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.