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| Waiting to go into Calcutt Bottom lock |
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| In Calcutt Top Lock |
We decided to leave early again today as the forecast said
there might be rain by lunchtime and we didn’t want to get caught in that,
heaven forbid!! So we set off at 9am up
the canal to the three calcutt locks, there were a few boats coming down, so
didn’t take that long to get through these locks, at the top of the locks is a
boat yard and a water tap which is easy to get to.
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| Sign post at Napton Junction |
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| Turning onto the the South Oxford Canal |
We chugged on and soon we were at Napton Junction, we turned
right on to the South Oxford canal leaving the Grand Union behind us. This is now new territory for us so quite
exciting wondering what places we shall come across and what moorings we shall
find.
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| Napton Windmill |
We chugged on for a bit and then Napton Windmill came into
view which is visible for miles around, but sadly is not open to the
public. We moored just before the The Folly pub which is at the
foot of Napton locks.
For many years, Napton was an important source of clay,
trans-shipped by boat and railway. Today
it is a welcome retreat with good moorings.
Napton hill rises to over 400ft and dominates the immediate
landscape. The village is scattered all
over the hill, climbing steeply up the sides.
The shops and pubs are at the bottom, so that is handy. At the top of the hill is a 13th-C
church and legend has it that the church was to be built on the village green
but the devil persisted in carrying the building stones to the present site
where the church was eventually built!
Apparently seven counties can be seen from the high vantage point, but I
think we will take their word for it as don’t really fancy the climb!
Next to the Folly pub is a small shop selling provisions,
chandlery items, postcards and gifts.
We walked up into the village which is just a short walk
from the canal where there is another shop with a post office. It is a really nice shop selling local
produce, fresh bread, etc., and also has a really nice café. We stopped for a bit of lunch, then walked
back to the canal.
We will be staying here now for a few days as it seems such
a nice area, quite rural and quiet.
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| Moored at Napton on the Hill |
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