Stockton to Hatton

We left Stockton on Wednesday 20 May, descended through the Stockton flight of 10 locks, had a visit and overnight stay at Royal Leamington Spa, enjoyed two nights in Warwick, including a visit to the Castle and the following morning, on Friday 22 May, we tackled the 21 Hatton flight of locks, above which we moored overnight.

Descending the Stockton flight we got very wet!
Here Elaine carefully manoeuvres the boat between the locks
side by side with a work boat

This is the Bascote Staircase Lock, which has three sets of gates 

After drying out, we stopped...

.... for refreshments!

We moored up overnight below Fosse Locks

On Tuesday 19 May we cruised to Royal Leamington Spa, where we stayed overnight.

The park had lots of wood carvings from old tree trunks

On Wednesday 20 May we arrived at Satisford Canal Centre in Warwick, where we moored for two nights

The moorings are run by the Saltisford Canal Trust and the people there were very accommodating

We get together....

....to walk into Warwick...

....where we had a pre-dinner drink....

...to celebrate Chris's Birthday!

We then went to the Globe....

... where we enjoyed a fabulous meal

Afterwards we continued the celebration aboard Scotch Corner

Sandra brings in the birthday cake!

We enjoyed a day at Warwick Castle

Before and after the hard work!

There were lots of super birds to see

Just what I need!!

We left our mooring in Warwick on Friday 22 May

We then ascended the Hatton flight consisting of 21 locks. They rise 146 feet along a 2 mile stretch. The present wide locks, constructed of concrete, a new material in canal building at the time, was officially opened by Prince George, Duke of Kent in 1934. They replaced the narrow ones, the remains of which are still visible alongside some of the locks

Two out and two in!!

And after all those locks....

... a well deserved drink!

Yes, Chris tried both!!!

Gayton Junction to Stockton

We left Gayton Junction on Friday 15 May and arrived at  Stockton ,Warwickshire, on Tuesday 19 May.

We moored overnight at Norton Junction, the junction with the Leicester Line of the Grand Union
and enjoy a drink at the New Inn

We passed through Braunston Tunnel, which opened in 1793 and is just over a mile long.

We moored overnight at Braunston

We were invited to join Jen and Alan aboard Purple Parott
where Jen cooked us a super meal 

Yes, we do not only drink alcohol!

We turned onto the Oxford Canal at Braunston turn

We get together to say farewell to Jen & Alan

Jen and Alan are leaving their boat in a nearby marina and will be returning in a few weeks time for the return trip, via the South Oxford Canal and River Thames to their mooring on the River Stort.

In the meantime.....

....Mr Toad, Slow Pace & Scotch Corner turn onto another section of the Grand Union Canal at Napton Junction

We moored up overnight above the fight of 10 locks at Stockton,
where we enjoyed a meal and drink at the Boat Inn