On to pastures new.

I had little choice this morning, I needed to be on the Grand Union canal at Calcutt Locks by the end of today ready for an appointment tomorrow, so I was happy it was not raining, the forecast was for rain late afternoon, so I set off at 9:30.

It really is lovely cruising on the Oxford Canal both north and south of Braunston Junction.

As you approach the junction itself the church spire rises in the distance

But still the sheep and lambs are grazing in the fields as you reach the first of the line of moored boats indicating not far to go now.

Then it’s negotiate the twin bridges at the junction and onto the Oxford South section.

Leaving Braunston Junction

Heading South on the Oxford canal

I liked this hand painted boat, the result achieved by effectively splodging the paint on the roof was rather nice.

Whereas the result achieved by not painting your boat for a while and allowing a fur coat of algae to form is not so appealing.

The black boat moored just before the bridge was an unusual shape with a bulging main body, and narrow square sections at the bow and stern, it was difficult to get a good picture as I had to negotiate the bridge itself, and the sign on the hutch on the cruiser roof moored in the middle said ‘Ferrets In – Fingers Out’

Passing through more very pleasant countryside and witnessing feeding time in the field.

Then it was a right turn leaving the Oxford at Napton Junction aka Wigrams Turn, as it was known to working boatmen, and onto the Grand Union.

On the short hop along to the locks and I noticed a boat had appeared behind me, as I was mooring up I discovered it was Les and Jacqueline (n.b.Valerie), as I mentioned before when I met them at Milton Keynes, Les was the writer of the first Narrowboat blog I ever read and is largely responsible for my present lifestyle. A shouted hello as they passed to enquire how Jacqueline’s knee was (she has had a knee replacement recently) and they were on their way to the lock, it’s always nice to see them.

Tonights mooring

Totals today: 7.5 miles