Wednesday 27th

Today, Braunston to Watford. 

But, before we start, here's a look at last night's sunset. 

A very angry sky. We did hear some rumbles of thunder but nothing too near us. 

Woke up very early and glad that I did.

Half past five, not a whisper of a breeze, not a cloud in sight. Naturally, just had to get back into bed and go to sleep again. 

After breakfast we went to the elsan and water point and then reversed back into the junction, turned the boat around - and not a soul in sight watching! Of course, when someone is watching something goes wrong, so, I should be grateful for small mercies. 

We are now approaching the bottom of the Braunston locks. Already it's very busy on the canal with three boats ahead of us. Luckily that means that there is a boat that we can share the locks with. 

And there they are. Grandparents taking their daughter and grandson up through the locks, turning round and going back again. The grandson was having great fun whooping and calling out when they went through the tunnel. 

What was the new housing estate is blending in nicely. 

At Norton Junction we turned back onto the Leicester branch of the GU, heading towards Watford. 

Now, I know that I went on a bit about HS2 and their bridges but look at the above. It's a main line railway bridge but it's got style. Little extra details to make it look better than it is. Doesn't take much does it? 

And here we are, Watford Locks. 

At the bottom of the staircase and we are the only boat in the flight. Lucky us, we had help all the way up. I think they were glad to have the company. 

And here's our resting spot for the night.

Lovely views both ways. 

And we finish with another sunset photo for the album. 

Another hot day

Started the day early again as the forecast is 33°C. You know, I've not known recently a Bank Holiday Monday to be as hot as it was. Wet and cold, yes but hot, no. Hot as well today.

We walked up to the village shop for supplies and bought more than intended. On the way back down we stopped on the bridge to watch the fun and games as boats negotiated the sharp bend.  

Especially with Jule's Fuels coming the other way. This is a full-length barge and butty that delivers coal, wood, diesel and gas up and down the canal. Very handy when things are getting low. 

We pootled along getting hotter and hotter by the hour and watching hireboats come out of junctions and run aground. It's all good fun (for us). 

Looks a bit different to last week at Napton Narrowboats now that most of their hire craft are out creating havoc on the system. 

We had intended going on further today but got to Braunston Junction and just had to find some shade. The captain said that I was looking very red and I must admit that I needed to sit in the shade for quite some time before feeling better. We're always complaining about the cold and rain but it seems wrong to complain about too much sun. 

Now we've stopped we'll stay here overnight and see which way we turn at the junction in the morning. 

Gosh, what a scorcher

But, before we get onto that, here's our supper from last night. 

Roast chicken, roast potatoes, beans, mange tout, cabbage and courgettes. And we eat outside on the towpath. 

Now then, on to today. We got up fairly early as the temperature was forecast to rise to 33°C in the afternoon. 

This was taken at about 6 o'clock this morning. After breakfast we set off for Marston Doles, the top lock of the Napton flight. 

A quick look at the landlocked narrow boat in the middle of a field. 

Luckily there were plenty of boats coming up the flight so most of the locks were ready for us. It still took about 3 hours to get from top to bottom and it was getting hotter all the time.

Here we are at the bottom lock and looking out for a mooring in the shade. 

Found a space just around the corner, seats in the shade and we spent all afternoon reading and recovering from the heat of the morning. 

And here's the sunset and we're still sitting outside. 

Another scorcher

Sorry, no Denise today. I think I overdid it yesterday and got a bit of heatstroke. Nothing serious, just too much sun. So, today, long sleeved shirt and trousers are the order of the day. (Much to the captain's relief.) 

Farewell to the Wharf Inn, even though we didn't go there. 

We're heading due west for the moment admiring the line of trees on the horizon. 

Now we're heading due east and the same line of trees. The canal does a spectacular 180° turn on itself because when the canal was built it was cheaper to follow the contour of the land instead of building a tunnel or digging out a cutting. 

Not a brilliant picture but the other side of the hedge can be seen the destruction of HS2. 

And look at this ghastly bridge. Many of the bridges made originally were almost works of art. Not today! 

No locks today so we cruised for about 3 hours before stopping  near Priors Hardwick. 

We've seen more boats today than in the whole time we've been out. Must be because it's a bank holiday weekend and half-term. 

As it's Sunday, roast chicken this evening, when the boat's cooled down a bit. We've sat out on the towpath all afternoon in the shade of the hedges and trees. Very pleasant as it's 28°C at the moment. 

Saturday 23rd - a surprise visit from Denise

We weren't expecting it but Denise came out on the boat early in the morning and stayed with us all day. 

Early morning and not a cloud in the sky. The forecast was 26°C, another hot day on our holiday. 

We were surrounded by kayaks for much of the journey into Cropredy, they have a club there. They weren't a problem for us but they are quite quiet and I was taken by surprise when boats came speeding past both sides.

Take a look at the water iris. Aren't they beautiful. 

Now coming up through the lock having taken on water and disposed of rubbish, etc., at the facilities first. 

Same lock but a different view.

Coming out of Cropredy are some former stables now converted for residential living. 

We were fortunate that many of the locks had volunteers on duty. It certainly helped through Claydon locks. 

Just at the end of Fenny Compton Tunnel passing under the crossover bridge. You get these bridges at regular intervals where the towpath changes from one side to the other so that the towing horses didn't always pull on the same side for too long.

Stopped for the night near the Wharf Inn, Fenny Compton. And here is where we said goodbye to Denise - da knees - the knees 🤣🤣🤣

I know, not a pretty sight. 

Saturday night and, as is our custom, Steak is on the menu. 

What a lovely day

After breakfast we moved up to Samuelson Bridge just before Banbury and paid a visit to Morrisons for supplies. 

Then on to Banbury where we dropped off our food waste and rubbish. 

Next into Banbury Lock where there were several people watching our every move. Luckily we did everything right and even managed to have a chat with some of the onlookers. 

The weather is splendid today. Factor 50 sunscreen for the captain and a large floppy hat. 

At Bourton Lock it looks as if someone is renovating the lock cottage.

That's great news and we can't wait to see what it's like next time we come this way.

We've stopped near Williamscot again in an attempt to avoid further travelling in the heat of the day.

Even managed to get a late lunch outside. 

Then spent some time with the pressure washer removing leaves and duck poo from the roof. The pressure washer is battery powered and the water comes straight out of the canal. 

And this is where we've stopped. The only thing is that there are 2 ducks who have tried to share our lunch, been on the roof a couple of times before being shooed away. Let's hope I don't have to get the pressure washer out again tomorrow. 

Returning to Banbury

The forecast for today was quite encouraging with a high of 21°C. So, a hearty breakfast before we set off. 

Granola, toast and apricot jam with tea and coffee. Tea for the captain and real coffee for me, the only caffeinated drink of the day. 

The first lock of the day was Aynho Weir Lock. This is where the River Cherwell crosses the path of the canal. 

But, before that, I managed to get the front fender stuck under the beam on the top lock gate. So we had to let a bit of water out, release the boat and then continue to fill the lock again. We then swapped roles because it was obvious that I couldn't be trusted with the boat and, anyway, the top gate was far too heavy and wouldn't budge for the captain. 

Safely through and this is the bridge over the Cherwell. When the river is running high you're not allowed to continue along the navigation. 

We're now a little further on at King's Sutton Lock. The captain also found closing the bottom gate troublesome but luckily a passing walker lent a bit of weight and all was fine. 

Grants Lock. I think that the picture says it all. Such a shame but this cottage has been like this for some time. 

We've moored up about a mile short of Banbury. We then had time for a short walk along the Jurassic Way. Not the most scenic of walks as we had to cross the River Cherwell which was right next to the M40, which we went under, and then over the railway. Still, we got a bit of much needed fresh air. 

Glad we stopped where we did as we discovered that a tree had fallen across the canal earlier in the day and boats were backing up until it was cleared. Boats came past us letting us know that the way was now open and that we'd have no trouble getting through tomorrow. Good news.