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.

Journetystatistics

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.