Oct 6th moored near Burton Hastings on Ashby canal

         164 miles, 73 locks, 1 short tunnel (twice) and 2 lift bridges from Aston Marina

Saturday 6th Oct - Burton Hastings

Beautiful sunny day today after the heavy overnight rain.  Set off for final length of North Oxford canal this
morning arriving at Sutton Stop Hawkesbury Junction about 1pm.   A first this morning, just before bridge 5 we came across a farmer using the towpath to move his sheep back to a trailer waiting at bridge 6.  I felt a bit sorry for his sheep, I am sure their field wasn't as muddy as the towpath!

Looking at the photo's rather wonder if C&RT shouldn't consider using sheep for towpath maintenance?

Watered up and used services by the Stop lock before going through the lock and turning right at the junction, and mooring up for lunch at first available spot.  We walked back to the Greyhound and sat outside enjoying the sunshine with the dogs while we had lunch and liquid refreshment! Only a couple of boats passed during the time we were sat at the juntion and one boat turned to go back to Coventry. Then replete, we went back to the boat to cruise the short stretch of Coventry canal to Marston Junction where we turned right onto the Ashby.  Still a lovely evening as we found a mooring about two miles down the canal just short of Burton Hastings.  Watched a kingfisher fishing as we moored up for the night.   

It was very noticeable once we had left the Oxford and reached the Coventry canal how much better maintained the towpaths are.

Friday 5th Oct - Brinklow

Up and away by about 10am. A rather depressing grey day but the overnight rain has stopped and we are dry.  Just a short cruise into Rugby and stop by bridge 58 for a Tesco shop.  Then resumed trip as far as Brinklow where we stopped for a late lunch and decided to stay.  Attempted a walk into Brinklow with the dogs. But first the towpath was a quagmire by bridge 34 with overhanging branches making it difficult to progress without slipping in the mud then Mac had one of his panic attacks because someone was shooting nearby (plus the traffic was fairly horrendous), so we retreated! Rained heavily again this evening and overnight.