Off to 100 acre wood

A bit of an exaggeration in the title but you'll find out why later.

At best it's a miserable day. Low cloud, mist, cold, no sun. And yet, we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

You can hardly see the pylons ahead of the boat it's so misty.

Because of the day being as it was we decided to motor along as fast as we could, a decision having been made that we would turn back down the Oxford Canal and head toward Oxford itself. 

At Whitestone, about a mile from the canal junction, there is a mobile home site right on the edge of the canal. Some of them look as if they're about to topple into the canal whilst others have beautifully manicured back gardens. 

The captain was steering just as we came up to the junction when another boat came round the corner. This is a difficult junction to negotiate since nobody can see who's going where. It's all a bit of pot luck as to who makes the entrance/exit first. Anyway, I manoeuvred the boat until we had both got past each other and then the captain took the boat around the turn. And a very good turn it was too, even with another boat approaching through yet another bridge. 

Doesn't she look pleased with herself. 

Coming up to Charity Dock again. They always seem to acquire more and more ancient boats every time we come past. It's almost like a floating junk yard. (Hope I haven't offended some proud owner of an original antique craft!) 

Along the Bedworth Straight there is a house with a BCF (Boaters Christian Fellowship) sign inviting boaters to moor up alongside their boat. Could be handy if you were stuck for a mooring or wanted to share in prayer with a fellow boater. 

Hawkesbury Junction and we did a perfect turn around the junction. Just as well it was spot on because the Coventry Canal Society were having a fund raising day where they operated the lock and sold coffee, tea and cakes. The captain disappeared off to the cake stall while I went through the lock. One of the society boaters came on board to have a look at the engine as he'd heard us coming round the turn. We do that sort of thing, boys and their toys. 

Not a typical photo for me but just past the junction is this massive electricity substation. How does anyone think up all the gubbins that's on this site? It makes the mind boggle. 

Just for a while we had a non-paying passenger. Sat on the warm roof for a while and then pootled off again. 

Must be nice having your own private off-canal mooring. We remember this being excavated some years ago. Good to see it in use. 

Once again through Stretton Stop where, having convinced the captain that she should operate the swing bridge, a helpful lady came along and did it for her. 

We carried on past Brinklow, past All Oaks Wood - which I always call 100 acre wood - and moored just before Hungerfield Bridge. 

All in all a very good day on the canal. Oh, and by the way, I saw a kingfisher. Well, you know what I mean, blue flash and it's gone!