Since our last post we've completed the North Oxford, which I am beginning to like more and more. What a treat it must have been for the nineteenth century working boats having all those wide straight runs with no locks and how they must have marvelled at the steep high embankments raising them above the land below. Of course it would have been less tree lined then and so whilst they'll have had great views, they will have missed the lovely shaded glades and all the bird song which accompanied us for hours on end.
You see a fair few of these iron bridges along this route.
They span the little arm-remnants of where the old bendy canal went before all the straightening happened. It looks like the iron balustrades were transported there in big half-one-side pieces and then assembled on site. I presume the iron sections came there by canal - quite a sight I would think. A number of the little side arms so created now find use as boatyards.
The first night we moored just short of All Oaks Wood where we stood outside at sunset with the man from the adjacent boat and enjoyed the colours in the sky.
Next night we made it all the way to bridge 87 (henceforth know as 'the place wot Adam showed us'). Actually, having eulogised about the N Oxford, I don't like the bit between Hillmorton and Bridge 87 much. It seem to drag on a bit. The remaining bit into Braunston is of course lovely. We got another great sunset at B87.
Today being our last full day of the trip, we have made our way to Napton in order to enjoy the delights of the Folly garden. Mooring was very tight and we only just got in thanks to Kath asking another boat to move to close up the gap in front of them. This they did, but not cheerfully. Anyway our thanks are due to them.
Tomorrow it's back to Ventnor and then the drive home to see if our garden plants have survived the heat.
1 comment:
I’m quite chuffed you went back to Br 87! It is a nice spot.
Btw, we thought that as Van Morrison was playing we couldn’t not see him — but all agreed it was a bit boring. No connection with the crowd, just one song after another, like listening to a tape.
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