Home is where your boat is

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Home is where your boat is

Thursday, 18 December 2008 20:09

2 hours 8 minutes, 2.27 hours, 4 locks

Claydon Bottom Lock to Cropredy

We had an early lunch and then set out for the last few miles and locks to Cropredy. The first 3 locks are close to each other but the final one, Cropredy lock (25) is about a mile from Broadmoor lock.

However, Clattercote Wharf came before our first lock of the day. It is sited at Forge Farm, who own the moorings, and has a flavour of "the Old Days". The old wharf building is there and a couple of traditional boats under repair are under its awning.

At the moorings there are replica gas lamps and the farm buildings themselves have an ancient look

One of the more modern looking buildings had a queue outside it!

Elkington's lock, followed by Varney's lock brought us to Broadmoor lock

Broadmoor is a pretty lock with canal side small industry beside it. In the small hut-like shop you can buy ropes, fenders etc and an artist has a studio behind the small shop.

BW has finished the work on the 24 hour moorings above Cropredy lock. However until the grass grows boaters are actively discouraged from mooring by red and white tape and "BW Aware" tape too!

Once through the lock there is one 48 hour mooring, then Cropredy Wharf Bridge, leading to Cropredy Coal Wharf: now used as boaters facilities! We stopped for water and rubbish and then moved a little way down to moor in front of Alnwick. We were welcomed by Graham and GC! GC remembered me - Graham says he has a remarkable memory

So we are here for a while - hence, Home is where our boat is. I suppose this area feels like home as we have been here so often by car over the years!