Things quietened down mid-Sunday afternoon so we slipped off our mooring, literally! One side of Serafina was sitting on mud but with the force of all forty-three horses we were back into the centre of the canal and heading down to Braunston Junction to wind (turn). Just a little more awkward than usual with the island in the centre of the junction but by late afternoon we had moored up in a nice spot just before Napton Junction.
It was an early start next morning as we had plans to empty the holding tank and fill the fuel tank at Napton Boats. After reversing the boat into the mooring I quickly changed my mind, at £1.09, non-negotiable. Just a pump-out please!
We had already spent quite a few days in Braunston and for some reason Rachael was very keen to get a few loads of washing done. No amount of discussion would dissuade her that we may run out of water before the water point. I am not sure what she based her calculations on but she was sure we would be ok. We got to the water point at the base of Napton Locks where I was glad to find a fast running tap, Rachael started her third load of washing! While we were filling the water tank it was a good opportunity to have lunch and watch the busy goings on at the base of the first Napton Lock. It's a small pound, barely room for three boats because of the bridge. There was one fellow; there always is, that thought there was room for four. He eventually had to reverse well back from the bridge to let the boat out of the lock.
The Napton Locks throw your boat around considerably, we quickly realised that even opening the paddles slightly wasn't so gentle, we had to keep an eye on each lock fill. Serafina was thrown around a few times. After a few locks we found the odd sight of water buffalo grazing in the paddocks, quite a few of them, best guess around fifty or sixty head.
We moored for the night in a nice spot on the side of the canal, after breaking the back of the Napton Flight.
Three more locks after lunch the next day and we were on the summit of the Oxford. We found another nice spot to moor, along with several other boats, after only a few hours and that was the day done! The next day was cruising past crop after crop, field after field, the odd house dotted around. It seemed like ages, probably because of the boat ahead of us going at 'tick-over' for the last hour of the trip. Found this nice boat if anyone is interested!
Then there was the hold up at Fenny Compton Wharf! It was a very busy little spot, mainly because two water points had been placed on a winding hole as well as a bridge to restrict the view one way. Boats were beginning to queue so I dropped Rachael off to find out what the hold up was. Turns out there was a boater on a hire boat doing their first ever 180º turn. Unfortunately, after about fifteen minutes of not getting anywhere an experienced boater jumped on and helped out, things began to move again. The Wharf Inn also sits on this winding hole. It was quite hot, about 32º, so rather than cook anything for lunch we headed off to the pub to eat. The entertainment at the water point/winding hole/bridge continued throughout the afternoon as the cold drinks flowed.
Early morning we pulled our boat off the mooring and on to the water point, it was nice and close. We filled with water again, I hate having to wait for ages as the water tank fills, I prefer to top up regularly. An hour of cruising and we were heading down off the Oxford Canal summit through Claydon Locks. These locks were nice and gentle on the boat but Rachael had difficulty operating them. I spent quite a lot of time opening the paddles that she couldn't manage, which was most of them. It's unusual that Rachael can't get the paddles up and I must admit they are rather tough.
We reached Cropedy, moored up the boat, locked up and headed off for a look around. Turns out that there is not much here in this nice little village but the shop came in handy for a few bits and pieces. The Red Lion pub is a nice little drinking hole in a row of thatched cottages.
A quick check-in with our friends on NB Dunslavin and they are through the stoppage at Watford Locks and closing the distance between us. A meeting at Banbury is on the cards!
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