Cropredy or bust

Don't know why I put that as a title but it somehow seemed appropriate.

Still, where did I leave you last time? Ah yes, we were at Napton having met up with our old friends Tim & Pru. Now, as it was my birthday on the 6th September, the Captain allowed me to do all the locks while she piloted Polgara - and a good job she did too! At the end of the day we moored near bridge 130, Knotts Bridge, and enjoyed a wonderful view over the surrounding countryside.

If you've got very good eyesight you will see the windmill on the hill at Napton at the left hand end of the hills in the centre of the picture.

In the evening we had a simple celebratory meal of cucumber soup followed by rump steak, medium rare (cooked by me) accompanied by mashed potato (mashed by me) mushrooms (grilled by me) and tomatoes (also grilled by me) - well, you can't expect the Captain to pilot, navigate and cook, can you? This was accompanied by an Italian red wine that I chose from the cellar (the shower cubicle). A splendid day and a splendid meal. Oh, and just in case you're interested, my birthday present was a sheepskin rug which we bought at Lauriston Farm near Goldhanger.

Sunday 7th September

What a lovely day! We set off quite early for us - 9:50 - just timed it to avoid all the other boats rushing along to get somewhere slowly. Breakfast was my favourite when on the canals, eggs, bacon, toast and tea. Can't beat it!

We went through Fenny Compton and saw this lovely bridge over the canal.

 

This was just before we entered Fenney Compton Tunnel. This bridge was made in cast iron around about 1868. 

Exiting the tunnel

As you can see above, there is no tunnel now. The tunnel was built around 1776 but opened out by 1870 after the Oxford Company purchased the land above.

Here you can see one of the lift bridges typical to the Oxford Canal. Many are left in the open position but I gather that there are one or two where you have to swing on a chain dangling from the bridge beam to open the bridge. No doubt the Captain will honour me with that particular task when we come to it.

Come lunchtime, we were unfortunately nowhere near a hostelry! So it was a case of raiding the larder to see what we could find. After an extensive search the Captain came up with a selection of Italian meats, croissants, cheese and tomatoes - just something that she managed to throw together on the spur of the moment.

Impromptu lunch

Who's a clever girl?

 Soon after lunch and several more locks that the Captain insisted on operating, we arrived at Cropredy where we moored for the night. We had a walk around the village and looked in the church and then back to the boat to watch the motor racing.

Cropredy village

Bother! We are in a dip again and can't get a TV signal so, NO MOTOR RACING! Oh well, roast pork this evening and roast potatoes - let's hope that makes up a little for the TV disaster.