Barby to Rugby on the North Oxford Canal

Monday, 26 January 2009 22:09

It makes one glad to be alive! What a wonderful day to be cruising! Everywhere was bathed in warm sunshine and without a breath of wind we really enjoyed our journey today.

The M45 is carried across the canal not far from Barby Hill and it is not as disruptive to the countryside as other motorways I could mention.

A section called Barby Straight ends as the canal approaches Hillmorton. The remains of Rugby aerial field came into view as we passed Hillmorton wharf with its pub and boathouse and then under two railway bridges. The railway is never far away as it runs into the railway town of Rugby.

But first we had the pleasure of Hillmorton locks. These locks are very attractive, paired and retaining some of the old paddle gear in good working condition. We remember an occasion when the wind was so strong these locks were difficult to negotiate! Today they were pussy cats!

Nb Nomad Dream was ahead of us and kindly set the left hand middle lock for us. The pound between the middle and bottom locks is a big right hand bend and through a bridge. I emerged to see a boat coming up and John waiting at the set lock next to it. BW Woolwich Motor historic boat Badsey is moored here, and the Cafe Bistro of the same name has a good reputation.

We moored below the locks for lunch and then set out for our destination - Rugby.

Passing Clifton Cruisers at Bridge 66 we think we just spotted a familiar cratch cover and a streak of pale blue! If so, Nb Petroc is safely moored for the winter!

Now Rugby was encroaching on both sides of the canal. I was and am a little excited as Rugby is part of my family history as are other nearby places in Warwickshire. We have dug out all the information we can about my Mother's side of the family. My Mother was born in Rugby and some of the places the Hitchcox family lived at are due to be a pilgrimage in the next few days!

We decided to give the visitor moorings a miss - in fact they were choc-a-bloc and a noisy pile driver was preparing land for new housing. We pootled on a bit further and found a mooring just before the aqueduct, above the retail parks. Handy for a Tesco shop tomorrow and also to walk into the town center via Black Lane too!

Maybe I will be able to put up some photos tomorrow as it is a bit late in the evening now and my bed is calling!

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