Aynho Wharf to Banbury

 Miserable start to the day when we left Aynho wharf at 8:30am. My 1st photo is of Aynho weir lock, but do you know what is fairly uniquely different about this lock from any other, apart from the obvious in that it's hexagonal in shape? 🤔 P.S. It has nothing to do with the lock

Old and new bridges

Approaching Banbury, the rain held off and the sun started to come out as we got to Banbury

In Banbury

Moored at Banbury alongside Spiceball Country Park at 12:30pm, 4hrs, 5 locks

After lunch we had a walk around Banbury

Unusual spire of St. Mary's church

We sat and had a cup of tea at Banbury Cross

Keith

Rock of Gibraltar to Aynho Wharf

 This morning we set of at 8:20am from below Baker's lock headed down the navigable section of the River Cherwell, winded before Shipton Weir lock, and headed back up the Oxford Canal. Moored up at Aynho wharf at 3:15pm, 5hrs 55mis, 7 locks. /// tanks.eventful.stressed  😁

Heading down the navigable section of the River Cherwell

Shipton weir lock, we winded just before the lock

Returning back up the navigable Cherwell

The restored tithe barn at Upper Heyford

The horses were still at the bridge

Buttercup meadow

Somerton deep lock

Inside Somerton deep lock

Lots of sheep and lambs

Now moored at Aynho wharf

Keith

80th Birthday Party

Today my youngest sister Wendy picked us up in her car and drove us to Harefield for my eldest sister Beryl's surprise 80th birthday party in The River Garden alongside the Grand Union canal opposite Harefield Marina. 🎂🍺🍷🎉

Waiting for everyone to arrive.

Just about to start our meal, Jo and I seated with my eldest sister Beryl and her husband Chas.

The birthday cake arrives.

Cutting the cake.

And very nice it was too.

Me and my 3 sisters.

Was so nice to meet up with so much of the family.

Keith

River Cherwell Walk

 Morning walk alongside the navigable section of the River Cherwell to Shipton weir lock and back.

Where the River Cherwell joins the canal.

Shipton weir lock.

Sat outside enjoying the sun for the rest of the day.

Keith

Rock of Gibraltar and Bunkers Hill Garden Shop

 The Rock of Gibraltar has been closed for a couple of years, no beer it is then.

This morning we thought we would walk to Bunkers Hill Garden Shop, but the path beside the road ran out, and it is too busy a road to chance walking on it, no garden shop then.

Back to the boat to do some much needed jobs.

Keith

Somerton to Rock of Gibraltar

 We left the mooring between Somerton and Upper Heyford at 8:45am, got to Baker's lock and chatted to 2 C&RT men, working on a paddle, about mooring at Thrupp, our intended destination, but may stay moored below Baker's lock on the River Cherwell for a few days. 

Unfortunately the 'Rock of Gibraltar' is closed 😢

We moored up at 1:00pm, 4hrs 15mins 6 locks

Some horses.

Mill lift bridge Lower Heyford

Heyford wharf

We briefly met Ian and Irene on Free Spirit

Moored below Baker's lock

Keith

Banbury to Somerton

 We left our mooring North of Banbury at 8:15am, got to Grant's lock at 9:30am and joined the queue of 7 boats waiting as the bottom gate would not open enough for passage. C&RT arrived at 10:40am, blockage cleared 11:48am, and we got through the lock at 12:20pm with the assistance of the 2 C&RT men. Moored up at 4:25pm midway between Somerton and Upper Heyford 8hrs 10mins, 6 locks.

Approaching Banbury.

New buildings in Banbury since we were last here.

The lift bridge in Banbury.

Banbury lock.

One of the C&RT men helping us through Grant's lock after clearing the blockage.

The other C&RT man.

Approaching Aynho weir lock, with the River Cherwell exiting to the right.

Somerton deep lock.

Inside Somerton deep lock.

Leaving Somerton deep lock.

Below Somerton deep lock.

Now moored up midway between Somerton and Upper Heyford. 

We had no internet signal here, so had to post a day later.

Keith