Napton on the Hill

The crew returned from their weekend away, and on Tuesday 22/09 we set off for Banbury. We would not have done so, if the Met Office had correctly predicted the weather. We dropped down a couple of locks towards Cropredy and popped into the marina for services and diesel. This Marina is owned by the same company as Crick Marina, where the annual boat show is held. Whilst waiting we discussed berthing arrangements for the Cropredy Festival. They are currently taking bookings for 2017 as it is a very popular event. No sooner had we departed the marina the rain started. The forecast had been for a 20% chance of a shower. What we got was a downpour virtually all day. On the outskirts of Banbury we winded at Grimsbury Wharf, then moored up adjacent to the large retail park. A short walk later and we were in the Tesco superstore. We had moored the boat using pins, but in the short time we were away these had loosened due the ground being sodden. We opted for a quick, late lunch then set off again with the intention of reaching the village of Williamscot. By the time we had secured the boat it was nearly 7pm. A very late finish for us.

The following day Wednesday 23/09 was much better. It was warm and dry, so we travelled with most of the doors and windows open to air the boat. Our destination was Wormleighton, a spot we stopped at on the way. We ascended the locks through Cropredy, and then the flight at Claydon. We were now back on the summit section of the Oxford Canal. Passing through Fenny Compton there were a few mooring spaces and we did not encounter much boat traffic. The canals are starting quieten down now the main season is over. Arriving at Wormleighton we found our spot. Looking over the fields we could see the windmill on the top of the hill at Napton, three miles away as the crow flies. Five hours by boat though. We then saw a strange sight, a family of swans swimming in a line with the adult birds front and rear and the cygnets between. One of the cygnets looked smaller than the others and as they got closer it was clear why. It was a goose that appears to have been adopted.

       

       

Having had an arduous day on Tuesday we decided a day of rest was in order, and as this was a nice spot we stayed put on Thursday 24/09.

Whilst here we were again logged by CRT, they seem quite regular on this stretch of canal.

Friday 25/09 was another fine day, setting off just after 8am. Our destination was a pound in the Napton flight by bridge 116. It was another quite day meeting only two boats during the journey. We stopped for water at Marston Doles, then descended three locks to our chosen location. It was warm, sunny, and with good views across the countryside it was the perfect spot. We also had what appeared to be water buffalo as neighbours.

       

       

After securing the boat we walked down the flight to 'The Folly'. This was to book our Sunday roast but as it was lunchtime we took advantage of their hospitality.

Today we had a walk into the village for supplies at the little shop, then it was back to the boat to wait for the England/Wales rugby to begin. We will stay here till Monday when we will set off for Flecknoe.

Tuesday 22/09 totals 7 Miles 9 Locks

Wednesday 23/09 totals 9 Miles 9 Locks

Friday 25/09 totals 5 Miles 3 Locks

Running total 598 Miles 288 Locks 19 Tunnels

Wormleighton update

Not too much to report today. We were facing the wrong direction for Cropredy following our trip to the services, so it meant setting off in search of the next winding hole of 60 feet or more. This morning we finally got the warm sunny weather the Met Office has been forecasting, so a pleasant day's cruise along the summit of the Oxford Canal was on the cards. The nearest winding hole was at Marston Doles some five miles away. Unfortunately, it was for boats upto fifty foot. We therefore had to descend two locks of the Napton flight, and wind in the Old Engine House Arm. This short arm of canal is now used as private moorings. Having winded, it was then back through the two locks and up onto the summit level. It appeared as if the sun was shining on us metaphorically speaking as well. Having ascended Marston Doles Lock, we saw a queue of five or six boats had arrived and were waiting to go down. As we cruised over the next half a mile, another five boats passed us heading towards the lock. I imagine a two to three hour wait was likely for the last boat. We also got logged twice by the Canal and River Trust. Once just above the locks, and again by a different data checker below. The sun has obviously brought all of them out of hiding as well. We arrived back at the spot we had departed five hours previously, and moored up. We are now facing the right way again.

After lunch a few maintenance chores were completed. The heating system had an air lock, so this was bled to remove that problem. The batteries needed a top up with water and an equalisation charge, and the stern greaser needed filling. We will have a rest day tomorrow, then probably stay put over the weekend due to bad weather forecast. We will aim to be in Cropredy by Thursday as the crew is abandoning ship again to visit family.

Totals 10 Miles 4 Locks

Running total 570 Miles 261 Locks 19 Tunnels

Wormleighton

Our cruise today was simply to get services at the nearest wharf, which happened to be in the village of Fenny Compton. This was about six miles away by the wiggliest section of canal we have yet travelled. As the crow flies it's a distance of about three miles. However we did not want to get to far ahead of ourselves, so this morning we set off with the intention of winding (turning) and heading back towards Priors Harwick once we had used the services. On the outskirts of Fenny Compton we stopped for water at a particularly busy bottleneck, which consisted of a water point, winding hole, public house, bridge, coal boat and visitor moorings, all within 50 yards of canal. Needless to say we observed some interesting boating manoeuvres whilst we waited. Then it was on to Fenny Compton wharf. We winded in the marina entrance which was quite tight, cheating a bit with generous use of the bow thruster. After our pump out we were off again on a return journey. We had seen a spot near the village of Wormleighton on the way, and this was where we were aiming for. We arrived just after lunchtime and secured the boat.

       

As can be seen in the photo the towpath is wide and grassy and the four legged crew member decided to sit outside for a while.

       

When we arrived at this spot we had it to ourselves. But we have found on our travels that as soon as one boat moors it seems to attract others so we were not alone for long.

       

The view from our side hatch across the Warwickshire countryside. This summit section of the Oxford Canal is very rural, quite and unspoiled, currently. The dreaded HS2 high speed railway is due to carve up this tranquil haven sometime in the future.

We will only stay one night here then continue our journey. The nearest winding hole is back at the Napton locks so we have to go all the way there first, before heading back this way to continue on towards Cropredy and possibly Banbury.

Totals 8 Miles

Running total 560 Miles 257 Locks 19 Tunnels