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

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