Back at the marina

 Ater a short cruise from Braunston we have now reached our home base.  The weather was a mixture of sun and clouds with a cool breeze.  The forecast is looking dry, sunny and warm for the next week though sadly we wont be on the boat to enjoy it.

Having tied up at our berth we shopped for some barge-pole paint and groceries for the next couple of days. Denise primed the barge-pole and we will stay on the boat for the next 2 days to give her time to  paint the undercoat. But as our travelling is complete for the time being this will be the final blog until we go out again at the start of June (hopefully)

Journey statistics

Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Distance: 3.03 miles
Locks: 0

Total Cruise Statistics

Time: 36.75 hours over 12 days
Distance: 62.39 miles
Locks: 44

Braunston - Nearly Home

 First job in the morning was to walk up to the shop in Napton On The Hill where we bought fruit and snacks for the next 2 breakfasts and lunches. But the main objective was to get water buffalo burgers, the meat coming from the animals kept alongside the Napton locks.

Having returned to the boat we set off down the final lock to Napton Narrowboats hireboat base to pump out our waste tank. Ideally we could have waited until we returned to the marina but it was getting worryingly full.

Then along the the South Oxford Canal in 4-layer weather and joined' the Grand Union Canal to Braunston. There we stopped at Midland Chandlers to buy some bungee cord for the boat covers and an 11 foot barge pole  Our old pole was detriorating badly after being left out in the bad weather for too long.  We will have to prime and paint the new one so it doesnt suffer the same fate.

We were very lucky to find a mooring for the night just up from Midland Chandlers and a short walk from the The Boat Inn which  we will visit for our evening meal.

Journey Statistics

Time: 4 hours (including pump-out and Midland Chandlers)
Distance: 7.25 miles
Locks: 1

Back to Napton

Odd building on HS2 site

 Fortunately the expected rain never really happened.  The weather was just cold, damp, grey and miserable. 

Soonb after leaving at 9:55 we again passed through the HS2 constrauction site.  Here there is an odd looking building as shown in the photograph. It   looks like a bridge but there is nothing obvious that goes below it and it doesnt seem to align with the new railway.  There is also nothing obvious that would be above it as it is much higher than its surroundings.

At around lunch time we reached the 2 locks at Marston Doles where we had cosidered stopping to eat. However we changed our minds decidingto carry on down the Napton flight.  With a bit of luck there would be morings there so we could visit The Follies, the nearby pub, for a late lunch.

Our progress down the locks was speedy and there were moorings availlable at the bottom. Great. However when we visited the pub we found their kitchen  had just closed for the afternoon and would not reopen until the evening. We will have to make do with a ready made paella on the boat.

Journey Statistics

Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
Distance: 6.54 miles
Locks: 8

Sunny again - good progres

 

Swan nesting by the canal

Typical Oxford Canal Lift bridge

Attractive scenery on the Oxford Canal

Housework at our mooring

Since our plans to return home by the weekend may be disrupted by bad weather we decided to travel a reasonable distance today as the fotrecast was sunny and dry.

After leaving Cropredy at 9:30 we ascended the three isolated locks and cruised onto the 5 Claydon Locks. These we ascended quickly with help of volunteer lock-keepers.  At Claydon Top Lock I was pleased to see a couple of swallows in a tree.  I had seen a few flying around the lock on our outward journey but forgot to mention them in the blog. 

We stopped for a late lunch on the boat at Fenny Crompton and then moved on for about about 3 miles to an isolated mooring with wide views across the  countryside. 

Journey Statistics

Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Distance: 8.87 miles
Locks: 8

 moor for the night out in the countryside. 

A rainy day

 Pictures fr0m yesterday

Taking on water in Banbury

Banbury Lift Bridge

Hardwick Lock just outside Banbury

Beneath the M40

Today....

We had planned not to remain at our mooring today but decided to move into Cropredy to get a better internet connection. It was only a light rain when we set off at 9:45 which continued until we moored up in Copredy soon after ascending Cropredy Lock.

We have now lit our stove so it is warm and dry inside the boat, very different to outside.

Journey Statistics

Time: 45 minutes
Distane: 0.94 miles
Locks: 1

Returning home

 

No pictures today as reception is very bad. Will add them when it is better.

Today we started our journey back to the marina.  The plan was to stay in Banbury for a day's rest but the weather forecast showed rain all day tomorrow so we have delayed the rest until then.  

We set off at 9:55 and passed through Banbury lift bridge in the centre of the town, down Banbury Lock, and then onwards a further half mile to a "winding hole".  Here we could turn the boat around, there being nowhere wide enough within the town. 

On our return to Banbury we filled up with water and then stopped for lunch just before the M40. During the afternoon we carried on through 2 further locks and stopped for the day at 15:35 out in the countryside before Cropredy.

Journey Statistics

Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Distance: 5.84 miles
Locks: 5

Banbury

 

Moored in Banbury

Set out from Cropredy at 10 am in overcast weather. After Cropredy Lock we dumped the rubbish and then travelled on down the canal to Slat Mill Lock. Here we were warned by another boater that the next setion of canal was very shallow and that we should keep to the middle.

The next mile was very slow going but there were no real problems getting through to the next look at Bourton.  The cause of the shallow canal became clear as this lock was leaking badly draining water from the previous pound.  To make things worse one paddle on both the top and bottom of the lock were out of use so it took some time to fill and empty the lock.  We hope there will be no problems on our journey back.

The next section of canal took us below the M40 to Hardwick lock when it sttarted to rain. Fortunately it had stopped by the time  we reached our intended mooring in a park to the north of Banbury.  The main attraction however was not the trees but rather a Waitrose within easy walking distance.

We bought a full week's shopping there as the shops are closed tomorrow being Easter Sunday and the only well stocked shop before we get close to home is way back at Napton.  

Journey Statistics

Time: 2 hours 40 mins
Distance: 4.44 miles
Time: 2 hours 40 mins
Locks: 4

Cropredy

 

In the Fenny Crompton "Tunnel"

Left the Wharf Inn in Fenny Crompton earlier than usual at 9:15 since we wanted to get to Cropredy before the rain forecast for 1pm. The route took us through the former Fenny Crompton tunnel which was opened up to form a cutting in 1868 and then on to the 5 Claydon Locks.  These mark the end of the Oxford Canal summit and are the start of the long downhill journey to  the Thames.

The Claydon Locks are followed by 3 further Locks after which we passed the large Cropredy Marina and  moored for the night in the village.

During the afternoon we walked into the village to book a meal at the Brasenose Inn for this evening and then checked the the canalside waste disposal facilities.  This journey we have been diligently separating recyclables and food waste but the Canal and River Trust unfirtunately only provide glass and general waste options.  This was followed by a visit to the nearby village shop as we are running out of food.  However it had very little to offer.  So replenishing our supplies will have to wait until we can get to the Banbury Waitrose tomorrow.

Journey Statistics

Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
Distance: 5.84 mileLocks: 8

On the move again

 

Wooded section of the Oxford Canal 

We  awoke to blue skies and no wind so time to move on.  First task was to ascend the top Napton Lock and then half a mile later ascend the two Marston Doles locks, the final locks for today.  

The remainder of the journey was spent chugging along the canal, at times quite slowly because it was shallow.  The countryside was attractive with woods and fields with sheep and very young lambs.  Less attractive was the short section through the HS2 construction site.  We had time to make up because of not travelling yesterday so ate lunch on the move.

At 2 pm we stopped at Fenny Compton to fill up with water and then moroed up a100 yards later near the Wharf Inn for the night.

Journey Statistics

Time: 4 hours 45 mins
Distance: 8.71 miles
Locks: 3 

No cruising today

 

Moored below lock 7

We have not moved at all today as the wind was gusting up to 45 mph.  With that force of wind steering the boat can be very hard work as it could easily be blown from one side of the canal to the other. Fortunately the skies are blue and the countyside attractive with views across to the nearby low hills.

Napton Locks

 

Waiting to ascend Napton bottom lock

Waiting funder a bridge or anfother lock

Water buffalo

The skies are grey. but yesterday's cold wind has now died down so only 3 layers of clothing were required.  We cruised the 1.6 miles to a convenient mooring just before Napton bottom lock.  From here we walked up to the village to visit the local shop which has good reputation amongst boaters.  This we found was well deserved as not only did they sell the firelighters which we needed but also a good range of snacks. I was surprised to see blood oranges oin sale sine we never have them in our local supermarkets.

Back on the boat, after eating  a snack from the Napton shop for lunch, we set off up the first lock of the Napton flight.  . On the flight there are good views of the water buffalo kept by a local farmer.  Apparently the water buffalo burgers sold by the Napton shop are delicious. We may buy some of the journey back. After 2 hours we had ascended 6 locks and found a good mooring spot to stop for the night.

Journey statistics

Time: 2.5 hours
Distance: 2.5 miles

Locks: 6

Breezy first day cruising

First ducklings this year

On the Oxford Canal near our marina

 We left the marina at 10am in a breezy and cold wind. Sadly the warm dry and sunny spring days of last week are over, at  least for the time being, and today we had to wear 4 layers of clothing to keep warm.

The route took us down to Braunston Junction where we turned west.on the Grand Union Canal. After  a stop for lunch on board we reached Napton Junction where the Oxford Canal leaves the GU.  At 15:30 we moored up for the day out in the countryside near the village of Napton on the Hill in Warwickshire.

The first job was to light our smokeless fuel stove which will keep the boat cosy for the evening.

Journey statistics

Today

Cruising time 3 hours 40 minutes
Distance: 8.43 miles

Locks 0

Another short trip

 We are about to begin our 2 week Spring 2025 cruise.  This will take us from our marina down the Oxford Canal to Braunston in Norhamptonshire and then to Napton via the Grand Union Canal and then up the Oxford Canal again to Banbury.  This is repeating a cruise we made in 2023 and failed to complete last year because of bad weather.

Densie at her berth in the marina

No cruising today fhough. After packing the car we drove in the morning.to the marina delayed by unusually heavy traffic and road works.  After unloadin the car we shopped for provisions for the journey and on our return to the boat prepared iy for our departure in the morning.

Back to the marina

On the way to Hilmorton Locks

 

On our way home

Passing through the marina

Straight ahead for our berth

Another cold night but the new sleeping bag made a great difference. 

We left our mooring in Rugby at 10:25 in sunny weather and travelled further up the canal half a mile or so to the next winding hole where we could turn the boat around. By mid-day we were back near Hilmorton Locks, so we stopped for lunch.  After eating we set off again quickly ascending the locks and arrived back in our marina at 15:45 where Denise took Densie through the marina and moored her her for the first time.

7.96 miles
3 locks
3 hours 45 mins travelling

Total cruise statistics
14.81 miles
6 locks
3 days
2.36 hours/day
2.94 lockmiles/hour

Hilmorton Locks and Rugby

 Another cold night, probably down to 5degC in the bedroom. But it did not disturb our sleep  as we awoke late after 8am.

Descending Hilmorton Locks

Approaching Rugby

We set off at 10:40 and soon reached the 3 Hilmorton Locks.  The descent was quick since there are very few boats on the move.  We reached Rugby visitor moorings at around midday and immediately set off for the shops located conveniently close to the canal where we had lunch and bought some clothes.  However the most important item was a warmer sleeping bag allegedly comfortable at 5 deg C.

2.99 miles
3 locks
1:50 journey time

Short cruise to Hilmorton trip

The weather was dry but foggy when we got up in the morning after a very cold night.  Before we could set off there were a number of jobs to be done.  The water tank was filled up  having been kept low during the winter whilst there was chance of a long cold spell. Then the boat had to be disconnected from the shore mains supply and switched over to batteries.  The fire had gone out overnight so it had to be relit.

But by 10:40 the fog was disapearing and we were ready to move. An uneventful journey took us a short distance before Hilmorton Locks arriving soon after mid-day.  AFder lunch onboard we walked to the locks but decided not to cruise any further today since we have plenty of time.

3.86 miles

1.5 hours 

Back on board again!!

 After a gap of about 6 months because of illness we are now on our travels again. Just a few days to test our new stove and to check the boat is fully workig after a air amunt of work has been done on her

Evening view of Densie moored in marina

So far so good.  The central heating started at the first attempt and the cabin has warmed up..  The fridge quickly reached operating temperature and is now keeping our wine and beers ready for drinking. Having turned on the gas the cooker is now working. 

We  spent the afternoon shopping for provisions for the next 5 days. On our our return to the boat I followed the instructions for lighting our new solid fuel stove and within a few minutes it had gone out. Tried again with much the same result.  So I ignored the instructions and successfully lit the stove using the same procedure that I used for many years on the old one.

In the morning we plan to start the cruise from the marina to Rugby.