Ella Travels: New Year Cruise 2026

Tuesday 13th January - Ventnor Marina

Hello again, and welcome to the first blog of 2026. It has been 8 months since we last moved our boat so we are very excited to be able to take Ella out and have a mini cruise.

The main reason for not getting out for such a long time is simply weather related. The canal system around the Marina ran short of water over the summer and Canal and River Trust closed the locks to conserve what little water was in the canals. The reservoirs became dangerously low and although we enjoyed the delightful summer we couldn’t help wishing for rain!

So, today we packed up the flat and the car and drove over to Ventnor Marina with a view to setting off on Wednesday. However, we discovered that the water pump wasn’t working, no running water! We phoned our engineer, explained the situation and he arrived at 7.30pm to assess the problem. Yes, the water pump had failed, but he had a replacement in his van and 40 minutes later we were up and running with a working pump and running water.

Looks like we could be setting off tomorrow after all!

Wednesday 14th January - Ventnor Marina

We woke to a stunning sunrise and a beautiful morning. However, the temperatures plummeted overnight and the marina and canal are frozen over so we have decided to stay here today and wait for the ice to thaw and leave tomorrow!

Thursday 15th January - Ventnor Marina to Napton Bottom Lock

We have done it! We have left the Marina, ice has all thawed and we are on our way. Turned left out of the Marina and here I am waiting at the bottom of Calcutt Locks for Dave to set the lock for us.

We worked our way gently up the three locks and met one boat coming down, they turned into Calcutt Wharf for the services but left the lock open for us which was much appreciated. This is the view from the top lock looking down the canal towards Wigrams Turn.

This is the reservoir which feeds the canal and it is good to see it is now full. Looking so much better than last summer.

Coming through Wigrams Turn we turned right and headed off towards Napton. We didn't pass anymore moving boats but there were plenty moored up along the canal.

We are following the canal around Napton Hill with the windmill clearly visible on the top of the hill. At this time of the year it is no longer hidden by trees in leaf.

We are approaching the bottom lock at Napton. Once through the lock we passed some more moored boats and found a space at the end of the line before the next lock. By the time we had moored up, put up the new pram hood for the first time, it had begun to rain very heavily, so we disappeared into the boat for a welcome spot of lunch.

3 miles, 4 locks, 2hrs 18mins

Friday 16th January - Napton Bottom Lock to Bridge 124 Priors Hardwick

After yesterday’s heavy rain, today is promising to be a much better day.

Once the light mist had disappeared we set off to begin our ascent of 8 locks towards the summit. Toby is sitting on the roof and it looks as though he is steering the boat, I am there but hidden behind him!

Glorious views across the fields back down towards Napton. Usually there are buffalo in these fields but there are none to be seen today, perhaps it is too cold for them!

The light in this photo is amazing, the sun is behind the clouds, creating an almost twilight effect. For the most part of the day the sky was blue and clear of clouds.

A good shot of Toby waiting for Dave to return to the boat. Dave did the first four locks and I then took over and did the next four locks. Toby joined me for the last two and enjoyed walking between the locks.

In this photo, if you look closely you can just make out the white sails of Napton Windmill above the bridge. Soon after this we met two other boats coming down the flight of locks. They had been staying at Fenny Compton for Christmas and the New Year and were now heading down through the locks before they close for winter works at the end of this month.

Here is the blue sky I was talking about with a Red Kite soaring on the thermals. The Red Kite was saved from national extinction by one of the world's longest-running protection programmes. It has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland.

We moored up for the night just past bridge 124, just as the temperature was beginning to drop. A lovely day’s cruising.

3.5 miles, 8 locks, 3hrs 12mins

Saturday 17th January - Bridge 124 to Fenny Compton

We set off from our mooring and noticed a lot of people standing in the fields carrying shotguns and each had a dog with them. This vehicle was parked in one of the fields and has a vet’s e-mail on the door. I’m guessing this was a pheasant shoot? Not that we had seen many pheasant!

In the summer this is a glamping field and this structure has a large canvas over it. We have seen a hot tub there in the past as well!

This was the first of five boats we passed today, it was good to see other people out cruising. As this is the last weekend before the Napton Locks close for winter maintenance, it would make sense that people were moving to get through the locks before they close.

The HS2 works are continuing, this is one of the bridges crossing over the canal. Each end of the bridge stops in mid air, it did look very strange.

The transmission mast is very visible on the summit today. This is one of our favourite spots to moor as it is very quiet and peaceful. Usually there are many boats up here during the boating season but today it is empty. The mast is a tall, distinctive lattice tower often used for general broadcasting and communications.

The first swans were have seen on this cruise. We are so used to seeing swans when we are in Worcester, so this was a pleasant surprise. A family, two adults and two cygnets.

We continued cruising into Fenny Compton and on towards Fenny Compton Marina where we bought logs, filled up with diesel and emptied our rubbish. Then we turned the boat in the entrance to the Marina and returned to the visitor moorings near the Wharf Inn. Pleasant evening with pigs in the field opposite as our only companions.

6.5 miles, 0 locks, 2hrs 48mins

Sunday 18th January - Fenny Compton to Wormleighton Mast, The Summit

A later start today and a very short pootle down to the water point to fill up with water. It didn’t take very long and then we were off heading back towards the open summit. Dave did all the driving today ably assisted by Toby who sat in his favourite position on the back of the boat so he can keep an eye on everything!