With this lit we were able to cast off and head through Newbold Tunnel.
The day was a sunny one although we were quite glad to be heading the way we were as the sun was very low and it was apparent it got in the eyes of the boats coming the other way.
The northern section of the Oxford Canal was originally very winding but with the threat of a rival canal to Coventry, the canal company set about straitening the line north of Braunston. The old route can still be seen and where it crosses the improved line there is often an ornate iron bridge over the old route.
Passing Stretton Stop with its swingbridge, which was kindly opened for us, and the village of Ansty, we arrived at Sutton's Stop and Hawkesbury Junction. Here the Oxford Canal has its final lock, with a fall of just a few inches, and meets the Coventry Canal side-on. We had to wait above the lock for a boat to pass through the lock, wind and come back up.
The 2 canals originally ran parrallel to each other for another few miles before joining which is why the current junction is a little awkward. To head the way we wanted to and not into Coventry itself we would have to do what is in effect, a 180 degree turn.
Passing through the lock I managed to get around the turn in one go which I was very pleased with and we found ourselves on the Coventry Canal.
A little under an hour later we passed Marston Junction and the Ashby Canal. I was now on a bit of canal I had not done before.
We passed through Nuneaton and out the other side choosing to moor by the Anchor pub at Hartshill.
We didn't go to the pub that evening, choosing to stay onboard and eat the stew that had been cooking in the back stove all day.
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