HOME AND HOLIDAYS

 

On the Oxford canal we headed for Rugby and Tesco for some much needed shopping. The canal was still like the M1 with boats of every description. At one point we were in a convoy of 8 or 9 boats all heading for Hillmorton locks.

Or so it seemed, but when we got there, expecting a queue and a long wait there was not another boat in sight. Very strange.

Hillmorton locks comprise of 6 single locks in 3 pairs side by side. If any one of the locks is out of action it can cause major hold ups, but today everything was working fine, well nearly everything, a couple paddles were out of action.

http://www.hillmortonlocks.co.uk/

As we exited the first lock a hire boat turned up and followed us down. On the last set of locks lockees were there to help out. I jumped off as they bought a hire boat coming up into the lock, the girls had jumped off with their windlasses and were being given a lesson in what to do by a helpful lockee. So I just stood back and watched.

We were soon on our way and got to Rugby, managing to moor close to the bridge that leads to Tesco.

Sunday and the weather didn’t look to promising, but we decided to risk it and travel the 12 miles to Hawksbury Junction. We made it in a respectable 4 ½ hours and moored up before the little stop lock. Off course we had to go to the pub, The Greyhound, and as usual they had Theakstons mild on for the Captain, so he was a happy bunny, the food in here is excellent, but we gave it a miss and returned to the boat for tea after a couple of pints.

https://www.thegreyhoundlongford.co.uk/

Sunday, and a happy return to Swan Lane wharf, Keith was tinkering with Snowdrop his 1930 Rolls Royce, so we had a chat and caught up with the gossip. Everything is tickety boo which is great. I had been waiting with some trepidation for my results from the hospital, and I am pleased to report they came back negative so nothing to worry about.

After a pump out we cruised down to the basin for a couple of nights, and of course had to visit the Hops D’amour and say hi to Vyk and Greg. I had thought about eating out, but decided against it and returned to the boat for tea. In the basin we were joined by 4 other boats and a CRT classroom boat.

I am pleased to report that the 5 ½ miles from Hawksbury to the basin is very tidy and a pleasure to cruise

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/coventry-canal-basin

https://www.facebook.com/hopsdamourcoventry

We returned to Swan Lane mid week after a very enjoyable time in the basin, including watching a rather scrawny fox stalk a family of geese trying to get some sleep. The parents were having none of it and were extremely noisy in the process, until a kind passer-by chased the fox away and we were all able to get some sleep.

Only a few last minutes bits to get and we were ready for our holiday to Zadar in Croatia. We left ourselves plenty of time at Birmingham airport having heard the horror stories of the queues to get through security, but we sailed through and managed to find a table in the Wetherspoons, a couple of pints and we were off.

That’s all for now folks pictures to follow.

WONDERFUL ZADAR

The Sea Organ

The bridge that connects the old and new towns 

A busmans's holiday

The View from the Forum

The sea and the mountains

We had a great time in Zadar and hopefully the pictures share a little of its beauty with you.