Busy at Thrupp

Big Chimney??

On Friday we had a gentle cruise down to Lower Heyford.   We moored just short of the bridge with designs on having our Saturday breakfast in the cafe there.  Sadly it was not to be as the cafe has not reopened since COVID.   Neither is the shop doing papers anymore.   I had also discovered previously that the station was no longer a good place for my trips to London as it appeared there were hardly any trains stopping there.    All in all a bit of a disappointment.  However it was a pleasant enough mooring for the night.

Saturday was a very early start by order of the skipper!!!  A little bit after 7am saw us on our way.   

En route we saw a rather tall chimney, at least I assume it was a chimney and not some secret type of aerial.

Geoff solo whilst I walk along the stretch where the river Cherwell joins the canal for a while.

I hopped off later on for my morning exercise.   Its very odd as we dont have Barney on board so we are not doing as much walking...getting lazy.   Sadly his age and back legs are not what they were and he would not manage getting on and off Petroc, let alone the steps on the boat.  So he is residing with Giles and family in Goring Heath. 

Here he has a new pal called Ronnie.  Ronnie is an injured duck who is being lovingly tended by Susannah after being injured by a fox.  He is just a small part of the menagerie that resides chez Lovegroves in Goring Heath.   I think it is 8 chickens, 9 ducks(including Ronnie), 2 cats, 1 dog (+Barney) and a Bearded Dragon...oh yes and a goldfish...a very large one.

On reaching Thrupp we found it was very full.  No room on the 7 day moorings but we just managed to squeeze in on the 2 day stretch.

Sunday lunch in the boat in was advertised as a carvery but although the carvery was in view, we were not allowed to help ourselves, it had to be done by the staff.   such is COVID.    However this does not seem to be a universal rule as we have had a carvery in Cornwall where we could help  ourselves.