Good Bye Snails Pace

Tuesday 26th August

Continue descent of Napton flight. Snails Pace follows behind with the children and their parents lending a hand. Do essential jobs at sanitary station and visit the excellent shop at the bottom lock. Receive a glancing blow from a Willow Wren NB which was coming out of the bottom lock. No apology offered by non English speaking crew. This was the same boat which closed the gates on an ascending boat at the second lock up, stealing their water and making them wait an additional 15 minutes. What it gained them is incomprehensible as they still had to wait for the bottom lock! Then, to cap it all they just moored at the bottom for a drink. MAD. Wave goodbye to Snails Pace as we continue towards Braunston and the North Oxford Canal. See Eric Openshaws boat moored at Braunston. Cruise on and moor just past bridge 87 in a pleasant location. 6 locks only today.

Monday 25th.
Set off about mid day and have an almost perfect ascent of the Claydon Locks. Follow two other boats through Fenny Compton tunnel, making it an easy passage. Could not take on water at Fenny Compton as some selfish boater had moored between both water taps and gone off somewhere leaving their boat. Cruise through a most beautiful section to Napton. Arrive at top lock to find NB Snails Pace taking on water. Stop for a chat and take on water also. Moor after three of the locks behind Snails Pace. Rebecca and Lauren vist our boat. Poor Lauren had sore fingers having trapped then in the front door of Snails Pace.

Sunday 24th August
A wet start to the day. Cruise to Cropredy where stock up on essential supplies. Ascend 3 more locks and moor below Claydon bottom lock.