Victor: Object achieved

NEARING our objective of Banbury, like many of you I should imagine we saw the Tesco Extra on Google off-side just North of the town, with an handy winding hole just after.

But it was of no use as there is absolutely no way to get to it, nowhere to moor and no bridge.

A helping hand

So it was right through Banbury to the winding hole, but once again we had our Alan Tilbury join us, this time at Cropredy where again he proved most handy with our having to shop and then to go through Banbury to turn. So keen was he that though we were in a queue coming back through the town he went forward to help all the boats through the lock.

It was no mean feat Alan joining us before 9am, as he had travelled all the way from Margate that morning! A competent boater having hired from way back in the distant past, so his help is always appreciated.

Not so sensible

It being a Sunday there were plenty of people, but alas not canal-side, but on the footbridge over the waterway, crossing from car park to shops, but there were very young children alone in small canoes weaving amongst the moving narrow boats, that I did not think so sensible. One boat was heading straight for them yet the children had their backs to it, but luckily heard it and dashed to the side.

For ourselves we sounded the horn and crept along the side. But it was all very dangerous considering the high number of narrowboats about and their being difficult to see being so low down.

Definite no-no

We had been warned not to moor in Banbury so did not, especially being told that six boats had had their ropes cut—not undone, but actually cut—and pushed away from the edge. Even in the middle of the day we had a youth banging on the hull. A definite no-no.  Otherwise, though we stayed awhile on that Sunday, as the picture shows there were few visitors, just those around the lock, most people on the footbridge en route to and from the car park.

So it was back retracing our route, and this time—without the fog—see the vast marina of no name North of Cropredy.  It was definitely bucking the trend, with very few empty berths, more than likely those of boats out cruising.  In fact there were two marinas—a smaller one with its own entrance by the side of the larger.

Only two all day

This time we had a very strict look-out for visitors, but alas it rained for most of the five hours cruise, so only saw a couple with a Labrador.  Rather made a mess of Cart's calculations of visitors, but perhaps those who conjure the figures don't know about rain!

But at one long stretch of deserted towpath we noticed both going down and coming back, after close inspection we actually discovered a footprint, as shown above, so though we thought absolutely no one must use that out-in-the-wilds towpath, someone must have, so one more added!

And the poster in the frame at the top of Napton Flight, did cause a chuckle, but I must admit we did see a lady pushing a pram up the two miles flight, which meant 1.258 to go over the two miles—yes I did count a baby in the pram, though I did not see one, but I must give Cart the benefit of the doubt, after all. Every little helps (sorry boss) and it all adds up to the 8,846,153 that we are told visit the waterways every day, yes my friends, every day!

 

Don't venture further

It was Jan who pointed out that both gates and paddles on the bottom locks on Napton Flight were much better maintained and easier to operate than those above, she being firmly convinced they are made so for the volunteer lock keepers who rarely venture further than the bottom three locks, and I confirmed it—the lower ones are much easier.

Otherwise—like on the Claydon Flight— there would be no volunteers!

North Oxford

Back up the section of the Grand Union on to the North Oxford on yet another cold day, and dare I state it, a complete lack of towpath visitors—even Braunston being completely deserted, but I notice the water taps still surrounded by that iniquitous orange fencing so out of action.  Which reminded us we must get some at Rugby, as surely it must now be repaired, to which Jan remarked ''And pigs might fly!''  But alas they did not.

Stopped

Then to Sutton Stop and at last catching up with our Keith Gudgin,who you will no doubt be aware tells us of the stoppages, and had bad news indeed—the Town Lock at Newark will be closed for two months.  So after all the endeavour by Cart to get more people to use the tidal Trent, here it is closing the lock that gives access!  As to the poor sods needing to come back from the Yorkshire waterways to their moorings or those needing to get back to theirs down the Trent—tough luck!

The reason for the closure, we are not really told, only that it was not part of the winter maintenance.

Not recommended

Keith had been told of the delights of the food at the Greyhound, so Jan, Keith and Thomas booked a table to sample its culinary delights.  And though Jan did indeed enjoy her salmon and pasta dish, Keith was a bit put-out at the somewhat diminished size of his 8oz beefburger with trimmings, that landed on the table at just 4oz, but was then lucky enough to get more served to him, making up the size.  Thomas, with his liking for proper pies—you know the sort with pastry all round that were served there, ordered a bacon and pea pie, never having tasted one before, but alas was served a beef pie instead.

Anyway, it was a proper pie he maintained, so tucked in. But with two thirds of it still left on the plate when it was collected, tells its own story. ''Tesco's cheapest beef pies are better than this!" said he.  So the pudding was missed, but back to the boat where Jan prepared an Eton Mess (that I have to admit I've never heard of!) but which was well enjoyed with Keith downing his third cup of Thomas' rather good coffee!

Volunteers

Back once more to Atherstone Flight and no less than five volunteer lock keepers—kind you it was a sunny day, but we only had one lock gate closed and one paddle wound down, so bit useless for us.

It was here where we met another of Cart's blinders—installing pegs on paddle ratchets so that the paddle cannot be quickly lowered in an emergency such as when a boat became hung-up.  Cart's health and safety department must have been asleep when this stupid decision was made or what is more likely, didn't know any better.  Anyway with narrowboatworld pointing out the error of its ways and others following suit, the pegs were removed, but obviously two on the Atherstone Flight were missed.  Only hope that a boat does not get in trouble in that particular lock...

But one big difference—the number of boats. Over the last few days a big reduction since the week that was the one after the school holidays.  Rose was empty of its hire boats when we went past during that week, but five moored on the same day we passed just a week later, so the season is definitely coming to its end.

Not sure if the driver of this van thought he was in a narrowboat attempting to moor, or more likely didn't know what he was doing, but one thing for sure, he's going to be stuck awhile.

I think that is enough from me, so fare ye well come a Sunday or two, hope I have told it like it is...

Victor Swift