Once again the weather forecast wasn’t great on Wednesday last week ...
... we had decided to leave Braunston behind for a few days - the post I’m expecting has not arrived and won’t be delivered now before Friday.
We turned south at the junction onto the Oxford Canal once more, where the scrawny freshly sheared sheep and the laid back calves were prepared for the rain ahead ...
... and Mr and Mrs Swan with their tribe weren’t at all bothered.
Passing Barby Marina again - I want to know what those disks in the water are for - it must be great fun manoeuvring within the space!
It is soooo busy - although I realise it’s still half term - but it’s all good fun!
Beautiful Marsh Irises line the water
We’d followed the blue boat for quite a few miles but not sure what he’s doing here on the left of the canal, we wondered if he was trying to moor - then a boat comes round the corner and has to pass on the wrong (right) of him - if you get my drift!
And then he does decide to moor up - not a good place at all by a bridge on a sharp bend!
As is its want ... the rain came down in buckets as we approached Hillmorton Locks and George got off. There were 3 boats waiting in front of us and 4 behind and the to plocks were manned by a lock keeper...
... the only problem was we’d been told to leave the gates open but no-one was coming up so I can only imagine that the queue at the top was going to get much longer.
And yes you’ve guessed it - just as we left the bottom lock the rain stopped!
What a shame this is at Clifton Wharf
Moored up for the night at bridge 58 - the Tesco stop ...
... and the promise threat of what’s to come tonight!
It was pandemonium when we left Brownsover just after 10 on Thursday morning
The Swan kids are going puddle jumping in the muddy towpath!
After emptying and filling appropriate tanks at Rose Narrowboats, Stretton Stop we winded (turned) and set off once again ... 70mph gusts and driving rain have been forecast for tomorrow (Friday) so we pulled over at All Oaks Woods where we managed to get the bow onto the visitor moorings and using pins at the stern and hunkered down till Saturday while the weather buffeted us and passing boats continued without pause!
This morning - the visitor moorings are just about empty, the wind has eased and the sky is somewhat brighter ...
... it looks as if someone has had a jolly Jubillee weekend on this mooring on the Barby Straight.
We stopped for water at the Barley Mow after Newbold Tunnel where I’d not noticed this information board before ...
... and where we could hear laughter from the tunnel mouth - from one of Rose Narrowboat’s Day Boats on which the Captain was celebrating a big birthday! Happy Birthday Captain!
And just a short distance away at Newbold Visitor Moorings we see Sanity Again - there’s Sheila saying hello ...
... and this narrowboat - we love the shape of the stern and the cratch set-up at the bow ...
... and this sleeping feline taking advantage of the ‘no rain’ ...
... but at least the rain and occasional sun has brought out these lovely red poppies ...
... and the palest of pink dog roses.
Over the River Avon aqueduct and back onto the visitor moorings at Brownsover.
Another shopping expedition has taken place and dinner is just about ready to serve ...
... and lo and behold - what a wonderful sky!
So, is this a taste of summer - rain, wind, too many boats or will the sun shine - bearing in mind that it will be ‘the longest day’ in a few weeks time??
So, is this a taste of summer - rain, wind, too many boats or will the sun shine - bearing in mind that it will be ‘the longest day’ in a few weeks time??
The disks in the water at Barby are the supports for the pontoons -- which probably haven't even been fabricated yet (they're making them themselves).
ReplyDeleteThanks Adam - I wonder if they’ve got money problems - it’s taken ages to get even this far!
ReplyDelete