Retirement with No Problem

Today – Moored Napton
Yesterday – Knotts Bridge to Napton, Oxford Canal 6.5 miles 7 locks

Before pulling the pins yesterday morning I took Lucy for a quick walk along the towpath.  Well I tried to take her, but there was hardly any path to be seen!  Lucy is in there somewhere! ..

I would have thought that British Waterways would have kept the towpaths clear at least.  We have found that the towpath edge of the canal has been left overgrown in most places except where there are posts declaring moorings for a certain number of hours or days.  Seems that is all they are clearing at the moment.  I note too that sub-contractors are doing the majority of the work and not BW themselves.. more evidence of lack of funding me thinks..

A very pleasant day yesterday which saw us meet up with our good friend John Sinclair before reaching the top of the Napton Locks at Marston Doles so we were able to have a good chat before getting out the windlasses to tackle the flight.. Here Hotel boats Snipe and Taurus leaving the top lock as we arrived.. It was nice to see the pair together and still operating as hotel boats, (they were up for sale back in 2005, to be sold separately) although they had only a few customers on this particular trip.  They were looking in great shape.

An unusual sight half way down.. buffalo..

I certainly would not like to walk through that field especially as they had calves.. those horns looked lethal, although these buffalo are suppose to be very docile and friendly.  The herd started with 20 animals but now it is a huge herd.  They are farmed here along the banks of the canal, and meat and burgers, cheese and yoghurt can be bought online.. although their website is being updated as I write.  Apparently their milk is very low in fat and makes excellent ice cream!

A couple of hours saw us at the bottom of the flight.. well almost, we made a decision to stop on the temporary visitor moorings just above the bottom lock.. It sure was busy with lots of boats up and down today.  On with the glad rags then, and off to the Blue Lias at Stockton. John had parked his car at Napton before walking up to meet us.. The Blue Lias is one of his favourite eating houses.. hey the food was excellent and we had an absolutely lovely evening.. thanks John, thoroughly enjoyed we did..

Today we spent relaxing aboard.  I walked up the flight just before lunch to meet Chas and Ann on NB Moore2Life who had stayed at Knotts Bridge the evening before.. then popped up the hill this afternoon to get this pic which is the same almost as the one on my Book 3 of Nicholson’s Guides (1977).  I have always wanted to get a similar photo, and here it is.  My guide is an older one, not the new 2006 one.

It hasn’t changed much from the picture on the guide book.. in fact the blue British Waterways barge just the far side of the lock on the left is also in the guide book pic!.. Braunston tomorrow then.. and I do believe it will be party night as we meet up with our friends Mo and Ness on NB Balmaha