Newbold to Hawkesbury

Our first obstacle today was Newbold Tunnel. Having said that, it's only 250 yds long, dead straight and you can see if anyone's coming before you enter.  

When we first came this way, many years ago, there were lights in the tunnel but the cost of running them meant that they disappeared.

All the way along the Oxford Canal there are these iron bridges over short lengths of water. These are all that remains of the loops of the old canal before it was straightened out. 

Now that's inspiring. Hope he didn't mind me taking a picture of his work.

Just past the artist is a small hire boat company and service yard. They are lovely boats and well cared for.

I must say that many folk complain about what C&RT don't do on the cut but along this stretch they have put in a lot of effort to build up the canal sides using coir matting.

At the moment it's not safe to stop there but it will have settled down nicely in a year or so.

Today we have seen a few heron, pied wagtail, the usual pigeon and magpie and a couple of buzzard. But when we looked up above them we could see another 7 circling way up high.

Red kite are also around in this area.

Ah, Stretton Stop, the home of Rose Narrowboats. Every boat that passes this way has to stop and open the gate and then close it behind them. In former times there used to be gates here to stop the water if there was a breach in the canal. Then it became a toll stop and now it gives access to the workshops for Rose Narrowboats.

Evidence of yet more work being undertaken by C&RT. All slow as we slide past.

We decided to stop for lunch in Ansty. I've written about this before but in the old days we would moor here, walk across the bridge and visit the pub opposite. Regrettably, the bridge fell down and it's now a long walk round. Needless to say that we lunched on board.

The photo above is a side arm which is the home of the Coventry Cruising Club.

Up near Tusses Bridge, the back garden of one of the houses is full of old cars. They've been there years.

Mainly VWs.

You always know when you're getting near the junction because of all the pylons.

They are all converging on this distribution centre right next to the canal.

And here we are, journey's end for the day.

All that's left is for the captain to take advantage of an unexpected spot of sunshine - not forecast, I might add.

Quite a warm evening, perhaps we won't have to light the fire.