Atherstone to Napton Junction

Over the last few days since leaving Atherstone, we have cruised through Nuneaton to Hawkesbury Junction and then onto the North Oxford Canal. Last year, due to heavy rainfall, a landslip blocked the canal and towpath just before Brinklow.

Repaired breach North Oxford Canal near Brinklow

Navigation was closed for a period of time whilst contractors removed all the debris from the canal and repaired the breach. We could see the amount of costly work that had been required. 

Just before entering the town of Rugby, we passed through Newbold tunnel, built in 1834, and just 204 yards long

Newbold Tunnel

We moored in Rugby just after bridge 53a which is handy to stock up at the large Tesco, just a short walk from the mooring.  We then cruised through to Hillmorton Locks.  This is a flight of 3 locks.  Each lock has two locks side by side, which makes things a lot easier for boaters, as usually one is set in your favour.  The CRT facilities are accessible between the bottom lock and the 2nd pair of locks (not easy to moor for these facilites due to the uneven banking).  We moored at the top of the flight just before bridge 72 for the evening. 

North Oxford Canal Railway bridge and Wharf bridge 

What a surprise to see some alpaca's sunbathing when we passed Barby marina 😀

Last night, we moored just before Braunston (poor internet signal, which we have always found around this area).

Napton Junction

Today, we  entered the South Oxford canal which is new to us. The visitors moorings, just before Napton Bridge 111 are great, with mooring rings and a strong internet signal.

 

Our 2025 circular trip to London begins!!! starting at Shardlow

Our plan this year is to travel on a circular route from Shardlow on the Trent & Mersey Canal, turning onto the Coventry Canal, the Oxford Canal, onto the River Thames leaving at Brentford and head back on the Grand Union Canal and finally back on the River Soar to the River Trent.  Fingers crossed, all should go to plan, subject to water levels as it has been a very dry Spring.🤞

Shardlow Heritage Centre

Our journey begins at Shardlow. If you happen to moor or visit between Easter and the end of October on a weekend or bank holiday, it is worth a visit to the Shardlow Heritage Centre.  It is manned by very knowledgeable volunteers and looks at the history of not only the Inland Port Canal history  but the village too.  The reproduction of the living quarters from an old working narrowboat is excellent.

Alrewas

The weather has been superb over the last week, so we have made good progress. We enjoyed the cruise on the Trent and Mersey Canal, filling up with fuel at Shobnall Marina at Burton-On-Trent (good value and very friendly), and through the quaint village of Alrewas through to Fradley Junction (3 locks manned by friendly volunteers) where we turned onto the Coventry Canal.  There are C&RT facilities at the Junction and a great cafe too.

Whilst cruising through Tamworth, we moored just after Sutton Road Bridge, where there is a handy little snicket with a 10 minute walk on the main road to Sainsburys , B & Q, Poundland etc. 

We moored overnight on the Atherstone Flight, between locks 5 & 6 (max two days visitor moorings), which is handy for shops, the railway station, pubs and take-aways.  Top Lock was manned by volunteers and they have facilities here for rubbish, elsan, book swap etc.  As always on the canals, you don't see a boat for ages and then at bridges bends and facilities, it is really busy and this is exactly what happened at top lock! 😆

Between locks 9 & 10 Atherstone Flight

What a wonderful time of year to cruise, there are so many baby ducklings and fluffy goslings with their doting mums to see.