Banbury to Leamington Spa

After being grounded below the lock we were relieved to find the water levels remained stable on our new moorings at Banbury. 

The canal from one of the pedestrian bridges, the shopping centre is on the right and the white bars crossing the canal are on the lift bridge 

Sarah arrived by train on Monday and during the afternoon we had a wander around the small town.  Next to Banbury Cross stands a statue of the Fine Lady on a White Horse. 

The bronze statue of the fine lady on her horse

The next day we travelled a short distance to Slat Mill Lock, the first of many rural locations.  That evening some cows  looked as if they were going to come across the canal from the opposite bank but luckily they changed their minds and left us to watch the sunset. 

The sunset lit up the sky through hazy cloud

On Thursday we moored up at Fenny Compton, a typical village in this region with it's older buildings constructed in a local brownstone.

The church of St Peter and St Clare at Fenny Compton

The Methodist Church was not so obvious, hidden behind some houses which left it only a narrow entrance.

The narrow entrance to the Methodist Church

The sun came out for us on Friday and we pulled up on an embankment giving us a good view across open countryside which seemed perfect for sketching.  Kev set up the telescope so we could scan the distant hills.    We stopped another day but the weather turned and a thunderstorm passed directly over us.  Bess and Brinnie were a little nervous; it's the first time they've encountered a storm at close quarters.  

On Sunday morning the dry weather returned and we sailed on towards Napton.  On the way we were pleased to see some hares crouching in their seats on an open field.  We stopped at the top of the Napton Locks and Sarah and I had a walk into the village, passing a herd of water buffalo on the way.   The village shop sold water buffalo ice cream so of course we had to try it.

Water buffalo in the field next to the canal

On Bank Holiday Monday the locks were busy and we were queuing to descend to the bottom and a mooring near the Folly Inn where we enjoyed a meal.  

Kev's photo of the Folly Inn

Kev was up early with his camera on Tuesday morning and took some good photos in the mist. 

Kev's photo looking down the locks in the morning mist

We then sailed around Napton's hill and onto the Grand Union Canal stopping near the top of the Stockton Locks.  This years sloe crop hasn't been very good but Sarah and I picked enough for our sloe gin.  That evening the sky was clear revealing the milky way and a lot of stars.  With the aid of Skymap on the tablet we were able to pick out some constellations.  

On Wednesday we had an early start to descend the 8 Stockton Locks and, with Sarah in front setting the locks, we made short work of them.  We carried on through the 4 Bascote Locks and pulled over at Welsh Road Lock where the former lock house made a good subject for a sketch.  

On Thursday we descended the remaining locks and sailed into Leamington Spa. Unfortunately the town centre moorings looked a bit dubious so we carried on a little way out and  moored near Morrisons, very useful for a big shop. 

Leamington Spa is famed for it's spring water which flowed from an uninspiring stainless steel tap outside the Pump Rooms.  Inside there was a small but interesting museum, part of which had housed the Turkish Baths and some treatment rooms with various contraptions to cure the sick.  

Attractive tiles in the Pump Room

Sarah and I picked up a historical trail leaflet which took us into Jephson Gardens which  had a glasshouse and some art galleries in a lodge gate.   The trail continued passed the many regency style houses in the town.  

Whilst in town we also called at the railway station for Sarah's ticket home as this was her last night with us.  


Our journey from Banbury to Leamington Spa