Route – Rose Boats – Stoke Bruerne – Welford Arm – Rose Boats.
Like previous hirers we have had a fortnight of two halves. Either hot and sunny or cold enough to need the heating on in the evenings. We dodged most of the rain which was forecast, but not all. We’ve done about 107 miles and 72 locks. We’ve had a great fortnight. Places to visit are – Weedon Visitor Centre. This is a really interesting place and nearby units have vintage shops and a great café. Worth the walk.
In Welford, the Wharf Inn is a friendly pub with great food (huge portions) and in the High Street (no 42) is a private house that has a tearoom. We had a cream tea at a very reasonable price.
At Stoke Bruerne, the museum is a good place to visit, and the café has good cakes. The pub opposite (Boat Inn) is nice with good food.
We’ve also eaten at the Admiral Nelson in Braunston, the Crossroads at Weedon, the Red Lion in Crick and the New Inn at Norton Junction. All were good and very reasonable prices.
As for the boat, no problems. We were warned that the shower might be too hot (a problem from 2 years ago) but we didn’t have a problem.
The light above the microwave went off (needs a new bulb?) about 2 days from the end of the holiday.
The grill gave us a problem (not that we used it more than twice). It lit okay but went out after 3 or 4 minutes and then wouldn’t light again.
The bulb and the grill have been reported to the boatyard.
On our last night we ended up back at the boatyard – mooring on the approach to the boatyard is poor (or full) from about bridge 37 onwards.
All in all, a good holiday again.
F & G, S & T