Oxford, here we come

We're leaving Thrupp past these stone cottages. They used to be called Salt Row and one historian suggests that they served as salt warehouses. 

And just in case you forget... 

We're on the Oxford Canal. 

But things can still go wrong. This preloved craft has been sunk at some time and is now looking quite forlorn. 

For the first time this holiday we've had to queue at the very first lock. Two boats ahead of us. One good thing, once the boat ahead goes through the lock there's a gap of about 15 minutes which means that when you get to the next lock they should be through and out the other side. 

Although the Oxford Canal is one of the prettiest, the closer you get to Oxford, the slower the journey. We have to keep stopping for locks, opening lift bridges and pootling past miles of moored residential craft. 

Just past Dukes Lock you can turn off to get to the Thames. But not today, straight on to the city centre. 

We've stopped a mile short of the end of the canal as we're not sure if, being Saturday, there will be any moorings. Tomorrow we'll motor further and if nothing's available we'll come back here. 

Well, look who's our neighbour tonight.