Turning Around and a Bit of Scrumping.

 Saturday 25th September 2021 back near Wormleighton.

A cloudy day initially, which turned brighter later.

We have, by now, reached the point at which we need to turn around and head back towards Cropredy. The only winding hole long enough to turn MM is below the first two Marston Dole Locks, so we set off down the locks and then turned at the mouth of the "Old Engine House Arm".

We then had to go back up through the two Marston Dole locks. Next to the top lock is a rather derelict looking lock keeper's cottage, sadly in need of much TLC. A shame, because it could be a lovely house.

Above the lock is a very strange trapezoidal warehouse, built at an angle but with a flat face to the canal. Bizarre!

M walked the next part of the towpath and found a huge field of sweetcorn. She went off scrumping as we both love sweetcorn and this was the result. Sadly, although it looked very good, it was past its best and the corns were tough as old boots! Inedible!

The weather continues to be extraordinary, we have been blessed.

In a field next to the canal there is a land locked narrow boat, looking like it sits in a hole in the ground - which is exactly what it does. One way of avoiding paying a C&RT licence fee?

At the same "Brindley" loop as yesterday, M walked across the fields on a different and longer footpath while R and MM went round the really long way.

M's way nearly turned into the even longer way as the path was not very clear, at one point vanishing through the hedge on a rather rickety bridge.

Finally though, M emerged unexpectedly on to the canal towpath and nearly fell in. Tragically, the whole footpath and the buildings in the distance will soon disappear under a massive viaduct and embankment courtesy of ****H*S*2.

We moord up at a quiet spot. If the photograph was bigger, you could see Napton and its famous windmill on the horizon in the distance.

Another blissful evening to bring out the chairs and read in the light of the setting sun.

The sunset was beautiful and followed by an excellent high pass of the International Space Station, illuminated by the settng sun against a darkening sky. And a tawny owl hooted in the hedgerow beside us. Bliss.

Today: 7 miles, 4 locks and 4.0 hours.

Trip: 469 miles, 252 hours and 236.5 hours.