

Eventually set off to cruise through Warwick and Leamington. Two locks before stopping for lunch. Wild Onion fellow Goldsbrough boat passed and we saw them leave the first lock of 10 - they waited for us in the next one. They were nervous about the boats touching as they were repainted in January. We did 5 locks together before they moored and we carried on up the staircase at Bascote.

Joints are aching and tired - 31 double locks in two days and 19 singles the day before!





Bascote bottom lock



The staircase at the top of the Bascote flight

Day 4 - Friday 12th September

Bascote to Flecknoe - 7 miles, 13 locks

The Stockwood flight

A cloudy start to the day but the sun soon broke through and it was another beautiful day.
As we pulled away from our overnight mooring the boat in front of us, Endeavour, followed. We worked the next 10 locks together. Cathy and Richard were very pleasant had a good chat, which made the task much easier.

Sue and Kathy from Endeavour working the Stockton flight



Excellent lunch in the sun with Paul's birthday cheese

Stopped after the Stockton flight for coffee and lunch as did Endeavour. Searched for blackberries only found 1! Enjoyed a ploughmans lunch using Pauls birthday cheeses. Saw Willow Wrens new training premises. Paul had a chat with Steve who had done the training when Paul did his radio course.

Endeavour left before us but as we cruised along we passed them chatting to friends on another boat, just a few hundred yards along.




Cruised on to Calcutt locks worked the first two alone. There was training of hirers going on in the top lock. Went up the top lock with a Calcutt boat the man was an ex owner but the lady was very nervous and couldn't swim!. We stopped for water at the top lock.

As we approached Napton Junction we fouled the culprit a woolly hat! Not a good place to lose your steering especially as there was a boat coming off the Oxford under the bridge.



View from our mooring near Flecknoe

The canal became narrower and more winding. Moored after bridge 103 next to Miss Matty who we have seen over the past few days. Endeavour then arrived and moored too. A late dinner and showers due to chatting and blackberrying.







Day 5 - Saturday 13th September

Flecknoe to Braunston - 2.5 miles

Waved goodbye to Miss Matty and Endeavour over a leisurely breakfast.



Braunston Church

Cruised slowly to Braunston where we moored. Visited Midland Chandlers where we were excited to see many chimneys, however, after two attempts we had to get our money back as they no longer make 4.5 inch diameter chimney. Never mind, we got tips on how to do the old one up and a new rain hat.















Approaching Braunston turn



Braunston engine house

Back to boat for lunch before walking along the canal to the village doing a spot of gongoozling at the locks. Did a small shop - found some lovely Victoria plums in the butchers! Walking back to the boat we saw Miss Matty crew who had just bought a new chimney that fitted!

Decided to stay put and Paul fixed the mooring equipment at the back of the boat, repacked the stern gland, fitted the new rain hat on the chimney and hung the new horse brasses.




Went to the Boat House pub for a drink - lime and soda for me - before dinner.

Day 6 - Braunston to Brinklow

Sunday 14th September - 14 miles, 3 locks

Still busy at Braunston the boat has been hit at least three times that we know of.

Cruised to Hilmorton - three locks. Moored for lunch. Canal centre looked exciting but was disappointing everything was closed. Had lunch on the grass in the sun. Lady on the next boat dropped her house and car keys into the canal. Fortunately we had a magnet on board and she retrieved the keys from the water.

Decided to cruise on to Tescos but no mooring. Then onto the co-op - no mooring. Very difficult to find a mooring as there is a shelf and a lot of silt along the canal edge. Eventually moored near Brinklow after a 14 mile cruise. As we were mooring Paul noticed the boat in front of us had a cage outside containing two chickens.

Enjoyed blackberry and apple crumble for dessert using the blackberries I picked on Friday.

Day 7 - Brinklow to Coventry Basin

Monday 15th September - 12 miles, 1 lock



The stop lock at Hawksbury junction

Cloudier, cooler morning. Cruised down to Hawksbury junction. Had a short queue for the four inch stop lock. Couldn't remember the name of Karen's boat.













Sculpture on the route from Hawksbury junction to Coventry

Decided to go into Coventry basin which is smaller than I imagined - canal very quiet, not many brave boaters about. Got fouled once, also ran over a plastic trike that had been thrown into the water.

Cash's Hundred Houses










James Brindley in Coventry basin

Moored easily did a quick Sainsburys shop. When we got back to the boat Paul had a go at the chimney with Viakill which worked well on the brass - you can actually see that it is brass now - who needs a new chimney!