This was also the point where my
chauffer was supposed to pick me up, unfortunately a breakdown in communications meant she was at a different bridge and it was over an hour before she found me. Naturally it was all my fault though it did lead to a very peaceful Saturday night and Sunday as it was tea time before she started speaking to me again! Luckily I was back in her good books and she dropped me off again to start the short section up to Napton Bridge. This might sound silly but this section is downhill, the Napton flight comprises of nine locks dropping down a total of 49 feet and one inch. Like I said hard work on a boat but a piece of cake on foot. The 11 mile section of the canal from
here back to Claydon marks the summit of the Oxford canal and there is an arm off here that is known as Marston Doles engineering arm and was the site of the pump house, which would have be used to bring water up to this high point. It has long gone but the arm is a popular spot for permanent moorings. I am begining to get really interested in boat names and where they originate. Most owners are happy to chat and answer my questions, ‘Slaycrab’ is as close as one owner could get to Barclays spelt backwards. He felt he owed it to them as they paid for the boat! ‘Final flight’ had a dual meaning; the emblem on the boat was a flying duck. Was it owned by a retired airline pilot or a retired lock keeper? ‘Lucy Crown’ a really old boat that
was originally called Lucy but passed into the hands of a former tax inspector who added crown after the years he worked for them. Now owned by a very contented couple who were just following their noses, happy to stay put or just move a mile or so. ‘Captain Starling’, ‘Mia Vida Loca’, and ‘Miss T Morning’ were just many of the clever are some of the other amusing names. The real star was a stunningly painted boat covered in waterside murals decorated by ‘Canal Art’. They specialise in moving away from the more traditional paint schemes. On the right is the home of Napton
water buffaloes, several fields of big black buffaloes with impressive horns. I am told that the milk makes great ice
cream and the meat which is very low in fat, very good burgers. Passing below Napton windmill I reach
my destination, The Bridge Inn and guess what? No chauffer, she got confused between Priors Hardwick and Priors Marston. She soon arrived however and we backtracked to the Folly Inn alongside the last lock. It re-opened this year after several years of closure and is well worth visiting. You will see that I have again avoided mentioning any bridges, but I really want one for Christmas! There are lots that seem to be where they are for no reason. Many of them no longer appearing to be in use, and number 122 would suit! Napton to Hillmorton next. Only 13 miles if anyone wants to join me as we head up north?
n
August 2011
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