Car and boat leapfrog

After my few days at Napton it was time to move on.
I drove up to Marston Doles in the evening and walked back down the hill in the dark. Doesn't it get dark early!
Next day it was 'up the Napton flight' to Marston Doles. I had planned to stay in the short pound just below top lock but the tide level varied dramatically with each passing boat and lock fill/empty also the movement of the boats was causing Constance to bang on the Armco bank - so...

One of the first narrow locks that I have ever done on Constance

You can just see the tops of narrow-boats in the Engineering House Arm of the canal

It amused me!

The entrance to the Engineering House Arm of the canal

A different kind of paddle gear - with a stone support

 I decided to move on. This would be a giant leap as the canal follows the contours to Fenny Compton and circumnavigates Wormleighton Hill. Back into the car to drive to Fenny Compton. Parking was very easy not far from the Wharf Inn. Then it was the long walk back to Marston Doles. With the aid of the OS map I was able to cut off many of the corners and get back in time to move a couple of miles...

Napton top lock at Marston Doles

A beautifully remote spot for a night stop

 ...out into the remote part of the countryside. This was the morning wall-to-wall sunshine that greeted me next day.

Rural Warwickshire - miles from anywhere

The aptly named 'Ladder Bridge'

Napton-on-the-Hill in the far distance

So peaceful among the trees

 Eventually arriving at Fenny Compton in time for lunch. In the afternoon I went for a walk  as it was far too hot to work!