How Time Flies

Golly, it's nearly a week since my last blog entry!

 

Much of the time we have been mooring in areas where there is no internet or TV coverage, which makes it difficult when trying to write the blog. We're not so worried about the TV as we have some DVDs in the cupboard and a stack that we bought just before we came away.

 

Anyway, after setting off from outside the farm shop at about 11am., we stopped in the centre of Banbury for a bite of lunch. The problem we had with Banbury is that after three weeks of quiet and solitude, towns are so full of people and are so messy. We did visit Tooley's Yard and, although they don't do Saturday tours now, we managed to get a whistle-stop spin around the works. For lunch we were hoping to find a cosy pub but it was all musak and noisy chatter - so, down one of the side streets until we found a small café which suited us fine. A little retail therapy for the Captain in EWM and then off again on the boat as fast as we could. That evening we moored just outside Cropredy.

 

Moored at Banbury

Sunday 21st
Set off quite early for us (9.30) and most of the locks were set in our favour. We returned to Fenny Compton Tunnel (see earlier blog entry) where we met another boat coming through with a fairly large fender hanging over the side. Now I didn't see the fender until after the following had happened. When trying to pass each other we got stuck! This resulted in me reversing up the tunnel until we got to a wide enough place for him to get through. If I had seen the fender we could have lifted it out of the way and got through - what a wonderful thing hindsight is! Any way, after all that excitement, we stopped at The Wharf Inn for some wonderful bangers and mash - just what the doctor ordered.

The Wharf Inn

After that we trundled on and moored near bridge 129. Slightly cooler now but yet another sunny day.

Sunset

Monday
Sunny again! We meandered along to Napton and went for a drink at The Folly just after the kitchen had closed for the day. Not to worry, we had plenty of food on the boat and we had a picnic on the bank.

Captain enjoying the sun

Another ad hoc lunch

Tuesday
For me this was 'black Tuesday'. Why? Well, soon after setting off from Napton we discovered that the Captain's windlass (the key to operate the lock) was missing. It had been left somewhere between the last lock, the sanitary station and the water point. So, while I put on the kettle, the Captain ran, yes, RAN, back to the lock to see if she could find it. No luck. Oh well, push on to Braunston where I could buy a replacement at Midland Chandlers.

Braunston

After that, in one of the locks, a moment of inattention and I managed to break the flag pole and rear seat on the lock gate. At another lock I dropped my windlass into the water but luckily I recovered it with my 'Sea Searcher Magnet'. Then, to cap it all, going through Braunston Tunnel we had to pass another boat at a kink in the tunnel and the starboard (right hand) navigation light clipped the wall and fell in the water - blast, blast, blast! Luckily they are all repairable but, after the events of the day, we just had to go to The New Inn at Buckby for a curry and a pint. A good night's sleep and all's well with the world again!

Yesterday and today we have been covering old ground and making our way down to Cosgrove. We passed Bugbrooke marina knowing that if we stopped there for the night we would probably want to come home. Instead we stopped in the middle of the wilds with, once again, no internet or TV. Played bezique instead.

When we arrived in Stoke Bruerne we had to queue for the locks because the previous night an inconsiderate boater had not closed the gates properly on the flight of seven locks, the consequence being that one pound (the stretch of water between any two locks) had drained dry. Now to fill a pound takes a lot of time and a lot of water and some folk had been waiting two hours before they were able to get through. Luckily our wait was only 10 or 15 minutes.

We are now at Cosgrove looking forward to supper of pork chops. Last night it was sausages in cider and Sunday evening roast pork. All bought from the farm shop and all highly recommended!

Back Again!

What I mean is that we are back in an area where we can use the Wi-Fi!

So, what has happened up 'till now?

Well, on Wednesday we set off through King's Lock to venture further down the Thames. On the way down to the Thames we had avoided going through Oxford by turning off at Duke's Cut. On the way back we thought that we would carry on down to Isis lock and come back up the Oxford canal and see all the back gardens, etc.

The spires of Oxford in the distance

Having missed the Isis turn we carried on a little way and moored up so that we could see a bit of the city. I must confess that we didn't spend too much time looking at all the sights but we did a whistle-stop tour and saw a few of the highlights.

We also viewed the Oxford canal terminus which we could not visit by boat because we wouldn't have been able to turn round there.

The original basin has been filled in and is now a car park. Proposals are afoot, so I understand, to reinstate the basin - let's hope so - it would certainly improve the area. The boat you can see in the picture is a canal bus and the organisers were saying that they hoped that their presence in the area would help to reduce crime and petty theft from canal boats that were able to moor there.

Some back garden!

In the evening we managed to moor at Thrupp again, right outside The Boat Inn!

On Thursday we retraced our steps up the canal and the Captain said that the locks seem easier on the way back - she says she has got more strength - it must be all the Sarah Green spinach we've been eating! Anyway, we moored just past Lower Heyford railway station right next to the railway track. A lovely peaceful afternoon but, seemingly, hundreds of goods trains all through the night!

We were intending to walk to Caulcott to The Horse & Groom for our evening meal but the road was very busy and had no footpath, so we had to give up on that idea. A shame since the pub looks quite nice on the web. We did try to follow a cross country path but that led right across a newly ploughed field which neither of us fancied.

Lower Heyford

Friday - today.

We awoke to rain! Only a shower and much needed, however, the first rain since we set off on our travels.

When we set off, the Captain had a go at the lift bridge just outside the village. Unfortunately she couldn't quite manage the transition from pulling down on the chain and then grabbing the beam to hold the bridge open. Every time she took one hand off the chain to grab the beam it all got away from her and she had to start again. Luckily a passer bye got in on the act and when I sailed through they were both sitting on the beam chatting away.

Midday swim

At lunchtime we moored at Aynho Wharf where we took on fuel. The poor old boat really needed topping up since I had to give her a drink from my reserve supply when she started coughing about half a mile before Aynho.

For lunch we popped into the Great Western Arms. Now it was just after 2:30 and the kitchen had just closed but they happily offered us anything on the starters menu and anything from the main course that didn't involve grilling or frying. We settled on pate for the Captain and blancbait (whitebait) for me. Both were excellent and, like the Horse & Groom, this is another place that we will try and visit next time we pass this way.

After that we carried on through Aynho Weir lock which is of a curious shape. The lock only has a fall of around 1 foot, but it feeds the 12 foot deep Somerton Lock, 3 miles downstream. So, the unusual shape is to allow extra water to be sent downstream each time the lock is used.

Wait for me!

After Nell Bridge lock, the oldest lock on this canal, we moored for the night opposite the farm shop and once again we stocked up of fresh pork and vegetables. Our purchases included gammon and duck eggs - yummee. We were going to moor at the farm shop overnight but it seems that they charge for this privilege, so, we gave a great big push and with a little bit of punt action we floated across the canal to the other side where we moored up for free!

Heading back toward Oxford

Monday morning we decided to set off back toward Oxford. After all, the neighbours were getting a little too nosy for our liking.

 

They probably didn't like our suggestion about going back to the butchers again!

Self service lock work

The weather has just been tremendous the whole time we have been away.

Another al fresco lunch

I don't think we have ever used our table and chairs so much. However, we still haven't dug out the barbecue - shame!

At the end of the day we moored up on a quiet stretch of the river and the above was taken at 6:30 in the evening. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Here we are the next day, Tuesday, following behind a hire boat. Unusually, in our experience of hire boats, this one was travelling along quite slowly and slowing down round all the bends.

Another view of the river, tea having been consumed after the last lock.

The Captain thought it would be a good idea for us to go for a walk after lunch. Once again, only a light lunch of homemade soup, chicken, tomatoes and cucumber, taramasalata and water biscuits.

We are moored just above King's lock, just above Oxford, so we set off along the river to see what we could find.

After about a mile downstream we came across the ruins of Godstow Nunnery. The Nunnery or Abbey was  built in local limestone in honour of St Mary and St John the Baptist for Benedictine nuns. The church was consecrated in 1139 and continued until its suppression in 1539.

Godstow Nunnery

 
Nearby we found another Trout Inn - I think that's three we've seen so far - so be careful if you say to someone: 'I'll meet you in the Trout Inn.' Make sure you give them a postcode as well!

After that a stroll back to the boat to write the blog over a wee dram of Jura whisky. Oh, and a glass of Tio Pepe for the Captain. Ain't life good!

View from tonight's mooring

A weekend in Lechlade

On Saturday we set off from Tadpole Bridge, our aim being to get as far up the Thames as we could. Once again, some pretty locks passed through on our way up stream. 

 

Radcot Lock



Most of them were staffed by the lock keepers but some were in self service mode.

Old Father Thames



Holding the boat steady

 

Through the last lock before arriving at Lechlade.

Lechlade Bridge - Halfpenny Bridge

Nearly as far as we can go

 Before I got stuck up the creak without a paddle I turned the boat and we moored up just below Halfpenny Bridge.

The halfpenny tollhouse

In the good old days travellers had to pay a ha'penny to cross the bridge and the tollhouse is still there at the end of the bridge. Now there are traffic lights instead of toll booths - unlike the Dartford crossing.

Our boat is about six down from this end

 On Saturday we had a walk round Lechlade, stocked up on provisions at a wonderful butcher cum greengrocers and then walked up the Thames to see how far we could have got by boat. It wasn't much further than we had already ventured but the walk was well worth it.

Moored opposite the church

Sunday morning we went to church and were greeted like long lost friends. Even the vicar introduced himself before the service and a lovely lady, Godmother to the organist, invited us to sit with her. Tea and coffee afterwards with at least six people coming up to ask us if we in the area for long. Wow, usually I have to go up to someone to start a conversation, not the other way round.

On the way back to the boat we passed a lovely Fish & Chips shop and succumbed to an impromptu lunch on the bankside.

Don't we both look happy!

Not often do you see us in chairs in the sunshine

Have decided to stay a second night here and, who knows, we may revisit the butchers tomorrow to buy another homemade steak and kidney pie. The one we had on Saturday evening was excellent.

Bridge over troubled water

For those of you who know the Simon & Garfunkel song, you will remember that the end of each verse follows the pattern - Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.

In our case, the bridge in question is the Tadpole Bridge.

Why am I 'laying me down'? Well ...

After setting off this morning along some lovely stretches of the river

and after having gone under one or two lovely bridges and around one or two or three or ... bends

we arrived at Tadpole bridge.

Moored at Tadpole Bridge

Now, at Tadpole Bridge is The Trout Inn. The Trout Inn is a favourite for many food critics and it boasts a lovely venue right on the water's edge. The menu looked wonderful, so, of course, we had to try it out just to see if the critics had got it right.

The trout and something risotto with parmesan shavings was a delight and the Captain's twice baked goat's cheese soufflé was heavenly. This was followed by rump of lamb with rösti and spinach, roast garlic and sweetbreads. Then came the Captain's cheeseboard with Cerney Ash, a light goats cheese rolled in ash, Oxford Blue, a creamy blue cheese and Hereford Hop, a creamy Cheddar, rolled in toasted hops. I had to make do with a Tia Maria Crème Brulee. The Captain then decided on a glass of port whilst I indulged in a cappuccino coffee. Delicious - one of the best meals we have ever had.

The Trout Inn

After that the Captain told me to find the nearest place to moor up for the afternoon so that, in the words of Simon & Garfunkel, 'I will lay me down' for an afternoon zzz-zzz-zzz.

We love The Thames!

Change of plan!

We set off from Thrupp with the intention of going down into Oxford. However, when we got to Duke's Cut there was a notice advising us that we wouldn't be able to turn round unless we went on to the Thames at Isis lock. Well, we weren't sure if we wanted to get stuck in Oxford since there were one or two rumours that moorings were few and far between. So, we turned into Duke's Cut and then found ourselves on the Thames!

 

We found a place to moor and after a bit of lunch we decided that we might as well explore the Thames up as far as Lechlade.

 

This was to be a first for us and, we think, a first for Polgara since there were no charts on board for the Thames - everywhere else but!

 

First view of the Thames

 Now, to the Captain's delight, most of the locks are operated by lock keepers. What bliss! All you have to do is get the boat into the lock, moor up fore and aft (front and back), cut the engine and then sit back while somebody else does all the work.

Our first lock

The only problem is that there was no keeper on duty at the second lock and the Captain pulled rank and said that I could have the privilege of spinning wheels and opening gates. Actually, it was good fun and much easier than many of the narrow locks on the Oxford canal.

Our first bridge

Later in the day we found a mooring near The Ferryman Inn where we spent the night - on the mooring not in the Inn - although we did pop in for a pint - just to be sociable.

Mooring with Inn in background

So, we are now heading upstream to explore the Thames. Various folk have recommended places to stop and pubs to visit - should be a good trip.

Bringing you up to date

Internet connection up and running, so, off we go!

Monday, 8th September

We set off from Cropredy after having stocked up provisions from a wonderful local shop (almost as good as Bradwell shop). Stopped almost immediately to top up with water, dispose of rubbish and empty the loo. Set off again.

An interesting thing on the Oxford canal is that many of the locks have single bottom gates. Most of the system has double gates but not the Oxford. This sometimes makes them very heavy to open.

We arrived at Banbury where there are both a lift bridge and lock right in the centre of town - no pressure there then!

Also in the centre of Banbury is Tooley's Historic Boatyard. They have the oldest working dry dock on the Inland Waterways, having been in continuous use since 1790.

Here's the Captain working one of the locks for me.

On exiting the lock we found that the farmer was burning off surplus straw. The heat was quite fantastic.

At Kings Sutton Lock, the house on the left together with workshop opposite were up for sale. It didn't say for how much!

Moored up at 5:30 nearly opposite a farm shop.

9th September - The Captain's birthday!

Treated the Captain to tea in bed - actually, no different to usual but I let her know it was a birthday treat.

Oh, and just in case you're interested, her birthday present was a sheepskin rug which we bought at Lauriston Farm near Goldhanger. Funny, I have an incredible feeling of deja-vue!

Here I am just talking to a very good friend of mine at the farm shop.

Farm Shop

Back to the boat

While the Captain worked on some locks I made sure that tea was on hand when needed.

We stopped for a light lunch at Somerton overlooking the river Cherwell.

Artistic photo

Moored for the night at Lower Heyford and had a birthday meal at the Bell Inn.

Wednesday, 10th September

When we set off I had to hang on the chain to open the lift bridge. Luckily, the Captain was so busy steering the boat she didn't have time to find a camera! It's just like taking part in It's a Knockout with the very real risk of ending up in the water.

Most of the day we kept meeting up with two other boats, Celtic Dream & Serenity. Some of the locks were very heavy today - so the Captain told me!

At lunch time we managed to find a mooring just outside of Thrupp. Thrupp grew up along the Canal, and still has stong links with the old waterway. Attractive stone cottages line the waterside. It also featured in one of the Inspector Morse episodes.

After lunch we set off again and, amazingly, managed to get a mooring right in the centre of the village alongside the stone cottages mentioned above.

Mooring at Thrupp

The Boat Inn

A happy Captain

Fancy knotwork

Hotel boat passing by

Well, that's all for today - only to say that it's pork chops tonight, bought from the Pig Man at the farm shop we went to - should be good - if they are we'll buy some more when we pass on the way back.