Today's Canal : Oxford
We began with a bright sunny morning, distinctly warmer than this week so far. Apart from a grey spell at lunch time, it remained this way until evening. After we had moored, sitting outside in the sunshine was very pleasant indeed.
We set off a little earlier than usual as we had been told that the joint owner of the small marina at Hillmorton would be there until 3.30. In fact we did arrive by then but he had already had to leave so payment will have to be sorted out another time.
Several parts of the north Oxford were straightened to improve journey times, using cuttings and embankments to replace the contour following original sections. As as result some parts are very straight with high level bridges.
In other places the original line can be seen - in some cases good use has been made of parts for moorings or marinas.
As is often the case, the little footbridge across Stretton Stop was shut across the canal so we had to alight and open it. A boat that came through a few minutes before us commented that it was very difficult to move. Indeed, starting it requires a hefty push, not helped by the fact that it is not sufficiently counter balanced, but thereafter it swings freely.
Fancy cast iron bridges in the style of many that an be seen in the Birmingham area cross the old sections - we guess that as these are not original bridges but date from the improvements, they had to be added to maintain the towpath across the soon-to-be-disused arms.
Lime Farm Marina is another former arm. We called here for diesel last year - this time they seem to have a number of boats out of water, perhaps for maintenance.
Newbold Tunnel is only 187 metres in length but at some stage had coloured lighting installed. The number of lights is gradually diminishing and although we read recently a report that none were operation, today three were still working.
We began to skirt around Rugby. Sadly the canal does not make it easy to visit the town centre but we aimed stop at a large Tesco close to Bridge 58 where we have called several times before. There is a good mooring which is popular for shopping so we hoped to find space.
Before that we passed over an aqueduct over a very minor road. It looks inconsequential from a boat but Mike was allowed to hop off and take a look below. It is surprisingly spectacular and the inscription says that it was renovated in 1991.
CanalPlan website lists this as the Old Leicester Road Aqueduct but how this was is far from clear looking at an OS Map. Google throws up very little information except for a link to a photo from 1910 (www.search.windowsonwarwickshire.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?theme=299&originator=%2Fengine%2Ftheme%2Fdefault%2Easp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=3233&text=0&resource=5511). ).Obviously at that time this was a much more significant highway.
Immediately afterwards we crossed the River Avon - at least the purpose of this aqueduct is more obvious!
After shopping we also had lunch before setting off for the last lap of this short trip.
Just before Clifton Wharf a former railway bridge has now been decorated as a reminder of its former purpose - others nearby similarly now discarded are much less obvious.
Several cattle with rather large horns were resting in a field alongside the canal. Christine was determined to catch one in a 'I am fierce' pose!
Apart from yesterday's stop lock, the only change in level the whole trip came just before we finished today with the three Hillmorton locks. These are built as pairs and today there was a steady stream of traffic both ways. At least on this occasion there was plenty of good will and humour, boats helping each other. We have known it busy and people be a bit pushy but there was non of that this time.
The middle lock is one of those chosen for a lock poetry project with short lines inscribed into the balance beams, a different line for each side of each lock. However, we could not assemble them into any logical order!
A short distance later and we were able to turn into the marina. A rather tight turn and we had to give in and use the pole to ease the boat around. Once lined up in the entrance it was straightforward to manoeuvre onto the pontoon.
We were greeted by a couple who have had one of the boats for some years - they made us very welcome and we (well, Mike mainly!) sat chatting in the warm sunshine for some while. The clearing and packing called and, for once, we were ready for tomorrow's departure without much difficulty.
13.0 miles - 3 locks
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