Lots of narrowboats, no help to a single-hander through locks this time

Friday, 30 December 2011 13:40

John was looking forward to single-handing Epiphany through the Napton flight of locks. We were astonished by the number of narrowboats cruising this section from Fenny Compton to Napton on the South Oxford Canal. But that did not mean the locks were set for us!

Landmark radio mast from the canal

This radio mast became a feature moving across the horizon as John navigated James Brindley's contour canal .......

It is while before Napton Locks and the canal winds through lovely countryside. We passed 5 other narrowboats, all going in the opposite direction so you would have thought that the locks would be set for us.

The bendy summit has a number of bridges - a footbridge, which has been rebuilt and for some reason is now called "The Wedding Bridge" (MMIX), and some lovely stone bridges in varying state of repair, 

The Wedding Bridge

Bridge 126

John spotted a fox in a field who appeared to keep a check on our progress and the horned cattle near Priors Hardwick also looked up as we passed.

Horned cattle

Looking back at my blogs we have traversed the summit of the South Oxford Canal at least 9 times! But it is only in the last year or so protest signs have sprung up. The proposed line of the HS2 is not popular at Spurfoot Bridge (124). 

Sign against the High Speed Train on the bridge

No HS2 sign on bunker beside the canal

So the Napton lock flight was upon us -

The first time we and Epiphany did the Napton flight was way back in October 2008 at the beginning of our continuous cruising life. (http://nbepiphany.co.uk/our-boat/epiphany-blog/128-wormleighton-to-napton-on-the-oxford-canal).

The top lock is at Marston Doles and as I was still not totally fit John single-handed the 9 locks. He enjoys this, but I was not so sure from down below! All the bumps and scrapes are magnified along the steel of the hull.

In Napton top lock, with a bit of help to leave

There is a long gap between the next lock (15) and lock 14, Adkin's Lock; The Old Engine House moorings are just above lock 14, a pleasant location to be moored. The Engine House once contained a steam pump which drew water from a spring to supply water to the canal. 

Moorings on line before The Old Engine House Arm

At the bottom lock, we were watched from Folly Bridge. There were quite a few gongoozlers around, maybe sampling the Folly Inn (thefollyinn.co.uk) which is under new management. They are back in the C21st again with phone and WiFi, after having their phone lines stolen August this year.

Gongoozlers at Folly Bridge, Napton bottom lock

Napton is well known to narrowboaters - its windmill and church stand high on the hill with the village spread below. We were hoping to moor just beyond Napton Bridge and did as there was plenty of space.

Napton on the Hill

A long day - but worth it, well done John! We had a change of canal coming up next ......

South Oxford Canal, Fenny Compton to Napton Bridge
5 hours 51 minutes, 10.69 miles, 9 locks