Cassette toilets rule!

Tuesday 23rd August; Napton Narrowboats to bridge 123 (Priors Hardwick)

We were up and about early – I got up well before 7 to discover the loo had backed up again.  Out came the Porta Potti we had bought ‘just in case’ so at least we would be ok for the couple of hours before Napton Narrowboats opened.  Dave walked round at 8.30 to find staff already there and willing to do a pump-out straight away, so we reversed back through the bridge and tied up well before 9.  We gleaned some useful information – if you’re pumping your tank and the pump-out pipe sinks it’s working, when it floats your tank is empty.  And the man confirmed what we suspected – there is no need to add Blue or any chemicals, however eco-friendly, as the bacteria already present will happily deal with the tank contents, especially if you have a macerator.  We know we are pump-out novices, but we really are not sure about them – if there is a problem and you’ve not got a back-up of some kind, you’re in trouble!

We were on our way by 9.  Dave asked the man in the office, when he paid, what the cruising was like on the South Oxford – and most of their hire boats choose to go the other way, because of the restricted lock hours.  We decided to carry on.  I took a snap of the windmill (of course) as we neared Napton.

We were delighted to see the water point was free, and pulled in.  But only a dribble was coming out of the hosepipe.  We ran the whole thing out, and discovered two tight kinks right up, near the reel which would have cut off most of the flow.  Dave cut the twisted end off and refitted the hose, while I went up to the shop for some milk. 

When I came back the tank was still filling, and Dave had just pulled Meg out of the cut.  He had been picking the lovely blackberries behind the taps and he was just taking the bowl inside, but she had tried to follow by climbing on board rather than jumping as the bow was a few inches out from the bank - and it hadn’t worked.  She is not very buoyant and tends to sink so quick action is needed if she goes in. 

We moved up to the facilities to empty the Porta Potti cassette while a boat came down the bottom lock, and were soon on our way up.  The volunteer commented how quiet it had been for August – it was about 11 o’clock and we were only the 7^th boat.  There were a few coming down but not many, and it was hard work – the early morning coolness had vanished and although mostly cloudy it was sultry and very hot when the sun shone.  There is an old willow at lock 9 with a very interesting shape.

We grabbed a snack to keep us going as we traversed the long pound below Marston Doles bottom lock, and found a space to have a break for lunch once we had cleared the flight.  The boat in the field is well established now and today had some close neighbours

 

Then we went on a bit to moor just before bridge 123 near Priors Hardwick.  We thought we should check under the bed for possible leaks after the morning’s experience – and yes, there had been one.  Dave quickly found the source – the offending area was still damp – and the jubilee clip holding one of the hoses was a bit loose.  The edge of the pipe was uneven too, so he trimmed the ragged bit off, cleaned it and retightened the clip.  It is beginning to look as though this boat vibrates things loose as a matter of course.  Meanwhile I completed the curtains and got them re-hung before we relaxed for the evening.  One thing I did while it was still light enough was to take a photo of the decorative panels on the inside of the stern doors.  The roses are a decal bought on the internet, and at the top are Dave’s first efforts at castles.  Bonjour is very plain both inside and out, and it’s nice to have something traditional as decoration.

Unfortunately I couldn't easily get them side by side and don't feel inclined to find out just at the moment....  the starboard door is below.

5 miles 9 locks