Fenny Compton to Cropredy (South Oxford Canal)

Going through Fenny Compton tunnel

The forecast was not good for later on today, so we set off quite early at 8.45am, stopped for water by The Wharf pub, then set off along the canal, past Fenny Marina and along Fenny Compton tunnel, a steep thickly wooded cutting, it was converted into a cutting in 1868, it is very narrow towards the end.  

Going through the lift bridge

We chugged on along the canal, there is a lift bridge on this stretch, and I was just gearing up to operate it when it came into view and it was open, how lucky was that, when we went through it we could see that it is permanently left open, we went on and eventually came to the Claydon flight of five locks, didn’t take too long to get through there as there were a couple of boats coming up, they are a really nice flight of locks set right in the countryside. We chugged on and through the next three locks, then we were almost at Cropredy where we planned to moor, so we started looking for a suitable spot.

Claydon top lock

We went past Cropredy marina, there were a few moorings there but we decided to go a bit further as we had been told by other boaters that there were moorings just above Cropredy lock.  We went through a narrow bit, then came to the moorings which were pretty full, but there was one gap, but wasn’t sure if we would fit in it, but Kev gave it a try.  The chap on the boat behind came out to give us a hand and offered to move back a bit so we would fit, but we said we would ask the boat in front to move up as in front of them was a huge space, so Kev went and tapped on the window and said to the chap that we were trying to moor behind him but needed just a bit more space, so please could he move up a bit, he replied I am a bit busy at the moment!  Kev said oh that’s okay, it won’t take long.  We waited for a few minutes and then he came out with a face like thunder, he said to Kev there are more moorings down below the lock, and Kev said yes but we want to moor here and anyway there’s a huge space in front of you and in busy places like this, you should move up to accommodate other people, he replied if you tell me what to do, this boat is moving nowhere, what a friendly chap!!

Cropredy

Shop at Cropredy near canal

We were going to help him move his boat down, but with his attitude we didn’t bother, he almost went in the water when he was on the back of the boat and went to get off and the back went out and he had to jump for the bank, I was praying he would miss the bank, would have been sweet justice, and also if he had asked for help to get out, we could have said sorry I am a bit busy at the moment, but he just made it.  The boat is called Annie Louise so beware if you meet him, he is a real happy soul!!

 

All moored up, we went for a walk up into the village of Cropredy, it’s a really nice place, very peaceful, with two pubs and a well stocked village shop.  We are going to stay here tomorrow as well so will have another walk around then and explore a little more.

Moored at Cropredy