Tuesday 13th June '17

Moored at Lechlade! top of the navigation on the Thames.

Today the sun came out and the wind died down and all should have been wonderful. Unfortunately the heat and the lack of wind meant that we were totally infested with horse-flys. We both kept more layers on than we wanted and spent the time doing a sort of mad fandango, slapping at them or trying to swat them. The stern is layered in dead bodies - well it's not really, but it ought to be!

Not many photos today because we were too busy swatting, Can't actually remember why I took this one but it's worth noting that we left at 9.30am today and this was early on, before too many flies had appeared!

It's really hard to show bends in a photo, it really needs a video, but we've come around some real corkers today. I'm proud that John got around them all fairly easily but it was a constant test, bends went right, more right and still continued right, then suddenly they'd turn left, before the tiller would come to rights again it would be right again. That has been the majority of both days. This photo was taken at the zenith (is that the right word?) of a right hand bend. At both ends of the picture the river goes back almost completely parallel to itself. I will have to learn how to take panoramic photos as that would probably have been a bit clearer, but you'll just have to take my word for it.

We were moored up just after 3.00 and I wasn't exactly happy with the mooring but John was exhausted and we didn't know what was around the bend under the bridge. The lock keeper at the last lock had said that we'd be best to turn before the bridge and that the second field didn't have cows in it.
We went off for a walk and I came back and sat outside with Paddy while John went further than I fancied and when he came back he said, "You haven't looked behind you then?" I turned around and a large herd of cows was making it's way slowly across the field. He popped over to the pub just after the bridge and came back saying we could moor there if we ate. So here we are. There's a very high wall and getting moored was interesting but all's sorted now and we provided entertainment for everyone sat outside!

I took this picture of the Riverside before we moored there, You may be able to see the wall that we're moored against - at least no-one can see in the windows!  Paddy's being remarkably calm considering people are sitting only feet away and chatting and laughing away. It's not going to be a quiet mooring but at least there are no cows going to eat our ropes and canvas!

Monday 12th June '17

We spent a good day in Oxford yesterday. We'd gone for a walk the evening before and found our way around Jericho, the area across the canal from the moorings and also gone up into the city and got some bits from the indoor market, which has some amazing butcher shops and a fruit and veg stall where I bought some of the most amazing cherries, They were huge! French unfortunately but hopefully the British ones will be out soon.

We also went out for Sunday Lunch to the Red Lion where we've eaten in the past with Dave and Allison. Then back onto watching what I eat! We got some groceries and so we were ready to set off this morning.

Goodbye Oxford Canal for this year.

Someone had broken a bottle on the lock and John being the nice person he is, got the broom and swept it all into the side. He really is a sweetie, but don't tell him I said so!

This was one bird that didn't get away, a little egret apparently.

Proper geese! We've seen lots on this trip thankfully. Still lots of wretched Canada's unfortunately, but it's so nice to see our own, these had some young with them so grey-lag's are still hanging on in there,

Upstream on the Thames, there are LOTS of bends and quite a lot of shallow sections. This makes some of the corners quite interesting, and take into account the strong winds that are still around, it's lucky that there aren't many boats around. We've only seen three coming downstream and one has gone past upstream since we moored.

As you can see there is sunshine glistening on the water, you may also get some idea of the movement of the clouds with the wind. You can also get some idea of the state of the sides of the river, there are very few places to moor and to be honest not much to excite in the scenery. It's lovely, but not broken by anything of real interest. We both feel that we're glad we've done it but are unlikely to do it again.

We've gone up seven locks today, three of them have had volunteer lock-keepers and the rest John has done. At least they are not too difficult (says me who stays on the boat) but they don't LOOK hard!

We've heard and seen skylarks today, and John spotted a hole that he was sure was a kingfisher nest, but I still haven't seen one this trip so far.

We're moored on a lock next to a wildlife sanctuary called Chimney Meadows. This was the view across one of the cultivated fields we can walk around. The evening is definitely the best part of today, the wind has died down a bit, the clouds have cleared and you can see the beautiful blue sky.

From the bridge over the weir, you can see us moored ahead of the small cruiser. It's a nice sheltered mooring behind a lock on a pontoon.

Here's a closer shot. We're a bit long, the stern isn't against the pontoon, but otherwise it's a perfect little spot. We're about half way along to Keynsham so hopefully we'll get there tomorrow. Heaven knows where we'll find to moor but we shall worry about that tomorrow.

Saturday 10th June '17

To take up where I left off on Thursday, I did stay up - until 6.30am and so by the time we'd been out for a meal last night I got home and collapsed. It was worth it though, I found it all really exciting and although as far as I'm concerned the wrong party won, we did so well that no-one will doubt that Jeremy Corbyn can win an election next time. End of politics.

We left pretty much the same time as usual despite me only having had an hour or so's sleep, and we were hoping for decent weather. The wind was blowing very strongly, which made life interesting it had to be said and I took this photo trying to show the layers of clouds that we were getting. We could see rain in the distance but luckily only got a couple of short sharp showers.

As I was coming out of one of the locks I thought how seldom I actually would see a lock from this angle because when I'm taking the boat down I'm obviously at the back of the boat and don't see it close up. This also shows that the doors on the locks here are single at both top and bottom, which means that John doesn't do his awful climb across the semi open gates, that is really bad practice but he insists he's fine. I just think it's a long way to fall.

There was a short river section and an interesting angle to get the boat around to get in the lock, especially since the wind never let up at all. The lock is on of the so called 'diamond' ones that is actually lozenge shaped. They are horrible to keep the boat in since you tend to get swung from side to side as the water flows in or is emptied out, but as ever it was all right in the end. I tend to worry about these things, which is silly really since I've always managed to get myself out of every situation. The locks are shaped like this to take more water to keep the level downstream as high as possible, because the depth is minimal, this one was 2' 5".

We moored at Thrupp in the prime position outside the Boat. John popped in and booked a table for us once we got there. For those who don't know, to get through Thrupp you have to negotiate a complete right hand turn AND open an electrified lift bridge to get under at the angle of the turn. I think that people who built canals had some sort of perverse dislike of those who have to navigate them. I improved the muscle tone in my upper arms whilst getting the boat to turn, whilst being very aware of several older people sat on a bench taking my picture! Thank heavens I didn't crash into it!

The weather has improved during yesterday and today it was really nice again, hot enough for me to break out the short and string top again. This was our mooring as we left, bathed in sunshine.

Is it a boat or is it a garden? Hard to tell!

It's not just narrow boats you meet on the canals,

An artistic shot, to make up for the fact that despite a boat telling us that they had just been followed by two kingfishers, we never saw one. There was a jay playing in the bushes along side us but it went as my camera was lifted, likewise the red kite that John saw. I don't think I'm meant to be a wild life photographer, but you can't go far wrong with flowers!

We are now moored in Oxford for a couple of days and on Monday plan to get onto the Thames and turn right to go up to Lechlade. We've had conflicting reports about it but feel that we need to give it a go.

Thursday 8th June '17

Election Day - who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Today we set off in a cold blustery morning that we hoped would improve. It didn't.

We cruised a short distance and came to Somerton Deep Lock - this amused  me mainly because there was a small town called Somerton near Yeovil and it was on top of a hill - not funny to most people probably - well most likely really - but it makes me smile, Anyway this is reckoned to be something like the second deepest narrow lock on the system at 12' deep,

Yes it is pretty deep, but at least I was out of the wind at the time! Typically it was empty when we arrived and as we were going down it needed to be filled first. The wind was horrendous and it was as much as I could to to keep the boat in the side while I was waiting for the lock to fill. I'm growing some pretty impressive muscles I think!

After the lock we went under a bridge and suddenly there was no tow path, I can remember this from the last time we came down here and can only say that nothing has been done to improve matters. We'd decided that we'd had enough and were looking for somewhere to moor. Then as if by magic, some pilings appeared. There was still no visible tow path but the large field was empty and so we pulled in and made ourselves at home and had lunch.

Then I looked out of the window and the empty field was full of cows. John looked out and happily told me there was a bull amongst them. I told him in no uncertain terms that he was now in charge of dog walking and I wasn't going outside the boat again. I don't do cows. After the briefest walk Paddy has ever had, John came back and asked if I'd like to move on. We moved.

The cows we left behind us - not the lack of tow-path although it was meant to be on this side. As we went further on the path became even harder to see.

In fact it disappeared completely behind a line of trees and shrubs. It ended up looking more like a river than a canal. Finally we saw some more pilings as the rain had started again and it was still really windy and we just weren't enjoying it, which is the main object of the exercise and so we saw some more pilings when eventually something like a tow path once again emerged and we moored up.

We had gone 4 lock miles in less than 1.5hrs but there you go, we're going in the right direction!

It became so miserable we lit a fire, John had to go and find some dry wood in the hedge to get it going but eventually we got a lovely blaze going. Then the sun came out and we've had a lovely evening - the boat is like a sauna but you can't have everything!

The forecast for tomorrow is better after midday, so I may stay up a bit to watch the results come in. There again I might not!

Wednesday 7th June '17

Sorry for the absence of blog for the last few days.
Sunday my camera wasn't charged.
Monday it rained all day.
Tuesday my computer wasn't charged.
But here I am, a few photos taken and computer up and running.

In brief, on Sunday we finished the twists and turns of the summit and started to come downhill. The day wasn't promising and we dressed somewhat warmer than we had been doing but after getting through the first set we thought it seemed nice and why not do the next three spread out locks and get to Cropredy. We did one lock and were so wet and cold that we pulled in as soon as we saw some pilings and called it a day. John actually lit the fire as it was so miserable.

Monday we dressed for the wet and had a miserable journey into Banbury. We got a good mooring but the wind was terrible and John had to help me pull the boat in as I just couldn't manage it, despite wrapping the rope around a bollard and trying to haul in the slack, there just wasn't any slack to haul. I went out to the Slimming World group in the evening and lost another half pound. Slow but sure I suppose. We went and had a meal, I'm very careful about what I order but the salad sounded as if it was mainly iceberg (yuk, and double yuk) so I had the chips but actually couldn't eat them so my body is obviously getting used to healthier options.

Tuesday we stayed in Banbury and I walked around the shops a couple of times to get some steps marked up on the Fitbit and we walked out to the Tesco armed with trolley, bags and bungies, and did a good grocery shop. My arms stretched somewhat hauling the trolley home with the freezer bag attached on top, but I felt better for it. I also gave Paddy a couple of decent walks and did over 16,000 steps so was very happy with myself.

Wednesday (today) we left Banbury and the weather had improved somewhat, still dressed warmly as there was a terrific wind, but at least the sun was shining. We're now moored out in the country so Paddy has had a good run. I got two loads of washing out on the line and it's now all dry and put away. We're almost at Aynho Wharf. We've had a bit of rain just now but we're hoping to get Paddy out again in a minute.

We decided to leave Banbury at the same time as everyone else. There were three boats ahead of us for the lock and most of us wanted water as well. Here we're moored after filling the water tank, waiting for all the others ahead of us to get through the lock.

I should probably have used the zoom lens but this section has lots of swing bridges and luckily most of them are up. They have a chain hanging down so if you want to cross you pull it and the bridge comes down and then rights itself once you're off.

I guess it's progress but here's one of the bridges built for the farmers when the canal was dug, and behind it is the new bridge that carries the M40 across.

Paddy keeping careful lookout for anything untoward! It's a serious business being a boat dog.

The rain has stopped, Paddy is asking to go out so off we go, before the rain comes again.

Saturday 3rd June '17

Just spent a while (unspecified) looking for the wire that attaches my camera to the computer to download my pictures. After this aforesaid while, during which I'd tidied up the office space (where the camera lives) and also the dining area (where I write the blog) twice and looked in unlikely places like under the rear steps - well you never know - and the fruitbowl - well to be fair lots of stuff DOES end up there and even checking down by the top of the bed (no idea why) I found the wretched thing HIDING on the table next to the computer. I ask you - who'd have thought it???

Anyway we said goodbye to the north Oxford and hello to the south Oxford after another relatively early start. I'm not sure why but I think it's something to do with hoping to beat the weather.

It's been a funny sort of day. The sun has generally been out but there's been quite a still breeze so I've been taking my jacket on and off all the time. John said it was idea weather for locking so that was good.

We've climbed the Napton flight and are now on the summit, gentle meandering our way around the fields and hedgerows.

You pass an increasingly large herd of water buffalo as you are going up the locks. I was glad of my zoom lens which makes them look much closer than you'd want to be to them!

lovely view as you climb the hill.....I think I must like skies as I do seem to take a lot of photos of them!

I'm sure I mentioned a few days ago something about plants growing in locks. Here's an example of plants just above the waterline.

John tells me this is a kestrel. It was hovering in the wind for ages and so I was able to get a decent shot of it. We saw a couple of red kites, but as always they were too high and I didn't have the zoom with me at the time. Knowing my luck with trying to photograph them they'd have flown off anyway!

Two years ago when we last came past here we thought they were going to dig an opening through to the canal for this, but no, it's still landlocked and obviously lived in! It's in a field of sheep so I wondered if it's the latest thing in shepherds huts?

Whilst coming up the locks, we were followed by a lovely lady called Ruth who was on a boat with her daughter Chloe and going to collect her son en route. We got chatting as you do and it was their first set of locks on their first day out, so John gave her the benefit of his wisdom and it turns out that she lives in Runnymede, so we said we'd wave as we cruise past in a few weeks time!

We're moored on a good section of pilings just before bridge 124 and the towpath is wide and dry so Paddy will have a good long run later tonight. I'm getting off and walking with him most days, desperate to keep my fitness level up through the summer before getting back to the gym in the autumn.

Friday 2nd June '17

Happy Birthday Michelle, in case you read this!

We started early today in brilliant sunshine. I forgot to say yesterday that I'd put some washing out and at one point a family went past and the young girl with them (about 9ish at a guess) pointed and said "How curious, a boat with a washing line!" I was so delighted at her reaction, unfortunately I was inside and unable to respond, but it made me chuckle.

Anyway. back to today. We spotted some new moorings that looked really good (for the Oxford)....

...then as we went past we realised that they didn't have any form of mooring ring or piling and then I noticed....

...huge rocks just under the new concrete bags! maybe they aren't wanting people to moor there after all! When we got around the corner we realised that this was actually just on the approach to  Rugby. I was glad that I'd got our few groceries yesterday as there weren't any moorings to be had in the usual places to get to the Tesco so we'd have been without fruit and bread!

Hilmorton Locks, which are duplicated, which means that there are two sets of locks next to each other. I think that these used to be more common than they are now, the ones on the Trent and Mersey at Heartbreak Hill used to be like this but now there are only a few of them left. We'd been following another boat that we went up pretty much in tandem with, and John got speaking to the chap who turned out to be from Sherborne, about 12 miles away from where we used to live at West Stour in Dorset! We both were flying the Dorset flag which was the starting point of their conversation.

The gates on the middle locks have little 'quotation' on them. I couldn't get the other one as the boat was very selfishly in the way, but I think it was something about having to wait a while.

A bit unprepossessing from the canal, but this is the Old Royal Oak at Hilmorton, where we have met both sons with their families a couple of times. It doesn't open until 12.00 noon, and it was about 11.30 when I took the photo which hopefully explains why it looks a bit empty.

A rather nice dovecote......

.....and all the doves on the nearby roof! coo....

We were cruising past Barby moorings, looking to see if we could see the mooring that we'd enquired after a couple of years ago when we went past and were quoted £96,000 (no electric or anything apart from water and lots of grass). There's a bit of a commotion and I look down to see a duck trying to take off between the boat and the bank. I checked to see what Paddy was doing and he'd gone in! I yelled at John who reversed, which scared me as I was worried about the propeller, and called a very scared and panicky little dog. Eventually he came close enough for me to get hold of his handle on his life-jacket and pull him out. Here he is wrapped in his doggy bag and feeling very sorry for himself. He was shaking for a good while afterwards and we quite subdued for most of the rest of the journey. Strangely we didn't see the mooring!

Unfortunately I didn't have the zoom lens handy but this sign says 'Caution, men in water.' Honestly it really did! We didn't see any - and to our knowledge we didn't run through any of them either! To be fair there wasn't a sign in the other direction, yer 'onour.

Finally in the distance we see the spire of Braunston Church. We still had quite a way to go and found some good moorings on pilings before we got there. Just as well that we did because a hire boat went past so fast that even with proper piling pins (look a bit like a safety pin that hooks through the piling, very secure) they managed to pull the ropes loose enough to move us about a yard further on and John had to re-tie both sets of ropes.

After lunch we walked into Braunston as I wanted to get up to date Pearson's Guides and John wanted to go to the pub. We were sat outside, watching the world go by when it suddenly started raining. Looking at the sky it wasn't going to stop any time soon, so we walked back though the rain, past 'Sarah' the boat that went past fast. I noticed how badly they were tied up and had to resist the temptation to 'accidentally' knock the rope off the pin. One thing's for certain and that is that if anyone went past them at the speed that they'd been going, they would DEFINITELY have been set adrift.

The rain eased up but when I took Paddy out for his pre-tea walk, I couldn't believe how many nasty black slugs had emerged. Hopefully there are lots of hedgehogs around as I know they eat them!