Our first impressions of the North Oxford Canal

Sunday, 25 January 2009 21:32

We felt a bit like explorers as we started up the North Oxford! Firstly because it was the first time Epiphany had travelled these waters. Secondly, we were the first boat to travel this section using Water Explorer to record our journey via GPS. We did not get a direction fix for quite a while!

Once away from Braunston the canal continues to meander its way through fields marked into furlongs by farmers of a bygone age.

The first real sign of habitation is Willoughby beyond the towpath. At Navigation Bridge (85) is the main road acess to Willoughby. Just beyond the bridge there is the remains of Willoughby Wharf. You can see a boat roller, mooring rings and the old wharf wall. However it is now built on and no longer used.

House on Willoughby Wharf

Just before bridge 82 we crossed the county boundary from Northamptonshire into Warwickshire. Parallel to the canal is a disused railway and glimpses of its past glory can be seen through the hedge.

Disused signals

On the offside Barby Hill is in view as the canal begins its course around the bottom. There is a real difference in the state of the bridges.

Bridge 81 looks fairly good

Wise's Bridge (80) is in dire need of repair

There were a few boats moored between bridges 80 to 79 but we were looking for a remote mooring as usual! It was beginnning to get chilly when we spotted a short section of piling just after bridge 79. That'll do! We settled onto it well, despite it being on a very slight bend.

As darkness descended I heard a bark - recognised it as a fox - and I just spotted it as it ran along by the boat the other side of the hedge. It was after the ducks, we could hear their alarm calls! Now is that rural enough for tonight? I think so!

>>> View Next Post		View Previous Post <<<