Fosse Locks to Long Itchington

2.8 miles, 8 locks, 2hrs 15mins.

A short report today with no map as internet connection is poor.

The intention today was to head for Long Itchington until we arrived at Fosse top lock at 9:20am to be confronted with this:-

Fortunately Kev from C&RT was already at the lock when we arrived, and he headed up the canal to see if there was a breach. There wasn’t so he drove off to Napton to send some water down from the reservoir.

There was only these 2 boats in the pound, which is about 1 mile long, and fortunately both had settled down on the canal bottom.

Jo and I walked all the way to the next lock Wood lock.

By the time we returned to Fosse top lock two further engineers arrived to turn the back pump on to speed the process of filling the pound up.

Because the pound we were in below the lock may have dropped in level we moved Hadar into the lock so that if the level did drop she would be able to sit on more level ground. It was 2:30pm before we were able to make a bid to get through the pound which we did without any great problem. We think the problem was caused by a boater who had travelled past us late last night and had left one top gate open, and the bottom gates were leaking that much to empty the pound over night. Even Kev felt the leaking from the bottom gates was excessive and was going to get a repair pushed through ASAP. We got to Long Itchington, our intended destination, but had no time to explore, which we will now do tomorrow.

Keith.

Warwick to Fosse Locks.

7.5 miles, 4 locks, 3hrs 5mins.

An almost warm day despite the layer of cloud.

We stopped at Tescos (behind the bushes) at Emscott for food shopping.

We moored up at Leamington Spa briefly to pop up to the shops. We then carried on and moored up above Fosse bottom lock.

Keith.

Saltisford Arm

We are enjoying a nice relaxing stay here at the Saltisford Arm.

View down the arm from the bridge over the entrance to the arm.

Marmite keeping a very close eye on the local birdlife.

Paddy couldn’t care less about the birds!

We had a visit today from our friend Tony who we last saw over 10 years ago, he is doing a sponsored walk for Cancer Research UK of the entire Grand Union Canal from London to Birmingham.

The coffee and biscuits were very much appreciated. You can sponsor him online, just click <here>. You can follow his journey on facebook. It was great to see him, and he loved seeing Hadar which he has been looking forward to seeing since we set off. We wish him a safe journey to Birmingham.

Keith.

Calcutt Marina to Saltisford Arm, Warwick

13.65 miles, 22 locks, 7hrs 20mins.

A decent day weather-wise, hence we pressed on, but also most of the locks were with us, which makes a huge difference.

Stockton top lock.

Working down Stockton locks.

The Blue Lias is looking very smart.

Warwickshire Fly Boat Co.

The Two Boats has been spruced up since our last trip along here.

Buscott staircase locks.

The Fusilier has reopened.

Crossing the River Avon, the dividing line between Leamington Spa and Warwick.

Cape of Good Hope at Cape locks.

Approaching Saltisford arm.

Nearly there.

Keith.

Braunston to Calcutt

7.08 miles, 3 locks, 2hrs 50mins.

With it still raining when we awoke, and we were not in a rush anymore, it was a latish start by the time the rain had stopped.

Approaching Napton junction.

Taking the turn towards Warwick. As we approached Calcutt locks “nb Draw Breath” had just finished filling up with water and we shared the locks with them. We moored up early today, it is nice to be back on short days travelling again. After lunch we changed the oil in the engine which has now done 2800 hours since we first set off in 2008. Jo is now having a sort out in the hold. No rest for the wicked then!

Keith.