Napton and onwards towards Braunston

Wednesday, 21 January 2009 19:10

The Napton flight of 9 locks is a very attractive section of the South Oxford; particularly when the sun shines and there are no other boats waiting for the locks. I can imagine that in the summer it would be very busy, with boats queuing in the short pounds that are between the bottom few locks. We only passed two boats coming up - one at lock 13 and the other below lock 10.

The long pound between lock 15 and Napton Adkins lock (14) was iced up! Fortunately it was not too thick and we gingerly eased our way under bridge 118. By the time we arrived at The Old Engine Arm it had cleared. We noticed the continued absence of Brian's boat Harnser! Maybe we will spot him on our travels.

We moored for lunch in the pound between locks 11 and 10. It is only a short pound but mooring there was not a problem due to the absence of other boats!

By the time we set off again it had clouded over and was a little chilly! We quickly finished the remaining three locks and made for Napton Junction.

John had rung around yesterday morning to find the best place to get diesel, not only price wise, but who would allow us to self declare. Napton Narrowboats only sell at 60% propulsion and 40% domestic. We are using around significantly less for propulsion and the rest for domestic; John is keeping accurate records to prove it! We told them we would not be patronising them!

We just missed Gosty Hill fuel boat as he left Napton yesterday afternoon - a fuel boat is usually our favoured option. We found that the best place was Wigrams Turn Marina, right by the junction. We turned into their very narrow entrance and made our way past all the moored boats down to the end. It is tricky getting onto their fuel wharf because of all the Black Prince Hire boats moored there. After two goes we made it! We filled up and bought a new gas bottle too. Yes, we were able to self declare at 69p/litre!

Fully loaded we turned right, continuing on to Braunston. The closure of the Hatton flight on the Grand Union means we will need to continue northwards on the North Oxford Canal from Braunston.

We passed through Shuckburgh and then we looked to moor in a suitable place, finding a lovely quiet rural mooring before bridge 102! it was time to batten down the hatches as wind and rain are due! The downside is that the internet signal is almost, but not quite, zero, so no photos tonight.

As I write it is now pouring with rain and the wind has increased! However to quote a book I am reading at the moment, "Narrowboats are the cosiest and most secure places in the world. ...... with the curtains closed, the rain hammering away on the roof and the fire blazing away in the cast iron stove there is no better place to be. It's a womb, a refuge, a hide out."

Thank you Steve Haywood! I have finally taken your new book "Narrowboat Dreams" from the bookshelf where it has been staring at me for the last few months! I was determined to save it until we started our journey north so I could synchronise with your journey! I am now ahead of us though, as I am enjoying it too much and having a good giggle at the same time!