where we stopped for a pump out and diesel and to meet Anne of Napton Narrowboats whom we hired from last year. We would have hired from them again this year if their smaller boats had a cross over bed. They gave us lots of advice about the Oxford Canal. One being that it is very twisty and turny. It's not nicknamed the curly wurrly for nothing! Another being don't go down into Oxford as it is very congested, rather, moor at Thrupp and catch the bus. Another, don't stay on the summit overnight as rain and strong winds are predicted for tomorrow and the wind can push you to the side and there is no getting off until the wind dies down. And lastly, turn back and go down the Grand Union canal, even with its wide beam locks it is easier than the Oxford. Of course Lawrence was all for turning back there and then. He's really determined to do the Avon River. And I am equally determined to go down the Oxford canal.
After departing Napton Narrowboats we went around Napton Hill
This one is for Tim and Mike
Can you spot the windmill on top of Napton Hill?
to the start of today's locks. The bottom of Napton Locks
9 in all, the first 7 grouped over half a mile or so then a fag breaks length to the last 2 at Marston Doles.
The very tight turn coming out of the last lock at Marston Doles. The stern of the boat is still in the lock. An old canal warehouse is in the background, now renovated and converted into offices.
We were then on the summit of the Oxford canal - for 11 miles the canal traverses it's depopulated summit. If you walked cross country from the top of the Napton Locks to the top of the Claydon Locks it would be 4 miles!
A curly wurrly, we are on the canal in the bottom of the photo, the shrubby bit going through the middle of the photo is the canal after it has gone round the corner. Can you spot the oncoming narrowboat?
Passing the same narrowboat after we had negotiated the corner.
We travelled through more stunning country side today, all breaks in the hedgerow are favourite mooring places
We contemplated this spot, but it was very exposed on the summit and we remembered the advice we'd been given at Napton.
And I can't help slipping in a bridge
and the canal did indeed curl and whirl, at one point it almost turned back on itself.
We moored at 4.30pm at Fenny Compton Wharf where there is a pub with a watering point, good food, real ales, a washing machine and some history - in narrow boating terms a des des (desirable destination). Mind you, the washing machine wasn't too desirable and I did wonder if the clothes might come out dirtier than they went in, but better than trying to hand wash in a small basin.
With the wet washing now strewn about the boat, hanging from every hook and anything that resembles a hook, and out the window we have left the boat looking like a Chinese laundry and retreated to the pub for dinner.
Vale Ruby. We received the sad news today that Ruby is no longer with us. Our hearts go out to George and Rhonda. Ruby was a lady of breeding and one of life's truly nice dogs. She was a pleasure to know.
14 miles, 9 locks in 6hrs
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