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Published: September 4th 2013
The bottom lock pair.
The sun was always wrong - my apologoes.3 locks, 425 in total.
When there are only 4 locks on the North Oxford canal in 25 miles I fail to understand
why lock volunteers are needed here. Locks are fun and exercise – cruise the rivers if you don't want to work locks. The Hillmorton locks are paired and you use whichever one is either set for you or is empty, so there really shouldn't be any sort of bottleneck and does it really matter if you have to wait a little while – it's good to go straight through but not the end of the world if you can't. There were 3 volunteers at the bottom lock in their uniform and lifejackets, one of whom didn't lower our top paddle completely so the lock took forever to empty. No-one at the second lock – the paddles were really stiff and the gate heavy but I managed. John's turn on the third lock - the volunteer waved me into the lock on the far side from the towpath, making it much more difficult to get Hattie over there and for me to pick John up afterwards. The chap took real exception when
Basking in the sun yesterday evening.
That isn't rubbish on the towpath, it is carrier bags tied around our mooring stakes so that walkers can see them. John said he wanted to work the lock himself – never been stood down in two years of volunteering, moan, sniff, …..
It was scorching hot today from the word go – a gentle warm breeze and non-stop sun so it was almost a relief when we were in the shade of trees. The views over gently undulating farmland were gorgeous; for almost a mile the pastureland bordering the canal and rising from it had long parallel ridges and furrows which I assume indicate ancient cultivation; it would have been difficult for a tractor to gravel across this land. There was also another section of moorings with their own land, similar to those yesterday but less land. We also passed Barby Marina - not sure I'd like that as my address.
We motored to the edge of Braunston, enjoying the breeze generated by our movement and drinking vast amounts of tea. The canal reached here in 1770 and Braunston quickly became a hub as it was so close to many turnpike roads. It is a lovely stone village, unspoilt by racing traffic, with long views in
all directions. There is a huge marina, a chandlery, some shops and the junction of the North Oxford and Grand Union canals. Apparently Friday evenings and Saturday mornings are chaotic with weekend boaters so we shall leave before then. We had just a quick walk round the village as it was too hot for me. We'll be back here again soon – perhaps in the rain, who knows – so there's time enough.
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marina address
Not sure I ken what you mean aboot the address?! I didn't know about volunteers and wondered what you meant the other day (I may have missed an explanation whilst I was away since I've not read those entries yet - sorry I know I am slacking). It sounds like a good idea but fancy being that instrusive?! Wonderful picture of the sunset today. Sarah