Sept 16th moored in Newbold on Avon on Oxford canal

         75 miles and 22 locks from Aston Marina

Sunday 16th Sept

Up bright and early and off by ten!  Started a bit grey but brightened up later. Soon aware that we were following other boats but no chance of catching up with the width so restricted, passing oncoming boats and moored ones was a slow process with the constant possibility of ending up in the reeds on the towpath side or trees on the offside.  Only went as far as Newbold and moored about 1pm on the 14day moorings and again the width is so restricted two  boats passing us in opposing directions is nigh on impossible.   Went round the quarry walk with the dogs. this afternoon and Bridie went off to find local shop.  This evening we had a shower or two but apart from getting dogs wet when out for last exercise it didn't bother us - best time to rain overnight.

Saturday 15th Sept

Another brighter day today and we went back to take a look at the Priory ruins

and Cathedral sites

before paying the Herbert Galleries a visit.

Found plenty of interest and we each filled in a voting slip for a painting exhibition.  Back to the boat about 1pm we immediately made ready and set off but stopping almost immediately to water up. 

Back five miles along the Coventry arm to Hawkesbury Junction where we turned right through Sutton Stop onto the Oxford canal. First few miles are a bit too close to the M6 to want to stop and moor up so we went as far as Ansty and with some difficulty found somewhere to moor without being half a mile from the towpath.  How there can be so much difference between Coventry and Oxford canals is beyond me.  I know they belonged to different companies and where built with different standards but they have both been under BW's care for the same length of time.  Its as if BW had given up caring for the Oxford and haven't cut the trees or vegetation back for ages.   I think the CRT directors should be made to hand over their cars and we should tow them on the back of a narrow boat round the system.  When they get them back scratched and dented then they might understand what a crap job they do. Paying out money to have poems written, protecting the water voles, bashing Himalayan balsam, looking after the cyclists interests before boaters.  What about putting a NAVIGABLE canal system first?

Friday 14th Sept

Not so warm today with a cool wind and we spent the day playing the holiday visitor in Coventry. Went to the Transport Museum this morning and walked our feet off seeing all the cycles, motor bikes and cars.  Also saw Thrust2 and Thrust SSC with a brief go on the simulator seeing what it looked like from the 'cockpit' breaking the sound barrier. After lunch back on the boat we had another wander round the city, found we were too late to visit the Herbert Galleries and went for a quick Sainsburies shop instead.