Bartimaeus

We moved on from Knowle managing to avoid the showers again.  The plan was to return to the moorings at Lapworth where we had left the boat last month.  As we approached the road bridge nearby I heard the sound of a car horn.  I couldn't resist replying which elicited another toot.  We exchanged some more as the driver crossed the bridge - very slowly.  I don't think they worked out what was going on.

Just ahead on the canal I saw that the noise had attracted the attention of the residents of one of the permanently moored boats.  I shouted an apology, but it soon became clear that they had found the whole thing very amusing.

By the end of the day, I'd had an update from Canal and River Trust (CRT) to say that the canal was not yet open ahead of us.  However, a section had been reopened, so we were ten miles (and many locks) from the closure and it was likely to be fully open on Monday.

The following morning we set off through the junction.  There were a couple of CRT volunteer lock-keepers enjoying the sun on a bench.  I told them we were going to get water first before locking, and then went to chat to them while the tank was filling.  Perhaps it was their tea break, but by the time we were ready to go, they had vanished.

The locks here come pretty close together, nine over two miles, so it was back to one of us walking and locking while the other drove.  The countryside around was very pretty, though the noise of the M40 gradually increased as we approached it.  The canal has been rerouted slightly to go under the motorway at Bridge 39a, an ugly square concrete thing.  For some reason another bridge, 39b,  had been built over the tail of the nearby lock.  It doesn't quite fit the architectural style of this canal, but is a lot prettier than its neighbour.

A few locks further on we decided it was lunch time so we stopped on the last lock bollard to eat.  I walked on to see what mooring options there were nearby and found a line of rings in full sunshine opposite a pub garden, so we moved forward.  During the manoeuvre I recognised the boat moored in front of us - another Ortomarine boat, Felicity.  We introduced ourselves to Pauline who was picking blackberries on the towpath.

During the afternoon I had repeated sightings of a kingfisher zooming over the water in both directions.  Another reason to stay here a little longer.

As lunch time approached the next day, we wondered about Sunday lunch at the nearby pub.  We walked over, but were told that the only tables available were outside.  It was slightly chillier than of late, so I didn't fancy that and we went back to the boat for lunch.

The only problem with staying longer at this pleasant mooring was that the milk supplies were running low.  I checked the map and found a route that was mainly quiet lanes to Henley-in-Arden where there was a small supermarket.  Clare had things she wanted to do, so I went on the folding bike in the now pleasant afternoon sunshine.

Later in the afternoon, Pauline invited us for a coffee and a chat with her and Matt.  They were very pleasant company and we had a lot in common.  It was also interesting to see the differences in their boat, which is a very similar specification to ours, but newer with a number of small improvements.

As we were leaving I happened to mention my trip to Henley, and Matt enthused about the village, including the ice cream shop which I'd passed.  Clare had sounded jealous, so the next morning I suggested we get the tandem out and go there together.

We enjoyed exploring and had small enough lunches that by the time we were nearly ready to leave we had room for ice cream.  I'd found a different route back.  As we turned off the main road just outside the village, I was pleased to see a no-through-road sign.  Further on it said "not suitable for motors", but we were able to ride between the hedges.  This route back was slightly hillier, and we were both slightly dismayed at a false summit on one climb.  We made it to the top though and stopped to look over the Forest of Arden below.

This morning we decided it was time to move on - CRT had confirmed yesterday that the canal was fully open again.  What they hadn't told us was that there was a tree across the canal.  We got warning of it from a boat coming the other way - a good sign, since they had clearly got through.

It was easy enough to squeeze past despite the slalom effect of an overhanging tree on the off side.  The fallen limb was small enough that I might have been able to saw through if necessary.  I occasionally wonder about acquiring a saw that is more suitable for doing that.

There were other dangers that I don't remember having to consider before.  One of the lock platforms had the traditional protruding bricks for grip, but with elderberries adding slipperiness.

One moored boat we passed seemed to be well prepared for Christmas with two fir trees on their bow deck.

The locks are still close together here, so by lunch time we'd only done another two miles, but we found a pleasant mooring near Preston Bagot.  After lunch I realised that we were only a short distance from another lane that would take us in to Henley-in-Arden.

We'd both been disappointed that the Heritage Centre was closed on Mondays, so we got the tandem out again.  The Heritage Centre was well worth the visit, and included information on the history of the ice cream shop next door.  The shop was still open when the Centre closed, so we felt it was necessary to try another flavour before cycling back over the hill.