GUC : Braunston to Long Itchington

A week after the previous walk I headed back to Braunston to continue the push towards completing this canal walk at the eventual destination of Birmingham.

After seeing the bridge number drop down to 1 last time, now the bridge numbers are in a different sequence as this walk starts off on what is effectively part of the Oxford Canal.

Looking back towards Braunston wharf at the start

 

Looking ahead, a boot is turning around using the entrance to the marina

 

Bridge no 1 at Braunston. Braunston village is to the left and upwards.

 

After bridge 1 comes… bridge 91 – this stretch is considered as part of the Oxford canal

 

Busy boating day

 

Bridges 93 and 94 are joined at Braunston turn

 

Handy hint – the GUC heads to Birmingham so we need to turn left here

 

Looking south west along the next stretch from atop bridges 93 and 94

 

Bridge 95 – heading away from Braunston towards Leamington Spa

 

Looking north up the Oxford canal .. perhaps to be tackled in the future

 

Better view of bridges 93 and 94 after heading away and looking back

 

The tow path is reasonable here – relatively flat though the main path is quite narrow

 

Bridge 97 – most of the bridges in this section don’t have names, just numbers

 

Bridge 98

 

Bridge 99 – note the lack of actual footpath – just grass

 

Fields of wheat – this stretch of canal is in open countryside

 

Bridge 100 – not sure it will carry much weight on top

 

Bridge 101 is more substantial

 

Bridge 102 – Flecknoe can be reached via this bridge

 

Bridge 103

 

Bridge 104 carries a minor road

 

Looking back at bridge 105 which is a simple footbridge

 

Bridge 106 is long gone so the next one encountered is bridge 107 which carries the A425

 

Bridge 108 – Nimrod bridge

 

Looking ahead from after Nimrod bridge – a few meanders before the next main turn

 

Napton junction – the canal boat is heading straight ahead which follows the Oxford canal past Naptop, whereas the GUC now turns right under bridge 17 (yes, a new numbering scheme!)

 

Top of Calcutt locks – there are 3 locks here

 

Calcutt Marina

 

Panorama of Ventnor Marina

 

Bridge 18 – Tomlow bridge

 

Bridge 19 the Daventry Road bridge

 

Bridge 20 – Gibraltar bridge

 

Bridge 21 – the Birdingbury Wharf bridge

 

Stockton top lock

 

looking down the flight of 8 locks at Stockton

 

Bridge 22 in the middle of Stockton locks

 

Bridge 23 – Blue Lias Road bridge

 

Bridge 24 – New bridge

 

Last lock before Long Itchington

 

End of the walk at bridge 25 – Cuttle bridge

 

Overall walk 10.3 miles.