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.