We were off once more, now heading back to our winter mooring at Droitwich. First thing, Mike went to the nearby Tesco for a top-up shop before reversing across to the opposite bank to fill up with water. By 10 o'clock we were ready to set off properly.
The morning was still very foggy - at times it was not easy to work out whether a boat in the distance was either moored or coming towards us until rather later than we would like.
Very gradually the fog thinned out and the sun struggled its way through.
As we passed Clifton Cruisers it seemed that they had just completed a lift with their large crane - but we could not work out what. Probably not a boat.
A short distance further and we came under the new Houlton Bridge which looks pretty much complete. The new road is well advanced as well - the 30 mph speed limit signs were being put in place.
Just below Hilmorton Locks a banner calls for support for work on the old canal bed as a feature for an event in 2022. Named Brindley 250 it aims to celebrate the date when Brindley's last canal reached here on the day he died in 1772. Although the banner refers to a web site for more details we could not find them, perhaps the banner is very new and the webmaster is out cruising!
One of the bottom locks is having quite a makeover - the gang today were removing stop planks from the tail of the lock but looming at the amount of equipment and materials there is still a lot more to be done.
There were two volunteers on duty today and they efficiently helped us through. We had to do the work ourselves at the other two! Christine exchanged several books at the Book Swap. By the time we emerged from the lock the fog had finally cleared and was replaced by bright blue skies.
We paused above the first lock to empty the elsan cassettes (we had two to do) as the facility at Rugby is still out of order.
Both locks were operational today at the next two pairs - reports have suggested that recently the flight has been down to one of each pair so hopefully the stoppage is fixing that. As a result we were able to work up to the top alongside another boat using the other side.
Shortly after leaving the lock we could see that house construction on the new Houlton development is proceeding apace - this the south east corner of the estate.
We could now see ahead of us a queue of three boats nose to tail - the one at the front was moving very slowly and even on tickover we soon caught them up. The slow boat made no attempt to allow anyone else past, keeping resolutely to the middle of the canal. Even on the long Barby Straight, no quarter was given.
We passed an example of what is becoming quite a controversial matter - the arrival of wider beam boats on what is really a narrow canal. They can only cruise up from the Grand Union as far as Hillmorton where they have to turn around. It seems that the new Dunchurch Pools marina is offering wide beam berths.
We continued like this for around two hours - although one of the boats gave up and moored up. By now clouds had arrived and the temperature was markedly colder.
Only when we reached Braunston Junction were we able to make better progress as - thankfully - the slow boat went straight ahead when we turned right onto the Oxford.
Our relief was short lived as we now found ourselves behind yet another slow boat! However, it pulled in before we reached Napton Junction. Here we turned right to continue our journey along the northern part of the Grand Union. (The section between Napton and Braunston was originally the Oxford Canal but eventually was widened when it linked the two parts of the GU)
After dropping down the first of the Calcutt Locks we reversed in to the service point where we filled up with diesel and also picked up another bag of coal. We don not use too much but it does help to build up the fire. As always, they folk here are very friendly and helpful - others must think likewise as there were three other boats being refuelled or pumped out.
After completing the other two locks, accompanied by a single hander who moors in the Calcutt Marina and who is not really familiar yet with boating, especially locks, we pulled in to moor for the night.
15.5 Miles - 6 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment