Oxford Canal to Banbury and a visit to the Rochdale Canal

The cardioversion for my atrial fibrillation seems to be working as I appear to be in sinous rhythm - hopefully it will continue. We have been home for July and August as we had some race officer/timekeeper commitments at the sailing club. Unfortunately the weather worked against us and in the end we only had to do one race, the others being blown off!!! Other family commitments including a christening in Manchester mean we will only manage a short trip to the Ashby Canal.

A few pictures follow of a visit we made to Hebden Bridge-by car- which is recovering from the terrible flooding they had last Boxing Day. We also managed a short trip down the Oxford canal to Banbury and back again. One of the best things about our canal network is that no matter how long or short you are on it or near it you will always see something of interest or unusual.

The wharf at Hebden Bridge which flooded over the bank by the dry dock and flooded the town.

A rather nice tug 

I think this is lock 11 in the centre of Hebden Bridge

                                 

The lovely Grade 2  listed LNWR  Hebden Bridge station

Our mooring on the Oxford canal past Marston Dole and just before bridge 125

A baby Water Buffalo seen as we went up Napton flight

Anne trying to persuade a couple of swans not to go into the lock- after a good talking to they eventually went out

Sometimes its difficult to get a mooring in Croperdy. CRT have put arrmco in just before bridge 156 - going south.

This lot put their heads over the wall to see what all the noise was about as we went down  Claydon top lock

Even for animals its always greener just that bit further on!

The house at Marston Dole always has something of interest-this time its a BMW Isetta bubble car. I got trapped in one of these when a friend who was driving stopped too near a wall. They have no reverse gear but open from the front. We had to shout until somebody came along and very kindly pushed us back so we could get out. Those were the days of fun motoring!

No long cruise but visits to Monmouthshire and Shrewsbury Canals

Sorry for the long gap between posts but we have not been able to go on a long cruises this year as I have been waiting for consultants and follow up hospital appointments which also involved changes to medication which complicated it all. During a routine visit to the doctors they found that I had Atrial Fibrillation. I have just had a 2nd cardioversion procedure which has reset  my heart rate and hopefully this one will be successful. The cardiology unit staff at our local hospital have been fantastic. Will take it easy in July and August enjoying the summer!!!!! and with luck we will be able to cruise BB in September. We have been on a few visits by car to some canals -pictures below- and have had  a few days out on BB when we knew dates had been arranged.

We had a road trip to Wales which included some watery sites. If you have not been to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum it is well worth the effort but to fully appreciate it you do need 2 days.

The famous Iron bridge over the River Severn-1779- you can see where the graceful lines of the iron bridges on the Oxford Canal came from

The terminus of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in the centre of Brecon

Looking towards the terminus at Brecon

The Ironbridge site is huge but for those interested in canals the area around Coalport is fascinating as the Shropshire Union Canal makes an appearance.  It is linked via the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal that left the Shroppie at Norbury Junction. The canal and tramways connected the site of the Blist Hill Blast Furnaces around Coalport and was connected by the Hay Inclined Plane with a vertical change of 213ft.

Looking down the Hay Inclined Plane in which tub boats were winched up  from Coalport Wharf by the River Severn-last used in the 1890's

The end of the Shroppie by the old blast furnaces in Coalport.

Not in Wales this time but a short distance from our marina at Calcutt  is the Willow Wren  new training site where they are restoring the old entrance to the Nelson Cement Works.