Heading south.

We set off with our locking buddies at about 1000. There had been four or five boats pass us going up between then and 0600.

we soon passed the Blue Lias pub. It is named after the very important stone that was used in the local brick and tile works and especially the cement works near here. The dinosaur on the pub sign refers to the fact that many huge fossils are found in this type of mud stone.

We had boats coming down regularly and the flight looked nice an easy from the back of the boat. The C&RT blokes were finishing off at Shop Lock when we went through. It seems that the lock pivot was not swiveling easily in the cup at it's foot. A little bit of trimming and fettling and it is better now. Mind you all the gates on this flight are heavy.

We made it to the top of the Stockton Locks in good time and by then the heat was definitely on and it was very warm. The girls had it sussed with setting the locks above whilst we closed the gates behind us. 

We have met several hire boats who are on extended hires whilst they have a go at 'living the life'. It seems more people than ever may be joining us on the cut in the future. We left out lock pals at the top of Calcutt Locks. We were going to have an ice cream together but when the girls went they told them in the shop that it would be 3 minutes before they would sell them one!! Our pals left without buying, whilst we filled with water and left these long term hirers at the tap.

We were soon at Napton Junction and turned with no boats coming or going. We were heading for the moorings before the locks but a nice spot came up after bridge 110 near to the Bridge pub that is now closed and assumed to be converted to houses!!

I set to cleaning off that rust that I had prepared yesterday and managed to get a coat of paint on them. By then the air was cooling off and we decided to go for a walk to the village. The pub in the village is closed so we weren't tempted there, but we did end up at the church on the hill. 

Round the graveyard there are so many trees that there are very few spots to get a view of the country side, but when you can see they are extensive.

In the church was this very un-church like item which is the fin section of a German Parachute mine. It there to commemorate Harry Griffin from Napton who won an award for transporting unexploded bombs.

We walked over the top of the hill and round the back of the famous Napton windmill and some lovely horned cattle, fortunately we didn't have to walk through their field.

From the other side of the hill we could look back on to the chimney that had been near Long Itchington.

We heard some screaming as we descended the hill and we saw this bird in a tree. Hopefully you can see it in the branches. We think that it is a buzzard.

We got back just in time for the Archer's and we are hoping to get a TV picture as Helen wants to see the new police thing on the television tonight.