South Oxford Canal Summit to Banbury

 A murky start this morning at 8:15am, and that wasn't the worst of it. 

The summit pound is very very shallow, and I was having to fight the tiller all the way, until we got to Claydon top lock and back into deep water again. Sun came out, donkey jacket came off. 

Glamping by the canal in a tepee.

This is the bridge 'ole we got wedged in with a hire boat back in 2008, don't ask, it's a long story.

Jo cooking bacon for our bacon rolls for lunch.

1st of many lift bridges, this one is left open, as are many of the others.

Claydon top lock, and end of the very shallow summit pound.

Jo can still do her party trick!

Approaching Cropredy lock.

The final lock of the day, Hardwick lock.

Now moored near footbridge No.163 on the outskirts of Banbury.

Moored up at 4:45pm, 8½ hours 12 locks later, when 'Dusty' Mark Boardman came along on the day boat, was great to see him, brief chat and he was on his way.

Keith

Long Itchington to South Oxford Canal Summit

Left Long Itchington 8:15am. 

Met up with Dashadoobry at Blue Lias, and we breasted up the remaining Stockton flight and Calcutt locks.

Approaching one of the Stockton locks.

In one of the Stockton locks.

In one of the Calcutt locks.

We parted company at Calcutt top lock and at Wigrams Turn we turned right to head down the South Oxford canal. 

Approaching Wigrams turn.

Napton Windmill.

Approach Napton bottom lock.

The volunteer lock keeper at the bottom lock had heard about my model railway.

Sitting on the gates of one of the Napton locks.

It has been a very grey day with very low cloud.

2 donkeys.

Leaving Marston Doles top lock.

Moored up at 4:10 after Priors Hardwick bridge No.123 on the summit pound. 7hrs 55mins, 22 locks.

Centre line wrapped around bollard, Hadar moves, rope snaps. A new eye spliced in and refitted.

Keith

We Have Set Off!

 We set off this morning, hooray! 😁 

We didn't get very far, just the other side of the Birmingham Road bridge, we pulled in to say cheerio to Jules and Andrew at the stables where Jo helps out. We shared Radford bottom lock, with a family, but they stopped for lunch after that lock. 

We then met up with another boat at Fosse locks and shared with them to the top of Bascott locks. 

Met up briefly with Bruce and Penny on Okame at Welsh Road lock, they moor next to us at the Saltisford arm, and were returning there. 

Now moored at Long Itchington before the 2 Boats Inn. It has been sunshine all the way. 😁

Leaving Saltisford arm.

Approaching our 1st lock at the Cape of Good Hope.

Crossing over the River Avon.

Our 1st lambs.

Crossing over the railway.

Bruce on Okame at Welsh Road lock.

Now moored before the 2 Boats Inn at Long Itchington.

Keith

Visitor for Christmas

 We have a visitor for Christmas, this is Lucy, we are looking after her so her Dad can go and stay with family for Christmas. She has settled in already. 😊

Keith

Changing Bank Account and TV Licencing

 

It is rather reassuring that TV licencing write to us to confirm the change of bank account details for paying for our licence from our new bank account.

However asking us to "carefully check" that the bank account details we supplied to them are correct is a tad difficult, as they have **** some of the account number! Doh 😂🤣😂🤣😂

Keith 

Sign Writing

 This afternoon I touched up the shadowing on the sign writing on the starboard side of the cabin. 

With the painting on this side of the boat completed we turned her around again and then had a visit from the small family of new ducklings. 

Time for coffee.

Keith

Garden Steps Part 5

 Today Jo and I (mostly Jo) finished off the new steps in our garden.

Newly laid 3 pieces of crazy paving above the 5th step.

As viewed from above.

We then finished off the stone layering above the 3rd step, and added plants and some features.

Keith

Garden Steps Part 4

Having spent the last week or so working around the site, this morning Jo and I returned to working on the new steps alongside our bunkers. 

We were not happy with the 4th step where we had previously put it straight up above the 3rd step, so we have moved it to the side of the 3rd step and added a 5th step above the 4th. 

Jo has also started to layer the garden above the 3rd step.

Keith

Garden Steps Part 3

4th step installed this afternoon.

 Keith