Gibraltar to Kings Sutton

 Thu 26^th August  Bakers Lock to Northbrook Lock

As we set off this morning, there was a boat coming down in the lock, so we went straight in. As we left, another boat was waiting at the top, so that was easy. There was a guy from Canal and River Trust there, and James had a short but deep conversation with him, after he said he thought that all religions were the same.

There is a long line of boats above the lock, so progress was very slow. We were surprised to see that the Rock of Gibraltar pub was closed and boarded up. This is a prime canalside location, with passing boat traffic, and a busy road, so there should have been plenty of customers. On the occasions when we have visited in the past, the service has been very poor, so maybe that was the reason.

Closed pub

Just after this, James dropped his secateurs in the canal, while trying to snip back some of the protruding foliage on the offside. We spent some time trying to find it with the magnet, but either we missed it, or it doesn’t have magnetic parts. We noticed that the line of immaculate moorings at Enslow that used to have mainly Kingsground boats now had all sorts of boats moored, some in poor condition.

Pigeon Lock followed, and then Jane’s Enchanted Tea Garden and the quarry.

Pigeon Lock

The quarry had some continuous moorers, with lots of “stuff” spread out under the bushes. The next section runs alongside the River Cherwell, with trees and bushes on both sides. We saw a muntjac eating some greenery, and it didn’t seem bothered by us going past.

Muntjac

We moored just before Northbrook Lock, and had a pleasant sunny afternoon, watching lots of boats going past, many of them hired from Oxfordshire Narrowboats at Lower Heyford.

Moored near Northbrook Lock

James went to explore, and found a way to get up onto Northbrook Bridge, which crosses both the canal and the river. The river bridge is much older than the canal bridge.

Northbrook Bridge

Sunset at Northbrook

2 locks, 4 miles. Dep 0955, arr 1200

Fri 27^th August   Northbrook Lock to Upper Heyford

As we prepared to leave this morning, a boat was coming down in Northbrook Lock, just like yesterday, so we had no need to set the lock. The bottom gate wouldn’t open fully, so James had to keep pressure against the beam to allow enough room for the boat. Single boaters must find this difficult.

Northbrook Lock

The next lock was Dashwood Lock, which has had some problems, and there was a temporary lock beam on the bottom gate. Again, this would not open fully, so we gained a few scratches on our newly painted rubbing strakes. It is what they are there for. Helping us through was a couple on Meg, and we gave them a BCF leaflet.

Dashwood Lock

We have noticed that the harvest has begun.

As we arrived at Lower Heyford, we saw an amazing rooftop garden, with vegetables as well as flowers. We also spotted Sola Gratia, recently sold by Tim and Tracey, Canal Ministries friends of ours. Also, there was Bluebell, the boat that was behind us at Kidlington Green, and in front of us in Thrupp. We saw the people walking their dog.

Garden on the roof

Sola Gratia

Bluebell

We stopped to fill up our water tank, using the new hose we had bought in Aldi. James nipped across the bridge to Lower Heyford Wharf and bought a bottle of milk. Shops are very scarce between Oxford and Banbury. There were a lot of hire boats in, as it was changeover day. James had a chat with the guy on In Too Deep.

Lower Heyford

There is a lift bridge round the corner, which is now fully powered, so Hazel was happy to take a key and press a button.

Mill Lift Bridge

At Upper Heyford there is an ancient barn before Allen’s Lock. Flushed with her success at operating a powered lift bridge, Hazel decided she would push lock gates for a change.

Tithe barn

Allen’s Lock

Hazel getting some exercise

We moored half a mile further on, between bridges 202 and 203.

Moored at Upper Heyford

3 locks, 4 miles, 1 lift bridge. Dep 1040, arr 1320. 35 minutes at water point.

Sat 28^th August  Upper Heyford to Kings Sutton

We crossed under the railway, and the first lock was Heyford Common Lock. It looked as though it was in need of maintenance, especially the cill by the top gate.

Heyford Common Lock

This area is mainly farming land, with scattered villages, generally on higher ground, and thus away from the canal.

Open country

Buzzard on a hay bale

Young ducks in a huddle

We came to Somerton Deep Lock, the deepest on the Oxford Canal at 12ft. A boat was coming down, so we tied up and James went to help. The lady there said the bottom gate had been difficult to close. It was easy enough to open, and when they left, Hazel brought the boat in, and James closed the gate with no problem. When we reached the top, there was another boat waiting to come down.

Somerton Deep Lock

Chisnell Lift Bridge is usually open

At Aynho, another railway line joins from Bicester, on a high viaduct. The railway north of here is much busier as a result.

Railway viaduct at Aynho.

We decided we didn’t need any facilities or shopping at Aynho Wharf, as Banbury is not far away. When we arrived at Aynho Weir Lock, we were surprised to find a lock queue, with two boats in front of us. This is another strangely shaped lock, with a rise of only 1ft. If the Cherwell is in flood, this lock protects the rest of the canal from flooding, as the river crosses the canal at this point.

Lock queue and Aynho Weir Lock

The towpath bridge over the Cherwell

The lock queue continued at Nell Bridge Lock, where there is no towpath under the bridge, so everyone has to cross the fast road that goes over the canal here. After the lock there is a bend, and the site of an old lift bridge, with a pinch point. Another boat was coming towards us, and he seemed to take ages before deciding to slow down and stop, going sideways across the canal.

There is a farm shop and tearoom here, which was busier than we have ever seen it. We didn’t stop. It was very noisy from the M40, as the wind was blowing the sound towards us. We planned to go under the motorway and find a mooring the other side.

Under the M40

Some wildlife sightings:

Muscovy Duck

Deer

Juvenile Moorhen

There is an invasive plant that looks a bit like rhubarb, that is all along the towpath in this area. It doesn’t seem to grow on the other side of the canal, and James has a theory that it is spread by the mowers that come along the tow path.

Invasive plant

When we arrived at Kings Sutton, there was yet another boat in the lock queue, which must have set off from the farm shop. The lock was taking a very long time, and we couldn’t even get into the side for twenty minutes to find out what was happening. The first boat had sent two small children up to set the lock, and the paddle gear was stiff, so they had only opened one paddle. Once James was up there, things moved a bit quicker.

Lock queue at Kings Sutton Lock

We moored up soon after the lock, where the motorway noise was a bit less. However, we had trains blasting in their horns as they rushed through King’s Sutton station. They were quiet at night.

Moored at Kings Sutton

James went for a walk and took a few photos

Farmers at work

Kings Sutton

Autumn hedgerows

Evening Light at Kings Sutton

5 locks, 8 miles. Dep 0950, arr 1515

Next: A short run, just four miles and two locks into Banbury, where we hope to see Peter and Fran Braybrook when they return from the IWA festival in Worcester.