Cropredy, a village of unusual Names - Wednesday 25th June

Awoke to a lovely sunny morning so made an early start and were soon travelling through the narrow stretch of canal which had previously been Fenny Compton Tunnel but is now opened up to the sky. Good job no boats were coming the other way as there us very little room for passing.

Approaching Claydon Top Lock a Canadian Canoe came towards us with two dogs and a lady paddling; as she came alongside she called out Junes name and we realised that it was Sue one of June’s friends with her two Pointers and just by chance she and her husband had stopped off at Claydon on their way home from a dog show in Bristol. It never ceases to amaze me how you meet friends and acquaintances in the most unusual places. After a quick chat we proceeded down the locks and Sue on her canoe trip.

We soon reached Cropredy, a lovely canal side village, and there was only one other boat moored moored above the lock so we had a choice of mooring for the night. However by the evening there were no spaces left.

The Church of St Mary the Virgin has a long and interesting history. The South Aisle dates from as early as 1050. The Sanctuary in it's present form dates from the 14th century. The lower stage of the tower dates from 15th century and the belfry was added about 80 years later. The clock, with it's 14ft long wooden pendulum dates from 1831. The tower has 8 bells, six of which were installed in the 17th century and the last two, Fairport and Villager were added as recently as 2007. These bells were named to reflect the good relationship between the church and local Fairport Convention annual festival.

We decided to have lunch at the Red Lion a lovely old thatched pub and had a great home cooked meal using local produce.

Walking around the village you see many unusual street names like this one called Backside which as the brass plaque attached to it says its name came from the fact that it provided the rear entrance to the farms which fronted onto the High Street.

Another unusual name is Cup and Saucer which apprentally derives its name from the old remains of a medieval cross which looks like a cup and saucer.

Another one I liked is Creampot Lane with the sign on the wall of Monkey Tree House named presumably after the Tree which can be seen in the front garden.

The village is full of attractive and interesting houses with some amazing gardens and here are just a few.

Walking back to the canal I came across this shelter with a sign at the bottom naming it Canoodlers Corner.

Back on board Nb. Indulgence moored up behind us another boat from Brinklow and we spent part of the evening chatting with Helen and Case. The previous evening I had chatted to Denis and Jean on Nb. Shield Maiden also from Brinklow. We all seem to heading towards the Thames.