Crew:-
Brian Jeffery, John Mills, Paddy
Poulton, Garry Vercoe, Phil Wright, Andy Swan and the cabin boy Pat Bussell
So following last
year’s successful expedition on the Kennet & Avon Canal the “Old Fogies”
decided another trip was in order.
Invitations were opened to other members of the “Old Fogies Imperial
Drinking Club” but no applications were forthcoming. However we were delighted that a future
member who is due to leave the HMRC hellhole shortly wanted a taster of what
“retired” life could be – also welcomed as now we had a cabin boy to assist in
the galley and swab the decks!
Seven of us created
another issue in that we needed as big a boat as possible with the required
number of single bunks. Research
unearthed the boats at Union Canal Carriers in Braunston and the 12 berth
“Pennine”.
This gave the opportunity for
a cruise in a different area of the country with the bonus of its location
meaning we had the possible choice of 4/5 different routes.
As the potential
choices could include long tunnels and many locks, I put forward the options to
my fellow mariners who then listed their main requirements –
· ·
A
lunchtime pub
·
At least
1 evening pub
·
As many
pubs as possible
·
A tunnel
·
A lock
Taking account of
these requirements I decided the only option would be the Oxford canal with a
route from Hawkesbury Junction in the North (nr Coventry) down to Napton with
1 short tunnel and 4 locks. I had done
some of this canal back in 1979 so had sampled a couple of the pubs on route –
only problem had they aged as well as me!
Day 1 – Monday 15th
April 2013
Braunston to
Napton
We travelled to
Braunston in two cars courtesy of Garry and Paddy – an enjoyable drive across
country through Stow-on-the-Wold and the Fosse Way. Arriving at the boatyard at 2 o’clock 3 of
the party went to the village stores for breakfast provisions whilst remainder
of the crew received words of wisdom on the intricacies of the good ship
“Pennine”. Have to say in comparison to
the initiation chat for last year’s boat this was to say the least “laid
back”. What last year was a video and
walk through of 1 hour was done this in 10 minutes – the boatyard chap clearly
thought we exuded positive knowledgeable
vibes!
As a
result we were on the move by 2:45 for the first day’s voyage of some 6 miles
to Napton.
My initial research
had suggested 2 canal side pubs at Napton with the “Bridge” by bridge 111 and “The
Folly” by bridge 113. Just before
leaving Taunton I’d checked the websites and found the actual one for the
Bridge had disappeared but also a suggestion that this pub didn't open Mondays
in any case. Fortunately I had found a
back-up pub actually in the village of Napton in the “Kings Head” which did
have the bonus of being owned by the Hook Norton brewery. It was also advertised canal side
On arriving at Napton
we turned the boat in a winding hole by bridge 111 and moored at 5
o’clock. Research on the “Kings Head”
had shown Monday’s were steak night and so the group consensus was for this to
be our evening base. However walking
past the Bridge we spotted lights on and thought why not –after all it was half
a mile to the other pub. So we visited
the Bridge – sadly a bit desperate as it was a new landlord and although the
beer wasn’t terrible it wasn’t that great. We still managed a couple! Goodness knows where his customers would come
from if not the canal as basically in middle of nowhere.
Anyway we strolled onto
the “Kings Head” and what an inspired choice with food and beer both excellent. A top quality steak and a dessert (menu cost
£20) in the Monday deal for £11:95.
Day 2 : Tuesday April 16th
After an excellent fried breakfast we set off
and Patrick volunteered for a stint at the helm – yesterday had been just
myself and Paddy.
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It was an interesting baptism! The wind was
extreme and poor Patrick was literally blown off course and before he knew it
stuck on the bank well and truly aground.
It was a herculean team effort with us all and liberal use of the pole
to eventually get the boat moving again
but the experience
had left Patrick unnerved especially as the next obstacle was a very narrow
bridge set on an angle. He relinquished
the tiller to me and then the trip very nearly took a nasty turn. The second bridge was approaching and just as
we were about to go under John at the front leapt up and nearly lost his
head. Fortunately our screams from the
rear deck were so loud and piercing John ducked just in time – it could have held
us up badly while we found his head!
We retraced our steps back to the junction with
the Grand Union Canal at Braunston
and then started our journey up the North Oxford
canal towards Coventry. Other members of
the crew took a turn at steering where sadly John shared Patrick’s earlier
experience although this time it resulted in us ramming a private boat much to
the alarm of its two person crew. It was
a heck of a thump but the lady exhorting us to use our brakes sadly betrayed
the fact that she was totally ignorant – I’d love to have heard her
explanation of where the brake is but we didn’t hang around to exchange
pleasantries.
We cruised on through the three locks at
Hillmorton,
We set off to the Barley Mow which proved to be
a nice beer pub until we finished off its supply of the local guest ale.
Now next door was
another pub – the “Boat” and Garry volunteered to see what was available
there. He reported back immediately that
sadly this pub was closed for refurbishment.
Apparently it was also owned by the same person as the “Barley Mow” and
Garry’s believes it was this gentleman who explained about the refurbishment as
when asked he stated that there were no other pubs in the village. Now my canal guide book suggested there was
another pub from its map but it was not named.
We strolled the few hundred yards down to the village where we found a
coop store and a fish and chip shop.
Turning around what did we see on the other side of the road – another
pub - The Newbold Crown! And heaven on entering we found the
beer was “Black Sheep” and so the end of the world had been delayed.
A very basic menu and we were all quite happy
with our food choices although I’ve never seen such a black omelette as
Paddy’s! He should really have sent it
back but apparently didn’t want to upset the young lady.
We had to endure the Arsenal Everton game – a
dreadful affair only enlivened by our sweepstake which I of course won with my
0-0 prediction! Can’t believe one of our
troop went for 2-2.
By way you may have noticed today was a
shorts day – although only one idiot believed it!
Day 3 - Wednesday 17th April
Newbold to
Hawkesbury Junction
After topping up our water supply – I’d had a
shower
we set off for our
first trip through the Newbold Tunnel –
according to the guide books 250 yards long but per the BWB board by the tunnel
it varied from 189 metres on one display to a quarter of a mile on another!
We cruised on (passing a "Cheese Boat) and did mange a lunch time pub
stop – the only one of the week. This
was the “Rose and Crown” in the village of Ansty.
Initial impressions
were of a very up market village with several three garage homes on the short
walk from the canal to the pub. Stepping
into the pub was quite alarming with the hush when we entered – clearly not a
drinking establishment. But the food was
excellent with very good baguettes – not good enough for Brian who had a soup
starter then a main course of liver and onions.
How does he do it as we know he’ll have another full meal in the
evening. A very decent couple of pints
of beer too.
Moving on Paddy was intrigued how houses were built on a level below that of the canal
An immediate visit
into the Greyhound – what a nice pub.
Great beer and the food menu looked tempting. After a couple of tasters we thought it
prudent to take a break before the evening session with a walk to check out the
area – oh and another pub close by. We
found it after a 10 minute walk. Called
the “Boat” but actually a couple of hundred yards from the canal – and what an
awful looking place it looked. Three
customers walked in as we surveyed the outside and terrified us to such an
extent we decided prudence called for with an immediate return to the
Greyhound. A Wednesday evening and the
place was jammed packed from 6 onwards with many customers arriving and walking
away with no chance of a table or seat.
Fortunately this
meant the bow was still accessible from the bank and I was able to get aboard and with
judicious use of the engine bounce off
the moored boat to get ours back to where it should be. A rum needed in my coffee this night!
Day 4Thursday 18th April
Hawkesbury to
Braunston
As this promised to be long days
cruising back to the boatyard we set off early with me steering whilst
breakfast was provided in relays. I was
relieved to eat by John and Brian who took turns at the tiller for the next few
miles. Brave of John as he hadn’t
enjoyed his experience on Tuesday but all went well as he navigated through a
bridge only to come to grief with another ramming of a moored boat. Then for the first time this trip wet weather
gear required as it was quite nasty for an hour leaving us all a bit damp.
trees have fallen in some cuttings
Fortunately the sun came out in time for
Garry to get his wish of steering through the tunnel -
He did splendidly then and for the next mile till
we moored by the Tesco store in Rugby for lunch provisions. A splendid feast with cheeses, bread, olives
etc plus a glass of red wine – not too much as we were driving!
After navigating the
very windy locks at Hillmorton a largely uneventful final journey back to the
boatyard.
Then a short walk along the canal up the Braunston locks
to our
evening hostelry – the “Admiral Nelson” situated by lock 3 of the Braunston
flight.
Another delightful establishment
with fine beer and an excellent menu including the largest cheese board I’ve
seen - £10 but this did include a large glass of port. Although Brian did encourage us to help him
with the cheese he didn’t countenance us getting near his port except a quick
sniff!
Foolishly we then
walked up into the village to visit the local pub – the “Wheatsheaf” – oh what
a mistake though Paddy and John showed
great sense in returning direct to the boat.
Now as a bonus here's a selection of Phil's photos he's kindly provided -
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Overall an excellent
few days with some great beer, fine food and very enjoyable company. Thanks must be expressed to Garry and Paddy
for driving, Garry for his superb
efforts in the galley producing wonderful breakfasts, Phil for his
organisational skills controlling the overall kitty and Patrick for his efforts
as the beer kitty manager! Excellent by all!
Now which canal next
year is blessed with our company………………………………
