Claydon to Cropredy

Brr! It's cold! 6°C, cold enough to run the blower heater for half an hour just to take the edge off. Normally, when it's this cold, we would have the fire alight but yesterday was so warm that we decided to risk it overnight. What's the point of having a good fire going when you're fast asleep!? 

It's drizzling and looks like it will be wet, on and off, for the next hour or so. What to do? Well, for a start, eggs and bacon for breakfast with coffee and tea and see what happens after that. We are only planning to motor for a couple of hours today, just long enough to get us to Cropredy. Then on to Banbury tomorrow. 

Just looked at the weather forecast and it looks to be chilly all this week, so, fire alight this evening for sure. 

Just arrived at Claydon top lock. Unfortunately, a boat just got in ahead of us so it might be a slow day today.

Here's the captain coming into the middle lock of the flight. She came in without touching the sides. Quite a triumph especially as there was an on duty lock keeper watching what was going on. 

Now passing Clattercote and this is where we stopped before to buy vinegar and corn on the cob. Looks like it may have changed hands since then. 

Arrived at Cropredy in time for a late lunch. 

Decided to move on a bit further for the night and here's the captain with that sinking feeling in Cropredy lock. 

We stopped just long enough to get rid of the rubbish and take on water before ending up near Williamscot. 

We were aiming to go further along where you can see the boats in the distance but, luckily, we saw another boat sneak into the spot we had 'reserved' for ourselves before we had gone past the place where we are now moored. Reversing is not a recommended pastime in a narrowboat. 

A favourite for supper tonight, sausages in cider. 

We found the recipe 50 years ago when we went camping in Dent. So, happy birthday to SIC. 

Sunday, Claydon here we come

Look at the sky! I think we've got yesterday's weather today! Sky totally overcast. Don't think the glampers will be using the hot tub just yet. 

I loved the way that as we approached this family of geese the adults jumped out of the water and left their family in the water. They soon got back in once we were gone. 

Didn't bother with too many photos as we passed the HS2 works. All quiet as it's Sunday. 

We pootled on to Fenny Compton and the weather got progressively better. 

Unfortunately, elsan disposal points are scarce along here so we stopped at the marina and shelled out £3 just to empty the loo. I must say that it was worth it, the facilities were clean, the flush worked and it all smelled fresh. Unlike some of the places we visit. 

Now on to Fenny Compton Tunnel. 

Just room to get past this moored boat before the entrance to the tunnel.

And here we are. 

Tunnel you say, but where's the roof? Well, that was removed in the 1800s because the tunnel was creating a bottleneck. 

Look at the sky, the weather certainly improved from first thing this morning. 

Even better as we sailed past Wormleighton reservoir. 

You don't often see both swans at the nest. A caring hubby - just like me 🤣 

Stopped for the night just above Claydon locks. We'll tackle them tomorrow.

Look at the sky again, hardly a cloud in sight.

A lovely ending to another lovely day. 

Napton locks

The weather forecast for today shows it as being cloudy with a temperature of 20°C. Oh well, can't have wall to wall sun every day can you? Or, can you! 

We set off for the bottom lock, the first of nine raising boats 49ft overall. 

There were two volunteers on duty and they did all the work for us. Regrettably, they didn't come with us to do the remaining eight! 

Part way up we saw the Water Buffalo. I know, I always comment on them but it always reminds me of a strange request. 

When I was working at the Pleshey Retreat House a lady phoned up and asked if, for her breakfast, we could get some bull's milk. Needless to say we were a bit stumped over this request and suggested she bring her own. It seems she wanted buffalo milk and just got the wrong name. We were all joking in the kitchen as to who should go and try to milk a bull. 

Here we are at the top lock at Marston Doles. We were working the locks quite quickly and it only took us nearly two hours to get through. The route planner suggests that it would normally take 2½ hours. 

About two miles further on we stopped for a late lunch. 

The neighbours are a bit noisy!

Even got a wigwam in the field opposite. 

We are fairly close to Priors Hardwick if anyone wants to look it up on a map. 

What a lovely pastoral scene. Lunch, boat, canal, wigwam, green fields and blue sky. Oh, forgot to say, sunshine all day and not overcast at all. 

We're going to stay here for the night and, as it's Saturday, steak for supper. Yippee! 

Decision Day

Well, today is one of those decision days. At the junction do we turn left towards Oxford or right towards Coventry? 

But before that, a nautical traffic jam. A boat coming out at the junction while a hire boat wants to go in. 

It gave us a bit more time to make up our minds and follow the hire boat towards Oxford. 

Bridge 100 on the Oxford Canal. For some reason a favourite of mine. Look at it and think of all the Health and Safety issues you can find 😁

Quite busy on the cut today with plenty of traffic both ways. Also, the geese are on the water with two goslings (one is on the towpath). 

Now for another decision. 

Napton Junction. Straight on for Oxford or turn right towards Warwick. 

Straight on it is - aye aye captain. 

Past Napton Marina a base for a large fleet of hireboats. 

We stopped short of the Napton locks and decided to go for a walk in the afternoon.

A view of Polgara in the distance as we cross the canal. 

Came across these delicate yellow flowers. A passing dog walker they were broom but Google identified them as Birds-foot Trefoil. You learn something everyday. 

A strange rock formation further on but we weren't certain whether it was man made or natural. 

As we climb up the hill the views get better and better.

And at the top, after climbing 177 ft., most of which felt as if it was all in the last 100yds. 

Napton Mill, now a private house. 

All downhill from now on. 

The gentleman in this farm truck has lived his whole life in Napton. His sister was driving while he stepped out - notice, I don't say jumped - to open the gate into the field full of sheep. 

This area has been set aside as a remembrance of a WWII observer post that was on this site. With Coventry not too far away they would have seen all the planes as they flew over.

A beautiful walk downhill until we arrived at the canal again. 

A last look at the windmill before returning to the boat. 

Braunston

A pleasant start to the day, the sun is shining and little wind on the canal. 

After setting off we saw what looked like an archaeological dig in a field next to the canal.

There were several shallow trenches in different places and plenty of people sitting around drinking tea. 

Then we passed a couple of good old working boats before entering the notorious Braunston Tunnel. 

It's a strange thing that upon entering the tunnel you can see the opening at the other end. However, part way through, the light at the end of the tunnel disappears! I think that's because there's a kink in the tunnel and for a moment as you swing the boat to the left and right your view is obstructed. 

Luckily there was a hire boat following us through and we teamed up to work the locks. 

Passing the Admiral Nelson as all the gongoozlers watch us while eating their lunches canalside. 

We pulled into Braunston Marina to take on fuel, replace one of the gas cylinders and empty the loo. Spent some time talking to a couple who were looking to buy a boat. Don't know if we sold them on the idea or put them off! 

Opposite the fuel point was Raymond, a well known traditional boat on the canals. 

Took on fresh water and then moored up opposite the Boathouse where we repaired for a late lunch. 

After that some work on the computer and a quiet evening onboard. 

Off to Norton Junction

Looks like the weather is forecast as overcast today. 

Once again, plenty of hire boats around and we set off following one through Crick Tunnel.

We could see ahead of us the tunnel light of another boat coming towards us.

Actually it was two boats but we didn't know that until we were about to pass each other. We sailed straight through but there was quite a lot of bangs from the other boats as they hit the tunnel wall. 

We arrived at the top of Watford locks just after 12. Lovely view one way. 

And the M1 the other. Not a good place to stop for long. 

A lovely day as we look down the lock flight. 

And, off we go - only an hour after we arrived! We had to wait for three boats to come up first. 

In the picture you can see white paddle gear and red paddle gear. Always open the red paddle first otherwise you can get into trouble. 

The white paddle lets water out of the lock into the side pound and is a water saving measure. 

Once we got going it only took half an hour to get through all the locks and then it was full steam ahead to Norton Junction. 

We found a mooring for the night and lit the fire as it was quite chilly in the afternoon. 

What a lovely sunset. 

More signs of Spring today with ducklings and cygnets being fussed over by proud parents.