Thrupp, Lower Heyford and London

Thrupp was delightful as always.  We were lucky enough to find a space on the 7 day moorings, although we did not plan to stay quite that long.We had visitors on the Saturday in the shape of Tony and Di.  Di kindly took me shopping to the big Sainsburys in Kidlington whilst the boys walked to the Rock of Gibraltar.  We joined them there and were impressed with the food for lunch.  Very naughty that day as we had also had a cooked breakfast in Annies Cafe!!   Still it was a late lunch and quite light.

Sunday defeated me as far as church was concerned as there was no service at Shipton-on-Cherwell but Geoff did the walk to Hampton Poyle (Kidlington) and the church of St Mary the Virgin.

Looking West with the water point in the foreground

A lady had dropped her camera in!!!
A gallant gentleman

We moved on Tuesday and the weather was kind to us

Shipton Weir lock was the first of the day

This is not my favourite lock as it is diamond shaped and despite being quite a small rise it seems to take forever and it is impossible to keep the boat steady.

Four more normal locks where the crew could relax as Petroc gently rose.

Once again we were lucky at Lower Heyford.  We wanted to moor just outside before all the permanent moorings as it is much more open.  There was just room for us after the bridge so Geoff could be comfortable whilst I went off for a bit of family and urban therapy.

The station is just 5 minutes walk away so it is highly convenient.  In fact the trains are in our back yard so to speak, just over the hedge   Very noisy but after a while you cease to notice them.

So I had 3 days of trains, tubes,  buses and people, but most importantly family.   I managed to have time with all three of the children which was great.

From this........

......to this

.....and this

Boe and I paid a visit to Paddington Basin

Much more developed since our visit here on Petroc in 2008.

It is now a popular lunch time place for Londoners, as there are plenty of cafes and seating areas in landscaped gardens.

However if we had wanted to come in with Petroc we might have been disappointed.  It was chokka, with the pontoons full on the one side and the other side they were 2 abreast.

Back to Heyford on Friday early evening where the train was standing room only before it departed. Luckily I am an early bird so I was second on the train which gave me no problem.

Another weekend of eating out.  Breakfast at Zizzis on Saturday and lunch at the Bell after church. Both excellent meals and good value for money.  Sunday roast at the Bell is £9.95 for two courses, starter and main.   A bit different to all the places whilst we have been on the Thames.

Geoff had a pleasant evening with Bones in my absence....I had seen her before my departure but the only evening she could manage to relax was during my time away.  I think they may have managed to put part of the world to rights!

So onward again tomorrow (Monday)

Total distance:7.01 miles 
Elapsed time:4h11m49s 
Locks:5
Bridges:16 
Average speed:1.67 mph (2.86 lock/mph)