A slow run to Napton, Not

Well yesterday we did it, we managed to get lost on the canal. Let's be honest, navigation on the inland waterways is not rocket science, mostly you can go forwards or backwards. Sometimes things get complicated when you get to a junction, but normally you have a choice of left or right, and with a small amount of research the correct decision takes moments, and in any case, a guess will work 50% of the time.   So how come we ended up heading towards Rugby on the Oxford Canal when we should have been heading south on the grand Union Canal. This minor miscalculation was detected by Jan after about 20 mins steaming in the wrong direction. "What bridge number was that........ There isn't a bridge with that number! Oops!". The next winding hole was an hour in the wrong direction so we finally moored at the Folly Inn in Napton at just after 5pm, three hours later than expected.

During our journey south we had a call from James and Irene in their new motor home. They were heading south from Scotland and were looking for a meet-up.  We first met James and Irene about 15 years ago when they took over The Cross Keys pub in Castle Donington. They later ran a fantastic hotel, The Forest Inn on Dartmoor. So in a way they have been responsible for the general state of our livers and the instigators of some of our worst nights of over indulgence. They too have sold their business and are about to depart for the continent for unknown destinations and for unknown duration. We had a great night in the Folly Inn, the Hooky was excellent and the food top drawer (can't write a post without mention of food!). Had a cuppa and a chat with them this morning and said our fond farewells; however this was after Irene had managed not to throw up as "the boat moves" - god knows how she's going to cope with a ferry crossing over the Channel!! Hope you have a great time chaps, keep in touch!

Today we stay at Napton and are expecting Jan's sister Kate, her son Jake, and Steve and Shaun, mind you, Kate's navigational skills are worse than mine so we hope they at least head out in the right direction. We hope to have a nice picnic with the Pork and Caramelised Onion Pie and the Stilton, Chilli Jam and Pork pies from the butchers in Braunston. More of this later.....