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

Lower Shuckborough

Todays Canals : Oxford, Grand Union/Oxford

Overnight there was quite heavy rain - so Christine reports. Mike is too deaf at night to hear it! The grass was wet but the towpath was not muddy.

There were at one time two bridges between our overnight stop and Marston Doles but at some stage (after the numbering system was established) they were removed. One of them still leaves behind a narrows that is maintained in case stop planks are needed. It is a very long pound! 

Before tackling the locks we filled up with water at the tap just above.

At one time there was a busy wharf above the locks - the main building was once rather splendid, on one side are chapel-like windows but on the other a more industrial look. (Sorry, the camera missed the better side!) It looks as if the site has a number of current uses and that part of the warehouse is now residential (a man in his dressing gown came out and crossed to another part of the site!)

We have not noticed before that there is a date built into the gable end : 1865. The OS map from 1900 shows all of the buildings still standing. Built to Last!

For many years this has been the resting home for old classic vehicles. We are sure that they are cherished but not a lot seems to change,

After the reports on summit pound water level we wanted to see what the top lock here suggested. At first it seems that the current level is well below the main overflow weir but that is very dry and seems to be set for when there is excess water in the pound.

Looking at the gate itself, if the level were much higher then we would all be getting wet feet, crossing the footboard.

After wondering where all the boats had gone in the past week, now we know - they are all here. There was at least one boat coming up at each of the locks except the bottom one. We also had a somewhat trying time as several boaters were not at all well versed in how to negotiate through a lock flight with oncoming boats. Even a bow thruster did not stop one from getting in a muddle.

From Adkins Lock to the bottom all the lock bypasses were running well over the overflow weirs. We wondered if extra water was being run down from the Engine Arm, now a long private mooring, that joins just above this lock.

At the penultimate lock, a single hander came up just as Christine was about to leave and 'parked' right in the middle so close to the lock that it left no room for our boat to exit. Christine had wait whilst the other boat was reversed out of the way, wondering how the other boater had thought that she could get into the lock until it was empty!

The volly at the bottom was not at all as good as the two at Claydon (who were excellent) - she did not seem to have heard of the CaRT catch phrase THRIFT and the instruction, especially in dry periods, not to waste lockfuls of water by drawing in front of an oncoming boat.

Not the best two hours of locking that we have had but by the time we arrived at the bottom there was still enough time to cruise a short distance to find a lunch stop. Just caught a glimpse of Napton Windmill through the trees on the hilltop.

We pulled in to what looked like a good piece of piling, with one other boat already moored there. However, a combination of rather more bend in the line of piles and lack of depth meant that it was a bit more of an effort to get even somewhat close to the bank.

The afternoon was generally pleasant - a few spots of rain but generally grey but not cold. There was a steady stream of oncoming boats - where were they all going to find to moor on the long pound above Napton? At one point, with four closely following boats trying to pass Napton hire base, the front one ran aground and the followers immediately pushed past! We had no choice but to hover patiently - or at least look so!

About five boats looked as it their new hirers were setting in - it is quite a sizeable fleet here now so we hope that the season picks up quickly and that not too many people are put off with the drought problems. Incidentally, we met far more private boats today than hire ones (we expected it the other way around but with several marinas here, bank holiday and school half term we should have anticipated this) Almost always the hirers were pleasant and trying to fit in with the busy flow, even when it was obvious that this was very new to them - all the awkward events were with private owners.

As we approached Napton Junction, where the Grand Union continues of to the left towards Birmingham, we saw a boat hovering in the middle and then reversing at speed. Fortunately this is an unusually wide junction and we avoided a collision. It appeared that they had missed the turning.

Just after passing Lower Shuckborough Church we came up behind a boat going very slowly and we spent a while either at idle speed or in neutral. We were originally looking for an overnight stop about half an hour further on but when we suddenly spotted a very new piece of piling (not on our map) we immediately realised that this was the perfect place to stop! The only issue then was to wait until there was a long enough break in traffic to tie up! (When a boat passes even on tickover, a loose boat is drawn forward and backwards making it difficult to align boat and piling chain. Best to wait until the boat is at rest again)

6.7 Miles - 9 Locks

Marston Doles

Today's Canal : Oxford

Today was very pleasant, sunshine, blue skies and fluffy clouds. It was warm enough but not oppressive. Just right for springtime. We had moored as soon as we cleared the Claydon Flight last night - this is the bridge just above the locks and where we moored.

The summit pound from here to Marston Doles is one of the stretches most characteristic of the early contour canals era when minimising the costs of constructing embankments, cuttings and tunnels had a greater priority over the  boaters' working day. The canal followed the contours on level stretches and this summit pound does so for over ten miles. (Much less for the crow!) As we set off we had some splendid views of the productive farm land alongside.

Canals need water. Right now after one of the driest springs on record, boaters are well aware of this with numerous closures and reduced depth for boats. Water comes from a number of sources and the original surveying engineers sought to capture as many as possible. However, this was usually not enough and the southern Oxford depends on three reservoirs: Boddington, Wormleighton and Clattercote - the largest is Boddington, five times the area of Wormleighton. Clattercote comes in between.

The feeder from Boddington comes in at this towpath bridge, bringing water from about two miles away.

Boundary Bridge is the only lift type between Cropredy and Braunston. It gets its name as the boundary between Oxfordshire and Warwickshire is close by.

The East West Junction Railway was one of several in this are that sought to connect rural towns and villages to the existing main lines. This one linked Stratford on Avon and Towcester and passed through Fenny Compton. After passing Kineton it followed the GWR route from Fenny for about a mile before crossing the canal close to the Wormleighton Reservoir. The only remaining part is the short section from Fenny Compton to the MOD establishment at Kineton. This site was developed in the Second World War as a munitions depot, now the largest in Western Europe and holds today around 60% of all MOD's munitions.

Just after this bridge it is possible to access Wormleighton Reservoir on foot. We did try to come alongside the towpath just for a quick look and to update our rather dated photo. Alas, there was no depth and we had to carry on.

It is now Cygnet Time and we saw several pairs of proud parents carefully guarding their brood. Alas, not all will survive predators.

And so to the narrow Fenny Compton Tunnel section. Originally built as a tunnel it was later opened out. It was then possible for two boats to pass easily, apart from one short section at the southern end. alas, the rapid growth of vegetation now makes passing a little tricky and best attempted are carefully chosen spots. We had not seen another moving boat so far so, of course, we met two here! We concentrated too hard on avoiding a collision so we failed to take a photo.

We called at Fenny Marine, principally to fill up with diesel as we had heard that it was the best price for some while. It is now under new management, from last year, and they seem to be doing quite well. The chandlery had been very much run down (it was once one of the better ones around) but this is work in progress to build it back up again.

Bridge 130, Knotts Bridge, was demolished last winter - we saw preparations in hand when we came through in October. It is said that it was in a dangerous condition. As it was a listed building, will it be replaced?

We stopped for a lunch break on the popular mooring overlooking the Wormleighton Radio Mast. Often quite full, today there was only one boat moored as we arrived with another joining us later.

We have passed the site where HS2 will cross the Oxford Canal on several previous trips. There is progress each time but still plenty of work to keep construction workers in business for some time yet.

To facilitate the works, a temporary haul route was constructed alongside the permanent bridge. We saw plenty of heavy vehicles crossing today, mostly shifting earth from one spoil heap to another.

Hill Farm Glamping, started in 2016, is still in operation - looks as if it is occupied this bank holiday weekend. They have three different units - the tipi starts at £132 a night. Water for the outdoor bath can be heated but the website warns it make take up to an hour!

The obligatory photo. Even Robbie Cummings' drone operator could not resist the temptation!

We moored at the last known spot about 15 minutes away from Marston Doles. Although this was because we have found in the part that the signed Visitor Mooring above the locks can be fully occupied, today we have not seen one known place full and several completely empty. 

We have read several reports of boaters having a lot of difficulty on this summit pound in the past week or so/ Most of the Southern Oxford is known for its shallowness and it certainly was noticeable back when we moored at Lower Heyford several moons ago. Prepared, we started at lower revs than  might otherwise bet he case and, good luck or skill, who knows, but we did not run aground once today, but we did slow right down to tickover or idle when passing an oncoming boat. OK, so there were not many anyway.

We had two problems - on one of the very tight bends typical of this pound, we did find that the navigable depth was so narrow that a 60ft boat could not keep within  its bounds and one end or the other was bound to catch, but we still managed to keep going. Finally, as we came into a long piece of Armco mooring to stop for the rest of the day, we became wedged a short distance from the water's edge, sitting at an angle on a pile of rocks which someone had kindly deposited there. Enough depth before and depth after but not just here! It took a bit of effort to free ourselves and we only had to move a boat length on to find a suitable spot. So, overall, it was no more difficult than every other time we have transited the pound. It was not always obvious if the level was actually much down. In many places the vegetation and structure signs were that it was not far off normal. So, folk who found it difficult must have encountered the bottom too near the top rather than the top too near the bottom! 

10.5 Miles - 0 Locks

Claydon

Today's Canal : Oxford

On Tuesday we went shopping in Banbury (M&S and Morrisons), stovking up for the next few days when shops will be scarce.

Yesterday we drove down to Hungerford for the funeral celebration for Ann Powell (wife of Steve, both fellow waterways chaplains on that stretch of the K&A) She died recently from a major stroke. She had just had a heart bypass an all had seemed well, so it was a shock to all who knew her. They were liveaboards for the past five years and were generally in the Bedwyn and `Hungerford areas. Ann was always ready for a chat with other boaters, as well as towpath walkers, keeping Steve company on the various occasion on which he helps other boaters with engine problems. Sadly, his own medical problems have made getting into an engine hole too big a challenge in recent months. I am sure that she will be sadly missed and the church (alongside the swing bridge in Hungerford) was packed for the occasion.

The car needed charging after the journey and we called at the Opsrey/Tesla site on the retail park alongside Tesco. The Osprey units have a bit of a reputation for being a bit awkward but the one we selected seemed to accept our card at the first attempt and that charging had started (so it said!) Sadly, after about 30 minutes wandering around the shops looking for a few items, Mike spotted that the display still said that it had not put in any charge! With some difficulty he managed to get the machine to reset and so he had to start over. Eventually it made it up to 86%, enough for now.

Today we started on preparing to leave in good time. The usual round of emptying the elsan, disposing of rubbish (no food waste bins yet but they are now scheduled) and filling with water. We were underway before 10.

No sooner than Mike stated to reverse it of the mooring than there was a rather alarming rattle from the prop so he brought the boat to a halt in the narrows at the swing bridge. Fortunately it was not as first feared (a metallic item wrapped around the prop) but as then suspected, the uxter plate had worked loose. Unlike most boats, this does not keep water out of the bilges and can sometimes work itself untightened. A few minutes work and we continued.

Today was generally grey and not the best for pictures. Also this is familiar territory so not so easy to spot something new!

Just after we came up through Little Bourton on Monday, a paddle (or several) was left up overnight and a pound was drained. Whilst the Stoppage Notice was unusually coy about the cause, reports from boaters who were delayed suggests that this was not accidental. A queue of at least 21 boats built up and it took most of yesterday for them all to get underway again. As a result, today was much busier with traffic going up than down.

Although we had slight delays at each of the locks, the flow was quite smooth and most people were happy to help each other through. Broadmoor Lock is well known to us as the place where, in 2008, we first saw - and bought - nb Take Five which happily saw us through to 2016 when we placed an order for a new build, nb Alchemy.

For some reason, Elkington's Lock has not had the blue sign makeover, not even making it out of the British Waterways era!

And so the the five locks of the Claydon Flight. A couple of volunteer lock keepers on the upper half also helped. They were both reasonably experienced and knew how to judge the right amount of help to offer - it varies according to boater preference.

Christine's arm continues to improve and she is now able to steer longer distances, here from one lock to the next. This makes a considerable difference to our rate of progress.

At the middle lock the lock keepers have their little hut with a noticeboard showing how many boats have passed through today. This featured in the first episode of Robbie Cummings' latest series of diary programmes, this time on U&Yesterday. At this stage it showed 17 up and 3 down.

It is no longer allowed to stop in the longer pound before the top of the flight (despite there being good mooring rings) so we had to continue, arriving out at the top not long after 1 o'clock, keen to find a stop for lunch. There was just one space at the start of the first known mooring which we gladly accepted. We had not planned to go much further so, after a long lunch break, we stretched it to an overnight stop!

2.8 Miles - 8 Locks

Back into Marina - just for a couple of days

Today's Canal : Oxford

We are actually able to return to the marina a day earlier than needed but we were concerned that if we went on to the next place to turn about we might have erred the other way. A visit to M&S (if they have any stock yet!) has been planned for this stopover but that is tomorrow. We will also do a good stock up as it is quite a distance northwards before we can find very much.

The morning was rather grey, chilly but not cold. We were ready in good time and it was only 9:43 when we went under the first bridge. 

There was a brief glimmer of sunshine as we arrived at the first lock but it did not prevail for long.

There was a slight surprise when we arrived at Little Bourton Lock. When we came by on the last trip in April some scaffolding had been put up around one chimney (see) but the structure was still intact. This time, the brickwork has all been disassembled and stacked ready for rebuilding (we assume). So, although it looks as if nothing is happening, someone is doing something! It is never going to be an easy project and we noticed also this time that there is no garden to the rear, the field comes right up to the cottage wall.

The rest of the route was quite familiar -  we did have another encounter with a posse of canoes, overtaking a boat coming towards us, on a blind bend. Seems to be a common experience around here from comments by other boaters! 

We also had to hold back at another bend with several boats moored and an oncoming hire boat gave them too much room and hence ran aground on the inside of the bend. As we waited, the fuel boat Dusty came up behind us and we let the, go ahead, once the way was clear.

Finally we came through Cropredy village and thence into the marina. Again, with almost no wind, it was straightforward.

By now it was lunch time and afterwards Mike tackled the after effects of a rather substantial bird strike - with poo dropped all along the roof and the sides. Not sure when it happened but it was some time over the weekend when we were in Banbury or at Spiceball. It is difficult to remove and by the time Mike had cleaned off the worst places it was obvious that a full clean of the roof was needed. That done, more droppings were found on the sides and so that needed a wash as well. Actually, we already knew that we would have to tackle the sides quite soon as a think layer of dust from the marina car park surface had covered stem to stern! Overall, we are now looking quite a bit smarter - doubt it will last very long!

4.7 Miles - 4 Locks

Spiceball Park

Today's Canal : Oxford

We started the day by walking through the shopping centre to St Mary's Church on what was originally the principal route through the town, and close to Banbury Cross. A medieval church stood here but was  badly damaged in the Civil War. A replacement, basically the present church, was built at the end of the 18C. It has seen several subsequent alterations to suit changing trend and tastes in worship styles. Today the congregation indicate that they are an 'inclusive' church, meaning that they particularly are open to people who are in the spectrum of LGBTIQ+. Members of the congregation did seem welcoming and tbhioughtful

Its worship style today would generally be considered 'middle of the road' but they do have a strong musical tradition and close adherence to standard liturgy. This morning there were just over 60 people, of all ages, mainly older and noticeably white. (We know someone connected with the People's Church (Baptist) on the opposite side of the road from whom we understand that they have attracted a significantly multi cultural membership, which is a growing feature of Banbury.

Whilst 60 might be considered a reasonable size in many towns,  as the church was designed to accommodate 2000 we did rattle around a bit!

The sun was in the wrong place to be able to get a good picture of the outside - however Christine was especially keen on the trees in the churchyard mostly old and gnarly (like us?)

Afterwards we walked back the way we came except to make a detour from the canalside to call at Lidl, mainly for bread.

Although we then ran the engine to charge the batteries (almost to 90%) we decided to move a short distance to Spiceball Park where there is less likelihood of disturbing other people. Otherwise a quiet afternoon and preparation for tonight's roast gammon dinner.

0.4 Miles - 0 Locks

Banbury

Today's Canal : Oxford

We have now settled on a plan to return to Banbury today, go to church there in the morning and make our way slowly back to the marina, probably with a day to spare on Tuesday when we can do some shopping that is out of the town centre, notably M and S.

But first we had to turn around, setting off at 10 am. The winding hole at Aynho Wharf was only a few minutes away. The turn was a tad more difficult than it should have been as some . . . (fill in your own preferred epithet!) had moored directly opposite the hole. Fortunately there was no appreciable wind so our boat went where we asked it and not on a journey of its own. We avoided touching anything else apart from the bank at the end of the hole, as much good luck as anything else. Even more annoying was that there was space either side of the moored boat. Aynho Weir Lock which is then followed by Nell Bridge Lock. In between the River Cherwell crosses over.

A boat was just leaving Aynho Lock as we arrived. We managed a photo this time that shows the unusual diamond shape better. Another boat turned up just as we were leaving!

The river enters the canal from the right in this picture and crosses over to the protected exit opposite. no problem today but this section can be difficult after rain and may even have to be shut if the water level rises too much and there is insufficient headroom at the next bridge.

Again, at Nell Bridge we were lucky to have the gates left open with a boat just leaving and then at the top this yellow boat arrived just at the right time.

Above the bridge, these work boats were still making it difficult to use the winding hole - just as they were a month ago!

The well known Pig Place not only seems to have lost all its pigs but has now replaced them with a number of caravans and campers. The grass is also well mown, not just an ordinary field.

Again, at Kings Sutton Lock we did well with other traffic - so would our luck hold? We pressed on to get through Grants Lock before stopping for lunch. There are growing problems in a number of parts of the network with a lack of water and drought conditions. However, on this canal the flow has been good, maintaining levels even with plenty of traffic - as can be seen here at the weir above Kings Sutton.

And so, just after 12:30 we arrived at Grants Lock. We could see it was full so Mike went up to start emptying. However, he could see a boat coming down, a little away but probably already passed the DIS marker (in olden days, if a boater drew a lock in front of an arriving boat that was closer than this post there would be harsh words, or worse, exchanged! In any event, why waste a lockful of water? Mike opened the gate and so he (a singlehander) could glide straight in. Since he was going to empty the lock anyway, Mike invited the boater to jump aboard.

At this point matters went decidedly downhill (pun intended). When  Mike came to open the bottom gate it would not fully recess into he side wall, leaving insufficient room for a boat to pass. We tried various tactics which sometimes work. We pulled all the floating weed behind the gate out, hoping that the problem was perhaps a hidden log. No go. We closed and opened the gate a few times to little avail. Mike then asked the boater to use his boat pole to probe along the wall behind the gate but he found nothing.

At this point another boat arrived below and before long we all agreed that it was time to call CaRT which the newly arrived boater (from the Netherlands - they have very different canals there!) did as she was the only one with a mobile to hand! Customer Services responded very speedily and promised to send someone as soon as possible.

Of course, a string of other boats soon joined the queue, some of whom were impatient to 'do something' without really checking whether we had tried it all anyway! Definitely time for lunch. By now six boats were waiting below but only much later did a downwards boat arrive and was briefed on the situation.

Just over an hour after making the phone call a shout went up that a CaRT van had been spotted in the nearby lane. two staff arrived with a new style keb in hand - the long handle is now made from aluminium and in a number of sections that screw together. No doubt this is to enable it to be carried in the van. In the olden days, kebs were part of the standard kit kept at each lock under the supervision of the lock keeper.

The keb was quickly assembled and a probe started which quickly identified something. This is a deep lock and it is quite difficult to pull something out from the lock side so one of the staff enlisted the help from the boat still trapped inside which she used as a platform from which to haul out the offender - a small tyre used as a fender that appeared to have been ripped off. This is one reason why fenders should always be lifted in close quarters such as entering locks.

In no time the single hander was able to exit and be on his way and somewhat smugly, from the head of the queue, we were able to start the delayed ascent, helped by the two staff who were staying to make sure that the queue  cleared as quickly as possible. Overall, the support service from CaRT was incredibly efficient - could not ask for a faster response.

We also learnt that the lock cottage has very recently been bought by a couple who have gained permission to demolish the ruins and to build a new house in their place. Work is expected to start very soon. It seems that the Oxford college that own the surrounding land have also been persuaded (at last) to release a small piece of land to make the project viable - this and vehicle access as well as basic services, is why former lock cottages often in an isolated location can be hard to convert to a private residence.

It was now a simple run into Banbury. We made a quick elsan and rubbish disposal whilst a boat finished coming down. Our passage through the lock and following lift bridge was aided by an enthusiastic onlooker, keen to wield a lock key at both.

The central moorings were quite well occupied but we did find a good space exactly where we moored last trip! (The electric post is still faulty!) Christine did take a quick look at the Spiceball Park moorings but in the end we stayed where we were as it is closer to the church in the morning. Both of us, separately, went to do a little shopping in Castle Quay.

7.3 Miles - 5 Locks