We got off early and I thought my hopes for a good trip were dashed from the start when a very slow hire boats passed just as we were about to let go. They very kindly let us pass though.
The wheat is looking just about ready for harvesting. I love this country's system of footpaths as it allows a path to go right through an arable field, because it 'always has'.
These escapees were making a dash for freedom down the towpath.
I hadn't seen a pill box like this one before then there were several today. Apparently they are type 26 They look prefabricated with the uprights slotting in the blocks. I thought that it would be flimsy but the blocks are about 18" thick. I can feel a subject of a blog coming on here sometime as I have plenty of pictures of fortifications around the system.
As we carried on we were passing other boats that were just about ready to get underway. In the end we were very lucky as we arrived at the Napton top lock at Marston Doles first in the queue for the water. After us there was a real backlog of boats waiting for the tap.
The trip down Napton Locks was quite easy with boats coming up to swap with at most locks. A couple of pounds were a little low but all evened out in the end.
As we came round Napton Hill we had a good view of the windmill before the junction.
We carried on a little further before mooring up for the day. After lunch we went for a walk to Flecknoe. Unfortunately the Old Olive Bush pub was shut. The church was only small and built in 1891. Apparently the nearest church was Wolfhampcote but it was a couple of miles or more. The vicar wanted to build a church in Flecknoe. The Wolfhampcote church was given money by the railway company as they wanted to build a station and line over the vicarage land. The also had the services of a priest Architect to design the building. This turned out a poor deal as they foundations were not substantial enough and the small bell tower collapsed as did the porch.
Disused railway bridge along with a thankfully still well used canal bridge. The railway line was the one which provided the money for Flecknoe Church.
A bit of colour to finish with.
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