We said goodbye to Braunston and turned left onto the Oxford canal We had a real spring in our step cruising in the sunshine.
And moored up at the beautiful bridge 100, to absorb the rays.
But winter wasn’t done with us yet, as there was a frost with ice on the water when we woke the following morning.
And to add to the gloom, we got an email notification from CRT informing us that the planned winter repairs at Stockton locks were overrunning due to the winter weather. Instead of a leisurely 3 day cruise to the locks we were trapped again for another week. And the weather was decidedly iffy. Nothing else for it but to get the jigsaws out.
With dwindling food supplies, and the towpath too muddy to trudge back to Braunston, we moved up to Flecknoe and walked up the hill…
…To the Old Olive Bush pub for Sunday lunch. It happened to be Mothers day so we pushed the boat out and treated ourselves to pudding as well. Really fantastic meal, and warm welcome from landlady Linda and the locals. We’ll visit this pub again.
With just 2 more days of captivity we moved on to Napton Junction, and turned right towards Warwick along to Grand Union Canal
Shared the Calcutt locks with another inmate bemoaning the delays.
The fuel boats had also been caught up with the extended stoppages so we popped into Ventnor marina for diesel. (£1.30l) It always seems a very welcoming marina especially with their golden daffodils outside.
Then joined the queue waiting for CRT to let us on our way.
