NB Campanula: Day 3

After the engine threw steam last night I pulled up on the nearest bank which just happened to be full of brambles. In the morning they'd started crawling up the side. I also didn't notice the tree on the other side which was full of very loud birds as I discovered at about 6 in the morning. Still, it helped me get up in time for an early start.

I checked the engine over and took the water pipes off the expansion tank, testing them in the sink (blow through and watch for bubbles) nothing was showing so I tightened everything up, filled up with water, did the oil & stern gland checks & resolved to stop after an hour to check on water. I left the boards up to keep an eye on the engine. Half an hour later a slight hiss was heard & I quickly hit the towpath again to check. This time I could see the problem, a cut in the hose as shown in my last blog. Luckily I brought a toolbox & the split was near the end. A quick nip with a Stanley knife & a search for a spare hose clip (which happily the previous owner had left) sorted the problem & off I went. No problems since.

Cruising the summit was lovely but as it was very early the view was limited. Still spotted the radio mast id read about elsewhere. Filled up with diesel at fenny Compton - 11 quid for a day and a few hours cruising - not bad at all.

Fenny Compton tunnel - why did noone warn me about this?? A long stretch with only room for one boat & lots of nice jagged rocks on the side. Managed through without loss of life or limb. Pretty though.

Hit claydon locks around 11.30 and was very pleased at colin edmondons advice in his book "going it alone" brilliant ideas to see through locks when single handing. Managed them in just over an hour.

Then on towards Cropredy where I met Mike Athy from the canal forums. He waved me down as I approached & I worried I'd been going too fast & offended someone. But no, a warm welcome from mike who'd read about my journey on the forum. A lovely guy, he followed me down a few locks to lend a hand. Cheers mike!

I met dusty on a lock. As I approached the lock his boat was sitting there & noone to be seen, he was up the bank gassing away to someone. Still, I took two bags of coal off him for his trouble.

I stopped at cropredy very tired & in need of nourishment. I'd been recommended two pubs but all was shut! I headed south towards Banbury & got a call from hamish offering a hand with the last leg. He set off north & I headed on in my first proper dark cruising experience. I took it very slowly & even managed three locks before the shadowy vision of hamish appeared on the towpath. We managed a few bridges more & moored up at castle quay in Banbury. Thankfully the skater dudes didn't hang around too long & we were able to sit by the fire listening to bagpipe music & gassing away.

So tomorrow I need to hit lower heyford by 2pm to make sure I can get the train to catch Joseph & Polly's Halloween party. Reminds me a little of steve martins planes trains & automobiles. So another early start required tomorrow.