Trials and tribulations on the South Oxford Canal?

Sunday, 27 November 2011 17:20

Today we go north - time to leave Oxford and move up the South Oxford Canal. First though, we decided to trial BW's instructions on how to turn around below Isis Lock so that we could inform NABO's comments to BW from experience. The Hythe Arm is pretty shallow; it was also a bit gusty and so it was not without tribulations that we reversed back towards the lock - however, we did not hit anyone!

It was still very calm below the Lock - just like the other day. October had moved though!

So how did we fare? .....

Pretty well, but we needed a bit of throttle to give the stern a bit of help as there was no flow to take it around. Here is a reminder of the instructions - it would help if the drawing was to scale as the Castle Mill Stream is much wider.

BW instructions sign - see this link for potential new instructions

I was on the pontoon and pulled Epiphany round by the bow rope. However, if there was a strong stream I would have had difficulty holding and pulling her around. As it was, I had to use an upper cleat to give me purchase.

So now we were facing the right way and met another narrowboat waiting to come down. It was an unbelievably gorgeous day, as you can see from the photos. Our trial was over and hopefully the tribulations too!

Another view of St Barnabas over the old Jericho Boatyard

College Cruisers hire base is on part of the old Castle Mill Wharf. At this time of year a lot of their hire boats are "on the hard", so it is much easier to get past. 

College Cruisers

Jericho footbridge is a popular place to moor as it gives good access to the museums and pubs in this part of Oxford, including The Bookbinders pub - one of our favourite atmospheric pubs.

Jericho footbridge

Looking to my left, I spotted this narrowboat (below) moored on Castle Mill Stream. Once there were lots of boats along this stretch of the stream, most of them old and rotting away. Some have sunk, some have been removed by the EA/BW and others have moved off. The stream turns away from the canal a little further up and goes west towards Medley Bridge on the Thames.

Narrowboat on Castle Mill Stream

We continued on through the outskirts of north Oxford, past other empty moorings below Bridge 242 (Walton Manor) and Frenchay Bridge (239). The railway is not very far away on this stretch from Isis Lock to Duke's Lock but it is mostly hidden from the canal. The offside is a mix of end of garden moorings and apartments overlooking the canal. 

Aristole Bridge 240

At last the aspect opens out a little at St Edward's Lift bridge, but not before a long line of permanent moorings right up to the bridge, which is left open. Cruising seemed so slow and the canal so narrow! There is little to show that we were actually cruising along the east side of the lovely Port Meadow on the much wider River Thames, but it is possible to get onto it across Bridge 242. 

St Edwards Lift Bridge

Oxford was almost behind us and we were approaching our first "proper" canal lock. That is, one with canal below and above! So far no hold ups - but little did we know ......