What a shower

A nice bright start to the day and a bit of warm weather for a change. A treat of eggs and bacon for breakfast whilst listening to Lectio 365, our daily 10 minutes of prayer and reflection. 

After that, just time for a shower before setting off. 

Noises off from the captain that the water had stopped coming through. Seems that the water was too hot and the thermostatic tap had shut off the hot feed. But it wasn't letting any cold water through to cool it down. OK, let's empty the water out of the shower tray and find out what's going on! Except that the pump wouldn't work! Ggrrr, what next? Forget it all, let's just set off! 

Past quite a few fields of rape around here. 

Looks like there has also been some pleaching going on here. Live hedges cut through and made into a living border to the field. 

The clouds have been amazing today.

Moored near Elkington and went for a walk while the sun was still shining.

Crossed the canal for a walk around Fieldside Covert. 

A small woodland area with many old and new trees. 

And a view back to the canal where you can just about see Polgara. 

The green boat to the right of the picture. 

Following that, back to the boat for a Sunday Roast. 

And the shower? Back to the professionals to sort that out! 

Good News 2026

 Yes, the good news is that we are back on the boat and under way. 

Last year was a complete disaster as far as boating was concerned. Low water levels meant that both Foxton and Watford locks were closed and we found ourselves stuck in the middle with nowhere much to go. 

To cheer ourselves up we went instead on the River Douro in Portugal where there was too much water and we couldn't get under all the bridges! 

In October we had another cruise, this time on the Danube. Because the Portugal trip was spoiled by the high water levels we were offered a very good discount for the second trip. Both boats were somewhat larger than Polgara, the bar was definitely more generous and the food, well, their chefs were far better than ours. 

Now onto this year! 

We had planned to take 6 months off with an extra long trip up to Llangollen - what should happen but the canal breach near Whitchurch. Well, we're still taking 6 months away from local commitments but the time has taken on a different look from that originally planned. As soon as we mooted the idea of time away, what should happen but events started cropping up that we didn't want to miss. So, we are now looking at blocks of canal time interspersed with social and family events. 

We have been on Polgara for a few days now, tidying up after a very damp winter. Window surrounds have been sanded and treated with Danish Oil, dripping connection under the sink has been investigated, leaking window has been bodged, we've stocked up on coal and food and, at last, we are out on the cut. 

We haven't come far, only about 1½ miles from the marina. But we are under way. 

And doesn't it look good! 

Monday - a day in Crick

We had a good sleep in today and decided that we would have breakfast, leave the washing up and set off while it wasn't raining. 

Good job we did because just before Crick tunnel the rain started. Into the tunnel and it was drier in there than outside. It's usually the other way around. 

We moored just before the bridge in Crick, by which time it was a steady downpour. So what did we do to cheer ourselves up? We set off to visit Pickle & Pie. 

Still smiling and well prepared for the wet weather. 

And here we are. 

And for our foodie fans, look what we had. 

Needless to say that it was yummie. 

After that, back to the boat, batten the … you know the drill by now, and an afternoon catching up with accounts and other stuff that always gets put off until later. (Including the washing up!)

Rain very heavy and constant. More than a month's worth in two days. Glad it wasn't like this during the rest of the holiday. 

Sunday - 13 locks, another day of rest

We had thought of going to church in the cathedral of the canals (Braunston church) but there was no service scheduled this week. So we got all togged up ready to tackle the locks.

The sky is overcast but it's not raining yet. 

I do have one confession to make. I said that last night we battened down the hatches but what I forgot to do was take the chimney down and put the cap on the flue. Consequently, when I started the engine, black sooty rain water came flying out everywhere. Anyone remember the Black & White Minstrel Show? Well, it was almost a rerun of that but, luckily, I managed to avoid most of the spray back. 

We were lucky to team up with another boat in the second lock having come through the first on our own and in no time at all we reached the top. Partly this was due to many hire boats coming down the flight with crews willing to close gates, etc.

The house at the top lock has been done up recently and looks very smart. 

Through the tunnel, which I still don't like, and then on to Watford flight.

Usually it's a case of 3 boats up and 3 boats down but, today, there were 5 boats at the bottom and none at the top. The lock keeper told us all to 'Go for it.' 

Near the top the, just as I swopped with the captain so that she would steer the boat and I would work the paddles and gates, the lock keeper appeared and said that he would give me a hand. Guess who was not amused! He said that they had had a fun afternoon because water was being let down from up top because of all the rain that they'd had. Good for the system but with a flight of 5 locks he had to manage the flow so that pounds and gates did not overflow. Glad he knew what he was doing. 

After that we stopped just around the corner (away from the noise of the M1), battened down the hatched again, including taking down the chimney, etc., and enjoyed a good old Sunday roast chicken. 

Saturday 21st - The end of summer

We seem to be living by the weather forecast this holiday and today there is heavy rain coming across sometime this afternoon. There are Met. Office warnings of disruptions. 

So, first thing, while it's fine, a walk into Napton to top up on supplies. I felt bad in the shop because we bought some veg., a chicken and 4  pints of milk and I managed to drop the milk. The bottle just split in half and there was milk everywhere. The staff were very good about it all and, even though I offered to pay for the loss, insisted that it wasn't necessary. 

The view from Napton Bridge, a typical canal scene - and a bit of sunshine. Make the most of it folks! 

The view of Napton-on-the-Hill from our overnight mooring. And look, a clear sky. 

And yet another typical canal scene, looking back at the bottom lock at Napton. If you know Napton, the bridge leads to The Folly Pub on the right. 

The hire boat fleet is in for the moment being cleaned and readied for their next captains and crew. A bit of cloud in the sky but still OK. No rain yet. 

Some remedial work being undertaken by C&RT. People are very critical about how the trust money is spent and how little is being done to the canals but, I have to say, we have seen a lot of activity around the network. In some places the trees are hanging over the canal and you can't see round the bend. However, those trees probably grew like that in the last 2 months. C&RT can't go round trimming the bushes all at the same time, they are doing their best. 

Once the crops have been harvested you can really see the shape of the rolling countryside. 

We pushed on making the most of the pleasant weather and stopped at Braunston in the first mooring space we could find. There's nothing worse than saying 'Let's see if there's room round the corner' and finding there isn't! 

It was so nice that we went to the The Boat House for lunch and sat outside. 

That is until...  

The heavens opened and we had to retreat inside. Mind you, we had finished our scampi but tea and coffee in the warm seemed a better choice than being drowned on dry land. 

And, on the way back to the boat, when the rain had eased a little, a rare sight, a black swan. 

After that, batten down the hatches and snuggle up 'til the rain passes over. 

Friday 20th - Push on to Napton

Once again, not a brilliant forecast so we decided to set off and see how far we could get.

Here we are approaching the start of the Fenny Compton Tunnel. Wot! No roof? Yes, there used to be a roof in 1776 when first built but about 60 years later the land above the tunnel was purchased and the tunnel gradually opened up.

The sheep decided to cross the bridge and formed up into a neat line one after the other.

Fancy a bit of glamping anyone? 

Or even a narrowboat in the middle of a field. No access to the canal but it is floating in its own private water.

We pushed on a bit further and stopped half way through the Napton flight. Not a bad view is it? 

And, once again, another last day of summer.

Thursday 19th A bit tipsy

A bit tipsy, not us but the boat! During the night the water in the pound has dropped somehow. Usually overnight everything fills up but not where we are. The boat ahead of us has the same problem and has had to cut his mooring rope as it was too tight to untie. 

Fortunately, even though the boat was tipped over, we were only aground in the middle and I was able to work us free. (After breakfast, of course!) 

When we did set off we took it slowly and stayed very much in the middle of the canal.

We stopped at Cropredy to use the services and the captain took the opportunity to pop into the Bridge Store 

Cropredy is a good place to stop but being only 11am we decided to push on.

We went through 3 locks and stopped at Clattercote Wharf to explore their farm shop.

There it is and look what we bought.

Homemade honey, plum jam and vinegar with 'mother' in the bottom. As we understand it, when the bottle gets low just add some juice, leave it for a few days and you've got more vinegar. 

We next tackled the 5 locks in the Claydon flight.

Every lock has a date on it showing when it was last replaced.

In some cases the repairs are temporary until the canal can be closed and replacements made. At least it keeps the waterways open.

They have sawn off the rotten end of the beam and put in place a clever replacement.

We stopped just round the corner and, as you can see, the sun's still shining.

Another long day and we keep saying that it's another last day of summer. May it continue a bit more.