Onto the Grand Union

We had a lazy day yesterday staying at Napton.  We met up with Helen & Alan again.  Helen and Alan remind us of ourselves two years prior to the build, so many ideas and so much to do.  Enjoy the journey and hire a boat!!  

Neil from Beacon Boats came to add an extra vent under the dinette to hopefully solve the freezer problem.  We all went for lunch at the Boat Inn and enjoyed the sunshine.  After everyone had left we went for a walk along the canal and into Napton.  We passed a field with an emu in, as well as ostriches and alpacas and sheep.

This morning we pulled pins and headed up to Napton Junction where we turned onto the Grand Union Canal, we filled with water at Calcutt Locks and then descended the three locks on our own, as we exited the last lock we saw a boat entering the first one, so when we reached Stockton Locks we waited so we could share.  A boat did arrive but it wasn't the one we expected, but a lovely family on a Canalbreaks boat from Hillmorton Locks.  We descended quickly as there was a few of them and we were able to go in front and prepare the next lock as well.  We did meet a few boats coming up.

We stopped at Long Itchington to visit the Co-op and we had a Sunday roast at the Two Boats Inn, this is the first roast we have had since setting off in June.  We then continued our journey passing through Bascote Locks, including the staircase, with not a boat in sight.  We have moored above Fosse Wharf tonight ready for a charge through Leamington Spa in the morning and into Warwick.

Napton Reservoir

Stockton Locks, Grand Union Canal

Bascote Locks

8 miles 19 locks