July 2015 Braunston Turn to Rugby

Having left Napton fairly early in the morning we turned to head up the North Oxford Canal. There are many instances of the old 'Ridge & Furrow' methods of farming to be seen all around these parts but this seemed to be a particularly well preserved example.

Example of Ridge & Furrow farming

Our canal took us past Barby Moorings and Willow Ridge before we arrived at Hilmorton Locks.

Hilmorton Top Lock

Mum supervising

As it says - Welcome to Rugby

July 2015 Hay Bridge to Braunston Turn

Mum & I went to Hay Bridge and joined Constance for twelve days. I moved the car up to Fenny Compton and walked back to Hay Bridge.

Walking from Warwickshire back into Oxfordshire

A second brood of ducklings for this Mum

 We set off from Hay Bridge heading north, passing...

The feed from Boddington Reservoir

 Had to wait a long time to pass through the Fenny Compton 'Tunnel' because of on-coming boats. It is very narrow!

Fenny Compton 'Tunnel'

 Passing the Wharf Inn...

The Wharf Inn - Fenny Compton

 Around Wormleighton Hill and under...

The Ladder Bridge partway round Wormleighton Hill

 Stopping for the night in a very remote spot...

A grass snake enjoying a swim

We were blessed with seeing this grass snake swimming in the canal. We were able to watch it for about an hour or so as it slowly swam from side to side of the canal and all around our boat.
The next day we moved on towards Napton...

The now famous 'farmer's field' mooring

Still with water around the boat

Arriving at Marston Doles

An escapee

Napton on the hill

Napton Marina

Wigram's Turn - the way up to Warwick & Birmingham

Arriving at Braunston Turn

Ready to turn left...

All clear to go (a quick look back at Braunston)

And onto the North Oxford Canal

June 2015

Hmmm! Thought it was about time I caught up...

June 2015 - visited twice during June, only short visits to move Constance a little further north. So we moved from just above the Cropredy Marina to Claydon middle lock then on a second visit we moved on to Hay Bridge.

You don't see many wind-pumps any more

Or scarecrows

A novel way to moor a boat

At least you could see it

Claydon middle lock

Constance just below Hay Bridge

We did not want to go too far because for the last 10 days of June we were going on holiday to Italy.
Italy: We flew out to Pisa from Gatwick, hired a car and drove up to Cerri, which is about 3 miles east of Lerici and on the hills about Romita Magra. Cerri is a lovely little village and the house we were staying in was lovely and had magnificent views all round. We could see the sea above Lerici, the hills of Carrara (where they mine out the Carrara marble) and the town of Sarzana.
Whilst there we visited Lerici, Sarzana, Boca de Magra (for the beach), caught the train (1) to Florence and had a good look round and (2) to Pisa where we took the obligatory photos of the leaning tower. It was too hot for me...

The second Bank Holiday in May

Judy and I did the dash up to Cropredy for the Bank Holiday weekend. Work still in progress on the bathroom.
We moved up to Cropredy for a couple of nights. Went for a meal in the Brasenose Arms. Went for a walk to scout a mooring site. Had a good look round the church. Drove to various points along the canal between Cropredy and Napton.

Cropredy canal bridge

Cropredy lock

Cropredy Lock

Just above Cropredy Marina

The 'Aah! factor'

As I write this - the kitchen and bathroom have now been finished as far as the fitting of new units and tiling is concerned. We just need to decorate the rooms in the appropriate new colour scheme.

The interim

It was always going to be difficult to get away during May this year as we are having out kitchen and bathroom replaced.

Kitchen before

Kitchen nearly finished - just the tiling to be done

The first Bank Holiday in May

Towards the end of April Judy & went to Lower Heyford to join Constance for a few days. As leaving the car at LH is difficult we moved the car away to somewhere quiet, but within easy walking distance where it could be left for a few days.

It is always reassuring to know your on the right canal!

Entering Somerton Deep Lock

The house at Somerton Deep

After a couple of pleasant days in LH we moved up to Aynho and stopped by the wharf for the night. The next morning we woke to heavy rain so we sat tight until the day brightened in the afternoon. We continued our slow journey north through Aynho weir lock and under Nell's Bridge and stopped opposite the farm just above Nell's Bridge Lock. The evening was nice and sunny so we went for a walk.

Constance at Aynho Wharf

Lift bridge above Aynho

Aynho weir lock

Aynho weir lock

Aynho weir lock

The farm above Nell's Bridge Lock

Thursday was much cooler with a chilly wind so we moved up to Banbury and stopped beside the railway station. Over the weekend I caught the train back to LH to fetch the car. Judy went shopping in Banbury. We went to the Mill Arts Centre to see a stand-up comedian. His style was to put his slant on life and in particular the election and the politicians. He was brilliant!

The Mill Arts Centre Banbury

We explored Banbury, saw the cross (as one has to), had a look round St. Marys Church up on Horse Fair and in the evening David & Bettie came and joined us for a meal in a local restaurant.
It was time to move on, so after early rain we moved up to the sani-station, emptied the loos and took on fresh water. We went slowly through the shopping centre, past Tooley's Boat Yard and made our way up to a point about a mile south of Cropredy.

Banbury sani-station

Banbury Lock

Banbury Tooley's

The donkeys were having their breakfast

May en-masse!