Monday 25th March - Marston Doles to above Napton Bottom Lock
Woke to a drizzly start this morning, so we waited until it had almost dried up before setting off for Napton. I ordered some sealant for the windows which will be delivered to the PO in Napton Village Stores.
Coming under this bridge we noticed how badly cracked it was on both sides, I wonder how long it will be safe for?
This is an example of how muddy the towpaths get around here, I would say this was almost impassable without getting very muddy indeed!
The wind was very gusty in the open stretches and also very cold, so I took the opportunity to shelter under a bridge whilst Dave got the lock ready.
Once we arrived and managed to get the last space as it was being vacated, we moored up and had some lunch. We walked into the village to the stores and on the way we passed this delightful little pony, so pretty. I think this is a Shetland pony - a small, hardy and strong pony originating from the Shetland Isles and is suitable as a riding pony for children and a driving pony for adults.
4.5 miles, 1hr 35mins, 8 locks
Tuesday 26th March - Napton on the Hill
We decided to stay here another day as my parcel wasn’t delivered to the PO until after it was shut. A lovely sunny start to the day so a walk into the village stopping to chat to the Volunteer Lock Keeper on the way. This is Hugh who has a narrowboat moored at Ventnor Marina, used to live in Twickenham and is a Harlequins Rugby supporter. Small world!
We collected the parcel from the Village Stores and I spent the afternoon cleaning the other side of the boat, so it all matches now!
Wednesday 27th March - Napton to Ventnor Marina
Today we decided to move the boat down to Ventnor Waterside Marina, however it turned out to be far windier than we expected. We got down the lock and stopped for water before mooring up again as soon as we could.
Whilst we were sitting in the boat, our friend Jenny passed us on Dulwich No.3, so we walked back to the lock and helped them through the lock. Eventually they were also defeated by the cold, wind and rain and pulled over once they were through the first five locks. We sat out the wind and rain until the sun came out at 12.30 and then made a move to Ventnor Marina.
This is Wigrams Turn where we leave the Oxford Canal and turn onto the Grand Union Canal.
We are then in to the Calcutt Locks, 3 wide locks very close together and we had them to ourselves. There was a boat ahead of us and we could have shared the locks if they had been prepared to wait, but it wasn’t to be.
We then cruised down towards Ventnor Marina and turned right into the second entrance. Our temporary mooring was straight ahead of us which was very handy and we moored up for the day. We are staying for a couple of nights to see how we like it as we are thinking of moving our home mooring away from Barby Moorings and possibly to here.
3.5miles, 2hrs 0mins, 4 locks
Thursday 28th March - Ventnor Marina
After a pleasant night on the boat, we had a chat with Georgina and Steve in Reception and decided to put down a deposit for a 60ft mooring to start from the beginning of September. We had a wander around the marina, this is daffodil turn which is between the two basins. Our new mooring will be in the other basin, where there is more room between the boats.
The weather deteriorated throughout the afternoon, this is the view from the boat of the wind and rain lashing down against the cratch cover. A very wild and nasty afternoon!
Friday 29th March - Ventnor Marina
We are staying another day as the weather is still very unsettled and we have decided to take a mooring here beginning 1st September.
During a dry sunny spell, we went for a walk around the Marina to find the space we have been allocated. It is in Sunrise Basin, a larger basin but with more space between the boats. This house belongs to the man who originally owned the Marina. When he sold it he stipulated that there were not to be any liveaboards in the Marina and that is the case to this day.
This is the mooring which has been allocated to us, a view to the front of open water…
…and to the back open countryside with a clear view of the vast skies.
There is a pair of swans which appear to be nesting, we gave them a wide berth as Toby really doesn’t like swans.
These Pussy willow catkins provide an important source of food for some solitary bee species, particularly mining bees, and queen bumblebees. Having just emerged from hibernation, queen bumblebees are hungry, and pussy willow catkins provide nectar and pollen at a time when there is little other food available.
Saturday 30th March - Ventnor Marina to Flecknoe
We woke to very light winds and brilliant sunshine and after a trip to the supermarket for Dave we left our mooring and headed out onto the canal and back the way we came. This is the entrance to Sunrise Basin and is the one we shall use in September.
We got to the three Calcutt locks and joined a queue of boats heading the same way as us. We were happy with this as it means two boats share a lock and it is more efficient as far as the water is concerned.
There were boats coming the other way as well so it made for some interesting manoeuvring!
At the top lock we met Paul from nbOrient. He runs Helmsman Courses and boat maintenance workshops. He also runs a website called ‘Living on a Narrowboat’ which often has some useful information and tips.
Heading down towards Wigrams Turn and the junction with the Oxford Canal. Dave is standing at the front of the boat to signal the all clear when I turn the boat. The photo shows the length of the boat and the two solar panels which neatly keeps our batteries topped up with all the sunshine.
We turn left at the junction and head towards Braunston, stopping at our favourite mooring near Flecknoe. As it is the Easter weekend, there have been a lot of boats out and about, which is lovely to see.
4 miles, 3 locks, 2hrs 30mins
Sunday 31st March - Flecknoe to Braunston Junction
Grey skies today but dry, so we set off for Braunston where we shall moor for the night. We passed a lot of boats coming away from the village so we were hopeful of getting a mooring.
We were very lucky to get a mooring almost immediately as you come round the junction turn. This is Paul on nbOrient, he must be out on one of his experience or training days.
We walked up to nbGongoozler’s Rest Cafe and treated ourselves to cake as it is Easter! Under the bridge ‘The Friends of Raymond’ had a stall to raise funds. Raymond, the last wooden working narrow boat, was launched at Braunston on 11th June 1958 and, through the determination of the first Friends, she was rebuilt and returned to Braunston on 3rd July 2000.
This boat belongs to John who used to work at Ventnor Marina until yesterday. He has given up his job and they are going cruising for at least 6 months, hoping to explore much of the waterways.
These canoeists were just getting ready to set off for a paddle. We were intrigued by their wooden canoes, beautifully made and decorated. They were made by the lady’s mother from a kit and she had finally decided to pass them on to her daughter at the age of 91 as she could no longer manage it! Amazing!
I purchased this wooden planter from the Raymond stall and a decorated tin of playing cards.
3 miles, 1hr 12mins, 0 locks
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