Napton on the Hill

Weekly update. Following our short stay at Yelvertoft Marina to attend the Crick Boat Show, on Sunday 5/6 we departed in fine weather heading for Norton Junction. We waved to the crew of nb Adagio who were also due to be leaving, and turned left at the exit heading towards Crick. As we approached Crick Marina we saw most of the boats that had been moored on the, pay for towpath moorings, were now gone. Then it was on into Crick Tunnel for an unopposed transit. It was also unusually dry ish. We were soon at the top of the Watford Lock flight. There was a boat waiting, but soon after checking in with the lockeeper we were on our way down the staircase. Half way down, we again saw the crew of nb Adagio checking in. Later we found out they had a three hour wait, boy are we glad we got up slightly earlier than they did. Rounding the final bend towards Norton Junction and the Grand Union Canal it is always a lottery if the mooring spot will be empty or full. We were lucky. We had also arrived at lunchtime, so a quick call to the New Inn just round the corner secured a Sunday roast reservation.

Monday 6/6, we were away early aiming for the area of Flecknoe on the South Oxford Canal. The weather was glorious as we turned right at the junction heading for Braunston.

       

                                                 Heading towards Braunston Tunnel.

       

                                               Viewing back towards Norton Junction.

The previous day this stretch of canal had been really busy, we were expecting the same again. We were wrong. We had no boats with us in Braunston tunnel, and also none to share the six wide locks we now had to descend. The cottage by the top lock is for sale if you have a spare half a million, it's not one of the best we have seen, but does include 3 acres of land. Onwards down the flight we began to meet oncoming traffic, which meant the locks were in our favour as we arrived at them. Once through the bottom lock it was onto the junction where we turned left onto the Oxford Canal. About a mile and a half later we arrived at our intended spot taking a position just prior to bridge 100. The main mooring area beyond the bridge was very busy, but stopping where we did gave us the illusion of being on our own.

       

       

                                                 Bridge 100 mooring spot on the Oxford Canal.

Our plan was to stay here a few days until our appointment at Calcutt Boats on Thursday. On Tuesday 7/6 we walked back into Braunston for lunch at the Boathouse, and on the way back we managed with a great deal of resolve, to avoid visiting the chandlers. Wednesday 8/6 we set to work with one of our Crick show purchases, 'Brass Mate'. For the past year the brass on our boat has had a lovely bronze look to it. Both our neighbours at Yelvertoft polish theirs, so now we too can join in the fun and games. We completed one side, and it is now so shiney you need sunglasses just to look at it. Thursday 9/6 we wanted to be at Calcutt for when they opened, so at a very early 7am we were underway. An hour later we turned right at Wigrams Turn, rejoining the Grand Union Canal, and then travelled the short distance to Calcutt locks. Descending one lock we then reversed onto the wharf and checked in at the office. Our hurricane diesel heater was still not functioning correctly in that the exhaust was at times giving off very strong fumes. The engineer dismantled the inner workings paying particular attention to the compressor, as the unit had been running at low pressure thereby causing an incomplete burn of the diesel. He soon found the problem, a small hairline crack in the unit that has probably been present since new. For this reason Calcutts did not charge me for a replacement despite being outside the warranty period, which I thought was decent. By noon we were on our way again heading for Napton on the Hill and a favourite mooring spot by bridge 116. We had six locks of the Napton flight to ascend but the flight is manned by lock volunteers, so sometimes you get some assistance, usually only at the bottom of the flight. Our chosen spot was free so we moored up planning to stay over the weekend. 

       

                                             Mooring on the Napton flight by bridge 116.

During Friday and Saturday we visited the pub and the village shop to support both. Today, Sunday 12/6 we had booked in for lunch at the Folly Inn. Mid morning we received a phone call from the pub cancelling the booking due to a power cut that had affected the whole village. To say we were devastated at the prospect of missing out on a roast dinner was an understatement. Luckily, 10 minutes later lunch was back on as the power had been restored. The pub however in that short time had lost quite a few bookings. The food as usual was excellent. Our plan is to head back slowly towards Norton Junction aiming to be there by next weekend.

Totals  Sunday 5/6.     7 Miles 7 Locks 1 Tunnel

           Monday 6/6.    6 Miles 6 Locks 1 Tunnel

           Thursday 9/6.  8 Miles 8 Locks 

Running totals 141 Miles 91 Locks 7 Tunnels

Flecknoe

Our visit to Calcutt Boats is over and once again we are back on the cut. First thing Monday morning we moved our boat into the covered dock, and transferred a few things onto the hire boat that would be our home for the duration of the works. The accommodation was basic and not at all comfortable, the next few days would be an endurance. Later in the day the engineer notified us that he had made good progress, and that he would be finished the next day. This was music to our ears. Not only would the eye watering quote for the works not be so eye watering, but our stay on board 'Wild Hemlock 1' would be very much reduced. The following day, Tuesday, with a few hours to kill we took a walk around the reservoirs and headed off towards the Bridge Inn at Napton for lunch. The pub was closed due to a funeral so we continued on along the towpath to one of our favourite pubs, 'The Folly' at the base of Napton locks. After lunch we wandered back to Calcutt Marina. It was quite warm by now so the three of us needed an ice lolly to cool down whilst we waited for the engineer.

       

                                                         Oscar enjoying a twister.

The boat was ready. By now it was late afternoon, so rather than set off we arranged a berth for the night. This would allow for a lengthy test of our relocated diesel heater before we travelled too far. It performed well. During the relocation the engineer has secured it to the boat using a combination of wooden boards and rubber feet. Previously, it had been secured directly to the steel of the boat. It now operates much quieter than before. This morning after breakfast we set off, departing the marina and headed up the flight of locks. The weather was fairly blustery, and there was a fair chance we would catch a shower before we reached our destination. Just as we were arriving at our mooring spot, the hail storm started. The wind picked up driving the hail sideways, and mixed in with the hail just for good measure was some icy rain. No sooner had we finished securing the boat the blue sky and sunshine made an appearance. We plan on staying here till Friday or Saturday depending on the weather.

       

                   Hurricane diesel heater. Positioned at a 45 degree angle to allow service access.

       

   

       

                                          The inner workings which are now accessible.

Totals 4 Miles 3 Locks 

Running total 21 Miles 19 Locks 2 Tunnels

Flecknoe

This morning the alarm had been set for a very early 8 am. The sky was cloudy, and the forecast warm weather had yet to arrive. After breakfast, we moved off towards the junction and turned right onto the main Grand Union Canal. We passed a few moored boats whose occupants were still stirring as we headed towards the 2042 yard Braunston Tunnel. On the approach we could see a boat ahead of us entering the tunnel, and hoped these would be our partners down the six wide locks in Braunston. We negotiated the famous, or infamous kink in the tunnel without incident, and continued on without meeting any oncoming traffic. On arrival at the locks we teamed up with the crew of nb Lilly May for the descent of the lock flight. The owners had only bought the boat a couple days ago, and were on their way to the chandlers of some supplies. I was able to give them some good news that today, was freaky friday at the swindlers, and therefore everything was on 20% discount. We carried on to the junction and turned left onto the Oxford Canal. The wind by now was starting to pick up, but our intended mooring spot near bridge 100 was just over a mile away. Now, for the first time since November the boat is moored to the starboard side. If the warm weather forecast for tomorrow is correct, I will give it a wash. The plan is to stay put till Sunday, then we will travel the final leg to Calcutt Boats for our Monday appointment.

     

                                                 Bridge 100 on the south Oxford Canal.

Totals 6 Miles 6 Locks 1 Tunnel

Running total 13 Miles 13 Locks 2 Tunnels

Flecknoe update

Decided against moving today as we are in a nice spot. Following breakfast we walked into Braunston a couple of miles away. After lunch at The Boathouse P.H. our route back took us passed Midland Swindlers also known as the chandlers. We popped in for a look around, you can imagine my surprise that having spent twenty minutes inside we left without spending any money. That's a first. Later back at the boat we picked some blackberries for jam making. As it was our first attempt we only used a pound of fruit. An hour later after sealing said jam in a Kilner jar it hardly seemed worth the effort.

       

We now have the grand total of three quarters of a jar of jam. Tomorrow we will be aiming for Norton Junction after a brief stop in Braunston to collect some fenders we have ordered at Tradlines.

Flecknoe

Well yesterday as planned we had a Sunday roast at 'The Folly', Napton on the Hill. We were not disappointed, large portions of excellent food, and a great setting by the inglenook fire. This morning we got up twice. The first occasion was at the ungodly hour of 0315, to witness the celestial extravaganza that had been much reported.

       

Not so much a blood red, more a rusty brown super moon, but with crystal clear skies we had a good view, with the remainder of the sky filled with stars. Then back to bed, to await our second alarm at a more agreeable 0800 hrs. It was a glorious morning, with the sun shining through the mist hanging over the water. We prepared the boat for departure and just as we were untying, a hire boat passed by to be ahead. The six locks would now be against us. Fortunately, one of the hire crew was on the ball, and as they exited each lock he turned it in our favour before jogging off to rejoin his boat. Our descent was therefore fairly easy. At the bottom lock we filled with water, before setting off again for a leisurely, estimated 3 hour cruise through the Warwickshire countryside. On arrival at Flecknoe we found our spot free, half way between bridges 101 and 100. This is a quiet rural spot so we will stay put till Wednesday when will aim for either Braunston, or maybe even Norton Junction. We really are only a hop skip and a jump away, from our winter waters on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal.

Totals 6 Miles 6 Locks

Running total 604 Miles 294 Locks 19 Tunnels

Napton on the Hill

Since our last post a week has passed, and it feels as if we have been quite busy. On Friday 28/8 we set off for the canal junction in Braunston. We turned right beneath the ironwork bridges remaining on the Oxford Canal.

       

The stretch of the canal between Braunston Junction and Wigrams Turn is shared by the Grand Union Canal and the Oxford Canal. This stretch of water is new to our boat, but we have passed this way before. A few years ago, we hired a Willow Wren boat for a week during the winter, before making the decision to live onboard full time. On this trip we were accompanied by our chestnut coloured labradoodle Dylan, who is sadly no longer with us.

       

                                                           Dylan keeping an eye on things.

We carried on to Wigrams Turn where the Grand Union Canal separates from the Oxford and heads off towards Birmingham. We popped into the marina for services before rejoining the canal heading towards Napton on the Hill. At the second winding hole just prior to the start of the locks, we winded and retraced our route back to Bridge 110, before mooring up. We were then within striking distance of Calcutt Boats for our Tuesday appointment. On Sunday we had a roast dinner at the Bridge Inn. This was closed when we came here in the hire boat so it was good to see that it has reopened and it will definitely get a return visit as the roast was excellent.

Monday 31/8 another year passes. I was 52. My present, although I am yet to receive it is a hand operated brass klaxon. I was also treated to a homemade chocolate birthday cake. We did not have any candles so a long stove lighting match had to suffice.

       

Tuesday 1/9 we set off the short distance to Calcutt Boats. This required turning onto the Grand Union Canal at Wigrams Turn. We had agreed to moor just above the locks whilst they conducted their inspection of our diesel heater. We want it repositioned in the engine room to make servicing easier. The engineer had a look and then it was into the office for the quote. Despite it only being a bit of plumbing work the job was estimated at up to 3 days and the fee was eye watering. The biggest problem however was that the boat would need to go into the workshop, and therefore we could not remain onboard whilst the work is carried out. This means the job will not happen this year. The heater requires a service every 1000 hours of use. In a year we have used it for 115 hours, so I may just leave it for the eight years until its first service is due!!! Departing Calcutt we returned to Wigrams Turn and set off back towards Braunston. 

       

                                                                   Wigrams Turn.

       

                                                     Oxford to the right, London to the left.

We moored in a nice rural spot near the village of Flecknoe with good views across the countryside. On Wednesday we stayed put, going for a circular walk during the day around Flecknoe. We were logged by the CRT in the morning, not sure where we were last logged but possibly not since Fradley. On Thursday 3/9 our day involved shopping. We took the boat into Braunston about a mile and a half, and winded by the marina. The smells coming from the cafe boat, the 'gongoozerlers rest' were as appetising as ever. We moored up close to the pub and next to another boat named 'Milly M'. This is Maffi's boat, and it was good to finally meet him having read his blog for a couple of years. Once secured, we went in search of some wrap round fenders at Tradlines in the marina. After much measuring to ensure a good fit, these have now been ordered and will be ready on our way back in a couple of weeks. We had lunch in the pub, then popped up into Braunston village for some supplies in the grocery. We also nipped into the butchers. Back at the boat we set off again, intending to return to the area of Flecknoe. Both the two legged, and the four legged crew decided to walk whilst I navigated the boat back to our spot.

Having allowed some time for the work at Calcutts to be done, now that it is not being, we find ourselves a couple of weeks ahead of where we need to be. So, we have reviewed our travels, and have decided to go and explore Cropredy on the Oxford Canal, and a few other villages on the way. So today we set off after breakfast, for Napton on the Hill. As we got close to the locks we passed by the windmill sitting on top of the hill.

       

We decided to fill with water at the base of the locks, and whilst doing so we were joined by nb Brindley, another Hudson boat we have not met before. We had a good old chat whilst waiting and even had time to visit 'Arkwright's Stores'. All though we did not need anything we made a few purchases as we like to support these valuables canal side stores.

       

We climbed four of the locks in the flight, before calling it a day. Now in a good spot with great views and close to 'The Folly' for refreshments. We will stay put till Monday and as usual Sunday lunch is already booked.

       

                                                                        The Folly

       

       

                                                Our mooring spot between locks 11 and 12.

Friday 28/8 totals 8 Miles

Tuesday 1/9 totals 6 Miles

Thursday 3/9 totals 3 Miles

Friday 4/9 totals 5 Miles 4 Locks

Running totals 548 Miles 253 Locks 19 Tunnels