Claydon Top Lock

This morning the stove was still not running correctly, so I went on the roof and used the boat hook as a chimney brush. It dislodges a lot of fluffy soot which came out like a fountain and landed like black snow on the roof. Thankfully its improved things and I will bring the brushes back next trip.
O I forgot to mention, it decided to rain while I was doing this.
The rain stopped and we were on our way, you can’t do this part of the S Oxford without photographing this boat.

It wasn’t long before we were passing the canal side Glamping site but it looks like the hot tub and Tepee cover have been put to bed for the winter months.By now we could see signs of HS2 in the distance, we couldn’t understand this structure at first as it looks like a bridge, but the line doesn't cross the canal here. When we got closer we could see it was in fact a bridge to give land access to both sides of the line.Next on the list was the HS2 canal crossing, they still have the temporary access bridge in the foreground and beyond the new rail bridge is Wilsons Bridge No.128.

The offside bridge retaining wall has been built and for a new bridge I think it looks quite acceptable, I don’t  know what is planned for the towpath side and at the moment its part of a long diversion.Knotts Bridge No.130 has disappeared completely since we were last this way, I wonder if that will happen to more of the decaying ones around the system.

On to Fenny Compton with boats moored before the bridge but only one between the pub and the long term moorings up by the marina. Diesel at the marina is a good price at 95p/L for domestic use. Quite surprisingly there was a boat moored between bridges 137 and 137A. At the far end of the old opened out tunnel we met the only boat of the day, I think it was a Marque Boat like ours, called Spirit of Albion. We carried on to moor for the night just above Claydon Locks behind two other boats, lets just hope they don’t set off the same time us us in the morning.

 

Today’s journey10 miles with no locks in 3¾ hours