Winter has arrived!

It is now the time of year that CRT close certain locks and parts of canals to work on them – and as we cant pass whilst they are worked on, we have to plan our movements accordingly. Up until christmas we will be “hanging around” between Napton, Braunston, Brownsover and Warwick.

After leaving Banbury on 24 October, we made our way back up the South Oxford Canal.

As we passed through Cropredy Lock, I was able to take a photo of the lovely lock cottage without its scaffolding, at last!

We spotted another boat with an unpronounceable name!

At Elkington Lock there was evidence of preparation for winter works.

The canal side is looking very autumnal with lovely colours – and bare trees!

We were passed by “The Herbies” on the summit, and then caught them up at Napton Top Lock whilst they lunched, and then they passed us again as we watered up! I shouted to Kath as she walked to the lock – “the famous Kath from Herbie” I said, and she replied “dont believe everything you read!” – as if a blogger would not tell the truth!

Our final trip down the Napton flight this year was done in brilliant sunshine. We had moored just below lock 14 for the night and were treated to clear blue skies in the morning.

As we approached lock 13 we could see the pound was quite low – even though there hadnt been many boats through!

There was only one paddle working on the bottom gates – it had been fine just a couple of weeks ago when we passed through!

Further down the flight there were more preparations for the works that were due to start on 3 November!

You can see why a new balance beam is needed on Napton Bottom Lock.

There is an open day on Saturday 8 November to see the work being done on this lock – we were going try to get there, but dont think we will make it. Preparations are well under way (picture courtesy of Sue – No Problem).

We were due a stay in a marina to equalise our batteries – Cropredy had been full so we ended up back in Wigrams Marina again where we moored on our usual pontoon! Yvonne popped in for coffee and a chat (and to deliver our post) too.

After leaving the marina we had to return to Napton. On the way we saw some “canalside services” – but dont think they will get used very much!

We were lucky to get the very last mooring spot at Napton and when we were sorted out we walked up to the locks, passing NB No Problem on the way. A quick chat to Sue reassured her that we had been able to moor, ready to meet up later in the Folly.

We walked up to lock 10 – the one with the major rebuild of the lock approach during the winter works – and discovered that work had already started.

We noticed we were being watched from above!

A chap was in the field next to the lock controlling the “drone”.

Click HERE to see his video on YouTube – you can see us walking around the lock! and THIS is another video he took of the lock cottage and bottom lock!

Later that evening we met Sue and Vic in the Folly – and a great time we had too!

Meg and Penny came too!

On Saturday, after saying goodbye to Sue and Vic, we set off towards Braunston and yet again the sun was out and the sky was brilliant blue!

On the way we came across NB Waiouru moored up, Tom popped his head out to say hello, but we couldnt stop as we had a boat right behind us – we’ll catch up with them again sometime over winter.

On Sunday something really strange happened. We had done our shopping, waited for a cloudburst to pass, seen a terrific rainbow (that the picture doesnt do justice to)

and then moved up to fill with water, empty bins etc.

Whilst at the water point a boat came past, a lady on the front saying “Hello Della – it is Della isnt it? Gordon is on the back!” I smiled, and started thinking frantically of any Gordons that do blogs! The boat was not a familar name, and as the back of the boat went by the chap on the back said “Hello” and it took me a few seconds to register – it was my first husband Gordon (and his wife Pauline at the front!).

We had a very quick exchange of words – it was their friends boat and they were just on it for a week – and then they were gone!

It is a few years since we had last seen each other, and Gordon and Pauline now live on a sailing boat in the Med! So they were the last people I thought I would see in Braunston!

By now we had filled with water and were ready to go.

We turned the boat and went in the direction Gordon had gone – expecting to see them moored up by the Boathouse Pub – but they werent there – they had already left Braunston and we didnt know which way they had gone!

We headed up the North Oxford and as it was now nearly 4pm we moored up at Willoughby Wharf!

Now what are the odds that with 2500 miles of canal that we would be at Braunston at the same time! If it hadnt been for the earlier cloudburst we probably would have missed them!

So Gordon and Pauline – if you are reading this – sorry I looked blank and I hope you enjoyed your week with your friends!!

The next day we headed to Hillmorton, passing Wharf Bridge where someone had pulled all these bikes and bits out of the canal!

As Muleless went down in the top lock we marvelled at the new top gate – with no leaks!!! Hopefully there will be lots more about after the winter works!

We moored below Hillmorton Locks after filling with water as usual!

The next day we headed to our destination for this trip - Brownsover – more shopping needed! When we arrived we were expecting “Callisto” the fuel boat, so we had lunch and made a shopping list, as just as it started to rain Callisto appeared.

First he stopped at two other boats moored to sort them out.

Marks dog “Cally” sitting patiently on the roof, hoping for biscuits!

We soon had our diesel tanks topped up – we wont be letting them get low over winter, so will probably see quite a bit of Mark and Cally over the next couple of months!

We visited Tesco as usual (I swear there is a hole in the wine cellar – I keep finding it empty!!!) and had a trip to The Range where I bought an EasiYo Yoghurt maker. After reading about it on NB Valerie blog I was sure it was something that I needed!!

We had a quick check of what was going on on the old Wickes/Homebase site.

Nothing left of the old buildings – and they have done some pile driving – I wonder if these are for the new buildings or to hold the canal in place!

We left our mooring, and filled with water at the tap by the terrible edging!

I nipped up the bridge and took a birds eye view pic too!

We turned round again and headed back towards Hillmorton. As we motored along it was really quiet, so it was time for me to practice steering again! Gary didnt take any pictures of me(!!) but I successfully steered past Clinton Cruisers (even though it was a tight squeeze) and through the bridge! Normally I hand the tiller over as soon as I see any other boats or obstacles!

As we headed along by the golf course a familiar boat loomed ahead and I instructed Gary to take a photo.

As we came alongside, Geoff of NB Seyella popped out, and as we shouted hello, we decided to moor up just in front of them, rather than head a bit further on to the bottom of the locks. For this I handed the tiller back to Gary!

Once we were moored up and sorted out (stove on, satellite dish up) we popped in to Seyella for a proper catch up with Geoff, Mags and Meg their dog! It was great to meet them properly at last!

The next morning Geoff was ready to leave before us, but we had agreed to meet up again at Onley later on.

Eventually we were ready to go, and moved on the water point at Hillmorton to top up the tank as usual – this is one of the slowest taps on the system!!

Then we made our way up the locks – has anyone else noticed how banana shaped the top lock beam is?

Just above the locks we passed Seyella – as Geoff had pulled in to chat to Tony and Jacque of NB Timewarp! (as Tony said – is the collective term a grumbling of narrowboaters!)

It wasnt long before we reached our destination of Onley, and by now the wind had turned quite strong. We moored up and Seyella were close behind us. We had invited Geoff and Mags round to us, but as the wind was so strong and cold they took a rain check – we will be following them for a few days so will have another chance.

This morning the forecast was for lots of rain and more wind, so we decided to stay where we were for the day – I dont think we will get to the Napton open day tomorrow!

Geoff and Mags had decided to move on to Braunston, so we will definitely catch them up later!

A final visit to Banbury this year!

We left our summit pound mooring on Tuesday last week, having sat out the awful weather!

We were soon nearing Fenny Compton – where someone had managed to pull up this mooring ring!

We stopped to top up with water, and had a look around the veg and spice stall, we were hoping to find a green pepper – but had to make do with some lovely cherry tomatoes!

As we moved on we discovered the moorings were virtually empty – they are usually packed!

Just a bit further on as we approached the “tunnel” there was someone coming through, so had to wait for them to pass – there may not be a roof on the tunnel now, but it is narrow!

We soon moored up at the top of the Claydon Locks ready to go down the next day.

We were quite lucky with the locks – we met another boat coming up at nearly every one!

Just before Cropredy we saw the remains of the tree that had come down in the high winds two days before – but surprisingly there werent any logs left!

In the dry dock we caught sight of what we thought was NB Hispireon (that we saw sunk on previous runs through this way!)

We went through Cropredy, stopping just to top up our water and pop into the shop for some milk (and another try to find a green pepper – no success!)

On the way out, we passed the newly improved towpath – looking really good!

We moored up just before Slat Mill lock, where, unusually, we couldnt find a satellite signal! The bushes were too high!

So Thursday saw us heading down  the last 3 locks into Banbury, where we moored up in the town centre, near the shops to make sure I could get a satellite signal! Normally we moor in Spiceball Park, but the trees there mean no signal.

After a quick lunch we made our way into the shops to collect Garys contact lenses and buy a few bits, which we then dropped back to the boat before heading out again to find Wetherspoons!

We had a shock when we left the indoor shopping area – the fair was in town! We had not heard or seen anything from the canal side!

After a very nice curry in “Spoons” we wandered around the fair watching everyone have a good time on the rides – some of which were really scary!!

We eventually got back to the boat about 9.30pm, where even though the music had been really loud, we couldnt hear anything of the fair!

The next day we had a bit more retail therapy to do, but were back at the boat before the fair hotted up in the evening.

As we cooked dinner in the evening, some of the local kids decided to “play about” by the boat – but soon ran off when Gary burst out of the cratch!

On Saturday we had had enough of Town Centre Living, so headed off, topping up the water tank on the way, and then stopped by Morrisons to top up the cupboards (and wine cellar!)

We were soon back out in the country and moored up just before Kings Sutton Lock – peace again!

Sunday was a lovely sunny day – but it was a bit breezy! We set off anyway.

Just below Kings Sutton Lock, CRT are doing some towpath reinstatement works using Gabion baskets.

Everyone out there has heard the “leaves on the line” expression, (especially all our readers in Eastleigh!) holding up trains – well on narrowboats we get “leaves on the prop” – there are so many leaves floating (or sinking) in the canal at this time of year, that they “stick” to the propeller, eventually making it slugish and slowing us down (more than usual!!). The answer is to give a burst of reverse to clear it, and we are away again.

As we approached Nell Bridge Lock, we could see another reason for “struggling along” this stretch of canal – the water level was down quite a way!

Even as we crossed the River Cherwell on the approach to Aynho Weir Lock, the river level was well into the green, even after the heavy rain of a few days ago!

After the lock, there was a “breach” in the canal – the ducks and geese were happy with their new pond!

Just then I spotted some deer. A first for me!

We made the decision not to moor opposite Aynho Wharf, but to carry on to our spot by lift bridge 193, so that we could stay in the sun for a whilst longer, as the bushes on the towpath near Aynho made it shady.

As we came out of the shelter of the trees we realised that it was no longer “breezy” but full blown “windy”! So as we approached our mooring spot I prepared the centre rope with a mooring hook to deploy on the armco to help hold the boat in place whilst we moored up!

Things didnt go according to plan! No pictures I’m afraid as things got a bit hectic and the camera was on the boat!

The mooring hook slipped off the armco before I could pull the boat in close and the wind caught the front of the boat. Gary had jumped off the back and managed to get his mooring hook on the armco and the back rope securely tied onto the boat. The front end of the boat was now across the other side of the canal and no amount of pulling on the centre rope was getting it back!

Gary walked down the side of the boat to the front, but couldnt throw the front rope over to me as it wouldnt have been quite long enough! He had to walk back down the boat, pause at the centre to untie our second centre rope, tie it to the front rope and walk back down to the back.

Now the front rope was reachable from the canalside – just, and with the help of a passing walker, Gary managed to pull the front of the boat back to the towpath side! We quickly used the hook to secure the front. Just in time, as now two boats passed from behind, and one from in front!

Of course now the wind dropped a bit, and we were able to move the boat along to a wide spot (out of the way of overgrown bushes).

The wind wasnt a problem now we were tied up, and we had the sun that we wanted!

Lift Bridge 193 has also partially collapsed since we were here last, so we wandered down to have a look at the damage!

Monday, the wind had dropped, but the sky looked ominous as we pulled away.

The lift bridge looked worse from canal side.

We only had about 1/2 mile to Somerton Deep Lock – but we werent going through it, just using the winding hole just before it. Of course the rain had started then – and it hammered down!

We were soon back at Aynho Wharf, the rain had stopped and we were topping up with water and diesel too! Winter is almost upon us and we dont want to be caught by the dreaded diesel bug due to condensation in the fuel tanks, so we like to keep them topped up.

Once all our tanks and our spare fuel cans were full, we headed back towards Banbury.

No deer this time, but the geese were definitely enjoying their new pond by the breach!

Back through Aynho Weir Lock – clouds still looking ominous!

At Nell Bridge Lock the water level was back to normal today.

The lovely canal side house just past the pig farm has chopped down a load of trees, and you can now see the front of the house, not just the side!

As we approached the motorway, with Kings Sutton Church spire in the distance, you can see those dark clouds closing in again!

This time as we passed the towpath works, the workboats were breasted up, so we had to squeeze through!

Back up through Kings Sutton Lock and we moored up in the spot we had left two days before! Just before the rain came down!

The next day we stayed put, whilst ex-hurricane Gonzalo raged around us, and a few hardy souls boated by!

Wednesday we moved back into Banbury, this time mooring just before the Morrisons bridge (where we could get a satellite signal!).

There were a few more bits we had decided we needed (winter clothes etc) so set off on more retail therapy, and stopping off in “Spoons” for refreshment, we decided to take advantage of their meal deals for dinner too!

Thursday was another Morrisons shopping trip (where does all the food and wine go?) and afterwards we had promised ourselves lunch in the Mexican lunch bar – which turned out to have a power failure so was shut!

We didnt fancy going back to the boat for lunch – so ended up in “Spoons” again!!!!

When we finally staggered out (full up – not drunk!) a walk was in order, so we took the long way back to the boat and chilled out, with no need for dinner later!

So this morning we set off to the water point, and did a pump out too. Whilst we were there guess who found us – Sue and Vic from No Problem! They had passed whilst we had been out yesterday, and were now moored in Banbury.

We had a quick catch up and arranged to meet up later in the week as we are all heading off the South Oxford before the winter stoppages begin on 3 November!

Eventually the water tank was full and the loo tank was empty and we made our way out of Banbury for the last time this year – passing No Problem on the way!