Wormleighton

It was a mizzly sort of day - misty all through and sometimes so wet that it almost felt like rain. The temperature varies quite a bit but was still very much cooler than the trees and plants would like.

We set off as usual - there were more boats around, mainly hire boats from the various bases in the area. Kate Boats now have a base at Calcutt, it seems.

Napton Junction

Napton Junction - Wigrams Turn - came and went. We were now on the southern Oxford Canal. Originally the section between here and Braunston was part of the Oxford, linking the northern and southern sections. However, as part of the Grand Junction Canal, later Grand Union, it was incorporated into the much wider - and therefore faster - route from London to Birmingham. From here only not only are the locks narrow but speed over the ground will be significantly reduced.

At Brickyard Bridge 112, the house is still unused and boarded up but also one of the industrial sites on the opposite side is currently being demolished.

Napton Hill

Napton Hill is dominated by the old windmill which heralds the approach to the lock flight - our first narrow locks this trip. Today the windmill was partly in the mist.

At the bottom lock we met the first of three volunteer lock keepers on duty here. Two of them were being trained, this was their first day on duty. We met all three of them again at the top lock - guess they must have made it there by road as we did not see them walking ahead!

We were able to work these locks with Christine going ahead to set them and Mike following on having shut the top gate behind him. Although we did not see any other boats going up there was a steady stream coming down.

Alongside lock 10 is a hut that once would have provided shelter for the lock keeper that assisted boats through, important when time was money. a war-time defence block alongside is much less attractive but an equal reminder of important aspects of the canal's history.

At the top lock the three volunteers helped Christine with the lock and provided a chance for a chat! Time then to pull in to the bank and a country vegetable soup, hot off the stove!

It is a long pound from here to the top of the Claydon flight and we do not intend to complete it today. Towards the end of the afternoon a few patches of blue sky made a grave attempt to push through but the chilling wind was equally determined to make itself known.

Quite a few signs indicate the local landowner's views on the proposed HS2 high speed railway line!

Before too long the Wormleighton radio mast came into sight - it dogs the canal for quite a while as it follows the contours and almost doubles back on itself a couple of times. The mast originally provided the DECCA navigation system which was once very important for marine navigation. Not much help to canal navigators!

The Wedding Bridge

One day we will discover whose wedding led to this footbridge being re-built and why!

Wormleighton Medieval Village

The remains of the medieval village of Wormleighton can be seen in a field alongside the canal - almost a mile from the present day village that now bears the name.

Mooring proved a little tricky - the towpath edge is shallow in most places and the winding alignment of the canal means that there are fewer places that it is reasonable to pull in. After about three failed attempts we finally managed it!

as soon as we had completed the mooring rain arrived and was rather wet for a while, putting paid to Mike's intentions to sand down the table top - Christine insists that it be done outside!

13.5 miles - 9 locks