Voyages of Gabriel: Hawkesbury Junction to Braunston

Mon 17^th July Hawkesbury Junction to Brinklow

We were close to the services, where there was a notice saying maximum two hour stay. Moored there was a CRT workboat, plus an anonymous boat which was there when we arrived yesterday. We emptied three cassettes. Thankfully, we didn’t need water.

We set off, and headed for the bridge into the Oxford Canal. Another boat was coming slowly from the other direction, but we were through the bridge first, heading for the lock. The hire boat that had been moored outside the pub last night had just undone their ropes, but they were turning round away from the lock. There was a boat already going up in the lock. James got out and as the lady was struggling to close the top gate behind them, James opened the bottom paddle a little to help to close the gate. The man on the boat in front shouted “Are you in a hurry? Is there somewhere you need to be?” When James asked what he meant, he said: “ You have jumped the queue past two boats, and and you have opened the paddle before the gate is shut.” James explained why he had opened the paddle, and the man said “That’s not how it’s done. Learn about canals!” What an arrogant man! Boat name withheld.

The boat behind us was Leo II, also fitted out by Aquarius Narrowboats, and previously owned by our friend Kathryn. A friendly couple on board.

This section is very noisy, blighted by the M69 and the M6. By the time we reached Ansty, two miles ahead, we were catching up with the boat in front, who was going at tickover. Not wanting to overtake him, we dropped back, but then Leo II caught us up. When we arrived at Rose Narrowboats, there were several boats coming towards us, so we let them through before taking our turn at the swing bridge, followed by Leo II. We thankfully found a vacant mooring at Brinklow, where there were lots of boats apparently unoccupied. We noticed that the 2 day mooring sign had been removed. This used to be a sociable place to moor, where people talked to each other. Rain again later.

Wildlife spot today: we saw some black and yellow cinnabar caterpillars on ragwort, but couldn’t stop to take photos. We seem to see one group every year.

Loosestrife and Meadowsweet

M69

Leo II at Rose Narrowboats

Brinklow Arm

A gap among the moored boats

Mooring restrictions signs removed

1 lock, 8 miles, 1 swing bridge. Dep 0900, arr 1205.

Tue 18^th July Brinklow to Brownsover

It started spotting with rain just as we left, so we kept the hood up, dropping it down for low bridges. We had thought of stopping for diesel at a place near Brinklow Marina, but when we saw the price, we realised that it was at least 10p per litre more expensive than at Dunchurch Pools, so we carried on past.

There were several boats coming towards us, but thankfully we had Newbold Tunnel to ourselves. We took the last available mooring at Brownsover, and went for lunch at the Harvester. To get there and back we had to cross the busy A426 dual carriageway – not easy.

We visited Tesco to stock up with things, had a coffee in Costa, and walked back through the housing estate to the boat. More rain later. There were some motorbikes on the road opposite, doing what seemed to be timed circuits around the main roads, making a lot of noise. Next time we’ll move on to Clifton upon Dunsmore.

Leaving the moored boats

The strimmers had made a mess

Newbold Tunnel

The Rugby Arm

Moored at Brownsover

Steep steps down to the Harvester

0 locks, 5 miles. Dep 0905, arr 1100

Tue 18^th July Brownsover to Bridge 84 Willoughby

Carpe Diem went past before 8am. Very aptly named! We followed on twenty minutes later, and again had the hood up because of threatening weather. We passed our plum tree at Clifton, but there were very few plums, and they were not yet ripe. Just before the paired Hillmorton Locks we caught up with Carpe Diem, who had either stopped for a while, or was going very slowly. They used the left lock, and we used the right one. They stopped for facilities, so we went past. We used the left lock further up as it was empty, and a boat was coming down from the top right lock, so we used theirs.

We had taken the sides of the hood down to go through the locks, and soon after the railway bridges, we encountered a cloudburst. The main hood was up, but the heavy rain was going sideways, and everything got soaked. It was quickly over, and by the time we crossed under the M45 we were drying out.

Our planned moorings near bridges 79 and 80 were all taken, but there were some spaces near bridge 81. Loud pile driving from the other side of the hedge indicated why, so we moved on. We called in to Dunchurch Pools, the first time we have visited. We filled the diesel tank, and also topped up with water. Very handy. We moved on a short way, and moored soon after Bridge 84, where there was piling and lovely views. We watched a red kite, a buzzard and a kestrel. Across the field behind us is where a railway once ran, and there is still a railway signal structure visible. This is even marked on Google Maps. Later we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

A new road bridge leading to a housing estate

The boat services at Hillmorton

Hillmorton Top Lock

Three bridges

Into Dunchurch Pools

Refuelling at Dunchurch Pools

Great views near Willoughby

Farmer at work on the medieval furrows

Giant cumulus clouds

This tree could be used in a horror movie

Synchronised preening

Old railway signal gear

Sunset near Willoughby

3 locks, 7 miles. Dep 0815, arr 1105 Dunchurch Pools. Dep 1125, arr 1140.

Wed 19^th July Willoughby to Braunston.

We cruised slowly into Braunston in lovely sunshine. We didn’t need water, but we paused to empty two cassettes and dispose of rubbish, before finding a mooring just after Bridge 1. We met Graham and Sandra at Gongoozlers Rest, and enjoyed an all day breakfast. It was good to catch up with them.

Back to the boat for a snooze.