Napton

(Uploaded next morning as no signal where we moored)
Despite everyone telling us how bad thge weather forecast was for the day, it stayed dry until after we had moored for the night. On the other hand, it was especially windy, making close navigation - such as in and out of locks - much more dificult. At least it was interesting!
We set off mid morning and worked through the three Calcutt locks. As we approached Napton Junction, the wind coming across the various open marinas was even stronger. Although we largely managed to keep out of trouble, some hire boats were struggling.



At Napton Junction we turned right onto the Oxford Canal - Christine made it in a single turn despite the wind, but a rather pompous crew in the boat which had asked to share Calcutt locks with us founbd it less straightforward.






At Naptom bottom lock we filled with water, bought milk from a nearby shop and emptied the toilet. We were then ready to make our way up the locks. Back to narrow locks now so rather less effort. After six locks a slightly longer pound and definitely time for lunch. At least our schedule allows for lazy breaks and early stops!

As we came up the next lock a moored boat hurriedly took off just as we were ready to exit. As they approached the next lock we watched as one of the crew slipped off the side as she rushed to get the boat ready to enter the lock. Her husband was emtying the lock and initially did not hear her shouts - we could - so we sounded our horn to attract his attention. Even when he realised what had happened it was not easy to come to the rescue as by now the boat had blown across to the wrong side. Eventually he managed to bring his wife alongside the towpath, hanging on to the centreline! She was definitely embarrassed and, from talking to them after we entered the lock, rather more frightened than she wanted to let on!

At the top lock, the crew from a boat waiting to come down, asked Christine how the lock worked - they had just bought the boat from Fenny Marine and this was their first lock ever! In this wind, let us hope that their experience does not put them off altogether. At least they were keen to ask questions and learn what to do. We eventually moored up for the night a little further along the summit pound, with a few maintenance tasks to do, including sorting out a bad connection to the kitchen lights.