New Year Cruise 2026 - Week 2

 Monday 19th January - Priors Hardwick to Napton

We left the Summit and headed back towards Napton.  Dave drove the boat and I spent time below cleaning through the boat.  This is the HS2 bridge from the other side, still a work in progress!

Passing one of the farms on route I spotted a single Herdwick, it’s the grey one on the right of the photo.  My favourite sheep!

Here we are approaching the first of the Napton locks at Marston Doles.  This is the site of the old wharf, just above the lock, with the old lock keeper's cottage and the stable block for the boatmen's horses. These buildings were extensively renovated in 1989 and used as the local British Waterways offices for 4 years after which they were occupied by private business.

Unfortunately, Dave managed to drop his windlass in the lock before  it began to empty.  He carries it in a windlass holder on his back and it caught on the door and popped out and in to the water, never to be seen again!  

We continued down the flight of locks and finally managed to secure a mooring in the pound above the bottom lock.

6.25 miles, 8 locks, 3hrs 42mins

Tuesday 20th January - Napton Bottom Lock to Moat House, Braunston

A lovely sunny day but with a biting cold strong wind.  We left our mooring, stopped at the water point and filled up the water tank then set off for Braunston.  The windmill on the hill from the other side.

Dave sporting the bandana I made for him for Christmas, I think he is very pleased with it!

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Here we are passing Napton Marina and Boatyard where our friends moor their boat nbDulwich 3.  It is the one on the far side in the middle of the photo.

Beautiful blue sky but with a very strong breeze which made steering the boat a little more of a challenge. 

Passing the turning off the Oxford Canal onto the Grand Union Canal and the way back to our Marina.  We are going to carry straight on towards Braunston.

The twin iron bridges heralding the approach to Braunston.  We are turning right under the bridge and going as far as Braunston Marina where we will turn the boat round and find a mooring space.

We passed nbMinuet, the boat we used to own shares in 11 years ago, she is looking very good and it is lovely to see her again.

We found a mooring on the other side of the canal outside The Moat House.  As the wind was blowing the boat away from the canal side, we provided great amusement for the diners in the pub as we tried to secure her!

Toby and I went for a walk whilst Dave set up the boat for the evening.  I found several clumps of snowdrops being blown around in the wind.  A winter flower, they bloom from January to March and symbolise hope and the coming of spring!

After our lunch, we went for a walk to Midland Chandlery to buy a replacement for the windlass that ended up in the lock.  We also bought an ash shovel for the wood burner, only taken us 11 years to do so!

7.5 miles, 1 lock, 2hrs 48mins

Wednesday 21st January - Braunston to Bridge 103 (The Green Sheds)

A very short hop today out of Braunston heading back towards the Marina.  Dave decided to leave early in the morning to avoid the bad weather - heavy rain and high winds!  However he did all the driving and unfortunately he did get very wet but the wind didn't get bad until after we were moored up.

So, no photos, but we did go for a walk along the footpath in the wind and the rain and it really wasn’t very pleasant.

3 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 12mins

Thursday 22nd January - Bridge 103 to Ventnor Marina

We woke to a much calmer day but with heavy rain, so we waited until it had stopped raining and began our journey back to the Marina.  

After a while it began to rain, gently at first and then really heavy again.  I was wearing two coats to try and stay warm and dry.

Dave took this photo from the front of the boat as we turned at Napton Junction.  We passed this long line of boats, heading towards the locks when we spotted another boat following us.  This was good news as it meant we could share the locks with them!

 

By the time Dave had set the locks the boat had arrived and we went down the locks together.  nbEnigma was also heading for Ventnor Marina and moors in the same basin as us but on the other side. 

Getting the boat into our pontoon was a challenge as the wind was getting up, but we managed in the end!

3 miles, 3 locks, 1hr 48mins

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!

As you can see, it was very misty and murky, not a lot to be seen across the fields, and no other boats moving either.

A stunning silhouette. 

We moored up just past the transmission mast, lit the fire and spent a quiet afternoon in the warm.

3.25 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 24 mins

Basingstoke Calling - Spring 2025 - Week 11

 Monday 12th May - Banbury

We are beginning this week with a day in Banbury and a wander around the shopping area.

We called into this pub and sat in their very pretty garden.  Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn is Banbury's oldest pub, dating back to 1570.  The pub's Globe Room, dating from 1637, features original wood panelling and a richly moulded plaster ceiling - it is reputed to be the location where Oliver Cromwell's forces planned the Battle of Edgehill and the siege of Banbury Castle.

The Banbury Cross was looking very splendid with decorated horses in front of it.  The Round and Round project is a council-led initiative with sustainability at its heart. Following the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling, the initiative has given old floral display frames a new lease of life.  This one is three cock horses around a may pole, looks very pretty.

In the afternoon we had the most amazing thunderstorm which seemed to go on for ages, very heavy rain with hail, thunder and lightning.  It was incredibly noisy in the boat, we were pleased we didn’t get caught in it!

Tuesday 13th May - Banbury to Cropredy

Today we are moving on to Cropredy, this is looking back at our mooring opposite Sovereign Wharf.  It was a very quiet mooring and we would use it again.

This is nbBlue Pearl.  We shared the lozenge lock going onto the River Cherwell after we left Thrupp.  She said she was heading for the Summit as we are.  

Very pleased to see Bourton Lock Cottage being occupied and obviously having some work done to it.  We even saw a cat sitting in the upstairs window!

We found a lovely mooring below the lock in Cropredy, enough room for one boat ahead of the permanent moorings.

We went for a walk around the village but everything seemed to be closed!  Still, the village is quite delightful.

4.5 miles, 3 locks, 2hrs 42mins

Wednesday 14th May - Cropredy

Today we are staying in Cropredy and going for a walk to find the Cropredy Battlefields.  This is the Bridge Stores which is now on reduced hours before it is closed down.  Apparently the floor is subsiding and it has been condemned as unsafe, and it is unknown if the leaseholder is going to have it repaired or demolished!

We walked along the canal until we were past the marina and at the next bridge turned right and then right again to join the Cropredy Circular Walk.  Dave does like a clear path when we go for a walk!  The countryside is very pretty with undulating downs and fields coming alive with their crops.

Circling above us was a buzzard, caught on the thermals and gently soaring through the brilliant blue sky.  Buzzards soar on thermals high above woodlands, open countryside and even motorways, looking for prey, including rabbits, rodents and birds. They often feed on carrion, so you might see them feasting on roadkill, or even patrolling along the ground in search of earthworms.

This is Cropredy Bridge and the site of the Battle of Cropredy in June 1644.  This is the bridge that was rebuilt in 1937 and originally built in 1314.  The battle of Cropredy Bridge was fought on the 29th June 1644. It was a opportunistic strike, typical of Sir William Waller style, against a royalist army strung out in line of march.  It started in the early afternoon lasting the rest of the day and the outcome was indecisive, but the parliamentarian army collapsed in the days after the battle.

Thursday 15th May - Cropredy to Claydon Top Lock

Time to move on and today it is a leisurely cruise up the Claydon Locks to a mooring at the top.  We were happy to see a set of three lock keepers on duty and this made the journey even better!

Half way up or down the locks is the lock keepers hovel with a neatly kept flower bed growing flowers, potatoes and some lovely looking rhubarb.  The blackboard records the crew on duty and the number of boats going up and down.  

Waiting patiently for a boat to leave the lock…

…and finally through the last lock, under the bridge and straight into the first available mooring, exactly where Dave is standing taking the photo.

3 miles, 9 locks, 2hrs 6mins

Friday 16th May - Claydon Top Lock - Fenny Compton Visitor Moorings.

Beautiful day for cruising, Dave did a lot of the driving whilst I cleaned through the boat.  We are now on the summit, so no more locks for several miles, just the occasional lift bridge left in the open position.

We stopped at Fenny Compton Marina and filled up with diesel before heading down to the visitor moorings where there was plenty of space so we decided to stop and spend the afternoon sitting on the towpath in the sun.

3 miles, 0 locks, 1hr 54mins

Saturday 17th May - Fenny Compton to Ventnor Marina

Today we made an impromptu decision to move the boat all the way back to Ventnor Marina as tomorrow is our granddaughter’s 6th birthday party in Netley Marsh, Southampton.  We had thought we wouldn’t be back in time for it, but as we are only 6 to 7 hours cruising time away from the marina we decided to go straight there and drive down to Southampton tomorrow.

The yellow flag irises are in full bloom, the water-loving yellow iris can be found along the margins of waterways and ponds, and in wet woodlands, fens and saltmarshes. Often mingled among other reedbed plants, its large, bright yellow flowers appear between May and August; they are thought to be the inspiration for the fleur-de-lys symbol, which is used in heraldry and also by the Scouts.

We have been amazed by the prolification of the may blossom this year, great swathes of the countryside seems to be covered in the white/pale pink flowers from the hawthorn trees and bushes.

The pagan symbol of fertility, this tree is the ancestor of the Maypole and the source of May Day garlands. The flowers make up the crown of the fairy queen and the wreath of the Green Man.  Although beautiful, it is said you should never bring this blossom into your home – partly because it is seen as unlucky, and partly because the smell of the flowers is so bad, it reminded people in medieval times of the Great Plague!

A lovely glamping site beside the canal with a teepee, chairs with sheepskins on and an outdoor heated bath tub.  What more could you want?

Two handsome horses grazing beside the canal.  I think these are skewbald horses.  A skewbald horse is characterised by a coat pattern featuring white patches on a base coat colour that is not white.  This means the horse's base colour can be any shade other than black, such as chestnut, bay, brown, grey, palomino, etc. The white and coloured patches can vary in size and pattern, making each skewbald horse unique. 

It is quite difficult to make them out, but all along the edge of this field are water buffalo heading towards the feeding station at the top of the field.  Napton Water Buffalo began milking their herd full time in 2007, and have since grown and are now milking approximately 140 cows with around 100 young stock.  The total herd is around 300.They farm approximately 250 acres in and around Chapel Green, Napton and we always look out for them as we descend or climb the Napton Locks.

Just visible above the tree line is Napton Windmill, now privately owned, next door is the former miller’s stone cottage, which still houses parts of the original bread oven.

Descending the Napton Locks was delightful as it was quite busy and all the locks were set in our favour all the way down.  The final lock even had a volunteer lock keeper!

We shared the final three wide locks with a hire boat from Black Prince with four men who had never been on a narrow boat before.  One of them had won the four day hire in a raffle!

12.25 miles, 12 locks, 6hrs 48mins.

Sunday 18th May - Alba’s 6th Birthday party.

A wonderful afternoon, surprising the whole family, and sharing the afternoon with Alba and her friends and family.  The cake was delicious, made by her Mum, our Annie!

This is the end of our adventures for now, 12 weeks of amazing experiences, stunning weather and wonderful cruises.  We shall be back for short cruises throughout the summer, but for now, many thanks for reading and enjoy the summer.