The Hodma'dod: Back in the marina

So we made it back to the marina yesterday having had a pleasant last couple of weeks. When we left Warwick the intention had been to come directly back to the marina but the weather was at last looking as though it was improving so we took a bit of a detour and turned south on to the Oxford canal and went down to Napton and on to Fenny Compton. The south Oxford canal is very rural and meanders tremendously (I think it may have been a side line for Slartibartfast after his success with the Norwegian Fiord's- see Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy for explanation!)

We stayed a night at Napton on the way out and two nights on the way back; a very pleasant mooring and delightful village not to mention the very characterful pub "The Folly" with exceptional helpings of food - think Desperate Dan size pies.

We had arranged to meet Ben and Jenny (our son and Daughter in law) for the final leg back from Braunston to Yelvertoft so moored at Braunston on Friday. We collected the anchor we had ordered ready for next years trip which will include some river work and then had a meal at The Boathouse with B & J ready to set off the next day to the marina. Saturday dawned a beautiful crisp Autumn day and we soon decided that we should enjoy it to the full so moored up above Watford staircase locks rather than go all the way home. It was one of the few occasions through out the summer where we have been able to sit out on the towpath and proved a great way to end our trip.

Sunday dawned grey but dry in the morning so we set off fairly early to get back to the marina and made it by 11.30 about an hour before the rain commenced so good timing for once. We then had lunch in the marina and I took B & J back to their car in Braunston. I was amazed to find that our car started on the first turn of the key having been standing outside all this time - at least the first turn after I remembered that I had to have my foot on the brake to let the ignition work. It then took a while to find the light switch but I found I could still remember how to drive!

So ends our first summer on the cut. We plan to spend the rest of this week (weather permitting) tiding up the boat - its inevitable with narrow boating that you sustain scratches and marks below the gunnel's going through locks etc - and then back to Bungay.

We are already planing next year with the Kennet and Avon being the starting point and a visit to Bath.

See you all soon.