On the move again

Not exactly a big trip today.  We had decided that if there was room just before Isis lock we would linger there for a couple of days and lo and behold there was a Petroc sized slot.

We are moored opposite the two pictures above.   Is it a pipe dream or will it happen.

See Future Heritage Group   The site does seem to indicate that they have planning permission.......so far we can see no sign of activity.



Total distance:0.64 miles 
Elapsed time:0h54m0s 
Locks:0
Bridges:1 
Average speed:0.71 mph (0.71 lock/mph) 

Weekend in Oxford

Along the Thames path en route to The Perch pub

Friday I took the bus up to Summertown.  This is definitely the upmarket end of Oxford.

The shops shout it out!!!  Even the charity shops charge more for second hand books than in other places............

The moorings where we are are, are  designated as `Quiet Moorings` as we are in a residential area and next to a children's playground.   We are asked to keep to a minimum the running of engines, no loud music and only to burn smokeless fuel.  They are all very reasonable requests but I have to say most of the noise comes from said playground.!!!   Not that we are bothered as that is what children's playgrounds are for.    As for the running of engines I am not sure who would hear them apart from other boaters.  The houses opposite are set so well back from the canal they could not possibly hear.

Saturday  we went up to Summertown for our weekly cooked breakfast.  This was in Joes Cafe where we had a very good meal........definitely not a greasy spoon!!  Then our first weekend visitors arrived. Tony and Di Fletcher.   We had a good walk across Port Meadow, round part of the Thames Path and found a delightful pub, The Perch.  Obviously a well known and popular pub but we managed to find a table in the garden where the fellows consumed a couple of ales before returning to Petroc for supper.

Sunday  A leisurely start to the day as the service at St Margarets was not until 10.30.  A big choir of adults and children, lots of children departed for Sunday School and there were two children being baptised.   Then we had our second weekend visitors Geoff and Gill Smith.   This time we had lunch on board before the 3 of us did the walk across Port Meadow.  Geoff magnanimously volunteered to stay  behind and do the clearing up.

Tomorrow the Thames beckons with vague thoughts of Abingdon towards the end of the week.   We are promised a change in the weather though.  Tomorrow looks OK but Tuesday does not so we shall see.

Whilst we have been here there have been very few other boat moored and there is room for at least 8 boats, we cant work out where they have all gone.

and so to Oxford

Thankfully the day promises to be cooler than of late

The busy A34 is the high bridge and Geoff has opened the little one for me!

Not sure how effective these would be as the boat was moored in lovely shade

Waiting our turn

Wow....big trip today.  We didn't moor until 1415...unheard of on Petroc.   Cant remember why we were so slow....under 5 miles!!

We found a mooring by Aristotle bridge in what we think is a wonderful spot.   A park right opposite which is handy for short walks but just further we can go over the railway bridge into the vast Port Meadow and walk round to the river.   A two minute walk to a small deli....bit strange really...expensive and they don't take out Telegraph coupons.   However there is a pub adjacent and a church just round the corner.   A 10 minute walk takes us to plentiful buses going to various places.



Total distance:4.45 miles 
Elapsed time:5h24m38s 
Locks:3
Bridges:15 
Average speed:0.82 mph (1.38 lock/mph) 

Still sweltering

We decided on an early start on Tuesday.  We needed water and shade!!

Thrupp has been a very congenial stop, the surroundings are pretty and well kept.  They have a plethora of Dog Bins which is very helpful.  Two pubs and a tea room, Sani station and a book swap...even a small shop withing a 10 min walk, and Kidlington a slightly longer walk.  There are also buses into Oxford or Banbury,  The only sad thing was that the Community Woodland has become very overgrown and one cannot venture too far without long trousers because of nettles.  Very sad as there are some lovely walks.

We knew there was a water point not far beyond Thrupp.  It is in rather an awkward place on a bend just after a long bridge.  It is almost impossible to moor conveniently and not obstruct the canal.   We just hoped no one else was moving yet.

The bigger problem was that the tap had a strange thread on it.  Despite Geoff rifling through his many variations of connector he couldn't find one that would fit.   Still we had to have water so he had to stand there holding it on and getting well sprayed...

Needless to say we just took on a minimum amount or we would have been there all day!

Luckily no one else was around so we were not in the way.   Only about another 1/2 a mile and before the lock we found a nice shady spot.   It is not devoid of sun but a definite improvement.

We decided to stay over for a day as Geoff had spied a barber in Kidlington.

 He went early before the heat set in and we have had another day of just trying to keep cool..

 However I did manage to wash one side of the boat before it became too hot.  I had no intention of doing this, just saw a few dirty marks  and decided to wash them off and before I knew it I was doing the whole side!!!  I waited until Geoff returned before climbing on the bow to wash the front windows.   I thought it might be foolish on my own as it is easy to slip in when wet.

There is vague talk of thunderstorms but we have taken a chance and not closed everything up as it is still so hot.

We have paid for our Gold licence so River Thames here we come

Total distance:1.18 miles 
Elapsed time:1h11m2s 
Locks:0
Bridges:3 
Average speed:1.00 mph (1.00 lock/mph)

Fathers day in Thrupp

Not a breath of wind at 9.45pm when Barney and I went for a last stroll.

For the last few days the only time I could venture out was very early morning or late evening.......it has been hot..hot.. hot

Giles and Zan and the children arrived for lunch on Sunday.  We ate at the Jolly Boatman where we did eventually find some shade and it was great to see them all.  The food left a bit to be desired however.   Giles and Geoff did best as they ordered steaks which they were very pleased with, but I had the roast which was overdone beef and veg including burnt roast potatoes and a very small Yorkshire pud!!  Zan opted for prawn and avocado salad to which they had forgotten to add the avocado.   When we pointed this out the very least they could have done was come out with some but no such luck.

Today has been just as hot so much reading done interspersed with cold showers!

Lovely cooler walk this evening though.

Hot Hot Hot......in Thrupp

Friday

Emma departed this morning, we were sorry to see her go.   She has had a very laid back week which was just what she needed.  

Later in the morning we had another visitor....Maffi appeared, lots of chat, tea, snack lunch and a beer later he departed.

I have decided that this is the ideal spot for a Tesco shop and drop so have commenced my list.   I had to go across to one of the cottages to ask for their post code and found a very friendly blues musician in the process of moving out.

Saturday

Today it is too hot to do anything.....we managed our cooked breakfast in Annies Tea Rooms and very good it was too.

Bones appeared just before we went for our breakfast offering a lift for a Sainsburys shopping run which was very kind of her, however we declined as the shop and drop was organised and also it would have been very hot shopping!

The rest of the day has been spent down below just trying to keep cool.  I am hoping that later on it will cool off and I can emerge and maybe sit on the side for a quick Pimms!!!

Tomorrow, Father's Day, we have the grandchildren coming.   We had trouble booking somewhere for lunch as The Boat was fully booked.  However the Boat Inn has managed to find us a table for 2.30 so we will not starve.

Towards Thrupp

Shipton Weir Lock

Decided on a relatively early start as it was a very bright morning and I wanted to get going before it was too hot.

Geoff having an easier time than normal as Emma is there to help with the locks.   She is having a very relaxing week after her stressful time at work before she left.

Geoff walked ahead to see what was available at Thrupp.  Initially it did not look too promising as all the 14 day moorings before the Thrupp swing bridge were full.  Going through the swing bridge also did not look hopeful, however there was just space on the far end of the 7 day moorings with our bow on the 2 day!!  Before we had even boiled the kettle the boat behind departed so we were able to pull back.  Great spot and here we can stay for the weekend which is good as we are expecting Giles and the tribe for Fathers Day.


Total distance:2.04 miles 
Elapsed time:1h26m36s
 Locks:2
Bridges:6 
Average speed:1.42 mph (2.80 lock/mph) 

and a bit further south

Not a sight we see often this far from the sea!!

Not an early start this morning as we had to wait for the shop to open at 9.  We needed the Elsan point and a new gas cylinder.

Emma, Barney and I walked to the first lock by which time it was getting a bit too hot for me.....musn`t complain about the sun!

The loose plan was to moor below Bakers Lock but who should we discover moored at the top of the lock??

Note Boots and Barney studiously ignoring one another.

At Enslow there are no facilities for visitors to moor.  After the pub there is a long line of visitors moorings and not a single space for visitors.

There was just room for us to moor in front of Bones so we decided to remain........after supper she came aboard for the odd glass of wine...or two.....a great evening with much chat.


Total distance:5.24 miles 
Elapsed time:2h27m40s
Locks:3
Bridges:11 
Average speed:2.06 mph (3.16 lock/mph) 

...and a tiny bit further but still in Lower Heyford.

Off early this am to water the boat and get a mooring just after the water point so that we were convenient for the gas engineers visit.   Needless to say Emma stayed in bed whilst all the manoeuvring was going on!  She is having a very chilled out few days after finishing a very stressful job and before starting the next one.

As promised Clive the engineer turned up about 5.45.   He could smell the gas as soon as he opened the gas locker.   He was there just over an hour.  He found a leak at one of the joints and also tested all the gas feed to the cooker.  It took him a while to find the test point...apparently all boats have one somewhere.  Since we were not aware of this we didn't have a clue where it was.  We had to take out all the back cushions in the saloon and it was found lurking in a corner there.   He had some weird machine to set on it to do a thorough testing.

So leak is repaired and I am a much happier bunny!!

Day out in Oxford

An early start today to move closer to the station as the plan was to meet Emma and do some grocery shopping.

I caught the 9.45am into Oxford and Emma came up from Clapham Junction.

We had a lovely gentle day walking all along the river and round Christchurch meadows and having a leisurely lunch at the Head of the River pub.

We nearly met up with Maffi.  We saw his boat the Milly M across the river as we were walking on the other side.  No sign of anyone on board, but later had a message to say he thought he had seen us somewhere in Oxford....not sure where.

After a good lunch we hit Sainsburys to stock up on fruit and veg etc.    There is a small shop in the boatyard at Heyford, but not much fresh produce.  It was a slower walk back to the station as we were laden down with a rucksack of shopping and the dreaded wheelie!!  Still Geoff was at the station to meet us as we were wilting a bit by then.

Later I had another moan about the smell of gas which as usual fell on deaf ears as far as Geoff was concerned, but Emma added a little weight to my plea and a couple who had stopped to chat also confirmed they could smell it.  So decision taken I called the Gas engineer whose details we had been given.   We are promised a visit tomorrow, Tuesday after he has finished a job in Banbury.

Weekend in Lower Heyford

The moorings at Lower Heyford is conveniently placed right alongside the station.

However we chose to stay just north for the weekend in a lovely secluded spot with just one other boat there and no restriction on length of stay,

Saturday was a little bit of a domestic day for me, I had ambition to do some cleaning of our blinds, unfortunately by the time I had had a thorough damp dust and sweep through, the ambition had faded somewhat and they will have to wait for another day.

Sunday was Family Service in the local church where everyone was very friendly and they even served ground coffee afterwards which pleased Geoff.  We were very envious of the area at the back of their church where they had removed 8 pews and now had not only a very sociable area but also a kitchen and toilet.   It was all very tastefully done without detracting from the rest of the church where the pews remained.

Lunch at the Bell Inn followed, which was extremely food value.  Starter and roast for £9.95.

Of course we had to up the ante by being greedy and having a dessert as well.

We would have moved closer to the station later but since we had a good TV picture we didn`t want to risk losing it as Poldark was restarting!

and a little bit further again towards Lower Heyford.

A bit further to go today as Emma is coming to visit on Monday for a few days.  She is between jobs as she finished one one today and doesn't start the new one for a couple of weeks.  Lower Heyford was our intended destination for the weekend anyway and there is a convenient station right alongside the canal for trains to Oxford or Banbury.

Somerton Deep Lock (12 ft) was the first of the day

Its a long way down!

At Heyford Common Lock next we had some cow gongoozlers!

It was still quite windy which makes life interesting at times.   We decided to stop short of Lower Heyford as we found a delightful mooring spot.   Just one other boat there and a good wide towpath so Barney and I were able to sit out in the afternoon sun.





Total distance:4.51 miles   Gosh we have done nearly 5 miles today......
Elapsed time:2h23m52s 
Locks:3
Bridges:12 
Average speed:1.88 mph (3.13 lock/mph)

Not a good decision to move today

We ummed and ahhed about moving today but decided we were just being lazy so though we might move on a couple of miles...not the best decision we have ever made.    The rain started just as we left our mooring and became steadily worse.   The only thing in our favour was that it was warmish rain!!!!
We stopped short of our intended mooring place as we were soaked.   Only 2 locks and the second of those was Ayno Weir lock which is diamond shaped and not my favourite lock.

At least once we are moored up and down below we are dry and warm.  Thank goodness we decided to have to hot water tank inside an airing cupboard when we had Petroc built...on days like this it really comes into its own as after the engine has been running a while it gets beautifully warm inside there.

Total distance:1.11 miles 
Elapsed time:1h16m27s
 Locks:2
Bridges:4 
Average speed:0.87 mph (2.44 lock/mph) 

Goodbye Banbury

After being idle for so many days we decided we better push on a bit.

As promised Tuesday was not a good weather day so we stayed put, taking it in turns to take Barney out and we did some shopping at Morrisons which was a longer walk than I had bargained for!


Today we decided on an early start so we might find the sani station free!  We were off at 7.30pm but the water point above the lock was free so we decided to use that.   Watering took a while as it had been nearly a week and whilst we were there at least 7 boats came past and went down the lock.  Everyone trying to catch up because of the grotty weather of the past 2 days.

Our turn now

Goodbye Banbury

A gentle trip as we were not in a rush,   However quite long by our standards this year.

Total distance:4.91 miles 

Elapsed time:3h58m33s 

Locks:3

Bridges:16 
Average speed:1.24 mph (1.99 lock/mph) 

Winter in Banbury

Today that's what it feels like!!
However it has not been like this for all of our stay here so cannot complain too loudly.

We stayed on the very congenial mooring just short of the 48 hour places.  It was very handy for walking Barney around the reservoir and also not too bad a trip to Tesco's.  However it was a 25 min walk to the station for my trip to London to see Emma and Dave on Friday.

This was a brief but pleasant trip to collect mail.  Emma and I had a lovely walk along the banks of Old Father Thames on Saturday morning followed by cooked breakfast in their local greasy spoon....very good it was too.   Later I met Maggie for an early supper before catching the train back to Banbury.

Sunday we went to St Mary's Church in the centre of Banbury and then we had been invited to Ian & Christine Gillespies for Sunday lunch.  Sadly Geoff was not too well so I went alone.  I joined them for Choral Evensong in their local church in Deddington before they ran me home, where I found an ailing Geoffrey who had been asleep most of the afternoon.

Today he is somewhat improved but 'not 100%`  I was informed.......

We decided it as time to move and had intended to go through the lock and visit the sani station and then see where we ended up.   However the promised rain started as we reached the centre and as there was a convenient mooring place we decided to call it a day.......and as you can see below we did not travel far!..

The forecast for tomorrow does not seem much better so we may stay over and take our full 48 hours we are allowed.




Total distance:0.64 miles 
Elapsed time:0h22m46s 
Locks:0
Bridges:3 
Average speed:1.69 mph (1.69 lock/mph) 

Outskirts of Banbury

As forecast Monday was not the best of days so we stayed put.

Tuesday dawned much fairer so at an early hour we moved ourselves across to the facilities to empty and fill up and then back to the mooring temporarily so I could finish getting up!!!  

We moored before the last lock so that Geoff could reconnoitre ahead to see what the mooring prospects were.   We wanted to stay around the area for nearly a week so the 48 hour moorings in and close to the centre were no use to us.   He came back to say proceed further as he had found a spot.   But before going down the lock I mentioned yet again that I could smell gas when I was up in the cratch.  I had been saying this for over a week but Geoff has no sense of smell  (Broken Nose in childhood) so it was shrugged off as my over fertile sense of smell!!!   This time Geoff was determined to prove me wrong so he asked the chap on the boat ahead to come and sniff around our boat....surprise surprise he smelt it straight away.   WE then started the hunt for a gas engineer to come out and check...however it would appear that this type of engineer is as rare as rocking horse s***!!!  Lots of phone calls including Rob from our yard at Clifton yielded no one that would get in touch.   Meanwhile we had shut off the gas at source and were living without the cooker.  This is possible but not sustainable in the long term.

In the midst of all this, just to compound the situation, the 240 volt supply started to intermittently trip out.   Only for a few seconds and then it would come on again...... 

One of my afternoon phone calls found a very helpful lady who suggested we might have a leaky gas cylinder so Geoff swapped over to the spare and we tried again.   I sat for several hours in the cratch with my nose working overtime but didn't think I could smell anything.  Could this be the answer?? 

Just then along came Dusty the fuel barge (Geoff had departed to walk with Barney by this time) and I hailed him and bought a new gas cylinder and let him remove the possible offender.  So now we are monitoring it again.

As for the 240 volt, that we are also monitoring, but this evening it worked fine when I used the microwave for supper.    Earlier I had visited M&S and bought several microwaveable meals as a precaution.

We shall stay here over the weekend as I am disappearing down to London for a night on Friday.   Mail needs to be collected from Emma so I shall take the opportunity for a catch up with her and with Dave and also get myself a pedicure in the nice little place down the road from their flat.   Might even treat myself to a long hot soak in their bath,,,,,,,,one of the things we live without on the boat.

Weekend in Cropredy

Its that time of year when all the baby ducklings, swans and in this picture the dreaded Canada geese are around

The cows always seem please to see us!

We had an early departure from Fenny to beat the heat of the day.   We almost managed it although for the last 3 locks had I had the umbrella up for sunshade.

We had Friday night up above the lock at Cropredy, it was very quiet with very few boats going past and plenty of free moorings.   We found this strange for a bank holiday weekend.

Saturday we moved on down to a 48 hour mooring below the lock although as I walked back with Barnaby today there is a boat that was moored in front of us still there.   Trouble is I have a built in guilty conscience and hate overstaying.   Tomorrow we shall move on towards Banbury where we know most of the moorings are 24 hour so we hope to find somewhere just outside for a few days as I want to go down to London for a night to collect mail from Emma.

Saturday evening we had a good meal in the Red Lion with friends Iain and Christine and daughter Fiona.

The hot weather continues although the forecast is promising a lot of rain overnight.



Total distance:5.97 miles 
Elapsed time:4h8m41s  
Locks:8
Bridges:16 
Average speed:1.44 mph (3.37 lock/mph

gently along the summit

Wednesday 24th 

Someone is obviously living quite comfortably here but can never get out on the canal.
We first saw this several years ago and its still here   does anyone know who lives here and how they manage for water etc???

Wednesday was supposed to be the last 3 locks to the summit and then the meandering cruise along the summit to Fenny Compton.  It was one of our an early starts but along the way we were seduced by such a lovely spot just before bridge 130....on top of the world.... so just had to stop and leave Fenny for another day.

Geoff took full advantage, even sitting out in my chair for a short while, something he seldom does.   Please note he is in shorts...that takes a lot.

We were eventually joined by a couple of other boats but they wee not too close and didn`t disturb the fantastic peace,



Total distance:5.43 miles 
Elapsed time:2h37m53s
 Locks:3
Bridges:10 
Average speed:2.06 mph (3.20 lock/mph)

Thursday 25th

Not such an early start today as we wanted to find a space at Fenny and needed people to be on the move.    As forecast it was very hot.   Geoff decided he wanted to walk in as he hadn't made his 10,000 steps yesterday.  He may not have been hot walking (so he said) but I certainly was on the back of the boat.   I had the umbrella to use as a sunshade but that gets a bit unwieldy when trying to negotiate past another boat in a narrow stretch!!

On reaching Fenny there was just one space on the 14 day moorings before bridge.   It is a bit more secluded here than alongside the pub.  However the pub just had to be visited as they do 2 meals for a tenner before 6pm.  We knew from calling in here by car on our way to Petroc that they were extremely good value.    We were not disappointed.   In fact I returned a little later to have a dessert and avail myself of their wifi to watch the last episode of Grantchester which I had missed last Sunday.  



Total distance:2.84 miles 
Elapsed time:1h20m48s 
Locks:0
Bridges:7 
Average speed:2.11 mph (2.11 lock/mph)

and on to Napton

So here we are nearly at the summit of the Oxford canal.  This picture was taken at 1945hrs  with the last of the sunshine.

Yesterday we had a gentle day. A domestic start, watering etc and shopping followed by a short trip out to bridge 100 to a familiar and very peaceful mooring.   This was where Geoff knew we had always had a good TV reception and he was not happy about our new aerials.   I managed a perfect picture on all the main channels with my aerial and he had absolutely nothing.  Much bad language ensued......

We decided to swap the aerials over..  Surprisingly Geoff now had a perfect picture and I had very little....Conclusion.....Faulty aerial you would think but since I was getting some picture I did not think so.   We decided to check all the connections and eventually after a lot of fiddling....and much more bad language (Geoff not me) I had a perfect picture.   So we suspect that there was a fault somewhere in the wiring and maybe our fiddling sorted it...who knows....fingers crossed it lasts.

Today we had our first full length cruising day.....well 4.5 hours.   We needed fuel and I had made some phone calls ahead to check on prices and whether we could declare our own split.
We had already ruled out Braunston Marina  £1.09 and only a 60/40 split.
Napton marina were 1.11 and only a 60/40.   Calcutt Boats was £1.19 and our own split but that involved a slight detour.  Better luck at Wigrams Turn.  They said any split we liked so that was the first stop of the day.

The forecast had been for lots of sunshine and high temperatures but it certainly took a while to get going.  Most of the morning was full cloud and chilly at the back of the boat.   However after the first 6 locks of the Napton flight things had improved and we were lucky enough to find the moorings above the 6th lock empty.   We have since been joined by 2 more boats but it is incredibly peaceful here apart from some quite vociferous birds!

Just 3 more locks tomorrow and then the long meandering stretch of the summit.




Total distance:6.43 miles 
Elapsed time:4h27m48s 
Locks:6
Bridges:13 
Average speed:1.44 mph (1.66 lock/mph) 

Weekend in Braunston

View from my kitchen window

Friday dawned almost as bad a Wednesday had been so it was another day of snuggling down below....I am getting through my reading material at a rate of knots.

The original plan was to move further in to position ourselves closer to the Gongoozlers Rest for our Saturday cooked breakfast but the weather put paid to that.   Instead we ambled in early on Saturday morning.  

A good breakfast set us up for the day or in my case down for the day.   Cannot shake off my cold and the early start followed by a huge breakfast (Feed a cold...) then the trek up the hill to the village for some shopping, forced me to spend the rest of the day reclining.

Today we went to Braunston church for their Holy Communion at 11....a gentle start to the day.

They have a very lively and fervent lady vicar who is delightful.  

By sheer chance Geoff chose to sit where we found this kneeler.

We stopped for a pint (ginger beer for me!) at the Boat House and were almost swayed by their carvery.  However I had taken some lamb chops out of the freezer and we decided they were more appealing.   I think the Boathouse could be accused of discrimination.   They boldly offer 2 for 1 on all their main courses but they are bumped up prices.....£14 for the carvery....   £7 each if you are a couple which is very reasonable  but if you were on your own that makes it an expensive carvery.

Fridays trip

Total distance:0.98 miles 

Elapsed time:0h33m39s

 Locks:0

Bridges:1 
Average speed:1.75 mph (1.75 lock/mph) 

After the deluge ...the sunshine

Yesterday has to have been the most dire day we have had cruising for a long while......not that we did any cruising.  We were moored in a lovely spot in the Barby area and for me it was a day of catching up with some work on the computer (Giles accounts!!) in the morning and a delightfully lazy afternoon with crosswords, sudoko, scrabble online and a good book.......

Geoff on the other hand decided to take himself off with Barnaby to walk into Barby.. When he left there was only a little rain so he hoped the forecast would prove incorrect!   By the time they came back they were like two drowned rats......what a pitiful sight.  The rain had set in well and proper and there was no let up all day.

However this morning we awoke to brilliant sunshine so all is right with the world again.

Another short trip, we are getting to Braunston very slowly.   Still trying to sort out a few things on Petroc.   No TV reception from our two new aerials which is driving Geoff mad.......my suggestion that it must be where we are moored did not meet with a good reception........

I also am convinced I keep getting a whiff of gas smell which of course Geoff cannot sample as he has no sense of smell.  Phoned Rob at Clifton and on his advice Geoff has been round all the joints in the gas locker with washing up liquid but couldn't detect any bubbles.   So is it my imagination?

After a short trip we have moored in another peaceful rural spot.   Cows in the field and the spire of Braunston Church in the distance.    Geoff walked in for the paper to have his exercise for the day.

Another peaceful mooring

Barby Pools marina under construction.
We passed this soon to be entrance soon after our departure

Total distance:1.56 miles 

Elapsed time:0h41m35s 

Locks:0

Bridges:4 
Average speed:2.24 mph (2.24 lock/mph) 

......and just a little bit further.

Hillmorton Bottom Lock

Hillmorton Bottom Lock (from the bottom!)

A pleasant weekend at Hillmorton, we still had the car so did some last minute grocery shopping on Saturday.

On Sunday we went to Communion at St John the Baptist  church which proved to a lively service.   They have a vicar and a curate just for the one church, however the vicar did say they were a community of 10,000.  They certainly seem to have a lot going on, something on most days of the week.

This was followed by a late Brunch at Badseys Bistro...had to be done.

Monday morning I called Clifton to advise the non operation of one of the new aerials and they were there within the hour and it now seems to be fixed........a faulty lead apparently. 

Today Geoff drove the car back to Clifton and walked back with Barnaby......umbilical cord cut.

and then we moved on a few more paces....not many.    A gentle trip through the 3 locks and quite lucky with the weather, only a couple of light showers...where has all the sunshine gone?

When Geoff went to do his engine checks this evening he discovered that the new bilge pump is not working, so he had a nice job drying out the engine compartment.   Have texted Clifton again.....

However we are not very accessible where we are at Barby and the forecast for tomorrow is dire.  If it is as bad as they say we shall be staying put.

Total distance:2.96 miles 

Elapsed time:2h08m12s 

Locks:3

Bridges:12 

A gentle start to cruising for the year

We have escaped!

We have been back on Petroc for about 10 days, however it was interspersed with a family gathering at the weekend.  In between times we have been trying to sort ourselves out and also to wait for several of the winter jobs to be completed on the good ship Petroc.

Rob at the yard had kindly moved us onto the wharf for ease of access with all the comings and goings.  Our new real winter position is way down the new arm.  Once the pilings are completed and maybe a bit more dredging it will be a lovely spot.  At the moment however Barney and I would not be able to negotiate getting on and off.

The yard is due to be very busy tomorrow on the wharf so we decided to beat a hasty retreat and seek some open country side.   We have found a lovely spot in open countryside where will will stay for the weekend.  We have booked to attend a BCF gathering at the Greyhound on Saturday.  Originally we were going to pass there so it seemed a good idea....however the best laid plans etc.  The skipper has decided that instead of going north to the Llangollen to start we will venture down the Oxford......there is even talk of going onto the Thames....we shall see.

We had various jobs done on Petroc before venturing out including having two aerials fitted at either end for TV.   The front one for the main TV appears to work fine but the rear one for my TV gets absolutely nothing........identical aerials.....very disappointing.   Geoff is not a happy bear.  Further trials tomorrow.

Total distance:1.20 miles 
Elapsed time:0h35m34s 
Locks:0
Bridges:3 
Average speed:2.02 mph (2.02 lock/mph)