Claydon to Cropredy

Brr! It's cold! 6°C, cold enough to run the blower heater for half an hour just to take the edge off. Normally, when it's this cold, we would have the fire alight but yesterday was so warm that we decided to risk it overnight. What's the point of having a good fire going when you're fast asleep!? 

It's drizzling and looks like it will be wet, on and off, for the next hour or so. What to do? Well, for a start, eggs and bacon for breakfast with coffee and tea and see what happens after that. We are only planning to motor for a couple of hours today, just long enough to get us to Cropredy. Then on to Banbury tomorrow. 

Just looked at the weather forecast and it looks to be chilly all this week, so, fire alight this evening for sure. 

Just arrived at Claydon top lock. Unfortunately, a boat just got in ahead of us so it might be a slow day today.

Here's the captain coming into the middle lock of the flight. She came in without touching the sides. Quite a triumph especially as there was an on duty lock keeper watching what was going on. 

Now passing Clattercote and this is where we stopped before to buy vinegar and corn on the cob. Looks like it may have changed hands since then. 

Arrived at Cropredy in time for a late lunch. 

Decided to move on a bit further for the night and here's the captain with that sinking feeling in Cropredy lock. 

We stopped just long enough to get rid of the rubbish and take on water before ending up near Williamscot. 

We were aiming to go further along where you can see the boats in the distance but, luckily, we saw another boat sneak into the spot we had 'reserved' for ourselves before we had gone past the place where we are now moored. Reversing is not a recommended pastime in a narrowboat. 

A favourite for supper tonight, sausages in cider. 

We found the recipe 50 years ago when we went camping in Dent. So, happy birthday to SIC.