Wednesday 27th October 2021 at Claydon Locks.
An early start, as we still have 100 miles and 45 locks to do to get back to Aston Marina in eight days.
Here, the Oxford Canal stays close to the M40, or perhaps we should say that the other way round as the canal was here first! To quote Mr Pearson's famous guide book, "Into this exquisite landscape, the M40 intrudes like a kick in the groin." Says it all!
This cotoneaster looked magnificent beside Broadmoor lock.
Our sense of urgency stemmed mainly from the fact that this lock, Varney's Lock, is due to close on 1st November so that the bottom gates can be replaced. If we had not gone through this lock by then, we would have had to stay south for the winter.
You don't have to look too closely to see why these gates need replacing; they are held together with metal bars screwed into rotten wood.
What a relief to be through!. There are no more November closures due on the rest of our route.
We moored up for the night at the bottom of the Claydon Lock Flight, intending to make a very early start tomorrow.
Today: 6 miles, 7 locks and 3.7 hours.
Trip: 499 miles, 251 locks and 255.8 hours.
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