The Beautiful Oxford Canal

As the forecast was for more hot weather we set off at 6am.  Barney and I walked the 1/2 hour to the bottom of the Napton Flight.  We paused briefly to use the sani station and then had a wonderful climb up the flight in sunny but not too hot weather.  We did not meet a single boat until the last of the Marsdon Doles 2 locks.

Ready to climb up the Napton Flight

Looking back to the bottom lock

Makes a change from meeting cyclists! 

As I rose in each lock I marvelled at the fantastic countryside around here.

Sadly there was one blot on the landscape...............

The sani station at the bottom lock

Surely we can manage things better than this.........we have just returned from cruising down the Rhine and visited many small and larger villages and also towns.  Everywhere was scrupulously clean....if we went for an early morning walk, street cleaners were out.......come on CRT....... 
Our intention was to moor in Cropredy for the weekend but a passing boat has informed us that it is already very busy there as the Cropredy Festival is in just under 2 weeks time, so we are rethinking our plans........instead of carrying on to Fenny Compton today we have stopped short, found a delightful mooring in the shade whilst we cogitate on the matter...........................


Total distance:7.79 miles 
Elapsed time:4h40m13s 
Locks:9
Bridges:16 
Average speed:1.67 mph (3.60 lock/mph)