We leave Napton and Dubbel Dutch and are heading for Braunston. We need to go to Midland Chandlers to get some odds and sodds. I’m on the tiller.
First I get attacked by horseflies. Then, all the sudden, I’m covered in tiny little flies. They are all over the boat, and me. I need to take off my glasses, otherwise I can’t wipe my face properly. And I need to see well. Just in a bend (of course) I get an oncoming wide beam!
At Braunston we wave goodbye to Dubbel Dutch, but we can’t moor up. No space at Midland Chandlers, and no mooring space whatsoever: there is a Music Festival at the Admiral Nelson.
So we end up in Hillmorton. Close to where we had the hotel when visiting Crick Boat Show in 2014! This time we have supper at the Old Royal Oak, It’s delicious and has a decent price.
Our next stop is Rugby. Moor at bridge 58, close to Tesco. We also visit Halfords for a mirror on a stick, and The Range for a mat (we lost our old one when trying to dry everything after the rain we had two days ago). We even manage to buy a fly curtain (and an extendable stick) for the front door.
Although it is very cold (half jeans (because it is sunny) plus polo + jumper + fleece) we have an easy cruise to Ansty. Early enough to make enquiries and to book things.
The next day we take a taxi to Ansty Golf Course. Tee-off time 10:30 hrs. We have a buggy, it’s beautiful weather, an absolute delightful golf course… Is this not what it is all about??!! So after a stop at Nuneaton for shopping, laundrette, and a non-interesting museum, passing Hawkesbury Junction, we decide to stop at Atherton, which also has a golf course close to the canal.
So that’s where we are now, after topping up the water at Hartshill Yard, and seeing the first signs of autumn: falling leaves.
And what about that Under the Oxford Canal, you ask? See this picture.
Lawrance, in the buggy, under the canal. The golf course is on both side of the canal. With a bridge and an underpass to get to the tees.
And to give you the complete picture, this is the view from the towpath at the same point.