Yelvertoft to Welford Lock

Now moored above Welford lock, just in time too, we had just shut the boat up when we had hailstones!

Keith.

Braunston Top Lock to Yelvertoft Marina

Now moored opposite Yelvertoft Marina, rain stopped play, but not before Jo had her first ever turn at taking Hadar through locks at Watford, she did OK. She took the helm at the 1st of the 4 staircase locks and took her up through them and even into the single lock at the top. She said she actually found it easier than she thought she would.

Keith.

Boat House Braunston to Braunston Top Lock

Moored above Braunston top lock, behind Aldgate. Had a great journey up the locks in company with Tony & Sue, made a nice change to share the locks with another boat, and lots of boats coming down the flight setting the locks open for us.

Keith.

Napton Junction to The Boathouse, Braunston

Moored in Braunston opposite “The Boathouse”.

Had lunch there Saturday, Jo’s favourite curry, Pasanda was on the menu, so 2 of those washed down with Marston’s Pedigree, rude not too really!

Keith.

Claydon Top Lock to Napton Junction

Sunny day travelling across the Claydon/Napton summit to just past Napton junction, we have even been sitting out on the towpath enjoying the sunshine, both Paddy and Marmite enjoyed rolling in the gravel of the towpath. Staying here tomorrow to avoid the rain.

 

Taking on water below Napton locks.

 

Keith.

Cropredy to Claydon Top Lock

A great run up onto the summit, a tad breezy up here so we have moored just above Claydon top lock.

Keith

Banbury to Cropredy

Having had a great weekend at Banbury we winded and headed back north to Cropredy.

Keith.

Cropredy to Banbury.

We let go at 8.00 am and our first port of call was the Sanitary Station, where we filled up with water, empty the rubbish and both the toilet cassettes.

We were very fortunate that at the locks we met boats coming up, so the locks were left ready for us.

it is sad to see Bourton Lock cottage is still not finished. We met the couple who were doing it up in 2009 and they seemed in full flow as to what was going to happen to the cottage. But it looks like nothing much has happened since.

A nice smooth cruise into Banbury, which was extremely quiet boat wise, which was somewhat of a surprise.

Having tied up at 10.45 am, we shut the boat up and strolled into the town to see what changes had taken place. We were actually hoping the Top Wok Chinese Buffet was still there and phew it was. So that was where we had a scrummy lunch. We had a lovely chat with the lady running it as we ate a very good lunch. With being pleasantly full, we had a walk around the town and of course did the charity shops, where we found Keith a couple of tank tops and I got some more DVD’s for 70p each in the Katherine House Hospice Charity Shop. Banbury is a fabulous town, but like with many towns and cities it has empty shops and is suffering.

We are going to stay here for the weekend, so we can enjoy Banbury a bit more.

Jo

Welcome aboard our working boat Hadar. Pull up a chair and join as we cruise the waterways of the UK selling coal. Hadar was built by Roger Fuller in Stone Staffordshire in 2007 and is everything we wanted and much more.

Claydon Top Lock to Cropredy

Safely arrived at Cropredy, had a quick walk around the village, not much changed in 5 years.

 

Polling station is open but not very busy.

Keith.

Wormleighton to Glebe Farm

Windy day to be travelling, was raining soon after we set off but didn't last for very long. We are now moored and being buffeted by the strengthening wind at Glebe Farm just north of Claydon locks.

Keith.

Marmite Enjoying the Bank Holiday Sunshine.

Paddy found a shady spot.

“I better check that Paddy isn’t up to mischief!”

Keith.

Generator

Fun and games this morning, and I thought it was going to be a restful Sunday.

Started the generator and after a few minutes it stopped. Had this in the past which then was a blocked fuel filter. New fuel filters fitted, but lift pump wouldn't pump fuel up so out comes the manual pump, still no fuel coming through both filters, so refitted manual pump above remote filter, still no joy. Filter off again and reseated, worked this time. Decided that whilst I was in the vicinity I would bypass the small filter mounted on the engine as it is not needed (something I have discussed with BSS as the plastic bowl doesn't meet their safety standards). It also cuts down having to buy 2 types of filter when only 1 is necessary. Restarted generator and everything is hunky dory until it stops again! Changed the oil filter just in case it was blocked, but no joy, only left the cooling water. Undid the pressure cap on the top tank and topped up with water. All working fine again now. Must remember next time to check the water first!

Broken Fan Belt.

Discovered yesterday during our journey that the starter alternator fan belt had broken, replaced it this morning, without too much fuss apart from the sheared alternator bolt, but had a spare handy fortunately. Not a difficult job except there are 4 fan belts in all, and this one was the rearmost of the 4, so the other 3 had to be removed first to be able to get the new one fitted, so both the domestic alternator and the engine water pump had to be slackened to remove the 3 belts, a pain but such is life. I obviously have my strength back to be able to shear a bolt!

Keith.

Napton Junction to Bridge No.126 on the Southern Oxvrod Canal

Moored at Bridge No.126 on the Southern Oxford canal, on the summit level midway between Wormleighton and Priors Hardwick, where we will spend the Bank Holiday weekend.

Napton Hill windmill.

 

Our journey up through Napton locks was made easier with the help of the volunteer lockie who went ahead of us setting the locks in our favour.

Marston Doles top lock of the Napton flight.

  However I noticed during our journey that the ignition light was on, checked when we stopped and fortunately only a broken alternator fan belt, something to fix over the weekend.

Last night I thought my laptop had thrown a wobbly, Windows wouldn't boot up properly, but all OK this morning, wasn't looking forward to having to do a full recovery.

Keith.

Long Itchington to Napton Junction.

We are now moored Braunston side of Napton junction, locked up through Stockton locks with a nice couple, and we were in amongst the Lichfield Cruising Club, which meant we had plenty of help. We had to do Calcutt locks on our own as our companions stopped at the top of Stockton locks, but we had the last few boats of the cruising club behind us which helped. I turned right at Napton junction, but reversed back to the piling to moor up against, rather than chance there being no mooring space at Napton Bridge or the bottom of the locks. Moored up just in time as can be seen by the black cloud heading our way !

Stockton Bottom lock, only 9 more to go.

  Lichfield Cruising Club in front of us.

Our lock companions for the Stockton flight.

 

Willow Wren’s new training centre,much has changed since we last passed here in 2013.

 

One for my family, our home town

    Napton junction.

 

 

Keith.

Welsh Road Lock to Long Itchington

Once the rain stopped we set off for Long Itchington, having arrived here the sun is now shining for us :)

Bottom Buscott lock.

 

Bustcott top lock. There was a slight delay at these locks as the pound below the staircase locks was empty, apparently, but by the time we had arrived the 2 boats coming down the locks had sorted it out.

 

We have moored just West of bridge 26 good deep mooring on rings.

Keith.

Radford Semele to Welsh Road Lock

Bit chilly this morning when we set off, but warming up nicely, now moored above Welsh Road lock. Having just moored up I spotted this horse and van crossing the bridge, just about got my camera out in time!

 

  Radford lock, the start of the uphill climb.

 

Having just moored up above Welsh Road lock  I spotted this horse and van crossing the bridge, just about got my camera out in time!

Keith Lodge.