Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 22:24:32 +0100 From: Glen Peckett Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Badger's Trip (Longish) [ The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set. ] [ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set. ] [ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ] OK, I'm not much of one for reading trip reports myself, but others may be interested in our exploits! I'll try to keep it reasonably brief. Any detail errors will, no doubt, be corrected by Steve and Mandy! Friday Crew (self, Steve & Mandy Morley) assembled late in the evening at Gayton Marina Saturday Planned early departure for Napton Bridge (we'd already made a dinner reservation) was delayed whilst a forgotten bag was collected from MK! Day was hot so sun tan lotion came out fairly early. We worked up Buckby on our own, then had a fairly torrid time in Braunston. It was very murky, there were loads of boats coming the other way, with dazzling headlights. A couple of them stopped dead which caused Steve (who was steering) even more problems. Arrived at Braunston top lock to be waved into the lock by another Northampton IWA committee member! Fast run down the locks, therefore, and a reasonable run round to Napton (apart from attempts by a boat from Calcutt to ram us as they came out of the junction at full speed) meant we were tied up around 6 o'clock. this gave time for showers before going to the pub. Good meals and reasonable beer, although it got a little noisy late on when the football had finished. If it's always this busy you'll need to book if you want the restaurant! Sunday Another early departure as we were aiming for Cropredy. Good run up Napton, and reasonable speed over the pounds meant another reasonably early tie up. We then had a Roast Turkey dinner - Badger style - see the (eventually) forthcoming Badger Recipe Book for details. Visited the pub (Red Lion) - best described as an "honest local's pub" - friendly and we sat outside, although this is virtually in the car park so not ideal for kids. Monday I set off early, leaving rest in bed, with the aim of working down the lock myself and doing water, rubbish, etc. then the next pound. In the end an uphill boat helped me through the lock, and Steve appeared just as I had tied up. He went off to the shop for bread (so fresh it was still warm) and milk, etc. Boat ran well until north side of Banbury when the engine died. Immediately realised (been there before) that the diesel tank I thought was half full wasn't! Switched to the other tank and fortunately it all bled through OK, lost us quite a bit of time though as we were then stuck behind another boat. Rest of the day went smoothly. We duly inspected the new shopping centre at Banbury (yuck) and the "preserved" Tooly's Yard (one building and a hole in the ground) - I'm not convinced all the effort was worth it if this is all that was saved, but we'll reserve judgement for now. Our aim for the night was either Thrupp or, if time was short, the Rock of Gibraltar. Decided to stop at "The Rock" as it was getting towards 7 o'clock. The moorings on the pub garden didn't look particularly inviting so we motored through the bridge - to find almost the entire length to Baker's Lock taken up with long-term moorings. Continued to Thrupp taking showers on the way so we were still in The Boat by around 8.15. There wasn't a lot of visitor mooring space left, but we found a space. If the 14 day moorings are full it's worth contacting one of the Cruising Club's security boats, as they may find room for you. Had an excellent meal in the garden of the pub, watching locals play a slightly odd game. It seemed to consist of throwing large sticks at a wooden door knob on a metal stand with the aim of knocking it off. If anyone can explain we'd be grateful. Tuesday Morning was very wet as we motored down into Oxford. Not very impressed with the visitor moorings! After a bit of shuffling though we managed a reasonable spot. Spent the afternoon in the city, including a visit to "The Oxford Experience" - sort of like an academic Jorvik! Evening meal was venison stew - we'd visited the indoor market! Had a visit early evening from a friend who works in Oxford. Wednesday Shopping, being tourists, etc. Weather was intermittent, sun came out (briefly) just after Steve and I had been up the Carfax Tower to take photos. Worth noting that for general shopping you can walk up into Jericho from Bridge 242 where there are late night supermarkets, etc. Evening meal was a Mongolian Wok Barbecue! I'd sampled these before in the USA, but it was new for the other 2. Basically after your starter you simply go and take what meat, vegetables, sauces, etc. you want from a selection "bar" in a bowl, then give them to the cooks who cook them for you on a giant wok. You can go up as many times as you like within a 2 hour limit! Thursday Morning was spent doing more shopping and some odd jobs (like fixing the tiller again - I've Araldited the errant screw in now). Afternoon we boated back up the Thrupp, again weather wasn't brilliant. Just after we'd left a boat coming the other way looked familiar - it was Dunlin who tie on the same pontoon in the Marina! Having moored outside the Jolly Boatman at Thrupp we surveyed and decided to more into the village as the moorings are further from the main road. Having got into the Boat we found there were no tables free for meals, however as soon as another group finished we were seated and had another excellent meal. Friday Boated up to Aynho in slightly better weather. Little of note during the day. At this point Steve and Mandy left to scrutineer on the BCN challenge and Bruce joined me for the next stretch - Bruce's family were supposed to be with him to free me to join Jeff and Coronation however it didn't work out that way. Bruce and I spent the evening in the Great Western - not as cheap as it used to be but not bad! Bruce's Steak Sandwich was pronounced excellent. Saturday Target had been Fenny Wharf, however the previous night's beer had talked and persuaded us into a 5 a.m. start! We had a good run through to the top of Napton, where it started to rain. Some delays down the flight from oncoming boats, we quickly caught by a 30' Sea Otter so we finished the flight together. Words were exchanged with the Woodings on the way past! After a "Bruce Special" for dinner (corned beef is the major ingredient of these) we retired to The Folly for drinks - holding a mini-GIG with the Woodings whilst there. Sunday Later start than really intended - aiming for Bugbrooke. We got there, although both flights were slow. We shared with another boat up Braunston but everyone turned off for Leicester except us! Worked down Buckby alone. We reached Bugbrooke late afternoon, so went straight to The Wharf! When Steve and Mandy returned from Birmingham Bruce went home whilst we stayed and ate in the pub. Monday Steve and Mandy returned to MK by car. After a couple of lunchtime pints I boated back to Gayton and also went home. Glen Peckett ---