July 2015 Rugby to Hawkesbury Junction

The journey from Rugby to Hawkesbury Junction is characterised in part by the later straightening of the early meandering of the original canal route. This has resulted in there being many side, offshoots of the canal. Some are completely dry and unrecognisable but most are short stubs of canal into which boats can moor or marinas can be built.

Side arm at the bottom of the Hilmorton Locks

Across rivers too

Just above Bridge 42

Another river

River

Side arm

with space for mooring boats

The southern portal of the Newbold Tunnel

Repairs to the bridge

Arriving at Stretton Stop

Side arm at Stretton Stop

Stretton Stop

Some magnificent specimens of Gunnera

Under the M6

The approach to Sutton Stop

Entering the Stop Lock

The Greyhound - we enjoyed a good meal here!

Hawkesbury Junction

Hawkesbury Junction - turning north on to the Coventry Canal

July 2015 Braunston Turn to Rugby

Having left Napton fairly early in the morning we turned to head up the North Oxford Canal. There are many instances of the old 'Ridge & Furrow' methods of farming to be seen all around these parts but this seemed to be a particularly well preserved example.

Example of Ridge & Furrow farming

Our canal took us past Barby Moorings and Willow Ridge before we arrived at Hilmorton Locks.

Hilmorton Top Lock

Mum supervising

As it says - Welcome to Rugby

July 2015 Hay Bridge to Braunston Turn

Mum & I went to Hay Bridge and joined Constance for twelve days. I moved the car up to Fenny Compton and walked back to Hay Bridge.

Walking from Warwickshire back into Oxfordshire

A second brood of ducklings for this Mum

 We set off from Hay Bridge heading north, passing...

The feed from Boddington Reservoir

 Had to wait a long time to pass through the Fenny Compton 'Tunnel' because of on-coming boats. It is very narrow!

Fenny Compton 'Tunnel'

 Passing the Wharf Inn...

The Wharf Inn - Fenny Compton

 Around Wormleighton Hill and under...

The Ladder Bridge partway round Wormleighton Hill

 Stopping for the night in a very remote spot...

A grass snake enjoying a swim

We were blessed with seeing this grass snake swimming in the canal. We were able to watch it for about an hour or so as it slowly swam from side to side of the canal and all around our boat.
The next day we moved on towards Napton...

The now famous 'farmer's field' mooring

Still with water around the boat

Arriving at Marston Doles

An escapee

Napton on the hill

Napton Marina

Wigram's Turn - the way up to Warwick & Birmingham

Arriving at Braunston Turn

Ready to turn left...

All clear to go (a quick look back at Braunston)

And onto the North Oxford Canal