Monday - a day in Crick

We had a good sleep in today and decided that we would have breakfast, leave the washing up and set off while it wasn't raining. 

Good job we did because just before Crick tunnel the rain started. Into the tunnel and it was drier in there than outside. It's usually the other way around. 

We moored just before the bridge in Crick, by which time it was a steady downpour. So what did we do to cheer ourselves up? We set off to visit Pickle & Pie. 

Still smiling and well prepared for the wet weather. 

And here we are. 

And for our foodie fans, look what we had. 

Needless to say that it was yummie. 

After that, back to the boat, batten the … you know the drill by now, and an afternoon catching up with accounts and other stuff that always gets put off until later. (Including the washing up!)

Rain very heavy and constant. More than a month's worth in two days. Glad it wasn't like this during the rest of the holiday. 

Sunday - 13 locks, another day of rest

We had thought of going to church in the cathedral of the canals (Braunston church) but there was no service scheduled this week. So we got all togged up ready to tackle the locks.

The sky is overcast but it's not raining yet. 

I do have one confession to make. I said that last night we battened down the hatches but what I forgot to do was take the chimney down and put the cap on the flue. Consequently, when I started the engine, black sooty rain water came flying out everywhere. Anyone remember the Black & White Minstrel Show? Well, it was almost a rerun of that but, luckily, I managed to avoid most of the spray back. 

We were lucky to team up with another boat in the second lock having come through the first on our own and in no time at all we reached the top. Partly this was due to many hire boats coming down the flight with crews willing to close gates, etc.

The house at the top lock has been done up recently and looks very smart. 

Through the tunnel, which I still don't like, and then on to Watford flight.

Usually it's a case of 3 boats up and 3 boats down but, today, there were 5 boats at the bottom and none at the top. The lock keeper told us all to 'Go for it.' 

Near the top the, just as I swopped with the captain so that she would steer the boat and I would work the paddles and gates, the lock keeper appeared and said that he would give me a hand. Guess who was not amused! He said that they had had a fun afternoon because water was being let down from up top because of all the rain that they'd had. Good for the system but with a flight of 5 locks he had to manage the flow so that pounds and gates did not overflow. Glad he knew what he was doing. 

After that we stopped just around the corner (away from the noise of the M1), battened down the hatched again, including taking down the chimney, etc., and enjoyed a good old Sunday roast chicken. 

Saturday 21st - The end of summer

We seem to be living by the weather forecast this holiday and today there is heavy rain coming across sometime this afternoon. There are Met. Office warnings of disruptions. 

So, first thing, while it's fine, a walk into Napton to top up on supplies. I felt bad in the shop because we bought some veg., a chicken and 4  pints of milk and I managed to drop the milk. The bottle just split in half and there was milk everywhere. The staff were very good about it all and, even though I offered to pay for the loss, insisted that it wasn't necessary. 

The view from Napton Bridge, a typical canal scene - and a bit of sunshine. Make the most of it folks! 

The view of Napton-on-the-Hill from our overnight mooring. And look, a clear sky. 

And yet another typical canal scene, looking back at the bottom lock at Napton. If you know Napton, the bridge leads to The Folly Pub on the right. 

The hire boat fleet is in for the moment being cleaned and readied for their next captains and crew. A bit of cloud in the sky but still OK. No rain yet. 

Some remedial work being undertaken by C&RT. People are very critical about how the trust money is spent and how little is being done to the canals but, I have to say, we have seen a lot of activity around the network. In some places the trees are hanging over the canal and you can't see round the bend. However, those trees probably grew like that in the last 2 months. C&RT can't go round trimming the bushes all at the same time, they are doing their best. 

Once the crops have been harvested you can really see the shape of the rolling countryside. 

We pushed on making the most of the pleasant weather and stopped at Braunston in the first mooring space we could find. There's nothing worse than saying 'Let's see if there's room round the corner' and finding there isn't! 

It was so nice that we went to the The Boat House for lunch and sat outside. 

That is until...  

The heavens opened and we had to retreat inside. Mind you, we had finished our scampi but tea and coffee in the warm seemed a better choice than being drowned on dry land. 

And, on the way back to the boat, when the rain had eased a little, a rare sight, a black swan. 

After that, batten down the hatches and snuggle up 'til the rain passes over. 

Friday 20th - Push on to Napton

Once again, not a brilliant forecast so we decided to set off and see how far we could get.

Here we are approaching the start of the Fenny Compton Tunnel. Wot! No roof? Yes, there used to be a roof in 1776 when first built but about 60 years later the land above the tunnel was purchased and the tunnel gradually opened up.

The sheep decided to cross the bridge and formed up into a neat line one after the other.

Fancy a bit of glamping anyone? 

Or even a narrowboat in the middle of a field. No access to the canal but it is floating in its own private water.

We pushed on a bit further and stopped half way through the Napton flight. Not a bad view is it? 

And, once again, another last day of summer.

Thursday 19th A bit tipsy

A bit tipsy, not us but the boat! During the night the water in the pound has dropped somehow. Usually overnight everything fills up but not where we are. The boat ahead of us has the same problem and has had to cut his mooring rope as it was too tight to untie. 

Fortunately, even though the boat was tipped over, we were only aground in the middle and I was able to work us free. (After breakfast, of course!) 

When we did set off we took it slowly and stayed very much in the middle of the canal.

We stopped at Cropredy to use the services and the captain took the opportunity to pop into the Bridge Store 

Cropredy is a good place to stop but being only 11am we decided to push on.

We went through 3 locks and stopped at Clattercote Wharf to explore their farm shop.

There it is and look what we bought.

Homemade honey, plum jam and vinegar with 'mother' in the bottom. As we understand it, when the bottle gets low just add some juice, leave it for a few days and you've got more vinegar. 

We next tackled the 5 locks in the Claydon flight.

Every lock has a date on it showing when it was last replaced.

In some cases the repairs are temporary until the canal can be closed and replacements made. At least it keeps the waterways open.

They have sawn off the rotten end of the beam and put in place a clever replacement.

We stopped just round the corner and, as you can see, the sun's still shining.

Another long day and we keep saying that it's another last day of summer. May it continue a bit more.

Best laid plans

We have a plan. First time ever but we have a plan. Motor up to Banbury, pick up a mooring in town, stock up the larder and go to Pizza Calzone for a meal out. Let's go.

We set off without wasting time with the washing up as we didn't want to miss the good weather. 

With some trepidation we approached Somerton Deep Lock - if you remember, we got stuck here on the way down. No problem this time, straight in. The captain was opening the top paddles to fill the lock and a lady from a boat coming along behind us asked her 'Where's your boat?' The captain replied 'Down there!' To which came the reply 'Gosh, that's deep!' 

Now safely in Aynho Weir Lock then on through Nell Bridge Lock and back past the Pig Place.

But it was closed. No burgers today!

All along the canal are the remains of old railway bridges, this one would have crossed the canal and the River Cherwell next to it. A bit ironic to think that the railway put paid to trade on the canal and yet, years later, the canal's still there and the railway isn't.

We pressed on past King's Sutton and in to Banbury. Yippee, we're here. 

Ten minutes later we're sailing out of Banbury. Not a single space available for us. No groceries and no meal out. 😕

We carried on another couple of miles and stopped just after Bourton Lock.

Another even longer day but feeling good. A sunny day and a sunny evening.

Tuesday - the long treck home

The problem with return trips is that you've said much of what you want to say on the way down.

We retraced our steps along our favourite part, the River Cherwell, and up through Enslow.

The poor old Rock of Gibraltar pub has been closed for some while and is now all overgrown and falling apart. Such a shame.

The boatyard at Enslow Mill Wharf keeps improving each time we pass. 

On the left bank two C&RT guys were walking along looking for leaks. They are sure that the locks are operating properly but water is still being lost, but where is it going? A theory is that it is leaking into the River Cherwell but where? Good luck chaps. 

Still, we got through Pigeon Lock OK just as another C&RT man had finished letting water down again. We stopped just round the corner from Heyford Common Lock. 

Phew! A 6 hour day which is a lot for us. We were glad to stop and sit in the sun for a bit. It's been a lovely sunny day and later on we had an excellent view of the Super Moon. A clear sky and no light pollution.

NB we didn't stay up until 1:30 to see the partial eclipse, we let others do that for us.

Day of rest? No, that's Monday!

We set off at our usual time and just around the corner we arrived at Pigeon Lock. 

Now, all the way along boaters have been telling us that the pound below Pigeon Lock is very low, keep to the middle or you'll run aground. Well, when we got to the lock we were second in line but we had to wait for about 30 minutes while C&RT men let down water to try and improve the water level below the lock.

A flattering picture of the captain getting ready to cast off.

Once we got going we went through Enslow and got a peek at the Satellite Earth Station.

You never can see much but the trees are getting taller each year.

We then came to one of our favourite sections on the Oxford Canal and that's where it is joined by the River Cherwell. It's a fairly deep, winding stretch of water and, after all the shallow bits, the boat really comes alive.

However, when we got to Shipton Weir Lock we had to queue again because the same C&RT men were letting water down to the next section.

You now see what I mean about Monday being a day of rest!

We arrived at Thrupp only to find that all the visitors moorings were full. So, empty the loo, take on water, get rid of rubbish and recycling - you know the drill by now - and turn the boat around as it's time to think of going back. 

Once again a masterclass turn.

And while the captain was filming from the front... 

My own view from the back.

We did manage to get a mooring right near the church, almost as you're leaving Thrupp. 

We decided to go for a walk so we walked back down to the winding hole, along to the pub and across country to the church.

The church was open and inside was a splendid stained glass window.

After that, back across the canal to the boat in time for supper. Our take on a chicken risotto.

I thought Sunday was a day of rest!

We set off through Chisnell Lift Bridge. This bridge is now fitted with an hydraulic winding gear which makes life easier for the captain. In the old days you would have to hang on a length of chain to raise the bridge and then release it slowly without decapitating the driver.

Next, Somerton Deep Lock with its lovely cottage. No mains services, no road, just room for a small narrowboat to get you back and forth.

And why is called Deep Lock?

Well, it's deep. 

Not only that but we got stuck in the gateway and couldn't move backwards or forwards. Luckily, several people came along, leant on the gate and we managed to squeeze through. Don't know what we'll do on the way back. 

Just passed through Somerton Bridge where there are some lovely canalside cottages.

And here is a view of where we moor when we do the stop here, but not today.

A couple of miles further on at Upper Heyford this magnificent barn. 

Just round the corner is a lift bridge that the captain likes. Insert a key, press a button and... 

Hey presto, up she goes - the bridge, not the captain.

Not necessarily a place to moor, Lower Heyford, the railway station is alongside the canal.

However, the other side of the bridge is a garden full of characters and statues. Makes me smile every time.

A further 3 miles on and we stopped for the night just before Kirtlington. And, being Sunday, roast chicken today.