Epiphany

News, news, news .....

2011-03-22T16:43:00.000Z

Our Narrowboat Epiphany website is now "live" again. I shall be blogging our travels, cruises and adventures on it from today so you will need to go it to keep an eye on us! click here

John will be gradually copying our January to March blogs from blogspot to narrowboat epiphany and the RSSS feed to your email inbox will also be updated in the next few days. It is not all singing and dancing yet and the usual popular features will be added gradually. Look out for some new ones too!

So please bear with us - bookmark narrowboat epiphany and we will let you know progress there!

Up and down and then up again

2011-03-21T19:55:00.002Z

Today I tested the public transport from Sandford on Thames to Banbury! All for the sake of picking up my glasses and our post! So I caught the 106 bus (it was on time) which goes to Oxford Station. Then a train to Banbury (one stop). All went very smoothly!

Christchurch Meadow - the bus goes along St Aldates on the far side of the meadow

Glasses picked up - I can now see marginally better - I went to Hilliers Garden Centre for lunch. Sorry Wrens Nest, I didn't have time to call in - but I did see you! Our post lady met me at Hilliers - with a few envelopes and some home made raspberry jam!

Normally when we are cruising, our friends send our post to the nearest post office, post restante, for us to pick up when we get there. However being on the South Oxford for so long it has become a habit for us to meet up to exchange post! Soon we will have to go back to our "old ways". The same will apply to prescriptions - a request sent to my GP with a stamped addressed envelope to a pharmacy near where we plan to be in about a week or so. Once our website is up again you will be able to access my collection of pharmacies around the country!

A Salters trip boat - another way of getting in and around Oxford on the River Thames!

Shopping done, browsing done, I caught the train back to Oxford. It was slightly worrying that I recognised where I was on the train from spotting the canal - Banbury Tram moorings, Somerton Deep Lock, the old warehouses on the River section, Shipton Weir Lock, Thrupp (a mental wave to our friends moored there!), Kidlington, Enslow, moorings all the way into Oxford, and then Jericho.

Back on the bus - I kept an eye out for the end of the Hythe Arm, the River Cherwell and a glimpse of the Thames! Home again at last - the lock here at Sandford was full of water when I left but on my return it was empty again and some of the jacks removed. So it looks as if the new bottom gates work!

Three jars of lemon curd later (made by my fair hand on my return) and a meal, it is now time for a relax in front of the box! Tomorrow is the "up again" as we cruise upstream to Oxford!

"A good place for drowning"

2011-03-21T11:00:00.004Z

We find it is always worth exploring a new area to find hidden gems - country churches, old buildings, bus stops, post boxes etc. Sandford on Thames sprawls up the hill from Sandford Lock and the old centre of the village is nearer the river.

Near the lock is a development on the old mill site of up-market newish properties, many with a river view of the reach below the lock. The Kings Arms was once "The Ferry" - as a ferry took passengers and horses and carts to Abingdon. Jerome K Jerome once described Sandford as a "good place for drowning", indeed the adopted son of J. M Barrie drowned in 1921 near the lasher weir (site of the old lock).

Built in 1826 for mill workers these cottages around the village green had flat roofs made of tarred paper. They were occupied by workers until 1982 when the mill closed. The mill race continues to flow beside the lock.

St Andrews Church

The post office closed in 1987 but was in the white cottage opposite the church. Today there is a post box at the top end of Church Lane.

Inscription over south door - written by Rev Charles Forebench in 1646

The graveyard of the church is very well kept and peaceful - we spent a while just absorbing the sun and calm atmosphere

I loved the bench and garden that has been created alongside, behind what was once the church hall and "plant". This is now a private residence walled off from the church grounds.

Lewis Carroll was a famous visitor, in the guise of Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson - he preached on several occasions at the invitation of his friend Rev W H Rankin. His first visit on Whit Sunday 1862 is commemorated by the "Alice Sermon" on the theology of his two famous works!

Sadly, St Andrews was locked - God was away for the day! There is a comprehensive guide of the church here - clickety click

Old pub on main road

On the main road through the rest of the village stands an old pub building - possible once The Fox. A bus stops nearby that terminate at Oxford Station - number 106, hourly.

Sandford Lock on the Thames under repair

2011-03-20T22:00:00.003Z

We chatted to the Lock Keeper at Sandford Lock today as we wandered over to The Kings Arms for Sunday lunch.

The Kings Arms, over from Sandford Lock

He explained that he had "handed over" to the engineers and it was in their hands as to when the lock opens. It is scheduled for opening on Saturday 26th March.

Floating pontoons above Sandford Lock

The floating pontoons above the lock were were for equipment, materials etc to be delivered to the lock. We assume the crane opposite our mooring was in use for this too.

The "jacks" are to prevent the walls of the lock being compromised because the water is not in the lock. The bottom gates are now in place, but the dam has to be removed, the jacks too, before it opens!

Sandford Lock from downstream

From about 1294, the original flash lock at Sandford was in the Western Stream, now a backwater. Its position can still be seen alongside the present lock and also where the upper gates were. There was also a mill by the lock.

Sandford was probably the first to have a modern pound lock, in 1936, to overcome the real difficulties of these flash locks. The present lock was built in 1972-3 in the same location. There are some very interesting photos and more information on this website - clickety click

Upstream from Sandford Lock

After a good roast lunch we returned home to Epiphany and a quiet afternoon, with the occasional gongoozler with camera in hand! We could have earned a fair bit here if we had charged for taking a photo!

The Thames and good weather

2011-03-20T16:15:00.002Z

These words are not always synonymous! We have been fortunate so far! Here are some more river views for you to enjoy, taken on our cruise from Osney to Sandford Locks.

Folly Bridge - we went under the SE end which is to the right of this photo!

Here is the end of the River Cherwell by Christchurch Meadows - it has been present during our time on the Oxford Canal, running prettily, in flood and even iced over!

The River Cherwell joins the Thames

Even the weirs at Iffley Lock are well kept and attractive

Downstream of Iffley Lock and the covered weir footbridges

The cut around Rose Island (also known as Kennington Island) once housed a boatyard, apparently. Now there are various types of boats moored there.

Rose Island - the river stream is to the right, the house is hidden by the tree from this upstream view

This house has an amazingly long garden - but what a place to come to on a sunny afternoon or warm evening!


The house is right of centre - you can see it just!

Lastly another photo of our mooring - beyond this barge, moored awaiting who knows what from the lock repairs!

Boats, crane and blue, blue sky

Ah! Now I know

2011-03-20T09:30:00.000Z

I have often wondered about the large ornate boats I remember from our last trip on the Thames back in 2008. As the weather was so good I was determined to get some good photos of them.

The first one I spotted is now a residence and I was delighted to identify it a Corpus Christi's College Barge. My brother is a Corpus Christi Alumni - so this one is for you, David!

Corpus Christi College Barge on its mooring

A closer look - note the large oval windows, a real design feature!

College barges go right back to the time when ceremonial barges were built for royalty and dignitaries, for special occasions. In this country, monarchs have had ceremonial barges - city liveries and Lord Mayors of London have had them, too. Indeed, our current Queen is having a traditional ceremonial barge built for her Diamond Jubilee, which I understand will be processing up the Thames in June 2012. Boris Johnson is hoping it will carry the Olympic Flame!

Ceremonial barge - http://www.city-barge.org/HistBarge2.html

By 1850, most processions had become land based and the existing barges needed expensive repairs. However, it is believed Oriel College bought the Goldsmith's Barge in 1848, thus beginning the tradition of College Barges. They were used in the days before College Boathouses for the rowing crews and were a bit like a "gentlemen's club on water". Only seven remain today. Have a look here if you are interested in reading more - clickety click

We saw one more College Barge - once belonging to St John's College and now moored outside the Oxford Thames Hotel at Sandford. I believe it is occasionally used for events.


St John's College Barge

St John's College Barge on its mooring

There is nothing so nice .....

2011-03-19T20:05:00.002Z

Words fail me - how can I describe today? Wonderful, stupendous, amazing, joyous, relaxing, I think you get the message! Here is a brief summary!

Leaving Osney Lock with Oxfordshire Narrowboats' Aynho for company

The sky was blue, the river calm and quiet - except for a few canoeists and rowers

Oxford College boat houses and canoes, downstream from Christchurch Meadow

Iffley Lock is well looked after - another place we must stop on the way back upstream so I can take some more photos of its features.

Iffley Lock House and daffodil display

The Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel at Sandford is created from a number of medieval buildings, the oldest being a medieval College House. It can be linked back to the Knights Templar.

A Four Pillars Hotel - 4 star luxury by the Thames

Some of the Thames properties are really enviable - this one with its own end of garden mooring would do - but not the boat!

We had spotted a number of nice mooring spots as we came downstream and thought we might return to one or more another time! Sandford Lock is closed for new bottom gates so when we arrived we turned and "rough moored" against the meadow there. The Kings Arms pub is in walking distance for Sunday Lunch and it was doing a good trade today!

Looking upstream, our mooring above Sandford Lock

We also attracted a lot of gongoozlers - two Japanese (tourists?) were rather intrusive with their camera - our fault for having the swan doors wide open and Toshiba laptops on display!

There is much more blog material from today - so more to come!

River Thames, Osney to Sandford Lock

1 hour 39 minutes, 3.94 miles, 2 locks

We spot some boats on the our goodbye to Canals and hello to the Thames

2011-03-18T20:40:00.001Z

An old wooden hulled narrowboat on the South Oxford

Narrowboat leaves Kings Lock on the Thames

River trip Boat waits for summer

The sun shines for us on the River Thames

2011-03-18T10:30:00.002Z

Kings Lock was on "self service", which means it is a "do it yourself" lock as the Lock keeper is lunching, or away doing other jobs.

Kings Lock awaits

We were joined by a trad narrowboat that we had seen a couple of times in our travels recently and who had followed us through Dukes Cut. John waited to open the paddles (using large wheels) as the top gates were closed by the other boater.

We let the other boat go first and after John had shut the bottom gates we followed on, around the bends, past narrowboats "rough moored" and down to Godstow. Godstow Bridge has a well known pub, The Trout Inn (for Morse fans anyway) beside it - we shall explore Godstow on our way upstream, I hope!

Above Godstow Lock are moorings beside the ruined Godstow Abbey, with the remains of St Leonards Chapel just standing! Again, more about this another time!

Above Godstow Lock

The Lock Keeper was on duty (despite the self service sign) and as we went down the lock a barge left the landing below to lead us on towards Oxford.

Leaving Godstow Lock

We could see the tower of St Barnabas Church in Jericho over the moored boats at Bossom's Boatyard and beyond Medley footbridge the river narrowed towards another way back onto the canal system!

St Barnabas, Jericho and its distinctive tower, in the distance

Looking back it is an attractive area and popular with walkers and boat watchers - there were a few today, but no doubt there are more in warmer weather!

So we came to the entrance to Sheepwash Channel - we were definitely not turning left and going back to the South Oxford Canal!

It is always good to see there are other patriotic Cornish around and our ensign waved at their flag.

Osney Bridge is low - but we were OK as we had moved a couple of coal sacs to get through the low Yarnton Bridge on the canal. The bridge and its weir are very deceptive as the stream is extremely fast through and beyond the bridge.

The moorings are beyond the bridge, before the lock, with very good access to Botley Road and into Oxford. We learned how not to try to moor in a fast stream here! Fortunately there were a couple of boaters around who were able to shout advice and haul Epiphany in with her mid rope. Lesson learned, we moored fast with all three ropes and are safe and sound!

River Thames, Kings Lock to Osney Bridge

1 hour 49 minutes, 3,34 miles, 2 locks

New adventures for narrowboat Epiphany

2011-03-17T16:39:00.002Z

We set off without a plan! We knew where we needed to be, but not how we were going to get there. We had a choice of more canal and river in a few days time or "goodbye" South Oxford canal and "hello" new territory and the River Thames. No contest really!

So a straightforward cruise to Dukes Lock and then a right turn into Dukes Cut and through Dukes Cut Lock.


In Dukes Cut Lock - note paddle gear

Unusual ground paddle gear at Dukes Cut Lock(note the hook attached to our windlass)

The first part of Dukes Cut is what is says it is - a cut.

Narrowboats moored on Dukes Cut

A right turn at the end took us onto a Thames backwater and through meadows with a couple of twists and turns.


Sign post and EA forewarning of need of correct licence

Thames backwater through meadows

Avoiding the well marked weir, another right turn and past some laid up "dumb barges" and we were on Father Thames.

Weir and right turn corner

Barges moored - river towards Lechlade on right of photo

The river flows south west to Lechlade (our destination soon) but turning sharply south east today we were immediately at Kings Lock - our first river lock since leaving the Trent in early September last year. We really felt as if we had started our new adventure for this year.

On the Thames at Kings Lock landing

Because of this "feeling," I shall leave you here with us waiting above Kings Lock and begin afresh later!

The news of our narrowboat Epiphany website is good - John has not much more to do before it will be up and we will be back to normal, blogging, updating the medical and book swap pages as we travel.

South Oxford Canal, Thrupp, to Kings Lock, River Thames

2 hours, 46 minutes, 4.05 miles, 4 locks

Golly, gosh, sooner than expected

2011-03-17T16:22:00.000Z

Just a preview of where we have been today.

Dukes Bridge

We turned right - and went to Oxford another way!

Now, I think we just might have been here before!

2011-03-16T12:06:00.003Z

It is all "goodbyes" at the moment! As we travel south we pass familiar narrowboats, locks, places, people and moorings! So, goodbye to Lower Heyford and down through Dashwood, Northbrook and Pigeons Locks on a rather grey day! Kirtlington Quarry moorings were occupied, but it was so lovely on this section above Pigeons Lock, it was very tempting to linger again!

Rock of Gilbraltar

The moorings at Enslow are dominated by Kingsground narrowboats and The Rock of Gilbraltar pub. The long term moorings lead past the dishes of C&W's Whitehill Earth Station to Bakers Lock and onto the River Cherwell - an opportunity to put the throttle down and give the engine a short work out!

Whitehill Earth Station

It was good practice for the bends on the Thames up to Lechlade - not many days away now, providing there is not too much water.

Shipton Weir Lock took us off the river and back onto the South Oxford Canal; through a lift bridge and we were at Shipton on Cherwell.

Waiting at Shipton Weir Lock

We stopped at Thrupp BW services, did the necessary and then I opened the electric lift bridge - it was working, but knowing the history I did wonder if we would have a problem!

The long term moorings by Thrupp cottages were full with familiar narrowboats, of course. I am sure that there are more here than there used to be a few years ago. There are VMs near The Boat Inn - but only for about four narrowboats, depending on length and mooring techniques!

Jolly Boatman with empty 48H moorings

No room outside the Jolly Boatman pub this time, so we rough moored beyond Sparrowgap Bridge in about the last possible place available! It is gangplank territory! Surrounded by boating friends this will do very nicely for a day or so.

South Oxford Canal. Lower Heyford to Thrupp

4 hours 53 minutes, 7.58 miles, 5 locks

Only a day late ...

2011-03-15T16:16:00.002Z

Yesterday was a day for amazing skies - I love taking photos in these conditions! It was also very windy as you can see from our ensign as I waited above Somerton Deep Lock on the South Oxford Canal.


On lock landing above Somerton Deep Lock

It was hard to get off the lock landings - but I managed it!

Somerton Deep Lock

At Heyford Common Lock John had real trouble, I had left him and gone to work the lock for a change! His long legs were an asset when it came to pushing off the bow so I was back on the helm to get Epiphany into the lock!

Somerton Mill Bridge

I thought I would give him some more practice - so went to work Allen's Lock - one of the easiest on the South Oxford, fingertip control of the paddles almost!

However the bridge below the lock is very narrow and meeting another narrowboat approaching can be tricky!

We arrived at Lower Heyford to find that Oxfordshire Narrowboats were in possession of the canal with 5 hire narrowboats abreast and no room to pass. Fortunately they were able to pull them in a bit, but it was still a very tight squeeze!

Aynho Wharf and Oxfordshire Narrowboats from bridge

We were hoping to meet up with Dusty for diesel, coal and gas - he was no where to be seen! However he was reversing down the line of long term moorers beyond the bridge. We pulled into a just vacated VM - we did a "dance" with the narrowboat leaving it to get in. Very handy to wait for Dusty to return.

Once re fueled we went visiting, via a chat with some of the other boaters there. A cuppa aboard narrowboat Take Five was very welcome. Thanks Mike and Christine - happy cruising! We moved on a little further to moor just before Cleeves Bridge, right by the railway but with a lovely aspect!

The trains did not bother us much at night and we set off fairly early back to a very familiar place!

South Oxford Canal, Aynho to Lower Heyford

5 hours 39 minutes, 6.44 miles, 3 locks

In Never Never Land

2011-03-14T19:52:00.000Z

Never Never Land is in and around Lower Heyford on the South Oxford Canal. The internet never never connects with a reasonable connection! There is no 3 data signal and a very weak Orange signal. It is enough for me to write but not post photos!

We have an Orange phone signal and a brilliant satellite TV signal - well, you can't have everything! So apart from letting you all know we have moved and are in a nice mooring just beyond Lower Heyford you will have to wait for the details of out wonderful cruise today.

Only a few narrowboats, a BW hopper full of gravel, negotiating the Oxfordshire Narrowboats takeover of the canal at Lower Heyford impeded progress. A cuppa with friends on narrowboat Take Five, a much needed encounter with Dusty for diesel, coal and gas, and a quick chat to another couple of boating friends (Dave and 8ch) completed the day.

Wonderful!

An "oopsie" start to our cruising

2011-03-13T17:26:00.000Z

At long last we are off on our long-term cruise, with no intention of spending weeks at at time in one place! We had some "farewell gifts" - a bowl full of violas from Carolyn and a Victoria sponge from Jane (nb Alnwick). Perhaps they were glad to see the back of us!

Grants Lock

Arriving at Grants Lock we formed a queue - it felt like summer and reminded us why we try and get off the well cruised waterways during the season! There were 4 narrowboats ahead of us; still, patience is a virtue and we are in no hurry. The sun was trying hard by the time we approached Kings Sutton - at the lock there were now only 2 other boats in the queue, but 2 behind us!

Kings Sutton Church and village

We cruised slowly but eventually caught up with the 2 boats again - they were dealing with the first "oopsie" - a narrowboat across the canal. It was for sale, moored with a broom handle for a pin and obviously uncared for! We all got by but left it much as it had been but aground at the stern. Haddons Lift Bridge looked really lovely - but again we had a wait for Nell Bridge Lock.

Haddons Lift Bridge

The piling above the lock has seen better days and as the lock landing is on a curve gentle handling is necessary to prevent scratches. You would think that with the BW yard opposite they might just do something about it!

BW yard at Nell Bridge

Aynho was not far now - the weir lock and then Belchers Lift Bridge (always up), but oh look, another "oopsie":

Getting closer:

It was our turn to do a good deed and as I grabbed the stern rope and hook, John reversed and then pushed the stern in with me aboard the loose narrowboat. Once it was secure again, we carried on to moor at "our spot" at Aynho!

Tea, cake and rugby followed and the Great Western Arms calls tonight! Shall we celebrate our liberation?

South Oxford Canal. Samuelson Bridge, Banbury to Aynho

3 hours 59 minutes, 6.12 miles, 4 locks

On its way -

2011-03-12T20:16:00.000Z

Spring that is!

Celandines on the bank


Violets at the lock


Hire narrowboats are "out" (Oxfordshire Narrowboats)

Fluffy clouds are in the sky

Also - we are on our way, tomorrow we are off away from Banbury and cruising South at long last.

BW handiwork

2011-03-12T15:55:00.000Z

I took a look at Grants Lock on the South Oxford this morning. It has been closed for repairs (as you may have gathered!).

Here are the repaired stop plank slots

The top gate still has its destination on!

I wonder if the balance beam will ever have a coat of paint - maybe once it is well seasoned!

Finally the top gate still leaks - but hopefully this will stop once it is fully "wetted" and the wood expands.

Repeats are boring

2011-03-11T13:22:00.002Z

Sadly we seem to be repeating a lot at the moment - but I promise you that things will get more interesting soon. Meanwhile stick with me!

Crowning glory?

This stern pattern is a little different - nb William the Conqueror is in the paint dock at Sovereign Wharf, Banbury. Sovereign Wharf itself seems to be always closed at the moment - maybe 80p/litre for diesel is a give away as to when it was last open!

Sovereign Wharf

Oh look, we are back at Grimsbury Arm and Wharf! This morning it was to wind and return back below Banbury Lock - what a surprise!

Grimsbury Arm

I have never really seen the adornments on the corner of the Arm - the gnome/dragon at the foot of the sign is a nice touch!

Getting through Banbury Town moorings is an art when a) a once-upon-a-time Canal Time narrowboat pulls out right in front of you and b) Tooleys Boatyard has narrowboats two abreast and not well tied! The ex CT boat managed to bump them - but John mnaged to avoid them.

Tooleys with two narrowboats in dock and four on wharf

It is a good job "Guy" and nb Reckless were not around as it would have really been bumper boats. I wonder what antics he would have got up to at the lift bridge?

Now - were you wondering when and how I would work "Guy" into a blog? Most other bloggers have! "The Boat that Guy Built" is average entertainment/education but not a good advert for narrowboating, methinks! Do they shoot these programmes through a filter? I often wonder that about nature/countryside programmes! The programme is all over the net - comments, blogs, tweets etc. I like Granny B's blog on it and there is a link to the 2nd episode if you missed it.

So we are back where we were, by Banbury Tramway moorings - a couple of dates to keep whilst here and then ......

Castle Quay footbridge to Samuelson Bridge

1 hour 14 minutes, 1.66 miles, 1 lock

Here we go again

2011-03-10T16:20:00.002Z

After a couple of days below Banbury's Samuelson Bridge - a pretty good 14D mooring for access to the station and Morrisons -we needed to move.

Banbury Tramway permit moorings

No, not further south. We had to wind, as we had a date with a new bilge pump in Banbury! So despite the gusty wind and with the brief spells of sunshine we tootled down to the winding hole.

Final manoeuvre before heading north

There was some off-side tree management going on below. Banbury Town Council obviously thought it was time to tidy up the small park beside the canal. Take note BW - there needs to be a lot of this on the South Oxford if narrowboats are to continue to pass each other in the busy season!

So we were off, back the way we came, calling in at the sani-station before the lock. Again Banbury Council were at it - a firm was grit blasting the bridge there to eliminate the grafitti so we had to work around them!

Back we go again

Once past the lift bridge the wind was so strong, I ended up against the narrowboats on Tooley's wharf waiting for John to pick up the bilge pump - a good job no other moving boats were around as I effectively blocked the canal!
We moored opposite where we were at the weekend and John set to with the new bilge pump - successfully, despite being handicapped by his size (hrumph! ed.) in the engine hole. We didn't think of that when we designed it! (Maybe I wasn't that big then? ed.)
As we sat eating my choc-orange cake with a strawberry and our mugs of tea, John checked our journey stats on waterexplorer. Wait for it ....

So far this month we have travelled one and a half miles - going nowhere! Hey ho!

Samuelson Bridge to Tom Rolt Bridge

1 hour 26 minutes, 1.04 miles, 1 lock

Holy Banbury?

2011-03-09T16:37:00.003Z

A while ago, back in the winter, we went to church with Bones in Banbury at St Mary's, used by both the C of E and the United Reformed Church.

The present building is a large Georgian church, consecrated in 1797 and built of local Hornton Stone. It replaced a medieval church which had become dangerous due to disrepair and finally fell down one Sunday morning in April 1770. The tower fell down the following day, leaving a complete ruin. That is one version of the story and appeals most to me! Another is that the townsfolk blew it up with gunpowder!

The new church and its "pepper pot" tower was not completed until 1822. The architect, Samuel Pepys Cockerill, designed the church as a complete square, possibly modeled on one of Sir Christopher Wren's churches which has a dome supported by 12 pillars - as does St Mary's. The church accommodated 3,000 with a gallery around all four sides. Extensive alterations in the mid 19th C dispensed with the eastern gallery and the whole east end was redesigned. More details are here - clickety click.

The Vicarage was built in the 17th C - on the site of the old medieval one which was badly damaged in the Civil War. Much of it was also remodelled in the 19th C. It retains the date of building, 1649, and the initials of Samuel Wells (the then vicar) over the porch. It is now used by a legal firm.

Church House, now over the main road, was also built of Hornton Stone. It was built in 1904 as a sort of church hall. It is now a pub!

Banbury icons

2011-03-08T18:12:00.002Z

"Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross"

"To see a fine lady upon a white horse"

"With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She will have music wherever she goes"

The rings represent power, the bells are both musical bells and seven bluebells - the days of the week. The Lady, or Queen of the May has a crown of thirteen spring flowers, alternating daffodils and wild roses, symbolising the ancient 13 months.

The juxtapostition of the two "icons" in Banbury

There is a butterfly on her crown and a moth on her hood. If you ever visit, look for the frog and the sun - the symbol of Banbury.

A street of ill repute

2011-03-08T17:17:00.002Z

Parsons Street in Banbury was once the rough end of town and well populated with "ladies of the night". Situated here is one of Banbury's oldest and most interesting pubs - Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn.

Now more commonly known as The Reindeer Inn, it is a Hook Norton Pub and John was delighted to find Hooky Dark when we visited on Sunday.

In the mid 16th C, a baker lived there - in what is the nearest end of the pub in the photo above. He then extended his house, buying an adjoining cottage, demolishing it and building a new eastern part (left in photo). It became an inn sometine during this time.

The English Civil War now took over the countryside (including a battle at Cropredy Bridge) and part of the then most significant inn in Banbury became an HQ for Oliver Cromwell. The Globe Room was one of the last additions to the inn - used as a meeting place for important people and so attracted the Parliamentarian.

It was also used as a court room for a number of Royalist trials - an engraving shows Cromwell in front of the great mullioned window, sitting in judgement on a captive. It is thought he used the room to plan his seige on Banbury Castle - this once stood on the site of Castle Quay shopping centre - long before James Brindley was even a sparkle in his father's eye! Little did the towns folk dream of the industrial revolution and the canal age about 100 years later!

The mullioned window (right out of photo) is bordered by oak pillars and carved oak doorways - beautiful and the fireplace is also a remarkable example of carved wood. It was set up for a function when we visited - a lovely room for any celebration I should think.

Whoopee!

2011-03-07T16:16:00.003Z

Much as I like Banbury Town, I raised a cheer this afternoon as we untied to move - OK it was just a few hundred yards - but far enough to be in the "suburbs"!

Leaving the boaters services and Banbury Lock - Mill Arts Centre on right

On the way we passed empty moorings -

48H moorings below Bridge Street

More empty moorings

14D moorings below the station

Yet more empty moorings


The end of the 14D moorings for a short bit

Oh look - more empty moorings!

14D factory moorings

None of these were for us - too near town, too noisy and not the most attractive in the area! So we went a little further - and the town centre is still in walking distance and more importantly a big supermarket!

Banbury Town Centre to below Samuelson Bridge

1 hour 4 mins (including a stop at the sani-station), 0.68 miles, 1 lock

Birthday Boy?

2011-03-07T11:17:00.002Z

No - our internet connection has not been down. No - we have not thrown our computers in the canal in frustration. Yes - we have had a busy few days!

So who is the "Birthday Boy?"

A special birthday deserved a special weekend - a visit from our son Craig, an Ahab concert on Friday and then a party on Saturday at The Bell at Great Bourton! I was not the photographer on Saturday - John's brother, Pete, and our nephew, Phil, both had their cameras so we await photographic records! It was a brilliant party (though I say it myself, the organiser!). Family and friends made a great mix and celebration.

The truth is - today is actually John's 60th birthday, so he had to wait for his presents and cards until today! I suppose he should be spoilt for one more day at least! So .... a meal out this evening will bring this all to a close!

A good place to moor

2011-03-03T15:33:00.002Z

If you want to wait for a lock to open, be away from other boaters, or feel like a "leper" narrowboat, Banbury is the place for you!

Tunnel Vision? No from our bows!

Grant's Lock - the next one south from Banbury Lock is closed for another week so there are very few boat movements here at the moment - only those who either moor below or above Banbury Lock. They have to cruise between the two winding holes to get water etc.

Museum Bridge and reflections

We have never seen the Banbury moorings so empty! John took the photos above just as we settled down last night - the narrowboats ahead are being worked on by Tooley's Boatyard.

Bogs

2011-03-02T11:19:00.002Z

Bog, loo, toilet, WC, lavatory, bathroom - whatever you call it our twin in Burundi has arrived! Well, photo of .....

This arrived all nicely framed, with a thank you letter and now has pride of place in our bathroom on nb Epiphany.

Toilet Twinning liked the idea of a "nautical twin" so much they tweeted and facebooked about it and our blog post on 21st Feb!

Come on folks - do the "job" and have your own toilet twin and give a family the sanitation, privacy and health which we all take for granted.

Oh look - we are back in Banbury, surprise, surprise!

2011-02-28T16:08:00.002Z

Arriving in wet Banbury, a kind boater asked us if we knew of "The Emergency Stoppage"! Yes, we do and have known about it for while (although it is a rescheduled planned stoppage) but .....

Leaving Cropredy past the narrowboats on permit moorings

I am getting a bit fed up with our ups and downs on the South Oxford and now we are prevented from going further south because Grant's lock is closed for work until the 11th March!

New gates for Grant's Lock

New gates and repairs to the stop plank slots we understand. Still, we do have plans to keep us amused whilst "stuck" in Banbury!

It rained for most of our cruise this morning - but at Little Bourton Lock I was once again reminded that Spring is just around the corner.

Forsythia - my mother used to bring a couple of branches indoors as it started to bud and she would revel in the display when the flowers came out - the feeling must have rubbed off! Now I just need some sunshine to make me feel as if warmer and longer days are on the way.

Cropredy to Banbury

2 hours 57 minutes, 4.29 miles, 3 locks

Farewell

2011-02-27T18:51:00.003Z

We are off - tomorrow we leave Cropredy with happy memories of visits to friends, a trip to Banbury for a meal and Screwtape Letters (a Saltmine production of C S Lewis' book) also with friends, John taking the service at All Saints', Great Bourton today and rain, rain and more rain!

We had one day of sun and this was the view from our portholes in the evening

So what of tomorrow - we shall wait and see, and so will you have to!

Back in time?

2011-02-23T14:36:00.003Z

One thing that you cannot fail to miss on the way down the locks to Cropredy is the preponderance of old working boats in various states of repair. We passed a few moored between the locks too!

It was not until we got to Clattercote that I "woke" my camera up - the day was dull with the occasional drizzle.

The "pumpkin" boat (see link below)

As we passed Clattercote Wharf and Forge Farm my imagination was woken too - I could almost see what it might have looked like back in time on a wharf with the shed above.

Clattercote Reservoir - another feeder for the South Oxford Canal is due west and is popular for coarse fishing. By the way - we were able to get off the "shelf" that the low water on the summit pound had deposited us on! We just reversed into the middle of the canal and she came off - a good manoeuvre anytime for getting off a mooring!

Our next "back in time" encounter was with Bude (we passed her at Cropredy on our way up) - she was being poled along the pound below Varney's Lock.

Bude - see above link for better photo!

Apparently she was about to go up the slipway opposite once the narrowboat in the shed above had come down.

The pound below Varney's is full of old boats - this is where they seem to congregate because of the workshop and slipway. They reach right up to Broadmoor Lock.

The one in the photo below has seen better days, but moored to it is a well known narrowboat, nb Justice, owned by a well known author in canal land - this book is on my wish list!

Broadmoor Lock is one of my favourite locks - it is usually tidy, it has the "fender shop" and the colours of the bushes change with the seasons.

This was December 2008!

And so we arrived at Cropredy Lock, filled up at the wharf and established ourselves on the 48H mooring for a couple of days. As I write, Cropredy is turning on the sunshine for us - just to remind me that I am rather fond of this village!

Hay Bridge to Cropredy

3 hours 5 minutes, 3.23 miles, 9 locks

Summit pound water level

2011-02-22T22:00:00.002Z

Well here we are, cheerfully listing and wondering how much further the water level will drop on the summit pound of the South Oxford Canal. The 11 miles actually only cover 5 miles between the two ponts - Marston Doles (Lock 16 and Claydon Top Lock 17), but James Brindley went wandering again!


The opposite bank

Close up of water level drop on piling

It has been a busy day for narrowboats. Hire boats and privateers have passed. About the same number of narrowboats came from ascending Claydon Locks as those who would be going to descend Napton Locks.

Bow view showing canal ahead towards Claydon Locks

Close up of bank - the water covered to half way up the third row of stones yesterday

The level has dropped about 6 inches - I just hope we will not be at a more acute angle when we awake tomorrow! We need more water coming from here!

Feeder Bridge - Wormleighton Reservoir

A day of rest? My foot!

2011-02-22T14:32:00.000Z

Just a quick blog today! It is supposed to be a "rest day" for me - a quiet day whilst John is off hitting little white balls around a big park!

This is not my foot, but spotted at the Winter Folk Festival at the weekend. Someone may recognise it! Maybe the knees too!

Ha! "day of rest" did I say? So far today I have -
Put away last nights washing up
Folded and put away the dried washing
Made a loaf of bread
Read and answered emails
Made a lamb stew for tonight
Checked the mooring ropes - we are listing, on a shelf and the summit pound has gone down. Come on Wormleighton reservoir fill it up again!

And now I am writing this before doing some more to the Richlow Guide to the North Yorkshire Waterways - only tidying up and the maps (created by the "low" part of the company, John Lower) to finalise.

What rain?

2011-02-21T18:10:00.002Z

We left Napton in the rain - reversing and winding by The Bridge at Napton pub. Rain does not really bother us as we just get out our waterproof jackets and trousers, but it was a little cold so I was back to my winter layers!

The Napton Hill field ponies had acquired some mates. A few geese, a couple of cows and perhaps a more unusual resident, who raised its head to watch us pass.

All the others were busy grazing, ignoring each other and barely acknowledged our passing.

The rain came and went during the day and we saw very few boats moving, even in half term. A hire boat left from just north of us fairly early and went south (then east, west, north, west and south as you do around Wormleighton!) Ascending the Napton 9 locks, we met a small cruiser and a narrowboat coming down. John manfully stood at the tiller throughout most of the summit pound. Down below, I had difficulty staying awake in front of the fire. Our busy weekend has caught up with me!

A "cheat" photo!

The light was beginning to go by the time we moored up - a very long day! We are in the same place that John moored way back on the last day of September when he was waiting for me to return to Epiphany after my spell in hospital.

So John can now play golf tomorrow, weather permitting, as this is a "country mooring" but by a road bridge for his "taxi" to pick him up!

Napton to Hay Bridge
6 hours 23 minutes, 13.42 miles, 9 locks

What do boaters talk about when they get together?

2011-02-20T23:27:00.002Z

It only takes a short while before the subject of toilets come up! Problems with BW sani-stations, pump out cards, blocked elsan points, broken pump outs, cassette versus pump out, uric acid crystals etc ....

Knowing this, I was amused and challenged by an article I have just read in the Oxford Diocese "the Door" newspaper. The Bishop of Oxford, Rt Rev John Pritchard has "twinned his toilet". Toilet Twinning is a charity which helps provide sanitation to poor communities in Burundi. 40% of the world's population do not have anywhere safe, clean and hygienic to go to the loo.

What a great idea for boaters! We grumble enough about the problems - it is about time we realised how fortunate we are.

Narrowboat Epiphany's cassette toilet in our safe, clean and hygienic bathroom

We have put our money where our mouth is and our cassette toilet is now twinned. Eventually we will receive a photo and GPS location so we can display "our twin" in our loo! Meanwhile we can see the approximate location.

Approx location of our "twinned" loo

So I ask you, nay challenge you, boaters and non-boating readers to do the same. How about the boating community taking this up as a charity and spreading the word!

I shall give you the link to the website again - clickety click. Have a look, there are some amazing facts and also some fun stuff too that may persuade you better than I! I won't spoil the fun stuff, but it is worth a look!

P.S. Please let us know when you do have a "twin" - it would be great to have a list of them on our blog/website (which is now being worked on).

An Epiphany advertisement

2011-02-20T17:16:00.003Z

Epiphany and her crew recommend "Theatre in the Dock" a weekend of music, theatre and story telling, July 21st to 24th 2011.

We are rather familiar with the venue as Epiphany has been there, in the wet and the dry!

Tooley's dry dock with narrowboat about to be floated

The dock will be dry for the weekend so no need to bring lilos! Narrowboat will be replaced by people!

A show put together by Kate Saffin in partnership with Tooley's Boatyard, Banbury is one not to be missed! Kate will be performing her one woman show too - she is utterly believable in any role she casts herself. We saw her perform "Mary Rose - a boat of ill repute" at Banbury Festival last year; this time she will be performing "Isobel's War".

Epiphany afloat in Tooley's

This is the link to the Facebook page for the latest information and artists booked. I gather there will be a website, but it is still being created. Once it is up we will let you know and put in on our side bar!

For those who choose not to use the social network, artists booked so far are "Life and Times" and Mikron Theatre (tickets for this here).

Once word gets around tickets will be like gold dust, so don't miss out!

Something Nasty in the Woodshed?

2011-02-19T14:49:00.001Z

Oh yes there was - and when we saw what it was it was very good!

Yesterday evening began with a meal, we were joined by some fellow narrowboaters, Dave Parry and Kate Saffin at The Bridge at Napton.

The "listener"!

Eventually, after a really good natter and a few drinks we went to the "event" - the Winter Folk Festival, also in the pub. We had missed the first two hours! Anyway we watched and listened for the rest of the evening and well into the night.

First up were Scarecrow - an acoustic band and very enjoyable.

They "do the rounds" of various Folk Clubs and play a variety of instruments.

Next were a new band (one year old) - The Falllows, a group of lads who made music to make the stage fall down around them!

Deliberate camera angle - not a drunk photographer!

They certainly had fun and it took me back to my youth when a group of friends would get together and perform on stage at our local church hall! Heavy rhythm and lots of guitar!

The best was kept to last, by which time the programme was running well behind schedule. Something Nasty In the Woodshed were worth waiting for. Brilliant - folk rock, foot tapping, head nodding and body swaying music!

Barry Steele, vocalist and bagpipes

My Scottish "bit" absolutely loved the bagpipes, in a confined space and small stage it was both "intimate" and ear bashing.

Something Nasty in the Woodshed

Today there is more. John has already gone to the pub and I shall follow later - jobs to do, blog to write, dinner to cook - you know how it is girls! Am I typecast ......

Winter Folk Festival

2011-02-18T18:49:00.006Z

This is the reason why we are glad to be a "hop, skip and jump" from The Bridge at Napton. Seen below on a sunnier day last September.

Today, in our "local", the Winter Folk Festival begins! It is in aid of a worthwhile charity - JJ's Memorial Fund. It will be a way of remembering all the brave lads and men who have sadly died and those who are still fighting in Afghanistan.

As I write, yet another Warwickshire paratrooper is being repatriated. I have to say, is this "war" worth so many of our young men's lives? A sombre thought whilst we enjoy ourselves.

ahh Napton!

2011-02-18T15:28:00.003Z

As the South Oxford Canal curves around Napton Hill it can be very photogenic. For many years the view has been spoiled by the "farm" buildings at the bottom of the hill.

Napton Hill, windmill and farm in September 2010

I prefer to focus what is in the large corner field running down to the canal. Each time we have been past there have different inhabitants.


Geese, this time in September 2010

We have seen cattle, sheep and horses too. I rather like yesterday's ahh factor who were photogenic despite the grey day.

Hmm - I had better hurry or the hay will all be gone


Can't a pony have a drink in peace - these pesky narrowboats

There is always one who thinks he is superior, keep your heads down lads

Another long day, but worth it

2011-02-17T17:44:00.003Z

"What a grey day"! Cold too - I had to put my thermal leggings back on as I had put them away thinking that spring was here!

Our aim today was Napton and before we set out two other narrowboats had passed us - there went the set locks at Napton! The old low rickety footbridge after Bridge 132 has been replaced and named The Wedding Bridge (above) - why is it named so?

The Wedding Bridge, MMIX

Here is the old bridge - a definite improvement!

After a long cruise when we could see where we were going and where we had been, thanks to Mr Brindley and his lovely contour canal, we eventually arrived at Marston Doles. Sadly not a good day for photos but I got my camera out again as we went down the Napton Locks from the summit.

The two Marston Doles Locks are set apart and are followed by a long pound. The Old Engine House Arm leaves just above Napton Adkin's Lock (14). A few familiar narrowboats moor here - nb Tia, nb Harnser to "name drop" two!

Lock and nb Harnser ahead, Engine Arm to right

We were being closely followed by a single-hander, one of the narrowboats that passed us, and then we passed him moored for lunch!

A look behind!

Ahead was an ex Ownerships boat and it was remarkable that we should all be at Napton at the same time - we only saw one other boat on the move!

Waiting under Bridge 114 for Lock 9 to fill

The sun tried its hardest as we approached the bottom lock - the windmill just caught a few rays and once through the bottom lock we were headed for The Bridge at Napton. "The Bridge" is a pub - there are a couple of bridges over the canal as it winds past Napton Hill.

The Bridge at Napton

Wonderful - we found a mooring right at the end of the 14 day moorings outside The Bridge - a lovely view and quieter away from the busy A425. However it is just a hop and skip to the pub - an advantage as you will see later!

Old Town Bridge to Napton A425 Bridge

4 hours 38 minutes, 9.45 miles, 9 locks

It chose us.

2011-02-16T20:08:00.002Z

The sun chose to shine on us today as we cruised from Cropredy up the South Oxford Canal. I was keen to get some photos of what I gather is the field for the proposed Cropredy Marina. According to my "informant" this is it.

As you can see the edge of it nearest the canal is pretty waterlogged. It is the second large field away from the village edge and if the plans are followed will not make too much of a visual impact on the village, I think. Other impacts like traffic, noise, disruption during construction and changes to the on-line moorings (both permit and visitor) remain to be seen.

Looking back towards Cropredy, field on right and VMs on left

We are getting pretty familiar with the locks up to the summit - and we only passed one narrowboat coming down as we reached Claydon Bottom Lock.


Mucky Duck exits Claydon bottom lock

Fenny Tunnel and Fenny Wharf followed (where we bought oil and a cap for the terminal on our starter battery). We passed the nearly empty moorings at The Wharf Inn and then we were on the wonderful meander created by James Brindley around the hills of Wormleighton, Stoneton and beyond. The village and estates of Wormleighton have been owned by the Spencer Family since 1469. The church has a memorial to Diana Spencer.

We decided to call it a day in a rather lovely spot

On the off-side is the site of the Medieval Village of Wormleighton (click here for a look at a google aerial view showing the village "marks" and our mooring marked!) and as the sun set behind us, the moon rose ahead.

The view from our side doors

Oh moon, lovely moon ....

Cropredy to below Old Town Bridge 133

5 hours 12 minutes, 7.25 miles, 9 locks

www.sleebooth.co.uk

2011-02-14T20:59:00.000Z

Webmaster here!
The second stage of restoring our web presence has been achieved, at last.
Because it was the family tree part of the website that was hacked, I thought it was a good idea to follow the Blogger's suggestion of moving that to a different place.
So we purchased a new domain: sleebooth.co.uk (Clearly I was born a SLEE and Fi was born a BOOTH so it wasn't a difficult choice.)
As from today you can access our family tree again, although for privacy reasons you won't be able to see our details, or those of anyone else who is alive, unless we give you permission to login.
It's a direct transfer from one genealogical system to another, so there will probably be a lot of tweaking to be done in due course. Meanwhile I will be working on the nbepiphany.co.uk website so that we can get back to where we were.
Click here to see the new family tree website:

Alive alive-o!

2011-02-14T13:53:00.002Z

I am pleased to report that both members of narrowboat Epiphany's crew are

alive :-)

Narrowboat cupboards

2011-02-13T17:48:00.003Z

Like many liveaboards we have a "larder". In our case it is full of tins, staple ingredients for meals, cakes, booze and other "odd" items. The trouble is unlike tins, certain packets and ingredients have a "use by date".

Sometimes things get pushed to the back, put in containers and forgotten or just observed as being there but not used up!

As I began thinking about and preparing our dinner/supper/evening meal I decided to use up some biscuits, the raspberries in the freezer and ....

A packet of quickgel that had a best before date of April 2008!

In all its glory on our galaxy marble worktop

Now the flan looks good, but I am glad we have no visitors for the meal - we both just might be suffering tomorrow. I will let you know if we are Ok, so you too can leave your quickgel packets to mature before using them!

Fi's raspberry flan

(and if you don't hear from us? ed.)

Out and Back - just like the "old days"

2011-02-12T20:33:00.000Z

Fenny Marina and Wharf beyond

"Out" was our continued journey in search of diesel. Fenny Compton Wharf was the target and then a reunion with Gill, Geoff and Barney.They met us at the wharf and we had a passenger to the Wharf Inn whilst Geoff walked the towpath with Barney.

Winding in the hole before the bridge we moored up facing south. The Wharf Inn now has a small shop and a launderette, but I am not sure whether if is open in the winter.

It was time to discuss "plans", loose or firm - we may very well meet up afloat this summer as nb Petroc will be cruising the Thames too!

We then returned whence we had come "back", towards Cropredy. It felt like the old days when we weekended with an out and back from Devizes. We had sun most of the way, but a short sharp shower when we arrived at Elkington's Lock caught us unawares.

Smoky slipway

I braved the bonfire smoke above Broadmoor Lock - the slipway there is the beginning of a real collection of moored narrowboats, trad, un-restored, new and "interesting"!

Look who we spied at Cropredy Wharf - hope Dave wasn't planning to jump! I think a "boys night" is called for this evening at the Brasenose Arms. A certain Mr Parry, Slee and Fox will enjoy the hostelry, me thinks!

Claydon Top Bridge to Fenny Wharf and back to Cropredy

3 hours 51 minutes, 6.13 miles, 9 locks

The necessities of life afloat

2011-02-11T19:51:00.002Z

It turned into a lovely afternoon so we were glad that we decided to "go for it" - that is to empty, fill and throw. All done at Cropredy Wharf. These necessities of life afloat done and the further need of automotive power we carried on north towards a diesel supply.

In Cropredy Lock

By the time we arrived at the Claydon flight of locks the sun was shining and John had begun to strip off! Shirtsleeves in February - English weather!

In Claydon Bottom Lock

I was not having a good day (tiredness has caught up with me) - but the sun cheered me up as we rose through the 5 locks. We met a narrowboat coming down as I left Lock 20 - we avoided each other on the bend - it can be a little awkward to pass in the pound if boats meet here. The two women helmsmen coped very well! (of course, ed.)
Getting into Claydon Middle Lock requires a wee bit of concentration as the bridge below is very narrow. Our narrowboat roof profile is fairly wide and I had to watch the red rails which missed the bridge by an inch! Then it was the chimney on the lock gate walkway!

Lock jaws at Claydon Middle Lock

But not a scrape - unlike other boats who left their mark! Once in, John posed against the small "shed" - the canal ahead looked lovely.

There is a large sweep around to Lock 18 and I took the outside of the bend to take this, you can see the buildings beside the top lock too.

We had almost lost the sun - the top lock reflections are deceptive, but it makes a pretty picture with the old canal buildings now a residence.

Looking back I hoped that this cloud was not chasing us, however our planned mooring was just around the corner.

Just past the bridge above the lock are rings and a very quiet rural mooring - just right and about half an hour to Fenny Compton and diesel! We now have an appointment for coffee with Gill and Geoff (nb Petroc) at Fenny Wharf. They have been up to Petroc for the BSS - no doubt we will be comparing notes about our summer cruising this year!

Look what we have on the roof - Spring!

Cropredy to Claydon Top Bridge

3 hours 5 minutes, 2.98 miles, 9 locks

No Comment

2011-02-11T16:32:00.005Z

Now that we use Networked Blogs on Facebook to spread the word to our friends that our illustrious author has put fingers to keyboard once more, comments may be posted on Facebook.
The problem with that is that only our Facebook friends see the comment and, believe it or not, we have more friends in the world than those on Facebook.
So if you want to leave a comment, and we encourage you to do so - it helps us to know when we make mistakes and when we get something right - please ensure you comment on the blog, not on Facebook
Thanks. (ed.)

The Great Ash Debate

2011-02-10T23:50:00.002Z

Maffi and Sue No Problem pose a question for us boaters - what do we do with the ash from narrowboat stoves? Squirrel it away! Unusually for me, I am going to enter the debate with a few points.

A brand new Morso Squirrel stove (not ours!)

We rarely use wood as it produces so much smoke that it is not good for me to breathe in, when on the tiller, or when the fire is opened too quickly! Perhaps too we are too lazy to source, cut and store wood! So we use coal/smokeless fuel on our Squirrel stove.

This is ours - in full glow, plus a baked potato!

We have a bucket on the bow deck for the hot ash - which is emptied when full. Generally the ash is cool enough to bag up, but we don't do that either. We have had one or two disasters when we did try and the ash was still hot enough to melt the bag. Not a recommended action in the bows and it also makes rather a mess of the canal bank.

So we are some of the culprits that Maffi describes (he has probably seen our "piles"!) - emptying our ash under hedges, where incidentally the pile is not so obvious or "disfiguring". Yes, it may not be the best environmentally, but it is never hot enought to catch fire. Landfill sites for ash can be few and far between in some of the places we cruise - so that is not always practical either. Incidentally, isn't it amazing that grass can still force its way up through the ash, come the spring?

Where it is permisssible (and it is not in all rubbish) it is perfectly possible to dispose of it in rubbish bins. However we have been to BW sites that explicitly say "no ash" or "no hot ash". Where there are likely to be lots of boaters, surely it would be sensible for BW/rubbish site owners to have an "ash only" bin. Stuck at Cambrian Wharf last winter - we were grateful for the BW rubbish cupboard, despite the "No hot ash" sign. Ours was definitely cold!

No longer BW Midlands office at Cambrian Wharf, but rubbish and water to the left!

Signs of spring

2011-02-10T11:45:00.000Z

I am wondering how long it will be before my bulbs in the planters on the roof will appear. There are green shoots! I always have a surprise when they bloom as I have forgotten what I planted and where! More sunny days like yesterday will help. At the moment the violas are still recovering from the snow and recent winds.

Moored at Cropredy

We have seen snowdrops, celandines and now I have seen a crocus! Yes, just one, standing in lonely isolation at The Plantation in Cropredy.

There are lots of catkins in the canalside hedgerows too. Even the crops in the fields are greening up.

Cropredy - I love it

2011-02-09T22:00:00.001Z

I mentioned that I wandered off once we had moored up yesterday, I ended up having a bit of a walking tour around Cropredy village. The sun lit up the mellow Oxfordshire brick cottages and some of the well photographed places. This is the story my camera told.

Cropredy Wharf and Wharf Bridge from south

Beyond the bridge is the canoe club and wharf. The wharf and buildings were to be part of BWs sale of assets. The club is now half way to its target of £130,000 to enable them to buy the wharf. clickety click for more

In the heart of the village are some lovely thatched cottages and the Brasenose Arms - well known as an "off-field" site for musical sessions during Fairport's Cropredy Convention.

St Mary's Church is a short walk from the canal. The tower can be seen from all over the village. Fairport's latest album, Festival Bell, is inspired by the church and the track with the same name is a reminder of Fairport's part in the fundraising for new bells, indeed one of them is named "The Festival Bell".

The Red Lion snuggles amongst more lovely mellow cottages and Red Lion Street leads down to Cropredy Lock Bridge.

Cropredy Lock and cottage will be part of our next cruise in a couple of days time - it looked as if it was waiting for us!

I walked back via the canal towards Cropredy Wharf Bridge again, the sun was going down now and everything was in shadow.

I didn't forget to buy the cake - coffee and walnut, (yummy)

The Bridge Store and post office beyond in Canalside House (The Perfect Present shop)

We tasted it today when Chris and Malcolm Richardson visited to discuss my North Yorkshire Waterways Richlow Guide. I now have a printed draft and it won't be long before it is ready for printing - and buying. I will let you know so you can get your copy! Click here for other titles if you are planning your summer cruise!

More about Cropredy on the village website - clickety click

A Hidden Gem near Cropredy

2011-02-09T11:00:00.002Z

I have never seen this house from the South Oxford Canal before.

It sits near to the River Cherwell and on the outskirts of the lovely village of Williamscot on the Cropredy to A361 road. From the canal it is visible after Slat Mill Bridge 156 and just before Keens Bridge 155.

Is it that I have never had my "eyes open" before or that the sun caught it so beautifully.

Williamscot House was built in 1568 by Walter Calcott, a successful manufacturer of staples for the wool industry whose firm was based in Hook Norton. It then passed to the Taylor family (C16) and thence to the Lovedays in 1777, via marriage.

The Lodge on the east south east was Grade II listed in February 1988 (on the right of the photo I think).
The orangery (lower building on left) and its attached kitchen wall is also Grade II listed. It was built as a dovecote in the C17 and remodelled in C18. The wall is late C18.

The house is in a parkland setting, with at least 2 ponds and numerous trees. The terraced garden is just visible in the photo.

One famous visitor in the C20 was Winston Churchill who visited several times when he was Chancellor.

Curiosities on the way to Cropredy

2011-02-08T23:55:00.004Z

Just to amuse, possibly inform, here are a few more photos taken on our trip yesterday.

I wish I could sleep, let alone doze by a busy main road. These donkeys are beside the busy A423 Banbury to Southam Road.

Once upon a time our farmers worked on strips of land - these ridges are the reminders of our farming history that never go away . How things have changed with the invention of machinery!

This one is for you Maffi! This pile of ash is one of a few at some lovely moorings just before Cropredy Mill Bridge!

I hope this one is someone's warped sense of humour. It is not a good idea to empty a "poo pot" into a sluice. This sluice empties into the River Cherwell.

"Bude" is a lovely "conversion" and the elum and rudder are just crying out for some trad decorations. She is moored Cropredy side of the Mill Bridge on the long term moorings.

A good day despite the ending

2011-02-08T19:33:00.002Z

I was really glad to be on the move this morning - it was such a wonderful cruising day and we were on our way to one of our favourite stopping places. As I suspected I took lot of photos; the sky was so blue and the fields so green at last. But first we had to leave Banbury behind.

The Grimsbury Arm, Banbury, with Tesco in the background

We had three locks to do, the first being Hardwick Lock which seems to be situated in an industrial wasteland after the railway bridge.

But when you get to the top this is the view - however you have to forget that the M40 is thundering past a further quarter of a mile ahead and to the right of this pan.

Epiphany is really dirty - she has not had a bath since before the snow! Our new chimneys have cut down on the leaking tar which makes such a mess of our cream painted stripe by our red rails and the run off down the side, which is also cream. So John found a cloth and cleaned up what there was on our pot side. Locks are handy for this sort of job!

In Hardwick Lock, M40 in distance

Little Bourton Lock looked great in the sunshine, the cottage has not progressed much though.

Look - we found our first snowdrops and celandines here on the lock side. Wow, is Spring really on its way at last?

Little Bourton is across the fields, over the railway. Great Bourton is up on the hill too and is just visible around Slat Mill.

Our first moving narrowboat of the day was coming down Slat Mill Lock, so I hung back and warmed my face in the sun (must get my quota of Vit D!)

Slat Mill Lock, way in the distance!

And so we approached Cropredy, first, Cropredy Mill Bridge. Some long-term moorings begin after the bridge - but my eyes were skyward - look at the contrasts here, absolutely lovely!

You wouldn't think it from the photo below, but there was room for us in front of nb Alnwick - as Graham had said.

Nb Alnwick and Cropredy Wharf ahead

This will do for a couple of days - and a dry towpath. I think someone has been busy with resurfacing as this continues all the way to Cropredy Wharf Bridge.


Our off-side forward view

So as the sun was so glorious I set out with my camera, ostensibly to buy one of the Bridge Store's wonderful cakes, but actually I was gone a long time! You will see the fruits of my labours in the next day or so! The "ending" to the day? Our domestic alternator belt went 5 minutes after turning the engine on this evening to charge the batteries. So it is whistling away, but the Travelpower is still charging. A job for John tomorrow in the light. Its a good job we carry spares!

South Oxford Canal, Banbury to Cropredy

2 hours 23 minutes, 4.07 miles, 3 locks

Stand by

2011-02-08T09:41:00.000Z

"Sunshine came softly through my window today" tra la la .... Thanks Donovan!
A glorious sunny day today - it is a good job we chose it to cruise. So folks stand by for a proper cruising blog later today and you might, just might get to see some lovely photos!

See you later

Rock and Roll

2011-02-05T10:00:00.000Z

57 mph? That is what they forecast as the wind speed. It certainly felt like it last night. As I lay in bed I could easily imagine I was on the high seas, rounding the Cape, crossing the Atlantic, tossing in a fishing boat on the North Sea!

But no - this was Banbury, on a narrowboat, surrounded by buildings and fortunately no trees.

Our bow view on a sunnier day, taken way back in 2002!

I see from narrowboatworld this morning that they have had a problem with a tree. A fallen tree on the canal could take a while to clear, it may have a conservation order on it and BW have to get permission to remove it.

Rainy Banbury Canal Day, far less narrowboats today!

So batten down the hatches, remove satellite dishes ( I did, we did not want to lose another one), weight or tie down the things in your attic (i.e. on the roof), check you mooring ropes, check any covers and hoods and most importantly, if you are moored under a tree - move.

P.S. In the above photo is nb Tia. Graham Phillips is a canal trader selling "Environmentally Responsible Products" from Tia. Keep a look out for him on your travels.

What do you think?

2011-02-04T19:10:00.002Z

Seen today in the Banbury Guardian - "Marina for Cropredy" in the village section of the paper and only a small paragraph. There have been new marinas cropping up regularly in the last two or three years.

Overwater Marina in development on the Shropshire Union Canal below Audlem

For those of you who are not aware, Cropredy is on the South Oxford Canal about 4 miles and 3 locks north of Banbury. For non-boaters and boaters alike the village is known as the home of the Fairport Convention (for regular updates - clickety click or look at their website).

Over the fields to Cropredy from north of the village, not necessarily the location for the new marina

The raison d'etre for this potential marina is "lack of off-line marina moorings, reflected in the huge number of boats moored ....... which impede cruising boats and towpath users". The planning application is for 248 berths and the new website explains the proposed "low impact" site. Compare the size with Wigrams Turn at Napton - 220 berths and Great Heywood on the Trent and Mersey - 200 berths.

Great Heywood Marina

A planning application is due, if not in, and anyone can view the plans, ask questions etc on 19th March at Cropredy Village Hall, 11am to 4pm. Unable to attend? Email: cropredy@mooring.co.uk

As the website address includes Crick Marina (270 berths) I hazard a guess that it is the same company that is making the planning application. With many new marinas still not achieving their potential, boaters coming off the waterways because of rising prices and now a recession is another large marina necessary - discuss!

Don't come looking for us!

2011-02-03T17:56:00.001Z

You will not find us where we were last night.... we have moved! John turned into a horse and I became the "tail" as we bow hauled Epiphany about 50 yards north, away from the General Foods Club to avoid a noisy Friday night! It can be noisy on Saturdays too and we have lacked sleep in the past when we have been near!

So back to last night which, once again was a late one for me (that's two nights in a row, not conducive to a good mood first thing!). The Folk Club meets in the Mill Arts Centre. It was a brilliant evening and we met up with eeyore there, regulars at the club.
Here are the stars of the evening:

The lady "in the way" was sketching the artists all evening. I wonder what happens to her drawings. Me, I prefer photography ....
Tom Leary in full flow on his fiddle

P J Wright singing his heart out as he accompanies himself on his guitar.

What talent they both have and the encore was so good - you should have been there!

From Shaun the Sheep to Banbury Cross

2011-02-02T17:27:00.000Z

The Aynho flock have a large field, but this morning they were grazing opposite us. One of them just had to be Shaun the Sheep!

We had company on our cruise today - Dave Parry and his narrowboat - we were all bound for Banbury. As both narrowboats are about the same length we fitted well into Aynho Weir Lock.

Once past the cross flow of the River Cherwell at the weir, I followed Dave along the very straight cut to Nell Bridge and the lock beyond. There was still some ice around, but broken up by a couple of other narrowboats and Dusty who passed us yesterday.

You can just see John walking the towpath to catch Dave up so he could get the lock ready. Apparently the towpath was in very bad condition and "lethal" in some places. By which I assume John means "very slippery".

I followed Dave's advice and stuck my front end against the bottom gate with a little forward throttle whilst John opened the bottom paddles. This gave me a chance to study the old bridge under the new.

BW are getting ready to repair the gate on Grant's Lock - and as we passed their yard at Haddons Lift Bridge we spotted the new gate in a dumb barge. The notice on Grant's Lock says it will be repaired at the "end of February, beginning of March". The date has changed so much, we wait to see ......

Arriving at King's Sutton Lock we saw that it had been left with the bottom paddles up: thanks Dave. Fortunately we did not lose it to the BW workboat that arrived just as we we ready to exit! Grant's Lock too was ready for us.

So, after filling and emptying, we arrived in a very familiar place

Banbury Folk Club is the attraction tonight. PJ Wright and Tom Leary are playing there. It is just a jump and a skip from our mooring, but I shall not be jumping or skipping, more like hopping, as I have injured my foot! One legged boating is not a great idea!

South Oxford Canal. Aynho to Banbury

3 hours 49 minutes, 6.76 miles, 5 locks

Then there was more ....

2011-01-31T17:57:00.000Z

I suppose we must expect it when the temperature goes down to minus 8.7 degrees, as it did last night. It was gloriously sunny at Aynho when I took these photos around half nine this morning.


Ice towards Aynho Weir Lock

Into the sun towards Aynho Wharf

We decided that cruising was off the agenda today, but hope that tomorrow's wet and warmer forcast is right. However at 6pm it is already down to minus 4.3 degrees!

A question for you

2011-01-30T19:31:00.000Z

Via Twitter we came across this YouTube video made in the 1950s. It is really worth a watch as it shows the rail bridge over Sheepwash Channel opening, some wonderful old cruising boats and Foxton Locks.

My question is - near the end of the video is a boat called Elizabeth:

Those of you who are more knowledgeable than me - could this be the same boat?

Moored at Winsford on the River Weaver

We have seen narrowboat Elizabeth a few times on our travels - on the Weaver and on the Shroppie on its way to the Ellesmere Waterways Museum with other heritage boats.

On the Shroppie at the head of a convoy

Moored near Beeston on the Shroppie

An internet search based on the owners name on the side of Elizabeth and its "home", Cassio Wharf, brings up info on the possible current owner but nothing about the narrowboat.

Brrr ... but now the Shortest Journey!

2011-01-29T16:33:00.000Z

We moved a little this morning as we were meeting up with some of our extended family, Meg and Dave. So John was up and at the tiller well before I was ready for the day.

It was one of those January grey days - you know what I mean and after yesterday, such a contrast. It was a brrr and shiver day and even in the short distance it was a good feeling to moor again!

Not far from our mooring we were breaking ice as we approached Aynho. It always sounds worse down below so I had to check that it was not hull paint damaging thickness! It was not much, but you could see where we had been.

The lines of moored narrowboats at Aynho means a very slow approach and we met another boat just coming through the bridge. Amazing, all the cruising we did yesterday and not a boat on the move, yet today we move a mile and see one!

We were in no doubt as to where we were heading for, but we were reassured by this.

Despite there being a couple of visitor moorings near Aynho Bridge we carried on beyond the winding hole and moored up.

We had a really good time with Meg and Dave, ending up in The Great Western Arms for lunch. We had been chatting about friends and family networks linking our families and, to top it, John walked in and saw a familiar face at the bar. Mutual recognition took place - last meeting/drinking place, the Rising Sun in St Mawes! He is now a chef at the Deddington Arms. Small world.

Chisnell Lift Bridge to Aynho Wharf

1.19 miles, 0.40 minutes, 0 locks

The Longest Journey

2011-01-28T22:00:00.002Z

Phew! Sun, wind, cold, even ice on a long cruise today. It was wonderful to be really cruising again on a lovely canal.

In our first lock we both thought that we were back on another favourite canal – can you guess which, from this photo?

We encountered a bit of ice as we climbed up the locks – the temperature was not much above freezing and the cold wind made it feel even lower.

icicles on lock gate

Now, this photo below may make you blink, and have another look!

Yes! It is Fi working a lock (an increase in steroid meds can be a wonderful thing?). Allen’s Lock has the easiest paddle gear we have ever encountered, though.

Her rabbit hat was very necessary today, but at least she is laughing, not gasping.

She actually worked two locks today – but chickened out of Somerton Deep Lock! Somerton came and went – afterwards BW thought we needed reminding that were were on the Oxford Canal, not the Staffs and Worcs as at Northbrook Lock (the answer to the puzzle at our first lock)!

These wood sculptures after Somerton Bridge must have some purpose, but we have no idea what. Still they make a pretty picture.

This canal vista shows the straight cut with a bend at Meadlands Bridge and Somerton Lock – the wind blew, but the sun shone.

So Somerton Deep Lock was our last lock – it was throttle down to keep on track for the entrance – to counter the combined effect of the wind and bywash. As luck would have it a brisk gust of wind blew against Epiphany just as she entered under the bridge – oops, but no real damage done.

We moored just beyond the lift bridge – fields either side and lovely views.

Kirtlington to Chisnell lift bridge

4 hours 37 minutes, 8.12 miles, 5 locks

Explorations in another world

2011-01-28T18:20:00.005Z

It was not quite Jurassic Park, but fossils of dinosaurs have been found here.

I cant quite imagine this plant-eating Cetiosaurus living here when Kirtlington was a coastal environment but bones from a 15 metre one were found at Kirtlington Quarry. Fossils of other marine animals of the same period have also been found.
Find out more about the fossils here – clickety click. Below is a pan of the quarry.

I was tempted to follow the snail-like maze made out of stones, but wanted to find my way down to the wharf.

These steps looked familiar – from another angle as we passed on the canal below.

The wharf once had cement works buildings - the quarry is still owned by Blue Circle Industries and managed by Cherwell DC. It was worked from 1907 and closed in 1928. Visitor info and location map – clickety click

The woodland path alongside the canal leads back to Mill Lane near the farm. This is popular with dog walkers and has wooden features like bridges over streams and “caverns”.

This was our mooring – lovely, but today’s is even better. Find out about our marathon cruise later!

Fat chickens and a horse called Stuart

2011-01-27T18:29:00.001Z

I like taking photos that amuse me – sometimes they don’t work but today I may have just succeeded.

Along from Pigeon Lock (above) is Mill Lane Farm – where the tea rooms are. Walking along the lane today I met …

Stuart the cart horse

I named him – it seemed as good a name as any and he looked like a “Stuart” to me.
These fat chickens supply the farm with eggs to sell – sadly it is closed at the moment as I might have been tempted to buy some.

It is no wonder they look so well and must produce lovely eggs because they have a penthouse dwelling, complete with their own chicken weather vane.

Of interest to local boaters ….

2011-01-27T16:53:00.001Z

The South Oxford narrowboaters have been recently watching the pipe bridge above Pigeon Lock with interest. As they pass under it – not a place to hang around!

At about 11 am it looked like this and the workmen told me that it would be mended in a couple of hours.

At around 1pm it still looked like this! Anyone for a shower?
But by 3 pm it looked like this. So finally there is nothing to see but a pipe bridge without a leak!

Ahh – optimistic British workmen, they have to have their lunch and the required breaks of course!

From somewhere out in the sticks

2011-01-26T17:55:00.000Z

Lovely - no road, no trains, no bridge; TV signal, full internet signal and phone signal! All our Christmases at once, John is happy and so am I!

We set out from Shipton with only a vague idea of where we would stop. John had his walk as he left me in charge of Epiphany and walked to the swing bridge and then on to Shipton Weir Lock, avoiding the lady hikers who took up the towpath as they "hallood" us!

Shipton Weir Lock

John enjoyed opening the throttle on the section of the River Cherwell above the lock (so did Epiphany's engine! - ed.) - the river had a bit of a flow and was on "yellow". By now it was wet and the wind had become an issue at slow speeds! The elegant iron arch of Horse Bridge marks where the river leaves again and we were into the calm of the cut below Baker's Lock.

Horse Bridge and lock cut to the right

We were now in "Kingsground land" - the narrowboats became progressively "shinier" as we approached Enslow Mill and the wharf there. It always looks deserted though, despite the evidence of lots of moored KG narrowboats.

Kingsground off line moorings and paintshop

The golf course after the raised Caravan Lift Bridge had a lone golfer braving the open scrubland and wind - boy did he look cold! The thorough Brindley meanderings of this southern canal are obvious here, as looking back the dishes and old cement works can be seen, passed on the Cherwell and at Enslow.

Train and narrowboat - a race?

A rare moving narrowboat was approaching us as we drew near to Pigeon Lock - it was our BSS Inspector, Mark Paris, on his Helene of Troy. A cheery wave as we passed and a thought that maybe the lock would be set for us - it was.

We were beginning to think about finding a mooring - it was nearly tea and cake time! But not at this tea room above the lock - a wonder of a treasure trove of old caravan, morris van and upmarket hen coops.

We had heard talk of Kirtlington old quarry and a mooring there. As we drew near the sun broke through; was this a good omen?

Kirtlington quarry wharf on right (off side)

We had a go at mooring but for some reason Epiphany did not want to - she would not come in to the bank. Then I saw a good reason to give up trying - a half eaten deer on the path beside the old wharf. I imagined the noise of fox, other scavenging animals and then, as my mind took off, vultures! Noises in the night, no thank you! Moving off we carried on a little and so, as you know, found this very remote mooring.

South Oxford Canal, Shipton to Kirtlington

2 hours 23 minutes, 3.82 miles, 3 locks

Just over 0.8 of a mile later

2011-01-25T13:12:00.001Z

After a wakeful night when the Oxford to Banbury Road was used as a race track we were on the move as the sun came up!

The sun rises over Gunpowder Wharf on the South Oxford Canal

All because John had a date with some sticks and little white balls! But we HAD to move, despite all our protestations we have the dreaded "plans"! These will unfold here in the next few weeks before your eyes ( I hope).

So it was goodbye to Sparrowgap, the Jolly Boatman, and Thrupp Canal Cottages.

The Jolly Boatman beside Sparrowgap Bridge

We hope we did not wake Dave as we passed - that is an impressive pole you have! No problem with TV or internet for you!

We filled and emptied at Thrupp Wharf - there is a good book exchange/donation there with a wide selection of books. My book shelf is much emptier now! It was a glorious morning, although we had one or two rain showers as we used the facilities. The tap here is very slow - apparently the pipe bore is too small!

Thrupp Canal Cottages

Thrupp Cruising Club moorings at Thrupp Wide extend almost to Shipton on Cherwell. There are towpath moorings just before and after the bend. We found ours waiting for us just after the bend, near enough to the bridge for a quick walk to John's taxi!

Epiphany moored at Shipton on Cherwell

A small tributary of the Cherwell is beside us - you can see it is flooded, but we have a lovely view from our side doors and Shipton Church looked lovely in the sunshine.


Towpath and flooding below

Shipton Church over moorings

So I await the return of the golfer - glad or sad according to his score! Meanwhile I do the jobs! The North Yorkshire Waterways Richlow Guide I am writing is coming together nicely, but I shall be spending my afternoon over a hot laptop, me thinks!

South Oxford Canal, Gunpowder Wharf to Shipton on Cherwell
1 hour 18 minutes, 0.88 miles, 0 locks

A bird's eye view ......

2011-01-24T18:13:00.001Z

I lie - this is a camera lens view of some of the local birdlife around Thrupp, of varying quality! Why? Because until tomorrow I have no real news to impart!


He might have moved a little more to towards the lens!

Ah - open narrowboat swan doors, goody food!

If I wag my tail will I get fed?

No luck there then!

Goodbyeee

2011-01-23T18:08:00.003Z

Saying goodbye to friends is never the happiest time - but we have had a great time with them here at Thrupp. Ahh, I hear you saying, Epiphany has moved again. Wrong! Today we said goodbye to Milly M - with Maffi on the back and Molly on the roof.

Maffi on Milly M

Narrowboat Bones moved yesterday too, so another "goodbye". Well yes, we have done "the biggest boat move in the world", to quote Bones on Bones. I suspect a note of sarcasm, because Maffi kindly said we could move onto his space. Which meant we pulled the pins and stern hauled Epiphany back - all of 80 feet or so! Now I can get on and off without a hand from John, previously the bows had to be used and a jump on to the low bit of the bank.

Our mooring until today

We are so looking forward to moving too - on Tuesday we hope. By then we will need water and a "pooh pot" empty!

To add to the pleasure of today we had a quick visit from Dave Parry, another local boater; saw one of our fav cities Lancaster on TV (lots about the history as well as jolly hymns! see BBC iplayer - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00y1xlq) and Countryfile is from the Quantocks in Somerset (one of our old stamping grounds).

Lancaster views - top, Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park, middle, Lune Aqueduct from River Lune and bottom, crossing the Lune Aqueduct in June 2009. The aqueduct has been awarded some Lottery money for "enhancement" and BW are working on maintenance January to March this year. I think it may look a little different next time we visit.

Decisions, decisions

2011-01-22T20:03:00.001Z

We'll make them one day! We want to move north, but stoppages, visitors and hospital visits preclude it for a couple more days. We have promised ourselves that we will not make Plans this year - i.e. no research by John on how long it will take to get to "x" at 2 hours cruising/day!

Maybe we will go on the Ashby Canal

With a purple gold licence (the right colour for the year - BW must have the right colour now) we will eventually get onto the Thames. But that involves a decision - we can either get onto it from the South Oxford Canal or go down the Grand Union, via Braunston. Whatever we do it will be at a lovely slow pace, no hurry, no schedules, no "we must".

What a lovely dream ..... unfortunately, life has a way of making us make plans, as things like appointments, visits, unexpected events keep on happening!

Me, my shadow, and eye

2011-01-21T08:00:00.004Z

A glorious sunny day calls for a long walk, a camera and a good eye. Thrupp Community Woodland is a great place to wander in - alongside the River Cherwell and bordered by fields, the South Oxford Canal and the railway.

Across the fields to Thrupp cottages and the canal

The Cherwell was in full flow, but not excessively high and in the distance was Hampton Gay Church:

The planes from Oxford Airport were making the most of the clear sky, but the cirrus clouds were gathering so maybe bad weather is on the way?

The Cherwell bends away from the path and after exploring the "rough" to avoid large puddles that cut the path in two - wellies really should have been worn - a detour across fields led to nowhere! Returning with me, my shadow and I, a path runs along the railway and it was worth the wait for this:

O Moon, so bright

2011-01-20T13:18:00.000Z

Alert, Alert! The call came through
Have you seen the moon tonight?
We rose and looked, and yes, indeed,
The moon, it was a wondrous sight.

At first it sat upon the hedge
while stars above looked calmly down;
The brambles and the grasses seemed
to hold it like a jewelled crown.

But zooming in upon the globe
It was as if earth's land and sea
Looked back and smiled at us, and I
had captured it for us, and thee.

The ball rose higher in the sky
While down below another light
Reflected in a watery glass
Drew stars in wonder at the night.

O majesty! O glorious view!
O joy, delight, sense-stretching gown
Throw thyself back o'er me again
To prove that light will never drown.

Cat and Mouse

2011-01-19T15:55:00.000Z

Here is the mouse - a piece of art work on a narrowboat moored just along the cut. I think it is rather attractive.

The "cat" is a writers "device" to show this photo of catkins! Spring is beginning to peek around the corner.

Catkins by the railway

These deer gave the cameraman a game of cat and mouse in the Thrupp Community Woods when out walking on a glorious day today.

The River Cherwell looked lovely under the blue sky, what a day!

A future oxbow island in the making

So what's new?

2011-01-18T11:03:00.001Z

You may know that we have side doors (aka swan doors) on both sides of narrowboat Epiphany in the saloon. We love them in the summer and when there is lots of sunshine, even on a mild day in the winter. Up until now they have looked like this from the inside.

Side doors closed and covered

The voile acts as a "privacy" curtain and a fly screen and can be used with or with out the perspex insert. The insert allows light and a view without a draught when the external doors are open.

Side doors with perspex from inside

Today we had some internal doors fitted. We could not afford them at our build time but had planned to have them at a later date. Retro fitting is not always satisfactory, however we are very pleased with our latest additions! At last they are "finished" and not just "make do".


New internal side doors

Ahh - a lovely open view this morning, and no draughts!

The carpenter is one that does work for Tooley's Boatyard and we arranged it all through them. Thanks Matt, once again!

Now we look forward to the summer when we can clip the new doors back too and enjoy views across new landscapes.

Back to where we came from - well not quite

2011-01-17T10:27:00.004Z

Blocked off entrance to Jericho Boatyard

After turning around we spent the night on the 48H moorings just north of Jericho Footbridge. The ones opposite the old Jericho Boatyard were full still and College Cruisers crowd the moorings too.

Once again we ticked over for quite a while. We were not "ticked off" though, in the sense of us being fed up by this! We both enjoy looking at other narrowboats - a habit picked up when we were thinking about our own build.

St Edwards Lift Bridge (238) is left up - it leads directly to school playing fields so presumably this prevents "escapees" from school disappearing along the towpath! However there is obviously school activity with a bit of a jungle gym by a large unofficial paddling pool caused by floods.

Wolvercote Lock has bywashes both sides of the lock jaws which meant I needed to put the throttle down and go for it! Once upon a time I would not have been confident to do this, but now I let John do most of the hard work (i.e. locks) I have learned to trust my judgement!

The we came to THAT lift bridge, 233 under the A40 - John struggled to open it on the way down and on the way back it was almost impossible. Even his weight (and I am not allowed to say what it is) was not enough to move it more than a couple of feet. Hanging on the chain he eventually managed to get it down so he could put his arms on the beam and put his full weight on it. Then it was a case of sitting on the balance beam to keep it open - I had to get through quickly!

Now I expect you are wondering why I did not get off and help. I would have had to get off on the off side and clamber over barbed wire and recently planted trees. The boat would have had to be tied by the bows to the bridge as there are no mooring rings on the off side, nor are there on the near side, by the way.

Close up of lift bridge and approach

It must be a nightmare for single handers. It is apparently difficult even in the summer when the wooden bed has a chance to dry out. John thought he had injured himself, fortunately he recovered the next day. A formal complaint has been lodged with British Waterways - on health and safety grounds, and we await the response.

The rest of our cruise passed with out any more problems, unless you count getting absolutely soaked in what the weather men call "a heavy shower". We were in Roundham Lock, what a welcome to the Thrupp area!

So here we are, moored just beyond Gunpowder Wharf, pins in and 6" of water to jump over to get to the bank! Now we hear that the River Cherwell is in flood so it looks as if we shall be here for a few days - at least we will be in good company again!

Jericho Footbridge to Gunpowder Wharf, Thrupp

3 hours 50 minutes, 5.75 miles, 4 locks

We get to grips with that pontoon!

2011-01-16T08:34:00.011Z

We were warned!

Maffi says "look what they have done"

There has been some controversy about the placing and design of this new pontoon below Isis Lock. Boaters we know have been consulted, complained and pointed out potential dangers and the apparent lack of thought and knowledge of boating that went into the design.

It was time for us to put it to the test as we had to turn around to go north on the South Oxford Canal, back the way we had come.

We had a good recce and John had a good think - he is always very good at thinking around the potential problems and finding a answer! After over 37 years of narrowboating and many childhood holidays on the Broads and Thames he has quite a lot of experience.

The Mill Stream had calmed down a bit but the flow from Sheepwash Channel was still considerable; however, we decided to "go for it".

Going down in Isis Lock

The plan was to allow the stream to take the stern around with the front end tied to a cleat on the pontoon. We reckoned the third one from the lock would give us enough room to clear the lock jaws and leave us plenty of room for the back to come around. This was fine, but ....

There is no ramp from the lock to the pontoon (see Maffi's photo!) so John had to bring the bow near enough for me to get off onto the pontoon - I was not going to risk the "unauthorised" route! (see Maffi's photo). Once off, I was able to loop the bow rope easily, with a little slack so that as Epiphany turned I was able to pull the slack in and get back on.

Around she goes

Our manoeuvre was successful - we had judged the length correctly - and as the bow was in slack water near the pontoon Epiphany behaved beautifully! However, a longer narrowboat would need to tie up further down the pontoon and the stern would be further out in the flow of the water. If the Mill Stream was really running fast more control would be needed by the helmsman we suspect.

Entering Isis Lock, going up

We still wonder how easy (or difficult of course!) it would be if a narrowboat was coming off the river and turning into Isis Lock - maybe we will be trying it this year - if so, we will let you know how we get on!

A quick look at the River Thames

2011-01-15T15:05:00.000Z

Access to the River Thames from the end of the South Oxford Canal is via Isis Lock and Sheepwash Channel.

Bottom gates of Isis Lock and Thames sign

This raises a couple of questions for the narrowboater - is the River Thames on red boards and how high is Sheepwash Channel?
The answer to the first question is yes, at the moment. There are red boards at many of the locks, including one chained to the bankside of Isis Lock, as a warning of things to come. Osney Lock on the Thames, downstream of Sheepwash Channel had red boards up too when we wandered down there the other day.

Osney Lock top gates

The answer to the second question is - can a narrowboat get under the very low rail bridge that crosses Sheepwash? Possibly - but look at this photo of John!

Definitely "duck or grouse"

When we took our walk the river was flowing very fast - Osney Bridge would have been another problem to consider. It is a low bridge and look at the flow!

Osney Bridge from downstream on the River Thames

That said, the river below Osney Lock looked a little more inviting, but the flow was still on.

Osney Mill Marina and downstream from Osney Lock

So despite now having our Gold Licence we decided to depart northwards again after a few days in Oxford. Our next questions were:- How easy would it be to turn below Isis Lock? How fast was the Mill Stream and the flow from Sheepwash Channel? Would the new pontoon there help or hinder us? You will have to wait for the next blog for the answers!

Will we get under that bridge?

2011-01-14T20:22:00.000Z

Yarnton Bridge is very low and we have a lot on our roof, as most liveaboards do! Once underneath there is a lower bit that could catch boaters unawares.

Under Yarnton Lane Bridge

To get to Oxford we had three locks and three closed lift bridges to negotiate. Kidlington Green Lock was our first lock which came and went without any major problems - I am glad to say that I have remembered how to get Epiphany in and out of a lock without scraping and bashing!

Two of the lift bridges have the newfangled BW locking systems on them. A BW key is needed to undo the lock and the bridge theoretically should begin to lift. However the locks can be difficult if the bridge is out of alignment as is Drinkwater Lift Bridge above.

Unlocking Drinkwater's Lift Bridge

Dukes Lock is just before Dukes Cut which leads to the River Thames - the lock and lock house feel very remote until one sees and hears the A40 rushing by.

In Dukes Lock

The red boards were up at the entrance to Dukes Cut, warning of a strong stream on the river. Private narrowboats can travel on the river in such conditions, providing they are sure about skill, insurance and are prepared to listen to advice from the Lock Keepers. However, it was not for us - we were on our way to Oxford the easy way!

Lift Bridge 233 is right below the A34 - we passed this way when the bridge was being built in 2008. The area still looks "new" and it is an awkward and heavy lift bridge. (more about this bridge at a later date!)

Looking back under A40 to lift bridge

Perrys Lift Bridge has a handy elsan point below it, one of the brick open ones - much more sensible than these flash new indoor tiled ones!

Now we were into long term mooring territory and tick over speed into Oxford. There is a bit of a break after Wolvercote Lock but we crept past the moored craft carefully (less than 2 mph)! We entered Oxford past Jericho and the visitor moorings, there was no room down here - probably all stuck in the now non-existent ice! But we had already decided that we were going to the head of navigation at Hythe Bridge, down the Arm.

College Cruisers at Jericho Footbridge, popular VMs beyond

Isis Lock, the other way onto the Thames, is parallel to the Hythe Bridge Arm and as there is no large winding hole above, narrowboats over 50' need to go down the lock, turn and come back up.

Hythe Bridge Arm has permit only moorings but down at the end are some visitor moorings for a couple of boats. One was vacant - ideal!

We were moored within walking distance of the shops, theatres and the other delights of the City of Oxford.

Yarnton Bridge to Hythe Bridge 2 hours 58 minutes, 4.68 miles, 4 locks

Welcome to our temporary home on blogger

2011-01-13T17:46:00.000Z

It is time to catch up and let you know what has been happening since our website went "down". Hopefully you addicts - oops, I mean readers - will be happy to have something to read in the mornings, at work or at leisure in the evenings! Enjoy ......

Dusty alongside Epiphany amongst the broken ice

When we left you we were still stuck, in the ice and ice floes, despite Dusty the coal and fuel boat breaking through to bring all the Thrupp narrowboats diesel and coal.

We enjoyed our enforced stay outside the Jolly Boatman pub and our forays inside with boating friends and visitors! However it was wonderful to move on the 9th of January after 7 weeks to the day. Yippee, we all said! Narrowboats are for moving, not staying still.


Our vacant mooring!

It was a good day, sunny and still. There was a little ice on the cut still and as we watered up at Langford Lane, narrowboat Wrens Nest came through and went ahead, breaking what ice there was until we reached Roundham Lock. Here the ice was thicker and they pulled over to see what was what below. It was clear water so we broke ice into the lock and Jeremy and partner locked us through.

Looking back from Roundham Lock

Moored at Yarnton Bridge

We moored before Yarnton Bridge, as planned, only to get a phone call to tell us that Graham and Jane from narrowboat Alnwick had arrived at the JB to see Bones, Maffi and us! Graham did his taxi bit and came down for us. We had a great time in the JB, a second lunch and a good catch up!

Graham, Jane and Fi at the JB

It seemed so strange not to have Epiphany moored outside!
More of our cruise to Oxford tomorrow - I can't let you have too much excitement in one day!

A Blog to keep the story going

2011-01-13T17:41:00.000Z

This is the temporary home for our blog.

So although you might have clicked on http://nbepiphany.co.uk, you will automatically be redirected to this Blogspot blog until the new, improved website has been created.

So if that is how you got here, or you used an RSS Feed, don't change your bookmarks or feed - just

Enjoy!

The last of the old format blogs - for a few years!

2008-07-28T20:08:00.003+01:00

Yesterday like most of you we fried under the sun - the warmest day so far I think. We decided to go for a "burble" on the canal - as our neighbour Dave on Nb Summer calls it.

So about three we winded at Pewsey winding hole and headed towards Wootton Rivers. This way there is the most shade on the canal. We tootled along, passing a few moored boats. There were some lovely reflections and the banks are full of wild flowers.

At Wootton Rivers winding hole this boat impeded out winding! However we managed it despite getting a few brambles on the front button

After winding we moored up for dinner. It was a lovely quiet spot, until - Here you will have to go to our new blog for pictures to solve the mystery boat and what disturbed the quiet! click here and then RSS feed or whatever to get to the new blog on a regular basis!

Only joking Andy - great to see you and to add your photo to our record of "Bloggers spotted" - another album to be uploaded to our gallery when we get time. The K & A in two weeks is a tall order, sometimes it pays to take it more slowly! We are amazed by your energy

We then had a quiet "burble" back to Pewsey, much cooler in the evening air.