Whatever are they doing to Banbury

 The centre is no longer a nice place to moor......it will be interesting to see what it looks like when complete.

As we had had two very hot days we set off just after 6am to beat the heat and also so that we didn`t have to queue at the locks as we did on the way down!

The temperature was ideal.  Between us we walked the whole way with eyes downward in the hope of finding Geoff`s wallet.  Sadly no luck.  

There were very few people around at that time of the morning.

no sign of Maffi outside Tooleys....just the RAF ensign

A gentle cruise up to Cropredy.  No room on the 14 day moorings below the lock but space for us in the centre.   The downside is that once the sun came out just before lunch there was not any shade.

Lunched in the Brasenose Arms.

Spent the rest of the day trying to keep cool.........thunderstorms and flooding forecast for later in the week!!!

All freshly blacked

 

Phew is all I can say.!!!

Yesterday was hot hot hot.    We only had to move Petroc from ouside Tooleys down one lock and then try and find some shade   However as you can see from the picture we were unsuccessful.  So with all windows and hatches open we set about unpacking and trying to get straight.  By 3.30 we were just about dead on our feet when Maffi and Susan arrived..........so a bit of a chat and catch up and we arranged to meet for a meal......only the second time we have eaten out since lockdown.

On their recommendation we went to Calzione  ( I think thats how it is spelt.)   There followed the odd glass or two, an excellent meal and good company.....much better end to the day.

Today started off well, an excellent breakfast in Morrisons which was half price as they are participating in the government deal  during August.    My chores in Specsavers an the EE shop were also successful but how things are changed.....masks on everywhere and controlled entry in both those places.   A visit to M&S which is sadly closing here in Banbury,  all the food was 50% off, so managed to overrload the wheelie shopping trolley!!

Meanwhile whilst I helped empty some of their shelves Geoff drove the car back to Cropredy marina to await our arrival back there on Monday.   That is when the day took a turn for the worse.  Geoff was full of ambition to walk back to the boat (4.5 miles) .  Mission was duly accomplished but as soon as he settled down for a well earned rest he found he had lost his wallet.   Despite lots of phone call and him retracing part of his route nothing has been found.   So I have had a fun afternoon cancelling bank cards and applying for a new driving licence.

Aint life fun!!

Back to Petroc at last

No boat pictures yet....all to follow later this month!!

At least we are back if not actually cruising yet.

We have taken the good ship down to Tooleys Boatyard for blacking and sorting out the water tank.

She had weathered her prolonged stay in Cropredy Marina well apart from the fact that everything inside is dusty and grubby.  

Clive Mant, who came and did work on her over the winter before lockdown and then came to do some pre season checks on her, sadly found that water from the water tank was a no no.    Despite his efforts no water was forthcoming and it was decided that after 13 years the integral tank probably needed attention.   Luckily for us Tooleys had a slot and are not only able to fit her in for this but have also brought forward the blacking they were going to be doing in October.   

So a quick trip to unload our belongings and then down to Banbury.   We set off about 10.30 which is much later than our usual time of departure so had a very very very slow trip....definitely back to life in the slow lane.   Only 4 locks to do but about 6 boats ahead of us and only 1 behind.

Still, it was  a lovely day and we were back on the water. 

An unpleasant shock on arrival in the centre of Banbury.   What was a very congenial mooring spot is now beset by huge building works.   We can only hope that when complete things will improve.

We had no option but to moor there as we needed to be positioned for Tooleys to take her into the dry dock on Monday morning early.   In fact we thought we were lucky to find a space.......but that could be because it was not the best place to moor any longer.

An unexpected find outside Tooleys.........who should we find moored there but the Millie M with Maffi and Mollie.

We now are residing with friends in Oxfordshire until the work is complete, we hope by Friday.