2012 cruising the waterways in Almyne



Thu, 1 Mar 2012
2 miles 2 locks
Woke this morning to a thick mist, so decided that it would be a good idea to go shopping. Well, I thought it would be a good idea but after trudging over two miles along the tow path and across the fields I was not so sure.
Got some basics and trudged back. D'fer enjoyed it well enough though.
Early afternoon the sun came out with a vengeance, so did my engine checks and set off towards 'The Jolly Boatman'.
Bumped in to Rob and his brother at Roundham Lock, so got a free ride through that one. Carried on to Langham Lane moorings where I emptied my porta pottie and got rid of the accumulation of rubbish.
Arrived at 'The Jolly Boatman' by five and immediately threw a ball in the canal for D'fer, otherwise he would be likely to race back along the tow path to meet up with Rob's dogs, not a good idea.
Kept D'fer occupied while I moored up, hoping that he would not decide to dry off on my bed, had a cup of tea, a sandwich and settled in for the evening.


Fri 2nd March 2012
Jolly Boatman to Kirtlington, 4 miles 3 locks 3 lift bridge repeat

Sat 3rd March 2012
Kirtlington to Lower Heyford, 4 miles 2 locks repeat

Sun 4th March 2012
Lower Heyford to Somerton, 3 miles 2 locks 1 lift bridge repeat

~Mon 5th March 2012
Somerton to King's Sutton, 5 miles 3 locks 4 lift bridge repeat

Tue 6th March 2012
King's Sutton to Banbury, 3½ miles 2 locks 7 lift bridge repeat
Shopping at Morrisons, replenished diminished store cupboards.

Wed 7th March 2012
Wandered into Banbury for a look around, nothing has changed.

Thu 8th March 2012
Banbury to Cropredy, 5 miles 5 locks 1 lift bridge repeat

Fri 9th March 2012
Cropredy to Fenny Compton, 5½ miles 8 locks repeat
Used the facilities and got a bottle of gas at Fenny Boatyard.

Sat 10th March 2012
Fenny Compton to Marston Doles, 5 miles repeat

Sun 11th March 2012
Marston Doles to Napton, 2 miles 9 locks repeat

Mon 12th March 2012
Napton to Braunston, 5 miles repeat
Shopping in Braunston, a bit expensive but the quality is good and they have a chippy, fish and chips for dinner.

Tue 13th March 2012
Braunston to Hillmorton, 6½ miles repeat
Collected Clive on the way at Tarry's Bridge. He has broken up with his latest woman and is suffering badly. His current project is for a couple who have purchased a pig in a poke. The stern is out of the water because of bad construction and the top has been lifted six inches. Clive is refurbishing the boat, doing all the electrics, insulation, lining and so on. His reward is an escort van and a cruiser. We use the van to go shopping as and when.

Thu 29th March 2012
Hillmorton to Rugby, 3 miles 3 locks repeat
Clive finished his project so we moved on to Rugby and I moored up between the Willow Wren arm and Newbold tunnel.

Fri 30th March 2012
Rugby to Brinklow, 4 miles repeat


Sat 31st March 2012
Brinklow to Hawksbury, 7½ miles repeat