Sunshine cruising

After a 'day off' yesterday we now have a huge pile of washing to get dry and a bucketful of dandelion flowers soaking ready to make dandelion wine. The cats enjoyed a day of freedom and thankfully didn't bring any mice home.

We made a fairly late start this morning but when two boats that we suspect were on a stag weekend came past we decided that if they were up and on the move it must be getting late. The keg of beer on the back of each boat and the all male crew were a bit of a giveaway. We seem to have reached the cruising area for the hireboats from Oxfordshire Narrowboats, we have seen more of them than anything else.

We had some help at the first lift bridge of the day from a couple of walkers, very kind of them. Then, a little later, it was our time to be the good samaritans. The couple on the boat we followed through Somerton Deep Lock had engine problems just a bit further along the canal so we towed them to a suitable mooring spot. It isn't easy to tow with Merlin already in tow but we managed. The day was lovely for cruising, warm,mainly sunny and virtually windless. The canal follows the Cherwell valley fairly closely and tends to meander river-like through the Oxfordshire countryside.There is no shortage of mooring spots, the visitor moorings are well subscribed but if you just cruise five minutes or so further on you can moor in splendid isolation.

We have moored for the night in a lovely spot below Dashwood Lock, we have about twelve miles plus locks and lift bridges until we reach Oxford so only about five or six hours cruising over the next couple of days although the weather forecast has stolen my sunshine for Wednesday.

Today's journey 7.7 miles, 4 locks and 2 lift bridges

This year we have traveled 178.1 miles, 184 locks, 5 swing bridges, 3 lift bridge and 2 tunnels

In 2012 we traveled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we traveled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we traveled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have traveled 2256.7 miles, 1945 locks, 116 swing bridges, 64 lift bridges and 73 tunnels

Onward towards Oxford

I've had to do a recalculation of the 'story so far' mileages etc. as I noticed I reckoned we had only been through one tunnel this year and we have been through both Blisworth and Braunston which even with today's educational standards makes two. I discovered I had failed to include Braunston tunnel and also miscalculated the number of locks.

On Tuesday we moved from the 48hr moorings down through the lock to the 14 day moorings. A bit more cat friendly, the towpath runs alongside an industrial estate so not very pretty but at least it isn't next to a car park.

On Wednesday I went off to my RCTA and C&RT meeting in Milton Keynes, with the obligatory meet up in the pub before of course. Things went quite well, there was the inevitable 'you can't please all of the people all of the time' situation but overall it looks as if we are being listened to and that there is some progress.

Thursday was a trip into the center of Banbury to visit the market, not very big but a nice one, we might try and catch the Saturday market on our way back. We also did a bit of a supermarket stock-up at Morrisons as it is an easy walk from the canal.

Today we moved on from Banbury heading for Oxford, we are hoping to reach there on Tuesday evening as at the moment the weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday looks pleasant for sightseeing. There are lots of lift bridges on the South Oxford canal but thankfully most of them are fixed in an open position.

This part of the journey also includes the unusually shaped Aynho Weir Lock. It is a sort of diamond shape, designed so that it holds more water because it is not very deep and the next lock downstream is Somerton Deep Lock which at twelve feet deep is one of the deepest narrow locks and without the extra capacity built into Aynho Wier Lock it would be easy for the pound between the two to be drained. I realised when I looked at the photos on the computer that a shot from the bridge would probably show the shape better, maybe on the way back!

Aynho Weir Lock

Tomorrow is washing day and dandelion collecting for dandelion wine, then on Sunday we will head for somewhere near Lower Heyford, weather permitting.



Tuesday and today's journeys 6.3 miles, 5 locks and 1 lift bridge

This year we have travelled 170.4 miles, 180 locks, 5 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 2 tunnels

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2249 miles, 1941 locks, 116 swing bridges, 62 lift bridges and 73 tunnels

Banbury

I realised when I started typing this that I had carefully typed but not published my last two posts so there are three to read today!

As I need to be in Banbury on Wednesday for my lift to the Roving Canal Traders meeting with C&RT we decided to spend Sunday where we were. I didn't want to spend too many days moored in an urban environment.

We had some entertainment yesterday as a cow (generic term not sure if it was female or male) came running along the towpath past the boat. At the same time all the cows in the field opposite went galloping along the canal bank.I'm not sure if they were cheering it on in it's bid for freedom or telling it to get back where it belonged. About five minutes later we had the repeat performance in the opposite direction.  When we did move this morning it seemed as if everyone was on the move, at least six boats came past us before we pulled pins and headed for the lock and there were another three following us down.

It was only a short journey from Slat Mill to Banbury so the slightly slow journey, having to refill every lock,didn't matter. It was yet another wild and windy journey, I had hoped to moor by Spiceball Park but the visitor moorings there were fully occupied so we carried on,stopped for fuel at Sovereign Wharf and moored on the 48 hr moorings at Castle Quay. It is convenient for the shops but no good for the cats so we will probably move a little way tomorrow but still within walking distance of the town centre.

Today's journey 3.1 miles and 3 locks


This year we have travelled 163.9 miles, 173 locks, 5 swing bridges and 1 tunnel

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2242.5 miles, 1933 locks, 116 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 72 tunnels

Cropredy and beyond

We spent Thursday and Friday sitting out the worst of the winds,our weather station registered winds of 35 mph and we were sheltered a bit. Ray braved the wind and rain to walk to the village shop which is about a mile each way from the canal but I stayed on board.

We had planned to make an early start this morning based on the weather forecast for the day but Treat (the kitten) decided to go missing last night so we had resigned ourselves to another day at Fenny Compton. she reappeared at about 8.30 this morning so we then got on the move.

From Fenny Compton it is a little more than three miles to the top of Claydon locks where we begin our descent down towards the Thames at Oxford, although we aren't planning to go onto the Thames on this trip.
The three mile stretch take you through Fenny Compton tunnel but I didn't think Icoould count it as it was opened out into a cutting in 1870. There weren't many other boats on the move today so we had the canal pretty much to ourselves.

Our later than planned start meant that rain I was hoping to avoid caught us as we were working through the last couple of locks before Cropredy. We stopped in Cropredy for some groceries then carried on until we were in sight of Slat Mill Lock for the night.

Today's journey 7 miles and 9 locks

This year we have travelled 160.8 miles, 170 locks, 5 swing bridges and 1 tunnel

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2239.4 miles, 1930 locks, 116 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 72 tunnels

Fenny Compton

After having a really good day's cruise yesterday we only made a little progress today.Our journey was hampered by strong winds and the winding course of the canal gives little opportunity to get used to the direction the wind is hitting you from before you go round a bend and are being buffeted from a different direction. We managed to reach the moorings at Fenny Compton before we decided to call time on our journey.

It was an uneventful day, photography wasn't an option, I don't think I could have held the camera steady!
The next couple of days don't seem to have a lot to recommend them as far as the weather is concerned so we may stay here until Saturday. It is a pity that cowslips are a protected species, I could have picked enough to make some cowslip wine.

Today's journey 5.7 miles


This year we have travelled 153.8 miles, 161 locks, 5 swing bridges and 1 tunnel

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2232.4 miles, 1921 locks, 116 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 72 tunnels

New territory, the South Oxford

We have spent a few days at Braunston, enjoying the sunshine and meeting up with a few familiar faces. We were originally moored on the 48hr moorings but once we decided to stay over the bank holiday weekend we moved round the corner onto the 14 day moorings.

Braunston was, as expected, very busy at the weekend, everyone enjoying the sunshine.There were the inevitable speeders on the cut, but not as many as I might have expected. We really didn't feel like joining in the cavalcade of boats, we can cruise any time so there was no point in adding to the congestion.We got some painting done and I crocheted myself a sun hat.

We set off this morning after evicting a toad from our fender and headed for Wigram's Turn where the Grand Union turns westwards towards Warwick and the Oxford continues south towards Banbury and Oxford. The Oxford canal follows a meandering almost river-like course as it follows the contour round Napton-on-the-hill, crowned by its windmill. 

From Braunston we had a journey of about eight miles to reach Napton bottom lock where we dumped the rubbish we had accumulated during our stay at Braunston. With that job done we made our way up through the locks, a very easy journey today as there were plenty of boats heading down the flight so locks were set in our favour, mostly with the bottom gates left open for us by an oncoming boat.

We carried on beyond the moorings at the top lock at Marston Doles for just over a mile and moored near Priors Hardwick for  the night.

Today's journey 11.9 miles and 9 locks

This year we have travelled 148.1 miles, 161 locks, 5 swing bridges and 1 tunnel

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2226.7 miles, 1921 locks, 116 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 72 tunnels

Braunston Turn

Ok, I confess, I had a blonde moment yesterday, quite clever for a redhead! Braunston, as any boater knows, has six locks not seven like I said yesterday.

Anyway, I woke this morning to find that my bucket of herbs which I lovingly planted at Fenny Stratford had been totally trashed. No, it wasn't the local youths it was the local feathered vandals, they did leave me a present of a duck egg. I almost feel guilty that when that duck comes back to her 'nest' she will find it is no longer there.

We made our way through Braunston tunnel, meeting just one boat on the way, at the kink of course. Then it was down through the six locks to Braunston in glorious sunshine under cloudless blue skies. I felt quite envious of the customers at the Admiral Nelson enjoying a lunchtime beer beside the canal. I left Ray to work through the bottom lock solo while I went into The Boat Shop and bought us an ice cream each.

We moored by Braunston turn and phoned Brian to let him know where we were and he was with us in about twenty minutes to look at our fridge/freezer. It has now been regassed and seems to be working well. After that we wandered over to Midland Chandlers to get the part to fix the leak on our water pump. We found they had a similar pump on a special offer so we had the choice of £30 to repair our old pump or buy a new one for £60 with a 3 year warranty. we decided to opt for the new pump. so we now have a working fridge/freezer and a new water pump, fitted by Ray this afternoon. So all is well apart from our bank balance!

We have loads of time to waste now as I need to be in Banbury on the 15th which doesn't really give us enough time to go to Oxford and back, not the way we like to travel, so we will slowly make our way to Banbury, with lots of days off.

Today's journey 3.3 miles and 6 locks


This year we have travelled 136.2 miles, 152 locks, 5 swing bridges and 1 tunnel

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2214.8 miles, 1912 locks, 116 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 72 tunnels