From toptrees@email.msn.com Mon May 3 18:16:49 1999 Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 22:44:44 -0000 From: Peter Waite Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: canalnews Subject: TRIP REPORT (RESUMED) PART 4 LONG TRIP REPORT - THE FIRST (PROPER) VOYAGE OF JAMYJOSIPIPE (THE NEW ONE) Crew: Admiral Pippa Skipper Peter Able Seaman James - the Younger (when not asleep) Crew Amy - (when no parties at home) Muscle Power James - the Elder (cheered on by Sarah, when there is no work in the pub) Visitors Grandparents who can find a pub, but not a boat; Friends with CAR to find pub serving food! Day 5 ^Ö HAPPY NEW YEAR Thursday 1 January 1998 New Year^Òs Day and no hang-over, but we did enjoy our evening. Woke up at 07:00 so we were on our way at 08:00 departing lock 14. Despite the cold weather we had to add a pint of coolant to the engine this morning. Beautiful blue sky, cold and frosty. Ice on the lock side Passed the Engine arm ^Ö no sign of Mike and Wa Na watsit? Broke ice on the surface of the canal. We filled with drinking water again at the top of the Napton flight, by the pub. The tow path surface hereabouts is still brown and gritty. Had to move up a bit whilst a full length boat winded. There is a very low footbridge between Bridges 131 and 132. It sags in the middle and I realised that the chimney would not go underneath in the middle, had to veer sharply to port to clear it by an inch. A very quiet and therefore pleasant run along the summit pound. We reached Fenny Compton wharf at 11:45. There were a few people about but the impression was that it was too cold for most. We stopped for lunch just above Claydon Top Lock. I must be relaxing, actually stopping for lunch? Well the weather was passed its best and definitely looking worse. A rather rough afternoon followed, the weather was bad and getting worse. I was determined to get to the cutting below Cropredy lock, between the bridges where I thought we might have some shelter for the night, the wind was rising and it was raining. The worst part of the night was discovering the pubs were all having a night off after the New Year^Òs Eve celebration, so we had to eat on board. There is also a shortage of public phone boxes in Cropredy and the cut is at a low level so mobile reception was poor. DAY 6 Friday 2 January 1998 The weather prospects did not look good. We delayed our start and only cast off (let go) at 08:50. There seemed to be some brighter patches in the sky. The rain in the night had raised water levels yet again. Little Bourton lock was flooding over the top gates and one of the bottom paddles was useless. Surprisingly, it emptied quite quickly. We reached Banbury at about 10:30. There were other boats moving through the lock and taking on water. Mooring was a bit restricted. It looked as though Barry Morse was still doing good business by the number of boats around Tooley^Òs. We decided to go down the lock, under the lift bridge and moor near the bridge below. Pip had great difficulty with the lift bridge but was helped by some young lads who were passing. Fortunately they were responsible, no messing about and we passed safely through. Mooring under the next bridge (big, wide and water proof) was not so easy. The wind was whistling through. We left James on board and went off to shop. Pip for food and me for the bank and some wine. We both ended up at Marks & Spencer, quite handy for the bus station, and ideal if the basin was still there. ^ÓWould you like to collect by car Sir & Madam^Ô asked the check-out girl, helpfully. ^ÓNo, by boat!^Ô we replied. I thought it would have been obvious given that we were wearing oil-skins. However that was the only sensible thing to be wearing as the rain was heavy and horizontal. We rushed back to the boat before the wine got too cold. (Some was red). At 11:45 we were underway again, hoping the weather would improve. However it continued grey, cold and wet with too much wind. We ate lunch past Grant^Òs Lock and then, suddenly the sun was out, shining in a mostly blue sky. It almost felt warm by 14:00. We passed under Nell Bridge, but only just, the water level being higher than usual there was less than 1 cm clearance on the pole rack which I now feel is rather high and close to the side. Is there anywhere on the system with a smaller bridgehole? I was glad to be through. The feeling of contentment did not last long. I approached Aynho weir lock, cautiously. We stopped above the weir and the crew went ahead to open the lock. I lined up nicely for the bridge above the lock, taking account of the Cherwell flowing very strongly across the cut. Never be over confident. Somewhere there was a back-eddy bouncing off the west bank. This nudged the bow against the main current so we hit the bridge with the port side corner of the cabin. We suffered minor damage to the cratch cover and a scrape on the plank / pole rack, which I now realise sticks out rather high. (The wind had not helped the course I was steering either). At Somerton Deep the weather was turning again; the sun went behind the clouds as it was setting and it felt cold again. The wind was very strong. As I held the boat on a single, centre line waiting to go into the lock the force of the wind started pulling the bollards out of the ground. We were now looking for somewhere sheltered to moor for the night. At 17:30 (in the dark again) we moored just below Allen^Òs Lock, opposite the sign advertising the Barley Mow and meals EVERYDAY. A welcome sight. The weather had changed again so the sky was now clear with a bright crescent moon, although not so many stars as on New Year^Òs Eve. Do not believe canalside signs, or the guide books. We could only find one pub in Upper Heyford (the Three Horseshoes seems to have disappeared?) The Barley Mow may still serve Fullers but no food in the winter. Neither does the Crown in Lower Heyford. Fortunately, we had friends visiting with a CAR. When they found us (eventually after going several miles to the north), we embarked on a short tour, and courtesy of the Good Pub Guide found the Horse & Groom at Ca ^ÓFriendly landlady outside lavatory!^Ô (heated). Really excellent pub, highly recommended but a long walk from the cut. Worth persuading friends with a car to visit you if you are near the Heyfords. We entertained the very good friends back on board but the electrics had failed completely by this time. Nearly there, only 3 days to go! Peter Waite At home: At work: toptrees@email.msn.com waitp@entecuk.co.uk Caversham & Entec UK NB Jamyjosipipe Safety & Environment Those who make a big splash have probably gone overboard