Thursday 21 May Smeeton to Elkington Bridge 27

Yesterday afternoon turned in to a very pleasant evening and we took a walk to the top of the tunnel. We set off this morning at about half nine in bright sun, our first stop was Debdale Wharf where we filled with diesel at 50p lt plus the duty for traction. The next stop was the bottom of the Foxton flight where Diana went up to find the lock keeper, it is essential to book in with the lock keeper before starting up the flight, he in turn tells you where you are in the queue, we were right by the lock gates but still third in the queue. Diana bought ice creams while I helped the other two boats through the first lock before we followed them up. There were only two boats coming down, the first came down earlier and we met the second between the two flights where there is room for two boats to pass. Half way up it started to rain and this was the pattern for most of the day. We didn't meet any boats on the move today but there were a couple already moored up. We passed under the A14 road and moored at the next convenient vacant piece of bank just before bridge 27 at about 5 pm.

Now that I have a usable 3 signal you can see our latest position here

Foxton to Smeeton 20 May 09

Last night we went into the Locks Pub to watch Mikron Theatre again, performing another play, Tales of the Thames. We set off this morning tat 10 am to have lunch in the restaurant in Union Basin, Market Harborough, unfortunately its still closed and in receivership, so we walked into town and ate there. We moored on the visitor moorings at the entrance to the basin and took on water, this is the slowest tap we have used for some time. After lunch we set off again retracing our steps to Foxton. We had just negotiated the first swing bridge when the skys opened, we both dived into the boat and sat there for 5 minuets until it stopped. Soon the sun was back with us and we continued on and up towards Leicester until we reached the winding hole at Smeeton, here we winded and dropped back a few yards to some very good moorings with rings. I put the 3 dongle on top of the TV mast but still couldn't get a signal so this will get posted on Thursday some time.

Welford to Foxton 19 May

We heard Tysely the Mikron boat go by at about 8 am and we set off a little after 9, winding at the end of the arm. BW were hard at work cleaning the stone edging with a yard broom. There is a rather smart wooden foot bridge over the canal that goes nowhere. It's a shame they can't move it to replace the rotten one over the marina entrance where it would do some good. We met several boats between Welford and the top of Foxton including Sue Day with a horse drawn boat. We stopped at the top of the flight for lunch and moved on to work the flight at about 1 30. Diana went down to speak with the lock keeper and we were told we could proceed when the next boat left the flight, it would be about 40 minuets as they were still in the bottom staircase. While we waited for our turn it poured down with rain for the sun to reaper just as the boat coming up reached the top lock. The sun stayed with us down the first flight where we had to wait again for a boat coming up and then the rain returned mixed with hail and accompanied with thunder. By the bottom of the flight it was back to drizzle. We turned right down the Market Harborough Arm and moored at 3 30 just beyond the swing bridge.

Monday 18 May Yelvertoft to Welford

A fairly bright but windy morning as we set off about 9.30 Most of the boats we met all seemed to be on bends or in bridge holes. One we met between a bridge and a bend looked behind him just before we passed, what he failed to do was to tell me there was about behind him that I met right on the bend as I slid back to the middle of the channel after passing him. If you read this, thank you. The wind didn't give to much of a problem and it stayed dry. At the Welford Arm we turned right and headed into Welford, luckily there was a gap on the visitor mooring quite close to the end which was about 6 feet longer than us so we have tucked in there at about 1 30 pm for the night. The mooring rings are slightly unusual here as they are set in the face of the bank piling about 6" below the bank level.

Tonight we are going to watch Mikron Theatre in the pub, tomorrow they are at Foxton and then Hillmorton and Napton.

Sunday 17 May Braunston to Yelvertoft

We woke to a very sunny morning but it quickly dulled over, as we took the dog for a very short walk we noticed a boat up by the locks, we had heard one go through before 8 but weren't ready to leave. We pushed off and caught up with the other boat, an Ownerships boat called "Silhouette" who were just closing the top gates, as we were to discover later the early boat had left all the top gates open. We met boats at all the locks except the one above the Nelson Pub and that also had the top gates open. With the steady flow coming towards us we made good progress up the flight where there were 4 boats waiting to come down. We met 2 boats very early in the tunnel and then nothing until almost the other end. Silhouette followed us in and I would suspect she is quite a confusing boat to meet in a tunnel, she has two headlight mounted in the top corners of the cabin, so from a distance it looks like a breasted pair coming towards you. We met a third boat when we were almost through the tunnel, they had an interesting way of steering  about 15 degrees to the right with the bow bouncing on and off the tunnel wall and the stern about 18" out.   By the time we cleared the tunnel it was raining steadily and this didn't clear until about mid day. Between the tunnel and Norton Junction BW/Morrisons are rebuilding the bank and towing path, do we really want miles of surfaced towing paths running through the country side? At Norton Junction we turned left onto the Leicester Branch and stopped just through the foot bridge for water, The service moorings are quite short and the tap close to the bridge so if your water filler is near the bows like ours, your stern ends up almost in the bridge hole. While we were taking water n.b.Herbie came passed, they only went as far as the marina and then winded so we passed a second time. There was no queue at the Watford flight and we just had to wait for one boat to come down the last 2 locks before we could go up. Diana had a bit of trouble at the top lock as the bottom gate kept blowing open, she went back twice to close it so I told her to open the top paddle a couple of clicks, this resulted in the lock keeper shouting at her for opening the paddle with a gate open. I told her to ignore him and just walk back an close it. He didn't say a word, as he was obviously watching it would not have hurt him to have just walked over and opened the paddle when Diana went back for the second time. At the top of the locks we passed n.b. Caxton just as they were about to push off and they followed us all the way to Crick. We continued on passed the new marina that is going to be dug at Yelvertoft, if the miles of plastic fencing are anything to go by it will make Wigrams Turn Marina look like a fish pond. We had just got through Yelvertoft village and past the long term moorings when my umbrella blew inside out with the squally rain so we have moored right in the far end of the visitor moorings

Napton to Braunston 16 May 09 Saturday

We arrived at the boat yesterday evening and though about going for a Chines takeaway but by the time we had unloaded the car it was raining quite heavily and we decided that walking back down to the car in such weather was not a good idea. The rain continued most of the evening and into the night.

This morning things had improved with the sun trying to peek through although it didn't actually manage it until this afternoon. We set off about 10 am just as a boat was coming up the top lock and things continued in this vane all the way down the flight meeting a boat at every lock and leaving all the gates open as we left for the next boat. We did have a little drizzle on the way down requiring us to put coats on, it was very light  but accompanied by a stiff breeze. We met a couple of boats we knew between Wigrams Turn and Braunston stopping for a short chat with one of them.  We spotted our first family of swans today, mum, dad and 5 signets, we have also seen several families of ducks on the cut. There were quite a few mooring spaces in Braunston opposite The Mill House but we decided to push on to see if there was any space near the marina, we could always come back if it was full. Once in the centre of Braunston we couldn't find a space anywhere but we were in luck as one chap said he was about to leave and if we hung about we could moor there. As soon as he backed out we backed in, we had not been here long when NB Caxton came by and headed up the locks but I didn't recognise anyone on board. Later that evening we went to The Old Plough for a meal, it was a bit more expensive than we remembered but very good, Diana had Lasagna with salad and garlic bread where as I had Lamb hot pot with new potatoes and a bread roll. Bother were a good size portion, hot and tasted good. They also had 4 beers on, two Adnams, Black Sheep and the other I cant remember.

A Trip with a Difference Bank Holiday Monday

We left home about 9 am and travelled south on the A12  to just south of Ipswich where we turned off to Nayland.  Once over the river Stour we parked in the layby and waited for Sue to come and pick us up. From here she took us to the Granary at Sudbury   where we met up with her husband Roger and picked up a two man canoe. We then made our way in two cars with two canoes to a small village called Bures.  By now it had started to rain so we decided it would be a good time to eat our packed lunches while still in the car.
The weather was kind to us and as we finished eating it stopped raining and we were able to unloaded the canoes and carried them down to the River Stour in the dry.  At the small wooden jetty where we were going to launch, sat mother duck with her clutch of very young chicks, they were all amazingly tame and just stayed there as we launched the first canoe, the one that Diana and I were going to use , they only moved a few feet as Sue and Roger launched theirs. Now you must remember that it must be at least 40 years since I have been in a canoe and I am not sure that Diana ever has. The first problem was was getting in, feet in the centre of the floor, hands on edge of combing and drop down on the seat, well pad in our case. The deck flexed under my weight and I dropped smartly down, my hips squeezed through the combing and I was down. Getting out would be another problem.
Diana and I drifted about in the river while Sue and Roger stepped leisurely into their open Canadian canoe and we all set off down stream. The first stop was only a short way down stream at Bures Mill and thanks to Sue and Roger's efforts I was extracted from the canoe, sitting down to within an inch of the floor is one thing, getting up was another. This was the first of four weirs that we had to carry the canoes round, Each has a small wooden landing platform above and below the weir,  Some of these are on private property and have very polite notices telling you its private land and asking you to respect their property as you cross.   We carried the canoes round the weir, this was not without its problems.  The EA are raising a bridge beside the river that you have to pass under carrying your canoe as its very low. While the work is ongoing they have put a temporary bridge in and also temporary steps to the lower level to get under both bridges. They are full H&S steps down a bank with scaffolding handrails. The end result is you can't use them with a canoe in your hands so have to slither down the bank beside them. We were soon back on the river and on our way. Here I heard the Cuckoo for the first and only time this year and also watched a pair of Mandarin Ducks flying round, I have only ever seen them on the water before.  It wasn't long before we got the line wrong and were aground on the gravel, but a bit of abuse with the paddle had us on our way again.  The canoe we had, a 30 year old two person Kayak was not the most manoeuvrable craft in the world so we did take a couple of excursions through the overhanging branches and a patch of reeds.We were a bit apprehensive about passing swans that may be nesting, in the end we only passed one swans nest and the cob was more interested in the two white plastic drums supporting an irrigation pump hose than he was us.  At Wiston Mill we met three canoes coming upstream, this is most unusual as most people travel with the flow like we were. A short way before Nayland weir the river passes under the A134 in a tunnel, this is of a corrugated iron construction and is completely circular in cross section and 30 meters long.  Like all waterways the EA is quick to put up signs, the most useless one was about 35 yards before the landing stage at Nayland Weir saying "No Boat beyond this point" how do they expect you to land and take them out? Once past Nayland weir we only had about another 100 meters to the end of our journey.  We landed outside The Anchor pub in Nayland, here we pulled the canoes out and went for a welcome half of Adnams before Diana took Sue and Roger back to Bures to fetch their cars so they could come back and retrieve the canoes.

The six miles had taken us just on three hours to complete and the weather stayed fine for us.

You can see photos of our trip at http://www.flickr.com/photos/brian-and-di

14 April Braunston to Napton

We set off a few minuets after ten to a warm,  sunny morning. The canal traffic was quite heavy especially in the area of Shuckburgh where boats coming towards us seem to be travelling in close convoys of about 6, this lead to some interesting manoeuvering and position holding around the bridges.  Work at bridge 107 looks to have come to a standstill as far as the canal is concerned and the work force moved to bridge 107 but there was no disruption to boat traffic. We were expecting long queues and delays at the Napton flight, but when we arrived there was no one waiting and a boat just about to leave the lock. We had a very good run up the flight meeting 5 boats in total with all the locks for us, even the ones that had leaky gates only needed one paddle opening for us to get in. Getting back into our mooring at the top of the flight was slightly more of a problem as the silt builds up very quickly while we are away, so quite a bit of rope pulling is required to get Harnser alongside. Today we have seen "Moore 2 Life" and "Skyy" on the South Oxford Canal
This evening we walked down to The Folly to eat and had quite a nice meal, pie and chips. I thought the beer was a bit pricey at £5.80 for 2 pints and also the sweets at £5.75 a time

13 April Buckby to Braunston

We left Buckby about 9 am when a boat came down the first lock, we were planning to be in Braunston for lunch time to meet my son and his family. Half the towing path between Norton Junction and Welton Wharf is now open again although the final path finish hasn't been completed. We met 3 boats in the tunnel, the first two had tunnel lights that shone a pencil beam straight down the length of the tunnel. luckily for us it was quite misty in there which defused a lot of the beam until we got close to them. There was a steady flow of boats coming up the flight and a hire boat waiting at the top lock to go down, so we joined them and had a good run. We had just entered the top lock when my son rang to find out where we were. We explained our position and they walked up to find us and were able to ride down the last 3 locks.  We then took them for a short cruise to the winding hole on the puddle banks and back to the Mill House for lunch. That didn't quite work out as they had just taken an order for 8 so we would have to wait 3/4 hour, goodness knows what they would do if they get busy as there was hardly anyone in there. With 2 children we decided to leave and go to The Nelson, again the service was quite slow, we heard them tell the people after us there would be 15 minuet delay but our food was a good half hour coming, while we were eating I spotted Derwent6 coming up the flight.  After that we said our goodbyes and walked back along the towing path to Harnser  stopping to chat with several people on the way. Once back at the boat  I still have a few outstanding jobs to do, one I didn't expect was to touch up two chips in the paint on the side and roof, we thought we may have been targeted on the Coventry Canal and got away with it, but it looks as if I was wrong and we did collect a couple of stones. About 6 pm we decided to head out in the countryside for the night and moored again at 7 pm by bridge 99.

You can see our latest position here

12 April Stoke Bruerne to Buckby Top pound

Again we left a little after 10 am in light drizzle and rain. I am intrigued by the small tunnel running off the side of Blisworth Tunnel 850 Mt in from the Stoke Bruerne end on the right hand side. The tunnel is about 4 feet above water level and has water flowing out of it into the canal, this in its self is not unusual, but what is, is that you can see light at the end of this tunnel and water falling into it. You can't see straight out of the end of it so the light must be coming down or sideways. Has anyone ever explored this tunnel and if so can you turn a corner at the end or even look up to the sky. We met 5 boats in the tunnel and a continuous stream all the way to Blisworth. Not long after this we spotted Fa Fair moored against the towing path so we stopped for coffee, actually we had just made a couple of mugs of coffee and got our last two buns so we took them in with us. When we left it had almost stopped raining and things improved from there. We followed a boat from before Weedon all the way to Whilton, some one to share the locks with we thought, but no the turned into the marina. We had to turn the bottom lock and by the time it was empty there was another boat coming up behind us, so we entered the lock and waited for them. This turned out to be a good move as they were experienced boaters which meant Diana could go and set the second lock while the chap off the other boat locked us out of the first, like wise the third and any others that needed turning. We booth moored for the night just bellow Buckby Top Lock just on 6 pm.

You can see our latest position here

11 April Black Horse Bridge to Stoke Bruerne

The moorings last night were very quiet which resulted in a slight case of oversleeping this morning, the end result we didn't get away until 11 am. The weather started quite well but started to deteriorate around lunch time and we finished our travels in light rain and drizzle. Things got a bit busy around Cosgrove with 4 boats waiting above the lock while us and a Wyvern hire boat went up and then there was a steady flow all the way to the Stoke Bruerne flight, The bottom lock was with us and a boat was waiting to go down, from the third up all the top gates were open and by the time we had turned the lock a boat was entering the lock above and one was also entering the bottom of the flight behind us. we went up the third allowing the boat above to come down and then waited for the boat behind. By the time they had joined us there were two boats above the lock waiting to come down and all the rest of the flight was with us. Once clear of the locks we filled with water and then moved up to the first available mooring spot on the bollards and rings just above the disabled moorings. As it was now 4 pm we decided to stop for the night.

You can see our latest position here

10 April Linslade to Black Horse Bridge

We ate at the Globe last night, the restaurant was full and we hadn't booked a table so we ate in the bar. This is no hardship in the Globe as they have several areas with tables in quiet alcoves. We ate from the specials menu both having Lamb meatballs which were excellent.
We were a bit later getting away than planed as there was a bit about the steam launch "Gondola " on Lake Conniston and her fist lady captain. We pushed off just before 11 am by which time most of the other boats had already left. All the locks went quite well meeting boats in all the right places. We stopped at Willowbridge marina for diesel at 59p/lt topping the tank right up. Not long after leaving it started to rain and this continued right until we moored at about 5 pm at the end of the visitor moorings at Black Horse Bridge.

You can see our latest position here

9 April Marsworth to Linslade

Last night we met friends in The Complete Angler for a meal and a few drinks, we all had fish dishes and Diana's comment was that these were the best fresh vegetables we had had all trip.

We set off this morning at twenty to ten and only met one boat all the way to Leighton Buzzard. For the first part of the trip we found all the top gates open, ready for us, even Marsworth Bottom that has a big notice asking you to close the gates and drain the lock after use. The weather was a bit miserable with a cool wind and fine drizzle at times. We stopped at Leighton Buzzard to get a few bits and pieces from Tesco and Aldi before pushing on north. The sight that greeted us at Wyvern Boats was a bit different to when we passed through last Monday with most of the boats now our. We soon learnt that most of them were on there way back for tomorrow morning, we met the first at Leighton Lock and although Diana gave them a hand they chose not to speak to her. We went down through the lock and moored for the night just before The Globe opposite the sewage works at 4 pm. Since we have been here they have been coming past steadily with some mooring between us and the lock ready to do the last few hundred yards in the morning. It looks like the short breaks are very popular.

You can see our latest position here

8 April Wendover Arm to Marsworth

Yesterday evening I saw my first Swallow of the season flying over the storage area of the Wendover Trust, I hope he found somewhere safe to bed down for the night as it blow well overnight. The boat next to us had a wind generator on the roof  and I bet the noise inside the boat was something else. This morning it was still breezy and sunny, the overnight rain having cleared away. We took the dog for a walk along the unrestored section of the arm to where its in water again. We finally pushed off at 1130 am. winded in the corner and headed back to the main line where we turned right to Cowroast the other end of the Tring summit, where we winded to start our journey home. On the way back along the summit a Kingfisher flashed by, not even time to think about lifting the camera let alone get a photo. Back at the top of the Marsworth flight we found all the locks against us, we didn't meet anything in the flight and we had to work all the locks alone. For a change Diana drove the boat and I did all the locks. It wasn't till the very bottom lock where a boat was coming out and we caught up with nb Syncopation going down. We moored for the night just below the bottom lock right beside the White Lion pub and 4 pm.

I have just discovered that over the passed week we have shared several locks with a fellow blogger "morethanadequate" and I didn't know it. My RSS feeds have not been updating and today I found the morethanadequate are none other than nb Syncopation.

You can see our latest position here

7 April Seabrook lock to The Wendover Arm

Well the Peacock performed as expected giving 2 calls at approximately 10 minute intervals starting before it was light. He was accompanied with the sound of the trains. This must be one of the busiest sections of rail outside any large city. There seams to be a  train constantly in hearing distance. We decided last night that one of the first jobs today would be to get the toilet tank pumped out as it was at a critical level. It was only a couple of locks and a swing bridge to Glebe Cruisers at Pitstone where there is a DIY token operated pump out machine, Diana purchased a token for £10 and I read the instructions carefully before inserting the token. When I did the lights changed as described, I pressed the green button, the pump started but the level of vacuum was zero. I tried sucking up canal water to prime the pump with no success. The chap from the yard came over and fed the water hose straight into the pump suction and then quickly reconnected the suction pipe, we were away and the tank started to empty. He left me a spare token in case the time left was to short to finish the job which was just as well as it cu out half way through. The second token had the tank emptied when there was a shout to shut it down, apparently a hose on the discharge of the pump had burst round the back of the boatyard. We thanked them kindly and left them to it. Just as we entered Marsworth bottom lock another boat came into view so we waited and it turned out to be a single handed boater who was more than happy to do his share of the work. We stayed together all the way up the Marsworth flight to Bullborne where he carried straight on and we turned right down the Wendover Arm. At Bullborne dry dock they were steaming some timbers to repair a boat. They had a wooden steam chest with the planks in it, but instead of the normal boiler feeding it with steam they had a steam cleaner running with the lance pocked inside the steam box and a tiewrap on the trigger.
We carried on down the Wendover arm, once past the flour mill we found the canal very shallow, much worse than last time we came this way but things improved just before the pump house and the newly restored section was no problem. We moored for the night at the very end of the arm with our bow touching the end dam.

You can see our latest position here

6 April Stoke Hammond to Seabrook Lock

We left as usual at 10 am as we arrived at Soulbury Three Locks a boat was just going up in the first lock, but they waited for us in the first pound, It was the same boat that we had shared Fenny Stratford lock with yesterday. At the top of the three we left them as they were again saying goodbye to friends. We did see them once or twice behind us between here and Leighton Lock, but when we arrived at the lock they were nowhere to be seen so we locked up alone. Just as we left the lock they arrived below it but by then there was a wide beamed vessel waiting to go down so the didn't have all the work to do alone.
We stopped to do some shopping at Tesco and Home Base in Leighton Buzzard and probably spent two hours moored there having a bit of dinner before we set off. We carried on alone to just above Slapton Lock where we moored as Diana fancied going to the Carpenters Arms for dinner, as it was Monday I suggested that she rings them to see if they were doing food, it turned out that they don't do food on Monday or Tuesday nights. While we were moored there a community boat came passed and winded at the winding hole by the bridge, we had set off again long before they were round and we expected them to moor for the night, however as we entered Horton Lock I saw they were behind us so I tucked round behind the bottom gate and let them in beside us. They had just closed the gate and we started to fill the lock when the lady from the boat we had shared with this morning came running up, she didn't know we were in the lock and thought the other boat was alone. We continued up together as far a Seabrook Lock 34 where at it was 6 o'clock we decided to moor for the night and let the community boat full of Boy Scouts continue on alone. Once they had gone we turned the lock for the boat that was following us, but they decided to moor for the night just above the lock. The evening has been quite noisy as there is a Peacock roosting in the tree beside the boat, I hope he doesn't get up to early in the morning.

You can see our latest position here

5 April Cosgrove to Stoke Hammond

Yesterday Diana decided that now the weather was warmer she would turn the stove out, the night was clear and the morning cool. The stove went on again about 4 pm to cook dinner. We saw lots of Wyvern Shipping boats about today, all the ones on a long weekend break have to be back at base by 9 am tomorrow. Passing through Milton Keynes we spotted "Fe Fair" moored against the towing path so we pulled over and spent an hour with them before heading off south. As we approached Fenny Stratford Lock a boat was about to enter so we shared the lock with them. They already had the swing bridge open and were able to remove their key leaving the bridge open for the following boat. I don't know if this bridge should be left open or closed, prior to the lock being fitted it was always left open, so maybe it should be locked open when not in use. We left the lock first as the other boat was dropping friends off who had been visiting for the day. Next stop was Stoke Hammond Lock, this was set against us with the top gates open, we expected the other boat to catch up by the time the lock was ready, but there was no sigh of them so we started going up alone, we had about a foot of water in the lock when a Wyvern Hire boat appeared below the lock, so we emptied the lock and opened one of the bottom gates to let them in beside us. We moored for the night just above the Lock moorings at about 5-30 pm.

You can see our latest position here

4 April Stoke Bruerne to Cosgrove

I spent the morning in the education centre at the Waterways Museum with about 11 other people all with our lap tops to receive tuition about the new IWA web site, unfortunately the museum's wi-fi wasn't working so none of us could get on line. Luckily Dave who was holding the tutorial had his 3 dongle with him so he connected using that and we all watched his screen which didn't give us any hands on usage. The weather all day was beautiful and we finally left our mooring at 2.15 pm. We had all the Stoke Bruerne locks in our favour but we were working down alone. We met a couple of boats in the flight which saved us shutting all the gates. We moored for the night at Cosgrove on the visitor moorings which have lots of handy mooring rings about 5.30 this evening.

You can see our latest position here

3 April Stowe Hill to Stoke Bruerne

The weather today was very similar to yesterday, starting off cold and damp with the sun finally getting through a little after one to give a very pleasant afternoon.

We set off at 10 am but didn't want to get to Stoke Bruerne before 2 pm as it takes 4 hrs to charge the batteries and if we arrived any sooner then we would just have to sit with the engine running. We met a few boats on the way but no one caught us up which considering how slowly we were going was a bit surprising. A boat pulled out ahead of us a Blisworth, they were travelling quite slowly as well so I slowed down a bit more. I didn't see them enter the tunnel but as soon as we entered I could hear them, but still couldn't see them, so I dropped right back to tickover. There was a fair amount of water coming down as usual and in the end I resorted to using the brolly. About a quarter of a mile before the south end there is a tunnel going off to the left at about 3 foot from the water level. Looking down this tunnel you can see light at the end and also water coming down. The floor of this small tunnel, it's only about 30" wide is covered with a bright brown/orange deposit from the water. We continued on and met a bout about 300 yards from the end, behind them was the trip boat from the museum,  they had their spotlights on which completely blinded my, luckily they only go about a 100 yards into the tunnel and then reverse out, so we didn't have to endure it for long. We moored just on 2 pm about 250 yard above the locks. We will stay here until tomorrow afternoon as in the morning I will be attending a Web accessing course at the canal museum.

 

You can see our latest position here

2 April 09 Leicester Branch to Stowe Hill

Well there was a change in the weather today and it was quite cool when we went out. The first job was to reverse back along the arm, passed all the moored boats, through the bridge and turn at the junction back on the Grand Union main line and head towards London. As we turned I noticed a boat coming from Braunston and luck was with us as he was going our way, some one to help in these large locks is very handy. The third pound from the bottom was about 2 foot down on level and just as we locked down into it a BW chap arrived to top it up. We met the first boat coming up in this lock, all the rest had been empty when we arrived but this chap had just started filling it. By the time we were down there was another boat below waiting to come up, I am amazed the first chap didn't realise there was a boat following in the pound behind and waited for him. By now I had put a jacket on top of my fleece is was so cool. The boat we were sharing with, Oakapple said that the other side of Braunston tunnel had been fine. As we only want to get to Stoke Bruerne tomorrow we moored up just before 2 pm just south of Stowe Hill Wharf opposite the camping/caravan site a short way before bridge 28. Once moored the sun came out and things warmed up pleasantly. We spent the afternoon fitting new door liners to the left hand side doors. I originally lined these with plywood, but they always get wet at the bottom and the wood had seen much better days. Now I have glued two strips of 9 mm wood down inside the doors and then glued a sheet of 9 mm white plastic onto them to make the face, so the wet shouldn't cause any more problems in the future. We will have to wait and see how they last.

 

You can see our latest position here

1 April 09 Napton to Norton Junction

We set off at 10 am in warm sunshine, said good by to Mike on Draco and made our way down the flight, The first boat we met was using the new BW bollards and smashed into the top gates in both locks despite shouting at his wife/lady to shut the paddle down. He was also back setting as he went for a boat that was not in site, so we arrived at the next lock and instead of being full and ready for us it was empty with the bottom paddle up and the boat coming up was still working the next lock down, so that was another lock full of water going to waste. Even more surprising was that the first boat was complaining about low pounds. The second boater we met was convinced he had been talking to me in The Folly the evening before, saying that I left early as I had to walk up to the Engine Arm to cook myself a meal. We left with him thinking I must have a brother. Just below the bottom lock a chap was repairing a BW flat full of crushed white stuff that they now spread on the towing path. Just round the bend we passed Derwent6 but no sign of life. I must say their brass put us to shame, about half a mile further I met the tug pushing an empty flat right on the bend, by the time I saw the roof of the tug, the bow of the flat was there. Still we got buy with no loss of paint only a slight loss of face as I had to back up to get round the bend after he had gone. I always go very slowly as I approach Nimrod Bridge as with its double bend its impossible to see anyone coming the other way. Today there was a work flat moored on the off side under the bridge, If I had have met a boat he would have had nowhere to go.  At the next bridge there is a big notice saying that there is ongoing work and boats may have to wait. The chap said we would need to wait 20 minuets. I don't know about others but I am finding time and time again there is no mention of expected delays on the stoppage page of Waterscape. If the towing path is obstructed in a town then that's there, but no mention of holdups for boats on the South Oxford where they are removing the A34 flyover or the works on bridge 107 Grand Union . We stopped briefly for water in Braunston and then threaded our way through all the moored boats to the bottom of the locks. There were 2 boats coming down and I was so close to the lock due to the moored boats that they had to single out to get round me. We went up alone and soon met another boat coming down, only they had all four paddles up. The Nelson is due to open Friday and starts doing food on Saturday, we will give it a try on our way back. We didn't meet anything in the tunnel and could easily see right through to the far end.  We intended to moor at Norton Junction but it was full up so we have gone up the Leicester Arm. A short way up here there are 3 working flats moored breasted up on the offside, they were there when we came up just after Christmas, I assumed they belong to BW but they now have BW patrol notices on them, is this like traffic wardens nicking police cars for parking? We had to go almost to Welton Marina before we could find a spot to moor. We tied up at about 5 15 pm.

 

You can see our latest position here

31 March 09 Cropredy to Napton Top Lock

The canal was quite busy this morning with most boats coming down the locks which gave us a good run as far as the Claydon flight, from here they were against us. We did a brief stop at Broadmoor lock to buy a new button fender for the bow as yesterday in Grant Lock  when it caught the bolts holding the running plate it got quite a pasting.  As we approached Claydon top lock we saw a boat above but one chap was sitting on the roof meditating and the other was polishing his engine, merrily moored to the first lock mooring, so there was no way they were going to come down and give us a good lock. Diana had just turned the lock when a BW boat came along heading for Cropredy, at least they had a good road as we hadn't met anyone since Cropredy Lock. We  pulled over at Fenny tunnel so I could take some photos of the winch and track where I am told they use to load bricks, there is even wire on the winch even if the wooden drum has rotted away.  Along the summit we met Ten Bob Note and said hello as we passed.

We moored at about 5 30 right opposite our home moorings as I wanted to do a bit of work on the Port side doors and also change the engine oil. Again there was a steady flow of boats coming up the flight.

Our plan now is to have a run down to Stoke Bruerne arriving Friday and hopefully getting some tuition on the new IWA web site on Saturday.

You will find our latest position here

30 March 09 Aynho to Cropredy

We left Aynho at 1030, it was a bit cooler than yesterday but dry with light winds. As we approached Banbury a couple called from the bank enquiring what the name of the boat meant, so I explained. They then asked if the spider web painted on the bow had anything to do with Cutweb to which I told them it did. They then went on to say they had applied to join and were waiting to hear back about it. I took £10 off them and wrote a membership card out there and then. We pushed on through Banbury only stopping to top up with diesel at Sovereign Narrowboats and leave him some of Kate's flyers. As we were about to leave Hardwick Lock I spotted a steam locomotive sitting stationary on the lines just by the bridge and she was making steam, I took a couple of photos hoping to get one of her steaming by as we moved up the canal, when did she decide to go by, just as I entered Bourton Lock, I scrambled up but the bushes ruined the shot, a few minutes earlier and it would have been open track. We met a few boats on this stretch so the locks were all with us and we moored for the night just below Cropredy Lock, opposite the canoe centre on the few remaining 48 hour moorings in the village.

Sunday 29 March Lower Heyford to Aynho Wharf

Last night we ate in The Bell and I was surprised what good value it turned out to be, I was expecting much higher prices. The place was heaving and there was live music in the bar. When I took Magic out last thing, again there was a good layer of ice on the roof and looking out this morning it was still frosty. As most of you will realise by now the clocks went forward last which meant that we all got a hour less in bed last night. I thought I would change over gently, say 10 minutes a day for the rest of the week and I would be there. However the Collage Cruisers moored a short way down the cut had other ideas and came chugging by at 7 30 then the dog thought that maybe we should be up, so in the end I, like most people did the whole hour in one bash.

We decided that as the weather was so nice we would have a wonder round Lower Heyford before setting off, bad move. On Sunday all the Oxfordshire Narrowboats, day boats were out and 3 of them were going the same way as us, then a couple of private boats followed them so locking became slow going, even just travelling at tickover between locks I still caught up with the last boat, and at Somerton Deep Lock somehow the last private boat had got ahead of the last day boat and they were still waiting at the lock when we got there. About half a mile above the lock we pulled over for lunch. This is not a bad mooring, piled edge, deep and a hill between the cut and the railway. We were going to stop for the rest of the day but the batteries still needed another hour of charging so we continued on to Aynho Wharf where we filled with water and moored opposite the boat yard, again the buildings are between the cut and the railway so stop most of the noise.

Once moored we did a few jobs around the boat in nice warm sunshine.

Saturday 28 March 09 Thrupp to Lower Heyford

Last night when we returned from the pub, The Boat , which is now under new management and being well supported by the local community, there was ice on the roof of the boat with a very clear star light sky and not a breath of wind.

This morning when we woke up the boat was rocking and it was blowing quite hard. We set of at 10 am. the first stop was The Rock of Gibraltar to drop of some flyers for Kate Seffin who is performing one of her one woman shows in Oxford from the 6 to the 8 April. She is also performing for us at the CIBC rally at the Blue Lias in September. We then continued on to Lower Heyford where we tied up for the night. Once moored we walked round to Oxfordshire Narrowboats with some more flyers and the adjoining cafe Kizzis's where we also had coffee and cakes. Tonight we have a table booked at The Bell and we will be taking them some flyers as well.

Friday 27 March Thrupp to Oxford back to Thrupp

We left the 48 hour visitor moorings at 10 am and headed off towards Oxford in cool sunshine. When we arrived at the lift bridge at Wolvercote there was a chap standing in the middle of the bridge with a stop/go board indicating that we should stop. The fact he was standing on the bridge indicated that we couldn't pass. The reason for this holdup is that they are demolishing the A34 viaduct and building a new one, this one is only about 45 years old but is past its sell by date. The ongoing operation was to lift off the road span over the canal, to do this they had cut it into 6 strips and had an 11 axle crane to lift it off one section at a time and they were about to lift the first section. After 10 minuets of inactivity the man showed us the green side of his board, left the bridge and opened it for us. We then passed under the viaduct and had to wait another 10 minuets while they raised a temporary hydraulic flat bed bridge that they are using to get the plant across, earlier this monster crane had crossed it. The bridge is rated at 100 tones. At Wolvercote lock BW had a flat and a tug full of rubbish they had collected including lots of bicycles, they were accompanied by several BW chaps and a group of volunteers with litter picking equipment. They told me that if I had been a little bit later I could well have been on the TV as they were waiting for a TV crew to come and do an interview. I assume this is the new BW we love volunteers face to the public.

We continued on to Isis Lock, dropped through onto the Thames to turn round and then locked back up onto the Oxford Canal and retraced our steps back to Thrupp. When we arrived at the viaduct the chap that operated the hydraulic bridge came down the towing path to speak to us. He said there would be a delay of about half an hour as they were about to lift the FIRST section off. They had been at it all morning and hadn't made a lift yet and they had hoped to have all 6 off by now. We tied up and waited, there was burning going on and the a large Jack hammer on wheels breaking bit off from the adjoining sections. eventually the big crane took the strain, lifted the now free section a few inches, slewed round and lowered it on the ground. The bridge driver got the OK and lifted the bridge for us and then got the OK for us to proceed. I checked on the BW web site Waterscape and the only work mentioned on the Oxford was work on the moorings at Jericho. From here we had an uneventful trip back to Thrupp visitor mooring apart from meeting lots of people we knew so stopped for several chats on route. We moored up at about 6 pm and ate onboard.

 

You will find our latest position at
http://tinyurl.com/Harnser-s-route

Thursday 26 March 09 Aynho to Thrupp

We have had a slight change of plan that has required us to put our visit to the K&A off until the summer, as we now need to be home early April, so this meant we could have a lie in this morning and not move off until 10 30 as there is no need to be on the Thames first thing tomorrow. We had a very good meal at The Great Western Arms last night, its a bit more expensive than most pubs but not as much as some restaurants and also as a plus they sell Hook Norton beer. Just after we set off the weather had a lot of problems making up its mind what it was going to do, we started in sun with quite a bit of wind and then very fine drizzle coming very fast and at one point some heavy rain. Our first bit of excitement was as we approached lift bridge No. 193. BW have put new mooring bollards on the towing path side to work this bridge, I was just admiring them and thinking what a waste of time for a bridge that is always open, when it started to shut and then open again. This bridge is one of the few on the Oxford that is normally left shut, today it was for some reason open, but only balanced open, not fixed and the wind was threatening to close it as we approached. I stopped with the bows just in the cheeks of the bridge and Diana was able to get off on the off side and go and sit on the bridge beam to ensure it didn't close as we passed through. The next point of interest was about half a mile north of Heyford Common Lock. Here the canal bank has been breached on the off side and the canal is happily flowing into a brook. I rang BW and got transferred to Milton Keynes, told them the problem only to be informed that they where aware of it. If they know why don't they do something like drop a couple of dozen sand bags to stem the flow and stop it getting worse. Just beyond Lower Heyford lift bridge one of the gardens on the off side has a wonderful show of daffodils in their garden. We continued on towards Thrupp and got waved down by a boat coming towards us, it turned out to be a couple that we had been on holiday in France with. We arrived at Thrupp at about 5 pm. Most of what are normally visitor moorings with rings are marked as "private" but there were three 48 hour moorings free near the pub, so we bashed a couple of stakes in and tied up for the night.

Wed 25 March Fenny Compton to Aynho

We set off in good time today, just before 9 am. The weather was mixed, a bit of sun, a bit of snow, a bit of wind a bit of rain and a few calm moments, the only thing missing was thunder and lightning, but that was made up for but the jet fighters thundering over at low level. As we approached the Claydon flight two large Golden Retrievers bounded up to Diana, luckily Simon was not far behind. For some reason BW have changed the moorings above Cropredy to 24 hr moorings, that is I would suggest a complete waste of time, most people arrive at a mooring late in the afternoon and leave normally at a reasonable time in the morning regardless how long they stay for. This means that on a 24 hr mooring realistically you are only able to moor overnight, 48 hrs would have been a much better option. We gave a wave to Matilda Rose as we passed them below Cropredy on the 14 day morning, well to Graham who stuck his head right out of one of their opening portholes. Sovereign in Banbury opens at 2pm we arrived at about 5 minutes too so had to wait for them to open, the owner actually turned up at about quarter past, we took on 80 lt's of diesel, they don't take credit cards or give Green Shield stamps but they do give FREE bantam eggs, so we took 6. We continued on and at Nell Bridge where someone has put in some very nice off side moorings all with water and electricity. There was very little flow on the Cherwell as we crossed into Aynho Lock, but the woodwork protecting the weir is getting in very bad condition and soon some of the timbers will escape if BW don't do something, maybe it would have been better if they had invested in 10 X 6" nails than the big notice that tells you the air draft at Nell bridge because even if you know the height of your boat the notice doesn't tell you if its the centre of the arch or at handrail and I think once I have dropped the lock I can tell if I can get through or not. We have moored for the night opposite Aynho Wharf and plan to eat in the Great Western Hotel.

 

You will find our latest position at
http://tinyurl.com/Harnser-s-route