Oxford summit to the Grand Union

13/8/2018


A cool fine day, leaving our mooring at Fenny Compton, heading north, the canal a 49 mile link between the highways of the Thames and the Grand Union.

We'd moored under a tree, which dropped its leaves over Santiago's roof, so the nimble  Cap'n climbs up, wielding his broom.

The canal crosses the summit, 7 miles at the same altitude, a rural landscape of hay cropping, sheep, cattle. The cut fields a painted palette of gold, ochre.

Above Napton the last of the 43 locks of this canal announce themselves, close together, the Cap'n winding the lock gates, 1st mate steering the boat. A familiar rhythm, we move Santiago down the 9 locks, to complete our day late in the afternoon, near the Cap'ns favourite chandlery shop.

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