Cropredy to Wormleighton, Oxford Canal

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Cropredy to Wormleighton, Oxford Canal

Sunday, 12 October 2008 00:00

6.96 miles, 5hr 38m, locks 9, 2.83 lock/mph

What a delightful day on the Oxford canal. Wonderful weather, lovely locks, meandering meadows and nattering narrowboaters

There were too many picturesque places to photograph however I include a select few to illustrate our cruise today.

Approaching Cropredy Wharf and bridge

After watering up at Cropredy Wharf we continued the climb up to the summit - 8 locks starting with Cropredy lock (25).

Passing the 24 hr and 14 day moorings - the bank is being repaired - Broadmoor moorings and lock appear.

Broadmoor lock belies its name (think prison!) and is very pretty with a well kept garden alongside

This poem was pinned to the beam of Varneys lock (23)

It is very appropriate and so have a look by clicking on the photo. I wish all boaters would do so. Sometimes I wonder if we are the only ones who pass boats on tickover. It is at the least good manners and at best showing consideration for other people and their property.

Filthy looks and yells however never seem to work - it's "I am more important and I shall carry on regardless as I have somewhere to get to"

Clattercote Wharf is pretty, boats are moored nearby.

Crick goers may recognise this boat.

4 Claydon locks, 21 to to 17 and in the middle lock I find yet another use for these new bollards

A confession though - John actually used one today to tie to temporarily when we let the boat come in to the lock of its own accord and he went back to close the bottom gate. Fortunately there is no photographic proof for blackmail!

Claydon top used to be the home of sign writer Jane Selkirk

She is now based on a boat and the new owners are doing a lot of work on the cottage. We passed Jane moored at the Wharf inn a few miles further on.

I now have to let you see the obligatory "cow picture" so you can say "ahh" or "moo" according to your inclination.

These ones thought they were sheep as they all followed each other to drink from the canal!

Fenny Compton has a roofless tunnel

The towpath on the right rises to go over the tunnel and crosses on Turnover Bridge (137A) near the end of the tunnel.

The railway is alongside the canal here but is invisible because of the trees at the side of the tunnel.

We called in to Fenny Marina Chandlery for a couple of things - Tay Bright and some boat polish and then continued past the wharf and Inn.

We have been to the Wharf Inn a couple of times, once for a meal and more recently just for a drink on one of our visits up here by car. It has been developed considerably since we passed this way on Twelfth Night a number of years ago.

It was time to moor and we found a nice spot in the sun with our own blackberry supply between Wells bridge (134) and Old Town Bridge (133).