Crack's Hill - ready for the Show!

Made a quicker than planned return to Braunston, cruising when the wind was not too bad. After 2 trips into Daventry (I to shop and have hair cut, Ebony to vet - diagnosed with colitis - poor thing), I kept a watch on weather forecasts. Wind better and little rain on Wednesday so decided to leave Braunston again then. At first lock was joined by hire boat with 8 retired guide leaders. They were all keen to work the locks and kindly suggested I stay on to steer. 5 of them had been boating many times - but we still had 'fun' getting 2 boats into the locks!

Having made good progress I decided to make the most of the dry but cold weather. Stopped for quick lunch at Weltonfield then set off as a boat passed me - only to find another boat coming round the bend - oh dear I am going to be unpopular - luckily it was Roy and Celia on Strange Magic and we continued on to Watford locks. Dear Roy helped me up, while the lockie helped Celia. They now heading for base at Crick but we will meet up next week. I stopped for the night before the tunnel just after Bridge 9 - so peaceful - OK slight sound of motorway, but lovely setting!

Next morning I went through the tunnel and topped up water etc.

Went on to moor at Crack's Hill where I have moored for the show on 2 previous occasions. Found that Iain on Bees Nees had already arrived and I moored behind him on the good moorings between footbridge and winding hole. Iain attends every year, only giving up running the little show trip boat 3 years ago when I last saw him.

On Saturday 16 Tom and Christine on Lottie arrived in the fierce wind. We had met and become great friends while we were on the Great Ouse last year. It is so nice to meet up with people you haven't seen for a while. Unfortunately the canal needs a good dredging and we were unable to get their boat behind me - 4' out is not ideal. Sad because I moored exactly there 3 years ago, with many others, and planks were not even needed. Luckily a boat soon left from the other side of the winding hole and they were able to moor near me - as planned!

What with the stretch between the marina and bridge 13 cordoned off because of water voles, boating visitors to the show are going to have a big problem this year - previously we have been able to moor all the way to bridge 15. I am sure all those coming by car will be well catered for! During the show weekend very many people walk all the way up to Crack's Hill just to see all the boats - let's hope there are enough for them to see!

Tomorrow Gerry and Sandy on Stanley are due to arrive - hope they have waders!

Lower Heyford reached, now returning for Crick Show

After climbing Napton locks on a lovely day in April I went on to moor at Br 124 at Priors Hardwick. Sadly access to bridle path blocked by farmer so I had to walk to Br 125 to get to the village - but well worth the visit as it is lovely - the pub/restaurant looked good too.

Next day I went on to the lovely moorings after the ladder bridge below Wormleighton - with a lovely view of Napton. Soon after I was joined by boating friends Peter and I met in 2001 - Roy and Celia on Strange Magic. What happened to the day? - we chatted from coffee and cake time (thanks Celia), missed lunch and on to 9pm when we all decided we were starving. It is so nice to catch up with friends you haven't seen for a few years.

Next day Roy and Celia moved on and I walked into Wormleighton - what a lovely manorial village this is - well worth the long circular walk.

Now I was to cruise slowly on, stopping frequently to visit many villages as I went. I have made this trip many times before, but never slowly and exploring. Each way spending some money in Banbury!

Eventually, on Wednesday 29 April, I got to Lower Heyford, my pre-Crick goal. Decided to turn in the winding hole, south of the village. Mistake - as I winded, lost forward/backward motion and had to pole to bank. Had very slight power so limped back to Lower Heyford and rang RCR. They sent an engineer within 1/2 hour - from Oxfordshire Narrowboats - just the other side of the bridge! He changed throttle cable, then thought it was the lever, no it wasn't.

It wasn't until Saturday that the problem was resolved. Was it broken throttle cable or lever? In desperation I re-called RCR and they sent another engineer who said it was a WORN lever. Anyway he didn't have a replacement, so repaired it enough for me to have replaced later.

At least I was able to get down to Oxford by train on the Friday, as planned. It is handy having a dog who seems to enjoy public transport! Had a great day doing the Red Bus tour, lots of exploring (shame you cannot take dogs into colleges), plus a visit to Osney moorings (no-one here I know!) and then walked to Folly Bridge to sit by the lovely River Thames for an hour or so.

So on Sunday 3 May I set off northwards. Now it is cooler and breezy. I will be making the return journey faster as I have done all my exploring.

On Thursday it was pretty windy as I left Cropredy so decided to make it to Claydon Top Lock - 8 locks for me is quite a lot! Got to mooring in time for lunch - to find Karel and Susie on mv Daniel who I had seen on a few occasions since 2003, but never had a chance to chat - we made up for lost time!

Am now sitting out the very strong winds - watching boats struggle and bump past me - grateful that I am moored up. But the sun is shining and I can catch up on a few of those jobs.....