Monthly Archive: August 2013

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Tickover on the North Oxford

Onley to All Oaks Wood, near Brinklow: 11 miles, 3 locks            “So where’s Brinklow?” you may ask. In canal terms this sunny evening mooring is midway between the western side of Rugby and the eastern side of Coventry – and quite definitely in Warwickshire.             As the Captain was about to draw away from the towpath this morning the sage voice of another boater advised him not to bother – he was number 2 in a boat convoy that...

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Company on board

Norton Junction to  Onley (North Oxford Canal):  7.5 miles, 1 tunnel, 6 locks           Godmanchester Friend came to call today. There had been a late evening phone call last night. “Where are you? Where will you be tomorrow? I have too much to do, I shouldn’t , I can’t, I think I will…! And where is Braunston?”  Self-respecting canalaholics will know that it is in the heart of the country, the junction of the Grand Union Canal going north to...

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Can ignorance be bliss?

Bugbrooke to Norton Junction: 8.4 miles, 7 locks            It was a quiet morning’s cruise, due to be punctuated by a stop at Stowe Wharf for diesel (“No way mate, got 2000 litres of diesel here but the pump won’t work!”) and a quick shopping trip in Weedon Bec. The Grand Union Canal wends its way through the golden-coloured Northamptonshire fields, sometimes close to the railway line, at other times further away. From the water you see faces of buildings not...

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Conversations (and a massive Monkton Moment*)

Grafton Regis to Bugbrooke:10¼ miles, 7 locks            It’s not reaching the destination that makes boating such a joy but who you meet and what you see en route – take today for example…            It was drizzly first thing but luckily the rain had stopped by the time Stoke Bruerne Bottom Lock was reached. In a smooth operation the locks were climbed, paired with the rather shorter Shufflepast whose crew of two adults, three children and a spaniel made...

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North – and west and north again (plus a MM*)

Milton Keynes to Grafton Regis: 13.25 miles, 1 lock            At 1120 today Cleddau drew out of the Milton Keynes Marina, turned left and started Phase 5 of the summer cruise, now heading back to the Macclesfield Canal.  The views were familiar since only two days ago there had been a sunny boat trip this way with neighbours and an outdoor lunch at the Black Horse in Great Linford. The addition on the front deck (the blooms a perfect match...