Claydon to Priors Hardwick 5 locks, 9 miles

We moved from Claydon Bottom lock to Claydon Top Lock early Tuesday morning, as Rod was working for 3 days this week.  As we set off at 6:45 we completed the 5 locks by 8:00 which was pretty good going - I hope you are impressed Mr Lake.  A great spot with fantastic views over open fields.

The boat that moored behind us had a Border Terrier- Molly - who we established was a distant relative of George, they both have Dandyhow in them, the guy had a copy of her pedigree Rod was gutted as we haven't got George's with us, so he wasn't able to show them what a good pedigree really looks like!!

I have been honing my DIY skills, varnishing woodwork and painting scratches on the Hull - who'd have thought!

Friday we both went back to Swinford, to catch up with a few friends.  Rod got back on his road bike with Chris (thanks chris for a great morning) and I got my hair cut, and had a couple of coffees in Costa - it's a hard life :-)

We then set off this morning for Priors Hardwick, with a water stop at Fenny Compton.  There are no locks on this stretch, the canal twists and turns around the hills and gets very narrow in places, but is truly picturesque.  

Glad we didn't meet anyone coming down this stretch, known as Fenny Compton Tunnel.

We moored up at a lovely spot, just room for us.

I am  now in full training for the Great North Run (and in major panic mode, not helped by the email received yesterday telling me my event pack was in the post!!!), so I ran back to Claydon for the van 7.75 miles of nothing but ups and downs - what would I give for some nice flat runs.

The tow path has switched sides so whilst I was off to get the van Rod was able to paint the scratches on the other side.  

Off to Napton On The Hill tomorrow.