We moved on Saturday from our mooring just below Claydon bottom lock, as although a lovely spot was very overshadowed by trees. We needed to move to try and get more light to our solar panels. The boat traffic has certainly eased. A few hire boats still out, and private boaters heading back to their moorings for the winter. We have to watch out for any stoppages (where Canal River Trust stop navigation to do essential maintenance). We need to get back to Lichfield by December 21st, for the boats paint job. So far nothing that should stop us on our journey.
The mornings have been lovely, with morning mist that clears quite quickly.
Early morning walk in the sunshine
We navigated the 5 locks in the Claydon flight which took us an hour and 10 minutes. I’m going to start adding our stats at the end of each blog so readers can see what we travel and how long it takes. Saturday we only travelled 0.83m!! We found a nice sunny spot and stayed till Monday.
Our mooring just beyond Claydon Top Lock
I had forgotten to mention that at each lock since Aynho weir lock there has been a small crocheted item attached to the lock gates. I was curious as to why these where there and was there any significance.
crocheted item on lock. They come in many colours and designs
Apparently on further investigation they are yarn bombing items. This is graffiti by knitting. It became a game checking the locks for these. A nice touch by another boater.
Sunday after preparing and setting the roast dinner to cook, I tackled the brass mushroom vent cleaning task again. It didn’t take long this time and they are now shining brightly again.
Sunday evening there was a most spectacular sunset (I shared on FB). I just had to get a picture
lovely sunset
Off we went again Monday morning. We were going to stop for a water top up at Fenny Compton, so washing machine set off again. We also needed a longer run as the batteries needed a boost.
View of Claydon top lock in the early morning mist
we passed under this bridge, and now I will have to try and find why it was put there.
After topping up the water tank at Fenny Compton we carried on through the winding bit of the Oxford summit. Met a couple of boats coming the other way. At one bridge there was poor view so I blasted a long blast on the horn, didn’t get a response, so proceeded to then have an encounter with a boat coming through (who didn’t respond to our horn blasting). Crash avoided quickly and no harm done!
Travelling the winding Oxford summit
Beautiful autumn colours
There are sings along this stretch objecting to HS2, and this is the countryside that will be affected if it goes ahead..
HS2 planned route that will go over the canal
Rolling hills of the Warwickshire countryside
We are now in Warwickshire and moored near to the bridge that has a footpath to Priors Hardwick. We were last here on the 11th September. Plan for today is write blog. clean outside chimney, and bake a cake (I did say I wan’t going to as it is having an adverse effect on my weight, but cake is so nice!)
Bridge 144 Claydon Top Lock to Bridge 124 Priors Hardwick. 8.70 miles 4hours 5minutes