To my lovely wife

Monday 10th August to Friday 14th August 2015

We were planning an earlyish start with the intention to sneak quietly over to the fuelling point as soon as the office opened but we were beaten by a hire boat coming through to water up; fortunately we did manage to time it perfectly for when they were moving and gently eased in behind as they headed off.

With the diesel price at 70ppl and self declare, we weren't about to miss that, and when a friendly cup of coffee was offered as well, it made it even better (the coffee coming from Paul and Elaine who were parked right alongside).

Reasonably soon we were filled and off, bidding them farewell until we know not when; also catching up with Richard (Pendle Warter) further along and having a quick canal-chat with him.

The weather was coolish to overcast and I guess we knew it wouldn't be too long before it would also be wet - our original intention was that we would like to get as far as King's Sutton and it was here that we finally moored up for the day - the rain did find us as we did the last couple of locks, so that was it.

Not long after Sue and Andy passed by - their mission was to travel further and we will catch them up some time in the next week.

Richard and Linda also found us and they decided it was enough and moored not too far in front.

Such was the weather that we didn't venture out and instead hibernated inside the boat.

The following day (Tuesday) was much better - at least it was a bit warmer and a lot drier and we cast off just before 9am.

I was "assaulted" at Grant's Lock as we were helping an older couple through the lock - the bottom gate taking a little bit of persuasion when I remarked that "these gates were just like a woman - all in their own time" when she gently slapped my arm - and I had only just met her - what would happen if she knew me better.

We passed by The Pig Place which seemed to be full of ducks, geese, sheep and
of course pigs - but I said no to Diane wanting to stop for a bacon sarnie

Banbury was close by and we started looking at potential mooring spots; we negotiated the services point -filling the water tank and emptying the loo; but the lock was a bit of a nightmare.

Has there been a lot of babies being left here -
notice in the Elsan Station in Banbury

Diane was on locking duties and whilst there seemed a steady stream of boats up and down, come the time for us to go up everyone disappeared right then, so she was on her own (not a problem), but as I was about to exit the lock, the very small holding basin above the lock suddenly became full of boats (from nowhere).

The boat to come down - a share-boat called nb Verity, which we know from Stone, was hovering right where I would need to be as I exited; the people on board seemed to have no idea of my path and despite advising them of where I would be going, seemed reluctant to move - so I didn't move either.

Finally they got the idea and moved across, but I still had a tight course to navigate to get around; the woman on the back was a bit lippy about it all until I set her straight and shut her up - she obviously was used to getting her own way - not this time though!

With another couple of boats to get around we cleared through and moored up right outside the Castle Quay shopping centre which we thought might have been a bit noisy at first, but later on actually was very quiet.

Banbury Cross in the background

and the fine lady

we thought that this deserved a mention as well 

Richard and Linda cruised through some time later (we had already disappeared to start exploring Banbury) and moored up a little further on and on the other side of the canal.

After a cuppa with them we did a bit more exploring and then headed off to Morrisons to raid the shelves - the only thing lighter coming back was the wallet.

In the morning Diane was consulting the weather apps on her phone and realised that Thursday and Friday were both showing as particularly wet days ahead and thought it might be wise to have a full-on day on today and then rest up after that; so we informed Richard and Linda who agreed and we were off.

It was a brilliant day for cruising and whilst at times the canal was shallow for everyone, it was still far better than doing it in the wet.

We made reasonably good time until we hit Cropedy - a music festival was in preparation and whilst not a canal event, it was an event and the mooring spots were full and overflowing, meaning a very slow passage past breasted up boats, narrow water to gently ease past other boats - moored and moving.

Through Cropedy - this was a wide part

Get Diane enough cider and she will do her Dolly Parton impersonation -including
singing this little number

At one point we had a chicane to get through with a boat coming the other way past a breasted boat; we were heading for a moored boat, the owner appearing in the cratch (reasonably concerned) - as it looked to him that we would be hitting head on, a gentle lean on the tiller and we cleared the boat with centimetres to spare - the relief on his face was priceless, but it was the only way to get through - the steerer on the other boat was just as precise and in fact we both knew what each other was doing and had to do.

Not something that I can say about the steerer on a small sea otter called Grandad's Dream who was coming out of Cropedy Marina at speed, seemingly intent on beating us around the bend - he of course should have been giving way to us and his actions in just coming straight out caused us to have to slam hard in reverse; he was going so fast that he didn't make the turn - even in his little 35 footer and once he got going again promptly turned again to head into the other part of the marina - all of that fuss for absolutely b____r all - you have been named!!

I have now decided that rather than getting hot under the collar at the time - it will be far better from my point of view to name and shame these stupid acts (hopefully I might even get some pictures next time) - if someone thinks that I have done something wrong then that is their perogative as well - I will be trying as much as possible to keep from shouting at someone on the canals.

This was a case of "What if.?" - is that bridge going to be strong enough?

One for Dot

just for Mitch

Richard and Linda were following behind and as the day progressed they eventually decided to moor before tackling the Claydon Locks, but we continued - our objective to go as far as we felt comfortable with - finally mooring at Fenny Compton, which I think had a lot to do with Diane wanting to try out the Wharf Inn the following night - for what reason I could never be certain but I had my suspicions.

Thursday - seems that today was a special of note for both Diane and  I - it marked our 32nd wedding anniversary, which we both remembered.

As usual there was the morning coffee(s) in bed for Diane - nothing different to any other day; we did have a rest day (we didn't move the boat) but she wasn't going to be allowed to slack around - she has autumn cleaning to do, so I supervised her progress from the dinette as I continued with my work.

Later, we both did have dinner at the Wharf Inn - of course I knew what she wanted to do, and we were joined after dinner by Linda and Richard (and Muffin) for a drink as well - a low key enjoyable day to celebrate another year of wedded blitz bliss .

 

Happy Anniversary my dear - now let's get drunk!

Heavy rain that night was nice to hear on the roof - it really is one of the nicest sounds on the canal - lying in bed listening to it pelting down.

Friday was a short cruising day - we escaped early to beat the showers - our intent was to get to Bridge 129 to moor up and enjoy the views over the plain - there was a little bit of mizzle about, but we were safely moored up before any heavier rain arrived.

It was also a bit of a rest day as well - just a bit of this and that and a bit more relaxation on the whole - now we are ready for the weekend.

One thing to look forward for us is that Howard and Janet (nb Compass Rose) having completed their crossing of The Wash are heading this way and arrangements have been made to catch up with them in Braunston around mid-week next week. Looking forward to seeing you both.

 

This is a photo from last year when we were in Melbourne, but Mitch posted it
on Facebook for our anniversary- I like it, so I have posted it here as well

21 Miles, 17 Locks

YTD: 709 Miles (1141 km) , 398 Locks, 12 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 13 Swing Bridges

Totals: 3603 Miles (5798 km) , 2519 Locks, 110 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 164 Swing Bridges

Old people - it's not an easy mistake to make

Thursday 6th August to Sunday 9th August 2015

A bit of boat shuffling was required and undertaken in the morning - our overnight mooring was close to The Jolly Boatman pub but quite in the shade - not too good for the solar panels.

We were keeping an early eye for boats moving back away from us - obviously coming off moorings onto which we would favour moving - and when it happened we pounced.

As it turned out the space in front of Linda and Richard was the one which opened and we were there in an instant (well a narrowboat instant, which is considerably longer than a land-based one).

It also happened that there was sufficient space to accommodate Festina Lente (if they desired) - there had been constant contact that morning and they were not that far away once we were settled in.

What would be the chances of three boats, essentially travelling together, being able to secure consecutive mooring spots in a prime location - but there you have it - done.

But, unfortunately, nb Mary H would be leaving us - Richard's step-daughter and her daughter were arriving for a couple of days on board and cruising, so early afternoon they were off - we would catch up in a few days time.

One of the things about cruising together is that you really don't need to - sometimes there is a need to have to be apart for a short time but meet up again later on.

With such brilliant sunshine, Diane had her cleaning gear out and the cratch cover and pramhood covers were both off and cleaned thoroughly - mainly a spider-eradication program - followed by a plasticiser-treatment of the vinyl - it was sparkling again.

We found time to visit Annie's Tearooms for a quiet lunch - and it was Thursday which meant seniors discount day, so we were perhaps slightly lucky to manage to get a table, but not as lucky as Diane who, without asking for it, was offered the seniors discount by the lady behind the counter serving - even though Diane was, obviously (to me), not old enough to qualify for such a benefit.

At least one woman seated inside the tearooms got a bit of a chuckle out of Diane's protestations - she was still in stitches 30 minutes later when she was leaving and saw Diane again.

Even though she still was given the discount it was a source of comical anger with her for some time during the afternoon - the food still tasted very nice at the lower price.

Friday came and with it the arrival of Paul and Elaine in their motorhome - we had spoken about them mooring up parking at the rear of the tearooms, which was OK for 1 night, which seemed fine until an over-efficious lady tried to move them along.

Earlier in the day there had been another boat shuffle to move up to the 7-day moorings - we had already been in the area for 2 nights and therefore couldn't stay on the 48-hour moorings any longer

 

Enjoying more of Sue's culinary delights - her flat-breads are devoured
quickly - of course, you need to notice the "adonis-like"body of Paul in the
background - it's OK, I don't feel well either

Dinner was a lively affair in The Boat that night - especially when we were joined by Maffi later at the bar.

Once again the food here was very good.

Saturday morning was time to say goodbye to Thrupp and to mh Manly Ferry - and it was early as well, so imagine the collective surprise at seeing them awake, dressed and walking around at 8am.

Both boats needed water, so there was plenty of time for goodbyes, but we also knew that it would only be a few days and we would be back together again.

 

The unusually shaped Shipton Weir Lock with Diane striking a pose

some like their cartoon characters

The weather this last few days has been truly magnificent - if anything, slightly warmer than we would like, but knowing the harshness of winter it was appreciated in true British style.

We met up with Sue and Andy who had left a half hour before us and at the same time with Linda and Richard when both boats were moored at Kirtlington Quarry (at least on the canal moorings next to that site).

The info about the Quarry - now a nature reserve

A lovely cuppa altogether again; the guys left the girls so that we could explore the quarry and they could plan what they would do to us next.

Soon enough we were heading off and after a longish day - over 7 hours we settled for a relaxed spot just short of Somerton - adjacent to a field in which there were tell tale signs of bovines but fortunately the cows weren't there.

We sat out and enjoyed the last of the sun; some wine and beer; and Sue very kindly prepared a lamb concoction - I am reliably told that it was simply superb.

One of the reasons for such a long day was a general desire to make sure that we had some decent internet signal - there being a complete dearth of anything at all either side of the Heyfords - Upper and Lower.

It appeared that this might be the last of such warm weather for a little while to come - if we could go by Richard's reading of the sunset was correct.

The predictions looked to be well based when we woke on Sunday morning as there was a sky filled with clouds and a coolish feel to the breeze that was about.

Our aim for today was Aynho as we looked eagerly towards a Sunday roast and the Great Western Arms at Aynho was a nominated candidate.

We did however have some special packages to pick up along the way and there at the very first bridge waiting for us were Sammie and Bombo (oh and of course Elaine and Paul) - they had walked down from Aynho where they were parked right alongside the canal and the nominated hotel.

Elaine and Bombo aboard Ferndale - Bombo assumed
his normal position -almost as if he had never left 

All we then had to do was negotiate the Somerton Deep Lock and at 12' deep it would take a bit of time to get a boat through it and arriving as we did already behind 2 other boats - the first a single-hander and then followed by a hire boat, it was clear that help would need to be sent ahead to help the situation.

Sue and "Mad-Eye" with boats waiting in line

Bringing Ferndale into Somerton Deep Lock

Inside the lock - notice Andy enjoying doing the lock - doesn't get enough
opportunities to swinging the windlass

"POSERS!"

leaving the lock  - Andy would have to do battle with the two women at
the other end for more locking

Of course this is what everyone should be doing to help others through the locks - sometime during the process we ended with a queue of 7 boats waiting to ascend - for a change everyone pitched in to help - Well done to all!

 

"why did there have to be cows?" Diane was asking

Once again we managed to find mooring spots for all boats one after the other - albeit with a bridge between two of the boats.

Some initial consultation was made with the hotel to find a table for eight and allow three dogs - when the initial answer came back which was not acceptable, we quickly allowed Sue and Diane to do their thing - not surprisingly they returned, after a TKO over the manager was acclaimed as the result - but we had our table.

 

just the gang

Andy - imparting his wisdom to us - when he speaks we listen

Elaine and Diane

Linda and Sue

"Mad-eye" transport boy - we found an ideal book for him - had lots of pictures;
shame that he walked out of the pub with it in his hands

simply delicious - dark chocolate torte, cream,ice-cream and a raspberry jus

There were no complaints with the food whatsoever - everything was proclaimed as simply delicious - the price reflecting the quality of the kitchen output - but no quibbles about the bill.

Somewhat fuller of belly we waddled back to the motorhome for a drink - some alcoholic and some had tea/coffee.

 

Just relaxing after lunch

A further surprise was the appearance of Richard (and dog Sadie) from nb Pendle Warter wandering down the tow path - they joined us and Richard related his woe after the boat took a belting at the "hands"of a lift  bridge - a slightly destroyed cratch being the result.

Diane and I had been messaging to Richard and knew he was close.

Not long after Richard left to complete giving Sadie a decent long walk we all broke up and returned to our boats - we all felt a little tired and in need of finding a familiar place to just flop down.

Thus endeth another weekend.

13 Miles, 8 Locks, 4 Lift Bridges

YTD: 683 Miles (1099 km) , 381 Locks, 12 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 13 Swing Bridges

Totals: 3577 Miles (5756 km) , 2502 Locks, 110 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 164 Swing Bridges

Ta Ta Thames - it's canaltime

Monday 3rd August to  Wednesday 5th August 2015

We slipped away first thing before 7am to go down and wind and head back towards Isis Lock after which we were to be back onto the canals for the remainder of the year.

We had completed our month on the Thames and we have thoroughly enjoyed it all, so much so that our present plans for next year will involve a Gold licence and a slower pace along the grand river; but for now it will be the Oxford Canal (south).

We haven't done this canal yet.

We found a mooring opposite College Cruisers - even this early there were spaces available.

A text through to Linda and Richard to advise that there were spaces available for their short trip up later in the morning.

We were off into town - shopping (aaarrrrggghhh!!!) for clothes - one of my absolute pet hates.

As we would be spacing it out over two days, this first day was purely looking - thankfully there appeared to be enough choices available that we should both reach a satisfactory compromise.

 

Diane found this little article in the newspaper whilst we revived with a coffee -
somehow she thinks that it backs up her bovinophobia

This gave us time for a bit more of a wander around; a look at Oxford Castle (not the full tour) and lunch at The Slug and Lettuce - a Diane favourite - on Mondays it is half-price on all food.

Then it was back to the boat to get some work done.

Even later on we ventured out again - this time for trek to Aldi to restock the pantry - just a short 1.8 miles each way; this is after the walk into Oxford and back earlier in the day - we certainly managed to get our 10000 steps in alright - closer to16000 - but we needed quite a bit.

Tuesday morning arrived; the engine was engaged; water heated; bath-time for her indoors - a twice weekly ritual.

After all of that we were ready to exit into the world.

We fare-welled Mary H (Linda and Richard) who needed to make use of the sanitary station after a weekend of visitors - we would be catching up again at Thrupp the next day.

But for us it was Day 2 of "Killer Shopping Expedition" - which surprisingly turned out much easier and quicker than I had expected - Diane was happy because I didn't whinge too much about it all; I was happy because it was quick and without too much pain - that's that for another year (at least).

We decided to take a look around the covered markets and although it was a fasting day for us, we unexpectedly broke it without too much fuss when confronted with a window full of wonderful looking pies at Pie Minister.

They were even better to eat than to look at.

 

Pies - Yumm!!

and they were good

We spent the rest of the day rather quietly - I caught up on work; Diane caught up on her reading - finally finishing most of Sunday's newspaper.

Our 48 hours for these moorings were up and really we were ready to move, but for the ubiquitous messaging with Mitchell - "oh before you leave Oxford, can you get me...." so this meant another walk into town to pick up something resembling his request, but naturally this meant an 11 am exit rather than a 9 am departure - we are always unsure about getting to somewhere late as the mooring situation is just that little bit more uncertain.

Like Linda and Richard the day before, we had elsan duties to perform; the washing machine had been engaged as we set off, so water would be needed; and rubbish to dump as well.

 

The junction - left to Duke's Cut and right along the Oxford

Her first lift bridge down this way where you operate from the towpath side

As we progressed further we felt that the bottom was a bit too close to the top in places, but finally we neared Thrupp; Diane had been texting to Linda and when we approached The Jolly Boatman we found Richard who was directing us to virtually the last mooring spot available.

With just a little trouble getting the "fat-bottomed girl"close enough we were settled in.

Dinner time was arranged and we were both reasonable highly polished and on time for our 6:30 assignation at the Boat Inn with Linda and Richard.

Dinner was really good with a good selection available for all courses.

We had not long finished when a familiar face wandered through the door - that mischief maker Maffie was in search of a refreshing Guinness - we haven't seen him for quite a while - last time being in Stone.

He is a nice guy to catch up with and ever ready with a story or three about the system and whilst we had been just about ready to leave, it was never likely once we all started chatting away.

 

Maffi dropped in to his local for a drink - half expecting us to be somewhere near

and got caught by the queen of selfies

After a little longer we did finally manage goodbyes and then took a wander a bit further along the canal to the "infamous" lift bridge at the corner, just to see what lay in wait for us - nothing much that I could see, but the problem is that at that stage I wasn't in control of a boat - that little fact would be about to change.

7 Miles, 5 Locks, 3 Lift Bridges

YTD: 675 Miles (1086 km) , 373 Locks, 12 Tunnels, 7 Lift Bridges, 13 Swing Bridges

Totals: 3569 Miles (5744 km) , 2494 Locks, 110 Tunnels, 41 Lift Bridges, 164 Swing Bridges

It's a beautiful day....

Sunday 2nd August 2015

The promise of a gloriously wonderful sunny day was the news from both weather apps that we use, so we were looking forward to it. What we were not looking forward to was saying farewell to Sue and Andy.

They very kindly offered to lock us through Godstow Lock - electrically operated as it is - luckily they didn't suffer any inflammation of thumb or forefinger from pressing the buttons.

 

Andy pulled rank and beat Sue to be able to let the water out...

...she is smiling here, but word got back that she inflicted severe bruising later on

We were through the lock just after 8am and enjoyed a very pleasant cruise in the early daylight past the open meadows with a bit of a mist and the spires of Oxford in the background.

 

the cows were all out - word had gone around all of the herds that Diane was
out and about - all bovines were to get out to scare her a bit...

"Where's Diane?" we could almost hear them crying out - all eager to see her.
On the other hand Diane was not at all eager to see them

Why the early start?

We had Maggie and Paddy driving up fromWatford to visit us and we would be taking them for a cruise for the day - thanks to Linda (nb Mary H) we had a convenient mooring spot and a destination postcode (for M&P) and when we arrived at East Street there actually was a place to moor - the plan B was to breast up.

Linda invited us aboard for coffee and it was gratefully received - we had been up early getting ready to go - so early in fact that Diane had had only 1 cup of coffee and not the customary second one and there had not been time for breakfast yet.

We really are lucky to have such good friends around us, but I think that really goes for almost everyone lucky enough to be on a boat cruising and moving around the system.

Our guests duly arrived and after a cuppa we were off, retracing a small part of our journey that morning, turning off to go up through Isis Lock and onto the canal.

Our full journey would be to cruise up the canal to the junction with Duke's Cut; turn left and head back to the Thames; left again and then down through King's Lock and Godstow Lock before mooring up again where we had started.

She was quickly back into the swing of operating the locks with windlass and
putting her back into it all

Talk about running to schedule - it was pleasant cruising past the lines of moored boats - a bit unusual being back on the canal with it being much narrow than we had been used to in the last month.

We had not been along here before so it was all new for us as well.

 

These guys snuck through into the lock in Duke's Cut to go down the small drop

The short length of Duke's Cut was easily negotiated - a couple of extra-long-term moorers making it narrower than it needed to be and then we were suddenly back into the wide open spaces again.

After King's lock we moored up for some lunch and bit of a break.

It was Maggie that spotted it - a kingfisher in a tree on the opposite side.

I was as pleased as punch getting these photos - might have got some better ones with a longer lens but these are great.

I can cross that one off the list.

 

Just enjoying the sun and cruising along

After all of that we were back on board and heading further south - after Godstow Lock it really is so open and we had swimmers in the water to be aware of; horses at the water's edge; and then the sailboat club were preparing to get some boats out onto the course they had marked out earlier.

With it being such a great day there were so many people about, just enjoying the sunshine.

Before long we were back and remarkably there was a mooring spot available again.

Both Maggie and Paddy were so relaxed they just could not believe that it had been only 4 hours - it felt like 2 days for them. Both had been up front in the open cratch; no engine noise; just watching it all go by.

We went out for a meal before they needed to head off back home - both their journey to Oxford and the trip back involved delays due to heavy traffic on motorways -something that we don't really have to worry about at all when you are on a boat

11 Miles, 6 Locks, 2 Lift Bridges

YTD: 668 Miles (1075 km) , 368 Locks, 12 Tunnels, 4 Lift Bridges, 13 Swing Bridges

Totals: 3562 Miles (5732 km) , 2489 Locks, 110 Tunnels, 38 Lift Bridges, 164 Swing Bridges