Sunday 12th July

Overcast with the odd break of sunshine. Had breakfast before setting off at 10.15 am.

We had to stop between locks to avoid a heavy shower. We then moved on to Wooten Wawen where we tried to watch the German GP on the Iplayer, but it was not fast enough. Instead we listened on Five Live on the computer. Well done Mark Webber!!

After the race we headed down hill, across the Edstone viaduct which was quite scary. But nowhere as high as the Pontcysyllte on the Llangollen canal. (How do you pronounce that name?)

Lost a fender and bracket going through a very narrow bridge 58, and a hire craft fished it out for us.

Moored at Wilmcote for the night. Despite the description in the guidebook, it is not that interesting. We thought people in the pub were acting a bit odd, by coming out to sit in their cars. Rhen we relised that they were listening to the last few overs of the Ashes game at Cardiff.

Back to the boat for a bar-B.

Monday 13th July

Slept in late again. Headed down the Wilmcote flight towards Stratford. Plenty of places in the basin. Theatre is till being rebuilt. We wandered around Stratford for a bit, and paid £8 for a wine and a beer. Ate at the Garrick Inn before retiring for the night. Lovely bottle of Barolo.

Tuesday 14th July

Neither of us are into sightseeing houses much so we went for a walk alongside the Avon, down to the racecourse. Tipped it down as we re-entered Stratford so we sheltered in a pub.

Evening: we went to see “The Winter Tale”. Live theatre is so magical. Kevin was unimpressed by the bear.

Wednesday 15th July

Visited the Butterfly Farm across the river. Very vibrant colours. Not so keen on the spiders or poisonous frogs! Sort of just hung around until teatime, when J cooked an aubergine and pepper pasta dish. Evening: “Julius Caesar”. He died pretty early in the play and the protagonists got their come-uppance.

Thursday 16th July

Left the basin at 11 am. We seem to be getting up very late on this holiday.

Highlights? A gaggle of geese at Wooten Wawn. The Edstone aqueduct again. We made the Fleur de Lys pub at Lowstoneford for a pie and chips. Glad to be out of the rain, which was tipping. Sat next to blokes who seemed to know a lot about Formula 1. Joan had a delicious Raspberry Martini which tasted like the sauce one used to have on Cornets.

Friday 17th July (Kevin’s birthday)

Set off late again. The new dark curtains are doing their job. Waited for ages whilst boat filled up at Kingswood Junction. Boat behind has a B&W dallie called Ellie. Turned back onto the GUC, but raining. Stopped early for the night at the top of the Hatton Fight and went to the Waterman pub for dinner. Read the papers and had a wonderfully unhealthy meal of Camenbert, chips and beard washed down with AOC Ventoux.

Glynis texted K for his birthday, which was nice and we missed a call from K’s parents.

Saturday 18th July

Surprise! Another late start. 11.30 am. Headed down the Hatton Flight alone but we were adopted by an Australian couple who helped us about 2/3 of the way down. Caught behind two boats who had no crew so it was slow.

Decided to carry on past Warwick and moored just short of the upward locks. BBQ again plus this blog.