Last day

Well, we are now back in the marina at Bugbrooke at the end of our brief trip. But, before we get all morbid and mopey, what about our last day?

The day started off sunny, but still cold and windy. 6° outside but cosy inside with the fire ticking over nicely. We arrived at Buckby top lock in time to see 2 boats going through and 2 more waiting. Of course, when it came to our turn, not another boat in sight. Mind you, we found it quicker on our own and were bowling along nicely until the very last lock. An unfortunate tale. A hire boat pulled into the side waiting to go backwards through the lock. They had only collected the boat the day before and the bottom lock was their first lock of the holiday. Unfortunately, the father-in-law had a fall and broke two of his ribs and had to be treated in hospital. Luckily, Daventry hospital is not very far away and the ambulance arrived quickly.

We offered to help by breasting up alongside and towing them about 100 yards to the marina entrance where they could turn the boat round. Believe me, trying to go backwards down a canal is not easy at the best of times and the wind today would not have helped. Did our good deed for the day, waved farewell, hoping that their holiday wasn't totally ruined. 

I read somewhere that the above building at Weedon used to be a factory and still has the original windows. Can't remember where I saw that, just one of those little facts hidden away in the recesses of what I call a brain.

I think that the farmer may be planting winter wheat or something like that, whatever it is, he keeps overtaking us as he goes backwards and forwards. Making me quite dizzy! 

A fitting end to the trip, a red kite circling over the boat. 

Thumped our way into the marina, well, it is a narrow entrance and the wind was doing what wind always does and, alright, I got the approach all wrong. Frantic hand waving from the captain at the front of the boat, so, naturally, I waved back! Don't think she was too impressed. In these situations I always quote Timothy West: "It's a contact sport!" 

A blustery day

What now? Well, the wind's blasting around the boat and we don't know what to do. Should we stay put or should we set off? Being us, we set off.

But, before that, a picture from yesterday that I forgot to include. We popped into Midland Chandlers for a length of stern gland packing material - it's sort of rope that you pack into the stern gland to stop water coming into the boat along the propeller shaft - and this beautifully painted boat was moored outside. 

Now, isn't that a picture. 

Anyway, here we are, breezing past Braunston Marina. Not many people sitting out for coffee this morning, too breezy. 

And here's the approach to Braunston bottom lock. All very busy with the hire boats in for their turn around. 

Chilly enough for the multicoloured headgear. Even I had my beenie hat on today, far too much wind for normal boaters hats. 

We teamed up with Adventus II through the locks and managed the whole lot in just over 1 hour. Not bad at all.

Not that you can see them too well but 2 army helicopters buzzed past when we were half way through. 

We managed the tunnel without incident and have now stopped just short of Buckby locks, in the hope that we can polish the other side of the boat if and when the wind dies down.

Well, we finished the polishing, lit the fire, had a cup of tea, read for a while, then, at 7:10pm., we actually saw a kingfisher. No did we, didn't we, there it was sitting on a branch right opposite the boat. At one point it darted off to another branch, dived into the canal, caught a fish and came back to where we first saw it. Brigid even had time to get the binoculars for a closer look, but, unfortunately, it was too dark to get a photo. Magic! 

A slow day

The day started off quite slowly. Well, much like every other day really. Quite a chilly start but the sun soon made an appearance and we decided to set off. Naturally, as with the No. 9 bus, as we went to cast off, three boats came pottering past, all going the same way. 

Here it is, bridge 100, with a mixture of blue skies and rain clouds to boot. 

Once again the canal is busy with boats going both up and down. 

Don't like the look of those much. We managed a mile or two before the rain started. Even then it wasn't too bad - we've known worse. 

Approaching Braunston and you can see the cathedral of the canals. Just to the right is the rounded cap of the old windmill. 

Moored just round the corner, visited Midland Chandlers and then into the Boathouse for lunch.

There are actually quite a few people in the pub but I didn't want to invade their privacy. I know, not like me, but I can be sensitive at times.

Spent the afternoon fiddling about, putting antifreeze into the header tank for the radiators, fixing magnets on the engine room door, trying to do a bit more polishing - a little damp for that, unfortunately. Now settling down for the evening and about to light the fire again. 

Brigid has been sketching out on the front of the boat, so the day has been relatively calm and peaceful. 

Hopefully tomorrow will bring better weather and we can get through the Braunston locks in the dry. Who knows? 

Winter draws on

We moved about half a mile up to bridge 100, another favourite mooring place for us. The forecast was for rain at about 1 o'clock and we wanted to stay somewhere nice. The captain managed to pick some more blackberries while I tidied up in the engine room.

Definitely not a good day for boating, although more boats passed us today than we've seen all week. 

Right on cue the rain came. All hatches shut tight, cover over the front and we snuggled up inside for the day. 

I managed to top up the stern gland greaser, check the weed hatch and even wash down the roof after the rain stopped. Could have easily set up a boat wash business if I'd taken up all the requests from passing boaters. 

When the temperature dropped to 16.6° we decided to light the fire. Alas, instead of smoke pouring out of the chimney, it started pouring out of the bottom of the stove. Fortunately (or unfortunately) this has happened before and I knew what it was - a blocked flue. Open the fire door, stick of wood, hand up the chimney, wiggle waggle and Bob's your uncle. Smoke now going the right way! Note to self - don't forget to clean it out before winter. 

Last day of summer?

Ten past seven and a promising start to the new day. 

The early morning mist clinging tightly to the trunks of the trees.

A good start with our favourite breakfast. 

We set off to Marston Doles, the top of the Napton locks.

Having just stepped down from the lock onto the roof, what better than an aerial shot? Look who's steering. 

Here are the water buffalo again, a bit closer than last time I tried to get a photo. 

We cleared the flight of 9 locks in just over 2 hours - it took 4 on the way up! We're just topping up the water and then a quick trip to the shop in Napton for supplies and homemade pies for our lunch. 

All the Napton narrowboats are out on hire. You can also see that the clouds have moved in. It's a tad windy but not too bad. 

A quick look at Wigrams Turn Marina as we motor past. 

And, the other side, the Grand Union Canal heading towards Birmingham. 

Now stopped for the night near Flecknoe. Both of us quite tired after a very full days cruising and locking. 

A relaxed day

The day started off with a bit of mist and definitely no sunshine. However, after Brigid had finished her morning Facebook service and we had finished our breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast, out came the sun.

There was a short queue for Clayden locks but everyone was being helpful today and all very chatty.

Bridge 142 which is not over the canal and doesn't seem to go anywhere. However, it is a feeder bridge for the Wormleighton reservoir. How about that?

On the opposite side, residential moorings. One of the boats had fresh vegetables on the roof so we stopped and bought some runner beans. Just an honestly box asking for what you thought was a fair price. 

This helicopter appeared from nowhere, flew above us, along the canal, and then disappeared off again. 

Now, I said it was a relaxed day, people on paddle boards. 

Other boats. 

And old railway bridge, but, all at the same time? Was I worried? Not at all. Quite relaxed in fact because Brigid was steering and I just sat back watching it all go on around me. 

Even Fenny Compton Tunnel proved to be a doddle for her. 

Not a tap or a scrape. A lovely day and a lovely cruise. 

And here we are, sitting outside at a quarter to seven near bridge 129, almost where we stopped on the way down.

A lovely Summer’s evening.

And a crescent moon to boot. 

Sunday, a day of rest

We started the day by joining the Zoom spiritual communion led by Steven. It was good to see some familiar faces from home. 

We then set off for Cropredy where the next facilities station is located. C&RT are constantly advertising the benefits of the canals and this was particularly obvious from the number of activities going on today. 

There were paddle boats, canoes, inflatables, you name it, we saw it. 

I still think this is cheating, carrying your boat around the lock. 

While we have to do it the hard way. 

Women drivers! Nothing to grumble about here, didn't even touch the sides. 

And while the lock fills, an admiring glimpse of the polished side of the boat. 

Another empty lock keepers cottage, luckily still in tact.

Look at that, steering and drinking tea at the same time. Impressive. 

Who said Sunday was a day of rest? Yet another lock to be worked. 

Among the wildlife today, a heron. We don't usually have the chance of a photo because they fly off ahead of us and, eventually, circle around behind us. But obviously, for the heron, today is a day of rest. 

Not exactly wildlife but even the cows are enjoying a paddle in the sunshine. 

A slightly naughty picture. The mannequin has the bilge pump pipe strategically placed so that when in operation it looks like he's going to the loo. 

Arrived at Cropredy but the facilities were in use but, did that stop us? Not likely. I nudged the nose of the boat into the winding hole and jumped off at the front. The back of the boat was stuck in the bushes so the captain picked some blackberries while I attended to business. 

After that, we moved on to the bottom of Clayden locks and moored in almost the same place as on the way down. Now sitting in the sun with a cup of tea and cheese and biscuits. Looking forward to roast pork tonight. 

Sleep well. 

Unexploded Grenade

Saturday and we are up to date with the blog again.

Look at that shine, all the way along (my arms ache!) 

And here's our overnight view. Well, not quite the overnight view, when I got up at 5 with a touch of cramp, I couldn't see any of that. But what I did see was the Plough, Orion, Cassiopeia, the Pole Star, Venus and many other stars. A clear night with little light pollution.

This is the approach to Aynho Wharf, a long line of residential moorings. The rule is to pass at tickover so that you don't swing their boats around. In the old days I would quite often get an anguished cry "Slow down!" But, not anymore. In this respect, and this respect only, I have grown older and wiser. 

There, it's not only humans who like to go in the canals. 

Have just passed through Nell Bridge Lock and this is the C&RT depot with all the bits and bobs for canal repairs. 

After that, the Pig Place for lunch. Great idea, you place your order, they give you an order number, you text them your order number and name, they text you when your food's ready. Track and trace all covered. 

And here it is. 

And there's always someone around to help you out if necessary. 

Now, how's this for a mode of transport? The owner and wife set off in it while we were having our lunch. 

And a sort of thank you picture for the lady who allowed us to tie up alongside her boat while we had our lunch and went shopping in the farm shop.

And, there she is again, Asklepios. 

At this point, the water in the canal seemed much lower than in the previous sections. So we decided to push on to Banbury a) to empty the loo and b) to go through the lock and get back into deeper water. 

Arrived at the facilities to be greeted by a policeman and a policewoman who advised us to "Move along now!" as there was a hand grenade under the bridge and if it went off while we were emptying the loo, then we would really be in the... 

Although it was probably only a training grenade, we took their advice and moved along. Now moored in Banbury, almost where we moored on the way down. 

Steak night tonight - yummy.