Newbold

Today's Canal : Oxford

Today was universally a grey, overcast day with little wind but a tad chillier than yesterday.

We set off in good time as we had a date with the boatyard just above the bottom Hillmorton Lock. For several days we have had problems with the oven, with the flame going out in the middle of cooking. We had a particularly hard time with the roast on Sunday. Also, on a number of occasions, once gone out it would then resist being re-lit. When we were coming up the locks last week we spotted a sign listing the services of the boatyard and Christine rang to see if they could take a look at it - yes they could and she arranged to call today.

But first we had two locks to descend. Although the notice at the top lock suggested that there would be three volunteers to assist to day, there was no sign of them here! As these are the busiest on the network, the mechanisms and gates work very smoothly.

We were instructed to turn into the short arm after the middle lock which leads to the boatyard and to hover under the bridge at the entrance. We immediately could see that this a much more imposing facility than we had imagined, almost non of it visible from the main canal. This was one of the main workshops of the Oxford Canal Company. It continues to build new boats, maintain the Willow Wren fleet of hire boats that operates out of Rugby Wharf and to provide maintenance and breakdown services to today's private boat owners.

The arm is short and very crowded. Towards the end a dry docks is accessed by a tight turn.

Two boats were in for work on them and also a third in the covered dock at the far end of the open dock was having a complete re-paint. There was a pumping engine installed here quite early in the life of the canal to ensure that water from above the flight that was used when boats passed through the locks was saved and returned back to the top, We believe that pump was housed in the building to the left of the docks but, surprisingly, the information about this significant site available on the internet seems scant. 

When the duplicate locks were later installed to cope with the volume of traffic, they were designed to act as mutual side ponds, with half of a lockful being saved of possible. At one time each lock could be filled in 29 seconds.

An engineer duly came to look at the over and, of course, it totally failed to demonstrate the problems we had been having and worked perfectly every time! Hopefully that will continue when we come to cook tonight's meal.

After leaving the boatyard we backed out to enter the final lock. All three volunteers were here so we dropped down very quickly and - for us - effortlessly in only a little more than the 29 seconds.

The next pound is level through to Hawkesbury. Continued northwards and passed Clifton Cruisers - an ornate footbridge at the nearby bridge offers pedestrians a safer crossing as the road is often rather busy.

The hire fleet were all out bar one - quite different from the crowded scene when came came the other way.

Lots of different wild flowers are starting to come out - we think these were king cups.

We arrived at the visitor moorings with good rings to tie to, just before the short Newbold Tunnel. As it was now lunch time and several of the preceding moorings were full, we opted to stop here rather than go any further and risk being stuck for mooring.

After lunch we reviewed our schedule and decided that we did not need to move any further so we awarded ourselves a reading afternoon! (And time to write the blog a bour earlier than usual)

4.3 Miles - 3 Locks

Hillmorton

Today's Canal : Oxford (and arguably Grand Union)

Today promised to be much more spring-like and indeed it mostly was, There was little wind and, in the morning, a good mixture of blue skies interspersed with grey clouds that produced no rain.

Many of the canal-side fields had flocks of sheep with their new born lambs, gradually coming to terms with having to find their own food. During the morning we tried hard to find some that would stand close enough  to the water to take a usable photo but they were uncooperative! This was the nearest - and also shows the early grey clouds.

The A42 crossed the canal around Napton Junction several times. In the past the bridges were enlarged for modern traffic and took the road straight across, leaving the canal with a distinct S-bend underneath. These are tricky to navigate - as well as being two tight bends, there is little visibility of any oncoming boats.

By the time we reached the second crossing, the sky had changed completely.

Around the corner from the second bridge we spotted a large brood of tiny chicks - 13 here. Wonder how many will be around in a week or so's time as they fall to hungry predators.

 

We passed Napton Junction and continued a little way to the next winding hole where we turned around. Although this was supposed to be a full length, we only just fitted as the far end was both overgrown and some of the ground has collapsed into the water. Still, with a 16+ point turn we made it without touching the sides at all! But we were too busy to take a photo . . . 

Several pairs of swans seemed to be preparing for the breeding season, collecting sticks and straw to build a huge nest. Here, one mother was well ahead of the crowd and we could just see that she had laid some eggs.

The decoration on this boat is quite impressive, of not to everyone's taste. It is certainly not traditional!   However, it must have taken many hours of careful work to achieve - alas it now needs some renovation at the edges.

We have doubtless shown this bridge before but it is a useful reminder of what is the actual structural load bearing part of the bridge. Some of the farm bridges have had the side parapets removed to allow tractors to tow across the very wide crop sprayers that are now commonly in use.

The next bridge is the usual design. Settlement of the abutments at the edges can sometimes lead to visible cracks in the para[et walls and can cause some concern that the bridge is about to collapse. However, as the previous photo shows, this unlikely to be an issue and the bridge still retains it full load bearing capacity. (This bridge did not looked cracked but is included as a reminder of how they look normally)

We returned to Braunston Junction - just before it stands this impressive turnover bridge that would carry towpath traffic a cross the junction before the addition of the two ornate cast iron structures we showed yesterday.

Another attempt at taking a picture of the daffodil display nearly ended in disaster as Mike made a real mess of turning back onto the north Oxford.

The reason for the parenthetic note in this blog's title is a reminder that the section of canal between here and Napton was initially the Oxford Canal but became an important link for the parts of the Grand Union north and south of Braunston. This actual junction was only created in the mid 1800's as party of the extensive straightening of the Oxford, originally very much a contour canal. The junction was at first a little to the south where the marina is now, and set off in a very large level loop, now bypassed with a much more convenient junction.

The afternoon continued to improve and an outer fleece later could comfortably be removed.

At last - a mother and two lambs that were prepared to stand still for a photo shoot!

At Tarry's or Kilsby Road Bridge there is a much photographed collection of buildings. A now abandoned loop of canal once ran just to the right of these properties. We believe that the road that is now become the B4038 Rugby Road ran between the two terraces. The present road bridge (that looks likely to date from 1930s) diverted the route just behind the main left hand terrace.

The canal had another loop to the south but the only remaining part of that is now a winding hole, immediately opposite the previous photo.

We showed Hillmorton Marina yesterday but took a closer look today and discovered that all of the moorings have been removed except for a couple of spaces attached to some of the homes. The development is still being completed with one or two final homes under construction.

Only a short distance later we were close to Hillmorton Top Lock. We have a date at the boatyard above the bottom lock tomorrow morning (our oven is playing up) so did  not want to go down the flight today. The mooring spots just before the last bridge above the locks had room but are not very convenient. The towpath edging is the older style of concrete piling with old railway tracks instead of Armco. The main visitor moorings are between the bridge and the locks but are very popular. What should we do? Should we carry on and risk not finding anywhere and having to go down the locks or do a lengthy reverse?

15.4 Miles - 0 Locks

Flecknoe

 Today's Canal : Oxford

The weather today was quite close to the forecast, except that we were a little concerned when, shortly before we were ready to set off, a short sharp shower passed over.

However, by the time we reached the first of the Hillmorton paired locks - about 5 minutes from our overnight stop - the promised blue sky and sunshine provided a wonderful backdrop.

A volunteer lock keeper arrived just as the lock was full - it was the first day of the season that they were officially on duty, one at the bottom and one at the top. In this case his arrival was very welcome as we were having some difficulty in opening the top gate. Eventually with, at his suggestion, a little nudge from  the boat, we managed to prise a gap. We didn't tell him that we had already (covertly) tried that with no success! (It is not normally a recommended practice but sometimes, with great care, is needed) In the end with two humans and one engine we succeeded

As we left the top lock the backdrop was yet again very encouraging, but in between a very cloudy patch has scuttled quickly overhead.

Passing the entrance to the small Hillmorton Marina (where some years ago we twice left our boat there whilst returning home) we could see that a number of floating homes have been added together and also floating workshop and, possible, a wet dock. This development was just starting last time we passed this way almost a year ago (BtD - Before the Drought)

Coming down the Barby straight the wind was bowing directly from behind us so we felt its full force. The stronger wind remained a feature of the rest of the day's cruising.

By the time we passed the entrance to Dunchurch Pools Marina and the nearby accommodation bridge, clouds filled the sky and some looked rather menacing. In fact their threat was 'all show' as we remained dry all day whilst on the move. Shortly after this we pulled in for a lunch stop. The wind, however, did offer a challenge until the mooring lines were secured.

We set off once again with only a short run to Braunston where, just before the junction, we completed a 'full service' . We wondered if the elsan disposal unit was available as there have been several recent  CaRT Notices about this facility - it and the water point have been a frequent source of attention as also those just a little ahead along the main line of the Grand Union south.

The sky was kind to the camera as we passed under the much photographed double bridge across the junction.

Christine was very taken by the display of daffodils on the central island between the two bridges and later suggested that Mike should take a close up on our return in a few days time. Just as well he had thought of that . . .

We now encountered quite a stream of boats coming towards us, several still getting to grips with the experience of passing an on-coming boat in a strong cross wind!

Just a little short of our 'target' for the day we pulled in to the last known good mooring for a while. The clouds behind us made us wary of going on too long = mooring in both wind and rain is not the best of experiences.

11.3 Miles - 3 Locks

Palm Sunday

Today's Canal : Oxford

We moored just below Hillmorton Locks last night so that we could go to the morning service at the parish church just a few minutes walk away.

This is clearly an old building but the present congregation try to make the form of worship to be modern in style and accessible to all ages, although there were only one or two young children today. The service was led by a combination of clergy and lay leaders - a good sign as the current incumbent vicar will be leaving the parish shortly.

Afterwards we had a little time to look around the inside of the church - there is the usual array of wall mounted memorial tablets, erected in memory of the wealthier part of society.

An effigy and sarcophagus of Sir Thomas de Astley is in the north aisle. He died in the battle of Evesham on 4th August 1265. In the wake of the Magna Carta, Simon de Montfort had taken control of government  along with many Barons and their rebellious allies. However, Prince Edward, later King Edward I, formed an army to restore power to his father, Henry III who had been imprisoned by te rebels. The Prince's army was able to overwhelm the rebels at Evesham in what turned out to be a massacre.

On the wall beside the chancel steps is a memorial to Rev Maurice Banastre Pix, described as Curate. Although at one time this was often the title of the parish priest, by the time of his death, aged 25, it is likely that he had yet to gain a proper living and so was here as an assistant. His father, Henry Pix, was married to Adelaide Louise, was born in Kentucky in US. The marriage took place in Marlborough, Wiltshire where she was born and raised.

We walked back to the boat for a late morning coffee but by now the promised wind and rain was arriving and we opted to stay put rather than attempt the three Hillmorton locks in such unpleasant conditions! At least it gave a chance to see how the new battery performed with a day off from cruising. We did run the engine for a while until we worked out how to see what the level of charge was. So far the voltage level has always been well over 13V, so much better than we ever achieved consistently before.

0 Miles - 0 Locks 

Remembering How To Cruise - Shakedown Time

Today's Canal : Oxford

It is now almost 8 months since we were last able to cruise on the Oxford. We were holed up in Brinklow (quite a pleasant place if you have to be somewhere!) since the start of August when the Hillmorton Locks and the route back to Cropredy were closed through lack of water.

We have called the first cruise of each year (usually a shorter one) our Shakedown Cruise for many years. It has been an opportunity to check out all the major systems on board with every so often finding something that has not liked the long lay off over winter. This time we aim to be out a little longer, perhaps two weeks, but this it is ourselves that are most in question! Are we still up to it?

This year also we have a new major system - our cabin services battery. We will post the story here in a separate blog but we are now Lithium-powered. The last two nights have been no test as we remained on shore power so now is the time!

First thing, Mike did the usual round of disposing of rubbish, filling up with water (the fuel tank was filled during one of our short winter stayovers so we have yet to experience the Trump-inspired new level of diesel prices) and emptied the elsan. We were ready to untie our ropes shortly after 10.

Here are today's prices just down the cut at Armada - diesel at £1.62, but not clear if this is base price or with VAT. From what we have heard in the past week, probably the former so just how much total we will be paying when we next fill up? Definitely an ouch moment.

It was a lovely bright blue day but also quite windy - almost a challenge as we navigated the open waters of the marina towards its exit but soon we were leaving the moorings behind us for a while.

The marina is connected to the Oxford Canal by a short arm that was originally the line of thew canal itself but which was abandoned when the canal was subsequently straighter to save many hours of contour cruising for the time-pressed boats crews. And then we turned right on were onto the canal network once again.

Most of the abandoned lengths are hard to spot but some have smart cast iron bridges to carry the towpath across - presumably those sections had arms that were still useful for local services.

By the time we passed the entrance to Lime Farm Marina some darker clouds were putting an appearance, a warning of what was expected to arrive by lunch time.

By the time we reached the very short Newbold Tunnel it was once again sunny. We were following another boat but as we emerged there was another waiting for us to come out before entering. The tunnel is actually wide enough for passing boats but some steered, especially with very short tunnels, prefer to wait and have a clear run through.

Rugby Wharf is another boatyard on an abandoned arm but opposite the entrance is a large winding hole which was where the original line continued - almost at right angles to the present direction. The diversion allowed the modern construction of yet another large  industrial unit.

The bridge closest to the large Tesco (where we shopped yesterday) had an almost clear sky as backdrop as we came through. Although, as usual, there plenty of boats moored here (for two nights?) there were plenty of spaces in the section furthest away from the main road.

The staff at Clifton Cruises were preparing several of their fleet for the imminent arrival of early season hirers, hoping for good Easter weather.

Shortly after Kent Road Bridge we kept a keen eye out for a good mooring, hoping to be as close to the locks as possible, ready for a short walk into Hillmorton village in the morning for a visit to the local church - Palm Sunday (and, let's hope we remember, the start of Sumner Time) 

The wind was stronger now and, even though there are good mooring rings - with vacancies - the shallow edge to the water, combined with several passing boats, made mooring rather difficult! Just as soon as we had secured a centre line then black clouds arrived with little notice and dropped a short, but uncomfortable, load of hail onto us! Eventually we were properly moored and could enjoy a warming bowl of soup as part of our lunch.

As planned, that was it for today's cruising but, even though we have yet to tackle any locks or moveable bridges, we felt quite pleased with ourselves. Alas, tomorrow looks like not being a great start to Summer Time so we shall see just how far we progress in the afternoon.

6.1 Miles - 0 Locks

A Wet Day

Today lived up to the overnight forecast and was generally rather wet. We drove into Elliots Fields retail park on the nearer side of Rugby were we did a comprehensive food shop. If we keep to our provisional cruise plan, it will be several days before we have a chance to visit another supermarket. Apart from a couple of village shops at Braunston, we will otherwise be out in the countryside.

After the main shop we crossed over the road to M&S where Christine did not find what she was looking for, neither did Mike in several other shops he called at. We discovered last night that the small alarm clock that normally lives above his head when in bed had ceased functioning. Replacing the battery did not resuscitate it - it seems that the long lay over since last August did not do any favours to the battery compartment. It does not need to be an expensive item but a light to see the time in the dark is needed and nothing to fit could be found. Alas, today this kind of item is best sourced via the internet but delivery is a problem so it may have to wait until we are back home.

It was lunch time when we returned to the boat and by the time we had finished it was apparent the the rest of the day was going to be less than pleasant and several heavy showers arrived during the afternoon. It will be no surprise that we opted to defer our departure until tomorrow when much better conditions are forecast.

Creating this and yesterday's blog was delayed on discovering that Mike had packed a non-functioning mouse and the spare that is left on the boat had also expired since it was last used. Again, neither responded by being offered new power sources so it was fortunate that Christine had brought her laptop and kindly offered Mike her mouse - which, hooray, worked! At least there is a prospect of finding a replacement before the end of this trip - at least if we do make it to Coventry as planned!

Shakedown Cruise

We drove up from home yesterday morning. Our initial ETA was 12:45 but an incident on the A34 just north of Oxford delayed us for about quarter of an hour. It looked as if vehicle had hit the central barrier - it was slightly dented - and there was a van on the hard shoulder with a damaged front. Police were in attendance and had deployed protective cones. All indications were that (a) it was not serious and (b) it had only just happened.

By now we needed a brief 'comfort' break so left the M40 motorway at the next service station, Junction 10. This is a complicated junction, in effect two roundabouts merged together with the service station accessed from the second. We were back in the car as quickly as possible and set off, remarking that we must be careful to look for the right directions. Not helped by at least one sign saying M40 with no north or south indication, we immediately realised we were going the wrong way! Five miles later we were back at the junction with the A34 and left to turn around. An other complex intersection and - yes you have guessed rightly - we gain took the wrong slip road and this time it was another 11 miles before we were finally facing the right way. 

After unloading the car and a mug of tea, Mike drove into Rugby to recharge the car. With the extra miles, the battery was now down to about 20%! Although we failed at the nearest Gridserve station on our last trip, today no problems even though four out of the advertised six chargers were not functional. It took just over an hour so it was handy that there is an adjoining Starbucks to sit and read. By the time Mike returned to the boat, Christine had finished stowing away and all was neat and tidy.