About Me

My photo
The name describes my demeanour and voice! I love narrowboating and that is why this blog is mainly about the boat and our interaction with it. I have been keeping a log for Sonflower ever since we bought her and moved onto her as our main residence. Some incidents in our boating life have been hilarious, some scary and some down right dangerous. I cannot tell what will come in the future but you can now share them! The crew are an 'ordinary' couple. The Best Mate and I.

Friday 11 April 2008

Meet at the Bridge

Bridge 100 on the widened section of the Oxford/Grand Union Canal between Napton and Braunston is a neglected location. Nick Atty says "a motley collection of boats collect here".

On one side there is a length of piling that collects those of us who no longer moor on pins. On the other side there is a good firm stone capped bank that secures a pin nicely and collects hire-boaters who have no option but to moor on pins on a towpath.

This last week we have been on a cruise to take the boat to Stockton Marina to have some work done. A diversion to Braunston was planned to have breakfast at "The Gongoozlers Rest" (opening hours Wed to Sat 0900-1500h.}

We moored just before Bridge 100 on the piling as there was a cloud in the sky, we were fifteen hours early for breakfast and we needed to stop. It was about 4.30 in the afternoon. There is a wonderful view from here over the Warwickshire farmland.

The next morning we set off for Braunston for breakfast. Under the bridge I could see a Wyvern Hire Boat moored on the stone embankment As we passed it, I was shouted at. I wasn't going too fast. It was friends of ours, Brian and Elizabeth with their two daughters. They were moored 200 yards from us but we were separated by the bridge 100.

Of course I stopped and came alongside and we chatted for a while. They expected to be in Banbury for Friday so we met there this evening and had a lovely evening dinner with them and caught up with all the news.

To think all that separated us that evening was that neglected Bridge 100.

I wonder how many other times that bridge has kept people apart rather that joined them!

[Breakfast for four was enough food for the whole day at three pound fifty a head! Full english is four pounds eighty for egg, bacon, baked beans, tomatoes, fried potatoes fried bread, mushrooms, black pudding, two slices of bread and butter,and a cup of tea or coffee.]

No comments: