Winter 22/23. 3 month cruise

[Bristolfashion]

Another smashing winter cruise for December to February.

 

Napton to Stratford on Avon

2 weeks frozen in the ice.

All the way across, down the GU and up the Aylesbury Arm.

2 weeks frozen in the ice 

Back up the GU, down the Northampton Arm and a little pootle on the Nene.

Back up the Northampton Arm and back thru the Braunston Tunnel again to Stoke Bruene.

Braunston Tunnel again and up the Leicester line. 

Market Harborough Arm to, you guessed it, Market Harborough.

Then back to Lower Heyford and finish. 

 

The Aylesbury Arm was great - and gave us the Kings Head in Aylesbury and the Half Moon at Wilstone as well as a stroll to my old home town of Tring (top tip - Nonna's Pantry). It also gave us both Chiltern & Tring Brewery beers. The nearby Wendover Arm is cute and will be great when fully restored. Honourable mention to the Red Lion at Marsworth.

 

Northampton & the arm were a delight & the river visit added interest. Nice marina.

 

The south Stratford canal is a little gem and, if you're going to be stuck in ice, Stratford is a place to be (or not to be!)

 

Watford & Foxton flights - nuff said.

 

The Boat at Stoke Bruene delivered.

 

Market Harborough was another first & jolly enjoyable it was. Try the Inclined Plane ale from the local brewery.

 

Leighton Buzzard was another unexpected pleasure - and you can't go past the Black Lion (pork pie platter - mmmmmm). Check out Espresso Head if you're a coffee head.

 

Milton Keynes gave us an excellent second hand book shop, community cafe and an excellent tapas bar.

 

The Hatton locks were spectacular and a tiring day, but gave us the cafe at top on the way up and the Cape of Good Hope for a celebration on the way down.

 

Leamington spa gets posher the further away from the canal you go, but yielded a great canal side brunch and a fantastic cheese shop in town.

 

I have yet to tot up miles & locks, but will post 'em if I get round to it!

 

Back on the briny for the summer! Ardfern - Bristol, with any luck.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Bristolfashion said:

Another smashing winter cruise for December to February.

 

Napton to Stratford on Avon

2 weeks frozen in the ice.

All the way across, down the GU and up the Aylesbury Arm.

2 weeks frozen in the ice 

Back up the GU, down the Northampton Arm and a little pootle on the Nene.

Back up the Northampton Arm and back thru the Braunston Tunnel again to Stoke Bruene.

Braunston Tunnel again and up the Leicester line. 

Market Harborough Arm to, you guessed it, Market Harborough.

Then back to Lower Heyford and finish. 

 

The Aylesbury Arm was great - and gave us the Kings Head in Aylesbury and the Half Moon at Wilstone as well as a stroll to my old home town of Tring (top tip - Nonna's Pantry). It also gave us both Chiltern & Tring Brewery beers. The nearby Wendover Arm is cute and will be great when fully restored. Honourable mention to the Red Lion at Marsworth.

 

Northampton & the arm were a delight & the river visit added interest. Nice marina.

 

The south Stratford canal is a little gem and, if you're going to be stuck in ice, Stratford is a place to be (or not to be!)

 

Watford & Foxton flights - nuff said.

 

The Boat at Stoke Bruene delivered.

 

Market Harborough was another first & jolly enjoyable it was. Try the Inclined Plane ale from the local brewery.

 

Leighton Buzzard was another unexpected pleasure - and you can't go past the Black Lion (pork pie platter - mmmmmm). Check out Espresso Head if you're a coffee head.

 

Milton Keynes gave us an excellent second hand book shop, community cafe and an excellent tapas bar.

 

The Hatton locks were spectacular and a tiring day, but gave us the cafe at top on the way up and the Cape of Good Hope for a celebration on the way down.

 

Leamington spa gets posher the further away from the canal you go, but yielded a great canal side brunch and a fantastic cheese shop in town.

 

I have yet to tot up miles & locks, but will post 'em if I get round to it!

 

Back on the briny for the summer! Ardfern - Bristol, with any luck.

 

Nice trip report but was your camera broken? 😉

[adam1uk]

1 hour ago, Bristolfashion said:

 

Back up the GU, down the Northampton Arm and a little pootle on the Nene.

Back up the Northampton Arm and back thru the Braunston Tunnel again to Stoke Bruene.

Braunston Tunnel again and up the Leicester line. 

 

Blisworth. 

[Bristolfashion]

Just now, adam1uk said:

Blisworth. 

Ah yes, so many tunnels. We transited the Blisworth four times - Braunston twice.

20 minutes ago, M_JG said:

 

Nice trip report but was your camera broken? 😉

No!

 

Oh, I suppose there should be a boat in there somewhere......