South Wigston

Another surprising change in the weather - we awoke to bright blue skies once more and a distinctly warmer atmosphere - reaching over 16C at times.

Shortly after setting off we could see across the meadows to Wistow church, set well away from the nearest road.

The day was very much one of short cruising lengths interspersed by locks. These, of course, are now broad locks again and rather harder work. However we have quite a good system and the journey passed smoothly.

Our first target was Kilby Bridge, once an important wharf for waterway maintenance. Although the derrick crane is still in operation for loading up materials such as piling sheets, there seemed little else left now. However, for us there is the important services block which here is quite substantial. We could have both had a shower as well as filling with water and getting rid of the waste. We learned later that there is a large storage area close by.

Each lock has its own name (as do the bridges) on this part of the canal. One is called Double Rail - we can only assume that it is called this as it has two hand rails over the bottom gates - all the others have just one.

Before long the outskirts of the Leicester conurbation come into view although for some time the canal is the division between urban and rural life.

We recalled from our last time here, on Canal40 trip, that there is a Tesco store about 10 minutes walk from Crow Mills Bridge (92) so we pulled in to moor just beyond the bridge. At first we wondered if we might have a problem - there are few easy mooring places along here with a lot of reed allowed to block access to the bank - as a continuous moorer was occupying the only proper mooring (complete with bollards). However we did just managed to squeeze in despite a badly collapsed bank.

Our shopping trip was delayed when, as we were closing up the boat, it was realised that Mike had left his windlass at the last lock and was sent off to retrieve it post haste! There were so few people around that it was still on the balance beam where he had left it.

Back from the shop we had lunch and then set off once more. Modern housing estates have improved the landscape close to the canal. Only at Whetstone Lane Lock is there a close reminder of the dreary view that was once the unenviable repute of the Leicester-Wigston stretch.

Although we had ample time to reach our planned destination of Kings Lock, we opted for a good mooring between Gee's and Blue Bank locks. We did not have enough time in daylight at this season of the year to reach the secure moorings at castle Gardens in Leicester itself and we also wanted to avoid mooring on the River Soar, at least until we have seen whether there are any flood waters.

Foxton

A very different morning - weatherwise. It had been cloudy overnight and thus there was no frost to greet us. Noticeably less cold.

Husbands Bosworthy tunnel was the main feature along this stretch otherwise it was fairly familiar fields and low hills with plenty of accommodation bridges to pass through - and to photograph.

Swans are not common on this stretch so here is one just to prove they do exist - the mate was a short way further on.

We had about seven miles to the top of the Foxton flight - regular mile posts keep us aware of how far we have to go - and we are all too aware of how easily one can be held up for some time, even if just one boat has been let into the bottom of the flight.

We made good time and arrived just after 11 o'clock. Mike immediately set off to register with the lock keeper- it turned out that he was in his first week in the job but was well in control - should be as he is an ex-policeman (CID)! As it happened, there were two boats in the lower part of the flight with one waiting in the middle so we were in for a bit of a wait! In all it was a little under an hour before we could begin our descent.

There were lots of people out for a Sunday stroll - mostly families with young children, all eager to help with the locks! However, as soon as you get them trained they disappear and you have to start all over at the next level down!

By now it was time to moor up for lunch - a good spread using the leftover salads, bread and pizza from yesterday!

The next stretch - including Saddington Tunnel - was very slow, notoriously so! the navigable channel is much reduced as a lot of reed and other growth is allowed to survive, often on both sides by as up to a couple of metres. Some of this section is an SSSI, on account of a couple of special varieties of water weed known to have grown here. Hopefully this will not interfere with maintaining the navigation sensibly - after all, without the passage of boats the water would quickly become choked with fast growing weeds.

By mid afternoon we reached the start of the long descent to the River Trent via the River Soar. We only managed five of the locks - they are all broad locks from here onwards - before it was time to moor up for the night and begin to prepare roast vegetables!

Watford and Welford

A wonderfully bright sunny day, right the way through to nightfall. It had been frosty overnight - even the centre line rope and the brush were frozen together!

We made a good start, just after half past eight and forty minutes later we arrived at the bottom of the Watford flight of locks. As these have a lock keeper on duty, Mike walked up to the top to ensure a place in the queue. He jokingly said that we would have no competition. Little did he know!

As we were coming up the second lock, the keeper came down to do some maintenance - they have a problem with moles which keep leaving holes alongside the edge of the lock and he is concerned that someone might trip over on them.

After we were well into the middle staircase of four locks, we realised that there was a boat in the top lock of the staircase! There is no passing room in a staircase! He claimed that there was no lock keeper on duty and that he was staying put! Luckily (for us) the keeper appeared at this point and sorted out the problem (there were by now two other boats officially coming up behind us. It also turned out that a second boat had started down without first checking and so had to back up. Since one of them declared themselves to be in a hurry, this did them no good at all! In the past we have had lengthy waits at these and Foxton locks at busier times and know all about having to wait until the keeper gives permission to proceed!

A quick visit to the sani station and the rubbish disposal at the top lock and we were away on the 20 mile summit pound. Shortly afterwards we arrived at the southern portal of Crick Tunnel, an especially straight 1500 yards. We passed a boat coming the other way at about the three quarters point and they commented on how wet it was. At that point we had not had the slightest drip - but the rest of the tunnel was definitely not dry!

Cracks Hill is a popular place for walkers - it has a brazier/beacon on the top - perhaps we shall discover when it is used. Mike made use of the uninterrupted time from here onwards to fit the deck matting to the front well deck. It proved not too difficult although his agility and elasticity seem to have disappeared!

Whilst Mike filled the water tank at Skew bridge, Christine walked into Yelvertoft - a convenient sign informed us of a village shop and Post Office. She duly returned with most of the few items we needed - alas they had sold out of Guardian newspapers.

This spectacular leafless tree stood out against the bright blue sky.

Mike also spent some time making a loaf and bread rolls for lunch - next time we will know a little better how to tame the oven to the task, but the result was certainly edible as we found out a little later when we stopped for lunch.

Christine steered for the next part of the afternoon so that Mike could complete the decking - as he was now left with the job of cutting the irregular shapes for the edges, it took a little time but the result seems to be worth it.

During the afternoon, we saw a number of gliders being towed up by a light aircraft - at least today they should have had a great view!

We eventually moored at the junction with the Welford Arm with television and broadband connections established.

Braunston

We were off a little earlier this morning - it was still rather overcast but not misty as the last couple of mornings. Most of the accommodation bridges have lasted well but a few have had to be re-built. In the case of Bridge 101, the heritage design has been retained but modern techniques of cast concrete actually provide the structural strength.

A little later passed under a bridge where this time the farmer does seem to value the sense of security given by the demountable chains!

We arrived at Braunston Junction by 10 o'clock, just after passing under the impressive turnover bridge which takes the towpath from one side to the other.

We had planned to call at Midland Chandlers to see if they had any of the decking. Whilst Mike used the sani sation Christine went in search. We also wanted a new light switch and a bulb for the fridge. Just for once we were able to obtain all three items but, alas, they do not stock Calor Gas.

Next stop was Braunston Marina - just as we turned into the wharf area, a local boat indicated that wanted the same spot so we promised to be as quick as possible. Fortunately the shop had a trolley for the gas bottles as it was not as close to the waterside as we would otherwise have hoped! However, in order to move away as quickly as possible, we exited the marina and stopped a little further along in order to stow the gas bottles. (Unfortunately, the design - or lack of it at this point - of the storage locker means that the active bottle has to be disconnected and taken out before the spare can be removed and replaced!)

The hire boats from the base at the bottom of the Braunston Locks take up all the available mooring and leave only room for only one boat to wait below the lock! Perhaps this is an issue that the 'new' British Waterways will be able to solve . . . `:)

As a result we had to go up one lock in order to find a place to moor whilst we went to the village shops for milk, bread and paper. Alas, our memory from last year let us down and we ended up taking the long route. nevertheless we did find what we were seeking.

On our return from the shops we continued up the flight, on Mike's promise that we could have a 'proper' lunch break if we moored at the top! Which we duly did, although a mug of coffee along the way helped.

Lunch saw the end of Christine's chicken soup with the new Olive bread loaf we bought just a little earlier.

After lunch we were immediately into Braunston Tunnel which we passed through in exactly the 20 minutes the notice board advises. We passed two oncoming boats but the tunnel is large and straight that this is not especially difficult, although the second one decided to stop whilst we passed it - actually not especially helpful as then they have no control.

The afternoon now was turning pleasant with quite a lot of blue sky to be seen amongst fluffy white clouds. By the time we were heading up the Leicester branch of the Grand Union from Norton Junction, it was too late to clear Watford locks before they close (they might actually have done so) so we moored sufficiently far away to reduce the noise from the motorway, A road and railway line, which all converge at this point - the famous/infamous (depending on your age!) Watford Gap Services. As the towpath was now to the right of us, Christine was able to wash and wax the other side of the boat.

Time now to look at fitting the new light switch - an initial examination after lunch revealed that the existing one has soldered connections and the soldering iron refused to divulge its stored location. We could also look at fitting the new fore deck mats . . .

Napton and Flecknoe

We set off around 9:30 with the long remaining stretch of the summit pound ahead of us. Almost immediately we passed the site of the medieval village of Wormleighton. Although it is just possible - if you know it is there - to make out the earthworks but it really needs an aerial photo to see it properly.

Wonder why the sheep chose this particular section of a long fence on which to rub their woolly backs? The unnumbered footbridge between bridges 131 and 132 has been re-named the Wedding Bridge 2009 - wonder what the story here is?

We made good progress - there were a few boats around this morning but little to delay us. Before we knew it were within sight of the Wormleighton radio mast. The extreme contouring and meandering of this older, unimproved, section of the Oxford Canal means that this landmark appears in very different directions in quite short order. As we had thought that it was no longer in use, we were a bit surprised to see two people climbing up the mast. When we saw them they were about half way. Since they were wearing hi-vis jackets we assumed that they were meant to be there!

Willisons Bridge is another with almost no parapets - see yesterday's blog. However, in this case it seems that someone thought that they might be a bit intimidated and fitted chains on movable poles but we have never seen them upright!

Two more amusing pix: this farmer's bird scarer will frighten almost anyone - especially on a misty morning! And what high tide left this Noah's Ark high and dry on the top of the bank?

Having seen very few boats all morning, it was just our luck that there was a boat just entering the top lock at Napton as we arrived! We took on a little water whilst waiting but, in any case, we planned our lunch break just three locks down. By now the grey, misty morning was giving way to a hazy sunny afternoon and, for the most part, was noticeably warmer.

At this time of the year, lock flights like Napton, busy and popular in the summer, are quiet and almost deserted apart from walkers. Stress-free! At the bottom we used the facilities and finished filling our water tank.

A short run brought us then to Wigrams Turn - marina land! beyond, we passed the small village of Lower Shuckburgh with its Victorian brick church. We wondered how it ever managed to fill itself in even the high days of Victorian England.

By now the temperature was dropping and so, just before the road bridge to Flecknoe, we found a good mooring and called it a day. To Mike's surprise, Christine then decided to wash and wax the side of the boat by the towpath!

Cropredy and Fenny Compton

We awoke early - Mike's cold did not help! He also wanted to visit Julian Graves for 'snack' supplies: we were told yesterday that 9 am this morning was the start of a new promotion. Alas, it was rather a disappointment as the main offers were for sweets and mini Easter eggs. They were also out of papaya chunck . . . At least he was able to pick up a newspaper and also some stir fry for tomorrow from M&S - guided by a very helpful member of staff.

Off before the schedule of 9:30 - immediately passing Soverign Wharf who never seem to be open - at these prices we are not surprised!

It was another misty morning and, unlike yesterday, never even threatened to break into sunshine. Nevertheless, whilst fresh it was not unbearably cold and we had quite a bit to do as we climbed the succesion of locks through Cropredy up to Claydon.

We called briefly for services at Cropredy Wharf and broke for lunch above Elkington's Lock. Christine had bought a chicken quarter at Morrisons yesterday and this was transformed over the morning into a delicious, warming soup for lunch - today and probably for the next couple of days as well.

Occasionally, bridges have lost their parapets - they do not add to the strength of the bridge, only provide comfort and some safety fro those crossing over. However, they so restrict the width of equipment farmers can move across the bridge. However, unusual shape is a little disconcerting!

The Claydon flight of five locks were all empty and we cleared them quite efficiently and then made a start on the long summit pound. Since it is very much a contour canal at this section, it seems to take forever to make any progress relative to visible landmarks. On the other hand, this part of the Oxford Canal is quite remote from habitation once away from Banbury and Cropredy.

Once again we passed through Fenny Compton Tunnel: those who do not know may be surprised at how easy this is! The tunnel is no more, now only cutting as it was opened out at the peak of the canal's sucess. Only the south eastern end, with its very narrow section, gives much clue about its early life!

We stopped at the Fenny Marine to visit the chandlery shop. Although they had the tiles we were looking for to fit into the front well deck, they did not have enough of any one colour - they claimed that they could no longer obtain supplies from America.

By the time we were clear of all the moored boats which seem to stretch quite a long way from Fenny Compton, it was nearing our scheduled stopping time: a bit early but we were beginning to feel the chill. So, after mooring, Mike was surprised when Christine announced that she was going to wash and wax the outside roof!

Tonight, unusually, will be a roast beef dinner night - the joint of brisket we brought from Duttons in Wadebridge proved too big to fit into the tiny freezing compartment and so could not wait until next Sunday!

Banbury

It was an eerily misty morning but never very cold. Gloves on for the first stretch but it was surprisingly fresh and pleasant - despite the mist.

Chisnell Lift bridge has been fitted over the winter with one of the new locks specially designed for the southern oxford Canal. We have not heard any explanation for the fitting of these but they do make operation easier and possible by single-handed operators. (They are over-weighted so that they open - and stay open - once the lock has been released. But the balance is not so far out and it is possible to close the bridge from the towpath side)

 

Still on very familiar territory, we saw many familiar landmarks. The sign, announcing the name of the canal is placed so that it can be seen by passengers in trains which run just a few metres from the canal bank. It must just be a flash and one wonders just how many actually notice it?

Grants Lock had proved a problem for the engineers fitting a new top gate in the winter stoppage. They found that the slot for the stop planks - the photo is of the one we presume gave the problem - which meant a delayed and later stoppage which was completed only last Friday.

Spring wild flowers are beginning to make a show - this rather splendid patch of violets was close to a lock.

Shortly after this lock we stopped for a belated lunch but not for too long as we wanted to do some shopping in Banbury. First stop was at Samuelsons Bridge which is only a minute away from Morrisons. We returned with six carrier bags and a rucksack full of supplies - this should keep us going for a while (apart from milk and papers). There is no major shopping opportunity for some while ahead of us.

Half a mile further on we paused at the sani station below Banbury Lock for all the usual services and then again above the lock so that we could go into Castle Quay shopping centre. Christine wanted to visit the Body Shop. Also, the battery in our camera ran flat during the morning at which point we discovered that the charger was missing from the accessories box! Since a replacement from Jessops - a cumbersome all-purpose item - was rather expensive, we opted instead for a replacement, albeit simpler camera. At least this one runs on AA batteries which we can more readily charge or replace. Julian Graves had set out the shop for a promotiional day tomorrow so we decided not to stock up - perhaps an early trip to buy a paper and some goodies tomorrow morning?

By now it was rather too late to look further afield for a mooring but the spot where we were could not receive a satellite signal so we moved a short distance to Sovereign Wharf where we were fortunate to have a spot which was just being vacated by a boat pressing a little further.