A tiring day

Tuesday we only travelled around 6 miles from Fenny Compton Wharf to the bend just before Napton Top Lock.

This field, when we passed it on the way out, was marked out for HS2 survey - now it's full of men and machines.

But, a little further on and the perfect glamping site you could wish for. There's even an outside bath and shower all heated by a wood burner. All you need to look out for is passing boats!

So, why was the day so tiring?

Well, we moored for lunch and it was so hot that we decided not to press on through Napton locks but wait until tomorrow (Wednesday).

We then got exhausted watching a mother duck with 7 tiny ducklings. The water was low in the canal and mother duck just flew up the 1 foot into the field. We then had to watch as, one by one, 7 tiny ducklings tried to scrabble up the side of the bank. The larger ones managed to paddle up the slope to the top. But for some of the smaller ones it was half way up, back down again. By the time they'd all made it to the top, well, time to recover (for us) with a cup of tea.

Next, the bend on the canal was quite shallow and we were forced to watch about 6 boats get stuck and then rev their engines like mad to get going again.

And, after all that, we watched the partial eclipse of the moon. Strange to see a full moon looking like a harvest crescent.

The following day and an incredible sunrise. The captain was not impressed with me trying to tell her about it - it was only 10 to 6. Didn't know what she was missing!

Always love this field alongside Napton locks, it's full of water buffalo. In the local shop they sell buffalo milk, cheese & ice-cream. Their coffee machine also cost around £6000 but it does everything, grinds the beans, froths the milk, probably would drink it as well if you wanted it to.

Lock 9 in the Napton flight is being repaired - new brickwork on the left.

Old brickwork on the right.

Stopped between the bottom two locks and visited The Folly for supper.

Still thinking about where to go next. Do we really want to do 80+ locks to Stratford? Or shall we potter about in a more lock-free environment?

Pondering this question while supping a pint of Old Hooky and lunching at The Kings Head, Napton. Won't get far this afternoon then!