Moving on up.

As we were in Braunston we took the chance to shamble up to the village for a pork pie and other provender, and then round the corner from our mooring to Midland Chandlers for a poke about so it was 1100 before headed off into the sun.

Evening light at Braunston Junction.

It was a lovely morning as by the time we got underway the chill had gone in the beautiful sunshine with hardly a cloud in the sky. Between Braunston and Hill Morton there were several bits of C&RT kit about and several short sections of Armco being put in, along with some 'steak and sausage' fixings! There are parts of the tow path on the stretch that have just about disappeared. Pleased to see that it hasn't been 'upgraded' to cycle motorway status yet though.

Dunchurch Pools Marina is open, really open, so that I bet it is fun when the wind gets up. The trees and shrubs will grow to help I'm sure. There is still plenty of room. I'm not sure if they will be replacing the container offices and facilities soon, but not everybody would like a Mercia Marina to moor in.

Barby Straight waqs quite surprising really as the off side moorings past the marina were very depleted with only about half a dozen boats moored at the far end. Usually it is a bit of a drag along here at tick over, especially when the in a cross wind.

Not only are Hill Morton Locks locked over night, but they have closed one of each pair of locks to save water so there was a slight delay, but still much faster than wide locks!!

Helen taking a rest from the windlass today and flying between the locks on flight.

Down the short arm was the Oxford Canal Company's workshops that just add loads to the heritage landscape of this flight of locks, along with a pub and cafe, rubbish and water that is, oh and a volunteer lock keeper at the bottom lock. After the bottom lock there is a huge building site that I understand is to be houses. They seem to be building a huge bund between the canal and the houses so I expect that you will only be able to see the roofs and the noise will be deadened. I suspect that it is to 'protect' the houses from the railway noise rather than keep the sight of new houses from causing afront to the canal boater.

Rugby/Brownsover is always busy but as there was nobody on the water point we stopped for a quick top up before setting off once more, to be met with two boats full of scouts. They did very well to miss everything as it is extremely tight close to the road bridge.

Newbold tunnel was dry, we met no boats and there were none of the lights working. I think it is time that they take the sign down at each end that celebrates the light installation, that was very nice when first installed and all lamps working.

This section has had its bends cropped by straightening. There is a short arm off to the left and that is all that remains of the Newbold Arm. You can see the portal of the old tunnel below the church.

As it was such a lovely evening we continued on until we spied a spot near the old pub before the All Oaks Wood and soon were settling down with a beer.