Grimes Bridge

Today's Canal : Oxford 

For the most part, today's weather was forecast to be wet or dull, with perhaps some sunny spells mid afternoon. Our other constraint on plans for the day was the way in which much of the north Oxford towpath edge was built. Although a few stretches of more modern piling, mostly it is laid with thin flat stones laid at an angle to the vertical, sloping down, in from the top towards the bottom of the canal. Whilst this technique has lasted well, it does mean that mooring options are limited as it usually prevents boats from coming close enough to the bank to moor without continually scraping the bottom. North of Stretton Stop, there is almost nothing before Hawkesbury apart from four boats' length at Grimes Bridge 26. We made this our aim for a lunch stop and then see how we managed.

As Mike was preparing the boat for setting off, he started to chat to a couple on the boat that came into the space behind us as soon as the overnight boat moved onto the water point (space here at Elliot's Field is very much at a premium!) Although they are now very much leisure boaters (they live in Rugby and were awaiting the arrival of a grand daughter for a day out) he was quick to tell Mike that he was born on the canal at Brentford and moved onto his parent's working pair at the age of 5 days. 

The family were amongst the last that worked full time in commercial carrying in the 'traditional' style. (In practice this family live aboard style, which always forms the basis of depictions of canal life in film, tv and illustration, only became the norm quite late in the life of working boats as a way of reducing cost in the competition with rail and then road transport) He was put to steering from as early as he can remember - as soon as he could see over the top, and if not yet tall enough then he would have a box to stand on. The final route that he remembers doing regularly was to collect coal from Bedworth to take into London. Today, not only has that trade disappeared but there is almost no trace of the collieries at Bedworth. We were able to share some experiences  - turned out that he also knew Jack Monk a little.

Not long after we set off, the promised rain arrived, drizzle at first but it then turned into a real downpour.

Armada Boat Hire, Lime Farm Marine (Still showing its offers from 2018!) and Brinklow Marina all close together shortly after Newbold Tunnel.

The cottage alongside Hungerfield Bridge 35 was at one time (on the circa 1900 OS map) the Boat Inn. There were very few houses anywhere near her so it must have survived largely on boat trade.

After the rain cleared we had some good blue sky - for a while!

Whilst the main bank repair at Easenhall Cutting has been made, for some reason no agreement has yet been reached on how to re-instate the towpath. At each end of the closed section there is a strong metal gate - which clearly has not deterred walkers who are unable to read the warning notice!

Part way along the closed section was a recently fallen large branch - we were warned about it by another boater a little earlier. Since we were meeting a steady stream of oncoming boats, we assumed that it would be passable and indeed that was the case although an over hanging tree on the off side added to the navigational hazard.

We were just coming in to the landing before Stretton Stop to open the small swing footbridge when one of the boatyard staff kindly swung it out of our way so no need to stop. (They do have a long pole and hook to pull it back again so we did not even have to jump off to close it)

Grimes Bridge was now fast approaching but would there be room to moor on the piling? As we came though bridge, on a bend, we could see at least one boat moored so we were a bit apprehensive. By the time we arrived there we could see just enough room at the far end of the piling - this place can only accommodate 3 or 4 boats before the bank again reverts to unmoorable edging. (Just to prove our assumptions wrong, late afternoon another boat manged to squeeze in ahead of us!)

After lunch we reviewed our schedule options - we are manging quite well on a rather reduced daily timetable. We are booked into Trinity at Hinkley from Friday next week. Christine expressed a preference to go down to Coventry so that we can visit the cathedral on Sunday. Last time we went to Coventry, the basin moorings were all bookable on line (system worked well) but it seems to have been discontinued so we shall have to take pot luck, presumably the take up did not justify it. We suspect that the small hire fleet that was the operating from part of the basin has now moved away.

The upshot of our debate was to stay put here for the night - a bit noisy from the M6 about a mile away but there is no escaping that all the way to Hawkesbury, but otherwise a pleasant rural location.

7.5 Miles - 0 Locks