Braunston

Today's Canals : Grand Union/Oxford, Oxford

Overnight there had again be some rain but that had swept away before we were out and about. By the time we set off there was plenty of blue sky - only later did the wind get up and by lunch time it was rather strong.

This was our 'new' piece of mooring. It appears to be designed to encourage vegetation to grow up on the immediate side of the piling with the towpath itself set back and quite narrow. Not really a cycling paradise!

There was even more traffic today than yesterday. Several times we encountered a small flotilla, anything up to six boats almost nose to tail. (Actually once it was just that as the first was towing the next on cross straps but the next boat was so close it was about to assist with a push!) The first half of the remaining distance to Braunston Junction has plenty of good Armco (assuming some dredged depth) Almost all of it was available but once we passed Bridge 100 just the opposite: very few of the ample moorings had any spaces left at all.

At one point we saw the pointed tops of what we expected to see as a group of glamping tipis but as we passed by we could see preparations (or was it yesterday?) for a big catering event, perhaps a wedding.

Progress was now quite slow as the numerous boats moored at the towpath made it more difficult for boats to pass and it was frequently not possible to avoid doing so where the channel was narrowed by them. We had the feeling that many of the boaters (the greater part private not hire) were out for the first time this season. As the wind increased, several found it harder to steer round a sharp bend than they had remembered and we had to hold back whilst they sorted themselves out.

Approaching Braunston we spotted a newish sign reminding steerers that the North Oxford is really a narrow canal, restricted to boaters under 7 ft in beam. Why? Because few years back the next marina northwards was built and took advantage that there are no narrow locks this side of Hillmorton. When the canal was improved at one stage, the bridges were widened letting wide beam  boats to pass through. That was not the purpose but the new fashion for the biggest boats possible has led to some using this section. CaRT brought in restrictions, allowing passage only to and from the two marinas with no mooring along the way. Also, they have to book a passage through Braunston Tunnel, only allowed early morning. This has helped but the canal really is not suitable and causes problems if two try to pass each other or one, now illegally, moors on the towpath. It is currently difficult enough for novices to cope with passing narrow boats when alongside a stretch of moored narrow boats. As always, finding a compromise between the demands of different types of canal user is not easy for CaRT and they do try to accommodate as many as possible.

Just beyond the sign is an elegant turnover bridge allowing horses to cross without the need to unhitch.

At Braunston Junction we called briefly at the service point - as well as emptying the elsan. we used one of the new food wate bins for the first time. There are no instructions about use but most people seem to assume but we are that it should be bagged - but we are sure that it will pose problems for the waste collectors and processors. Midland Chandlers were open for the Bank Holiday (normally closed on Sundays) and we were able to pick up some more Marine 16 which will soon need.

On again and we were soon looking for a lunch stop. The first place marked on our maps was busy and so we hastily took the next available - actually also checking that the piling was reasonably straight as some are quite 'bent'. It was now a pleasant afternoon but still rather windy with plenty more traffic to pass so it did not take long to turn our lunch stop into an overnight one.

The afternoon was a sad occasion for Mike. His current 'boat' walking boots have served quite well for some time and have been exceptionally comfortable. Since the start of this trip they have been showing increasing signs of wearing out (Fortunately Christine persuaded Mike to stock up on a replacement pair in the same make and design) but this afternoon they turned really dangerous as the sole on one significantly detached from the upper. Changing boots is an emotionally troublesome event, especially if they take a while to 'wear in.

4.7 Miles - 0 Locks