Prison visit and sea shanties

Got up early and took Spot for a walk along the towpath. After only a few yards we came across a brand new gate set in the hedge of the towpath. It was not locked and had no notice to say private or footpath so we went through for a bit of an investigation. The gate lead to a newish wood with a number of well used footpaths heading in all directions. Finally we emerged into a car park full of cars in front of a massive building with a sign informing us we had just entered Her Majesty's Prison Rye Hill! Exit stage left followed by small spotty dog. Jan had a bit of an accident at Hilmorton Locks: the catch which holds the paddle open popped off and the windlass spun around on the shaft and hit her on the arm. Very painful and initially a bit of a mess but nothing broken. After a bit of first aid while we filled up with water we moved on to Newbold on Avon and a few pints and a meal in the Barley Mow. Only just managed to find a mooring at Newbold so we were quite close to the Newbold tunnel entrance. In the morning we could hear music in the tunnel, after a few minutes a boat emerged from the tunnel with a group of students stood on the bow playing instruments and singing sea shanties - what a fun way to start the day!

Music on the cut

 The cut will always surprise you when you least expect it. We cruised steadily through some superb open vistas and closed-in wooded glades and on to Hawksbury Junction (known on the cut as Sutton Stop, named after the first lock keeper). The Greyhound pub is one of our favourite watering holes, the beer is good and the food is really good, also dog-friendly. Last night I ate one of their famous pies: steak in red wine and Stilton sauce. It was to die for!