Napton Locks And A Boat In A Field

We left Napton Bridge Inn on Sunday morning after enjoying a cup of tea and a read of the paper in bed. A short chug up to the bottom of the 9 locks at Napton.

We filled with water before starting the locks. These locks are very tight and it has been known for a boat to get wedged in a lock if it has its side fenders down, it was good to see CRT have a notice ( very small one)  informing boaters to lift their fenders before starting the flight. We made really good progress up the locks however between 11 and 12 the pound was quite low and one of the lock-keepers whizzed past us on his bike to flood some water down the flight which done the trick

 ( we didn’t need it but the boats following did)

Sharon and I work really well doing locks so we were at the top In 2 ½ hours which we were very pleased with. 

We passed this fellow having a drink his mates were further away, he is a buffalo which are farmed right by the canal.

Buffalo

We both love the Oxford Canal as it’s a contour canal and twists and winds around at times it seems like your heading back from where you started. 

We saw this very unusual sight whilst cruising it looks like they dug the bank away brought the boat in then replaced the bank the boat is sitting in a little bit of water.

You Can See Where The Bank Was Removed/Replaced

In The Middle Of The Field

Someone Is Living On Her They Have The Washing Out & 

We moored just after bridge 129 we have moored here before and it’s a nice quiet place.

Moored For The Evening

Monday we untied at 10.00 and headed towards Fenny Crompton which was quite busy and as usual. We are going to stop there on the way back and have a beer maybe a meal as we have been told the food is excellent. So a really lovely cruise up to the 8 locks that lead in to Cropredy the locks do leak rather badly along here which meant we had to top up every lock that we thought would be with  us. We are  moored for the evening in Cropredy and will be heading off to Banbury tomorrow.

Time Travelled Sunday 5 Hrs Distance 7.5 Miles 9 Locks

Time Travelled Monday 5 Hrs Distance 7 Miles 8 Locks

Total Distance Travelled 932. Miles 

207 Locks (Broad ) 422 single locks and 18 tunnel's, 10 Massive Lock

Total Tunnel length 10957 yards   
Total Time 492.5 hours  

We Are Loving It so Much