Two Connections To Hull.

 I did hear the trains pass occasionally, but I slept well the rest of the time.

We got going about 9:45, just as boats were passing from each direction. A little after getting away we passed a weir and I noticed on the concrete posts was the OCC of the 'Oxford Canal Company'.

The ironstone buildings at Twyford Wharf look attractive. In 1882 the wharf consisted of a dwelling, a barn and a stables along with four enclosed fields, making over 17 acres. It looks like there is a camping and caravan field there now as well as a a few  narrow boats for hire too.

This photo was taken not for the lifting bridge really, but to show that the sun was really trying to break through. I didn't succeed!

Once again there was a mile post where their was supposed to be on this morning. I wonder why most of the others were removed? This one doesn't reveal the four holes for a plate to have been attached though.

As I looked back from Grants Lock I could see the lift bridges where we had come from. For some reason they made me think of a couple of dinosaurs crossing the countryside.

Just before entering Grants Lock is bridge 174. As you can see there is an older number built into the brickwork, 148! Where did the extra 26 bridges come from? I was wondering if it was the addition of the strecth from Napton to Braunston but this is only 14 bridges. I'm sure somebody will be able to tell me.

It seems that the original route of the canal went more or less straight on here, but has been diverted slightly so the bridge under the M40 is at 90 degrees rather than at a slant. It resumes the original route just the other side of the motorway. The lady leaning against the wall is a littler picker. This seems to be the limit of her beat from Banbury. When we passed this way south she was out and about with the tools of her trade too.

As we cleared the motorway I took a fancy to the trees up ahead. Their scale and shape attracted me.

Today was the first time I had a close look at the 'hinge'of these iconic Oxford Canal Lift Bridges. It looks like a Scherzer rolling bascule type bridge. These are named after the American engineer who invented them. The first to be built was in Chicago in 1895. The advantage of them is that the rolling motion along the rack reduces friction and actually means that the base of the bridge is moved clear of the gap intended for passage, rather than still jutting out. Several of the bridges across the River Hull at home are like this, but on a much larger scale.

The new housing south of Banbury seems to be growing. We did notice that there is a green space park already laid out with lit walk ways and a nice kids playground there. I did wonder if this was old industrial land but it looks as if it was agricultural until built upon.

I noticed that the permanent mooring as you approach Banbury are called Banbury Tramway Moorings. I looked on the old maps thinking that an old plateway or tramway ran alongside the towpath in the area, but it seems not. However It seems that the tramway ran from the west bank to the east connecting two sections of the Britannia Works. A small agricultural implement maker had been bought in 1848 by Bernhard Samuelson who had been born in Hamburg, but brought up in Hull! Under him the company grew and expanded over the canal to close to the railway station. To connect the two a tramway was built.

This extract from 1898 shows the extent of the works and the tramway. Samuelson was a great employer paying well above the going rate and looking after his workers in many ways, housing recreation, pensions, education etc. The company made digging and mowing equipment, chaff and linseed cutters, lawnmowers, rollers, reapers, churns and turnip cutters etc. He became the areas MP in 1858 and mostly stayed so for 30 years, and was made a Baron in 1884. He died in 1905 and the lower works (near the station) had a massive fire which, despite rebuilding etc started the company of the slippery slope. The works closed in 1933.

We moored up before the rain before Albion Bridge and after a bit to eat Helen went off to do some shopping after a walk to Sainsburys. I stayed and laid the new carpet in the bedroom. The lack of space was a real trial trying to cut out from a large piece. I managed tolerably well, and Helen said she was pleased with the results. (She would have to say that wouldn't she). We then went into town for a bite to eat. Helen was very pleased to have a small experience of of the 'fun of the fair' as she had missed Hull Fair which almost never does. It is the largest travelling fair in Europe. She actually only goes for the Carver's chips, brandy snap and chocolate cinder toffee! After leaving Hull they rides etc disperse and some have found there way to Banbury for their Michaelmas Fair that has been going for 500 years or more. Some of the roads and squares were closed off until Sunday. Shaming it was raining. 

On the way back to the boat we saw this 'mural'? Banksy'esque I suppose.