Although today has been dry, it has also been very overcast and rather chilly. We set off in good time with a 20 minute run before the Calcutt Locks.
Calcutt Marina entrance is just below the bottom lock.
Alongside the bottom lock landing is a small building associated with the back pumping. This design is typical of similar structures along this part of the Grand Union (and is noted in the reference we cited yesterday)
Two locks up and we called at the boatyard - we checked that they now were able to supply diesel today, after the disappointment that our lock companions has last week. As always the staff were very helpful and friendly. Christine nearly found a replacement for Tippy (our ash can) which is developing holes in the bottom but alas it proved to be a different make and a bit larger, too large to fit in the space available.
With the stop it was 10:30 before we cleared the top lock and headed towards Napton Junction. We turned right, back onto the Oxford, now the southern half. We passed the entrances to Wigrams Turn and Napton marinas. At the latter most of their fleet now seem to be back in for the winter. Certainly 20 of the, were.
This boat seems to have made use of every available surface to fit in patchwork of solar panels. Should give them a good supply, at least on better days than today.
We paused just before the bridge below Napton Locks to fill with water. Another boat was just finishing its fill and started to set off when we spotted that they had left their keys in the water point lock! Lucky for them as it is likely that it would be some distance before they noticed that the were missing.
We had to move to the lock landing for elsan and rubbish but then we were ready to set off up the nine locks - back to narrow size now.
Alongside the lock we noticed a warning that we do not recall being there before - do not leave fenders hanging as some boats doing this have been stuck in the narrow locks. It is possible that at least one of the locks is a bit out of shape as well.
Moored just above the first lock was nb Silver Fox which we think was formerly owned by Colin and Shaun of Foxes Afloat videos fame.
Alongside the flight is a farm that has a specialist herd of buffalo, but where were they? The first field where we have often seen them before was full of (boring) sheep.
Above Lock 13 there was a convenient place to stop for lunch.
Off again and there at the next lock were some of the buffalo! Initially in the distance, they eagerly ambled across the field to come and greet us.
Soon after this we completed the Marston Doles locks and began the long trek across the 11 mile summit pound. The southern Oxford never received the straightening upgrade that took so much distance out of the northern half. All of this canal was first built under the direction of Brindley - at that time the technology available to him (largely shovel and wheelbarrow) dictated that he selected a route that avoided tunnels and large embankments or cuttings. Instead it followed contours which meant that it had a lot of bends! The Grand Union opened in 1803 and took most of the traffic into London that the southern Oxford previously carried down via the Thames. The northern section continued to carry a ,lot of coal and other goods so it received the upgrade, leaving the southern part to meander through rural countryside.
We cannot ignore the obligatory shot of the famous landlocked narrowboat which continues to be someone's home.
We began to see the HS2 works near Wormleighton. The first site, which does not cross the canal,.seems to be some sort of underpass, perhaps for drainage. It is the type of structure that is a major undertaking on its own but once the project is complete will not be noticed and probably be largely forgotten.
Soon after came the main bridge crossing the canal. When we passed here last year there was only one span but now a second is well on its way. The structure over the canal is in place but now work is needed either side leading up to it. The first span is a temporary haul route for construction vehicles and the one in the photo is the 'real' crossing. It certainly has more 'finished' look, including the textured wall on the right of the photo. See here for some images of how it is expected to look when complete and will have the name Oxford Canal Viaduct.
As soon as we reached the next available good mooring we pulled in before it was dark!
10.4 Miles - 12 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment