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!
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