Layover in Oxford

We are moored just before Isis lock and it would be ideal apart from the boarded up disputed Jericho Boatyard opposite..

So a gentle day today but with a fair bit of walking especially for Barney......he gets to walk with both of us.  I did a circular walk heading southwards along the tow path and back through the town and that was after Geoff had been goodness knows where for over an hour first.

Later this afternoon Geoff and Barney took off again for a couple of hours walking the tow path along the river to Godstow and the ruined Abbey.
En route near Bossoms boatyard there was a narrowboat seemingly high and almost dry

No sign of life aboard

Canada geese aplenty

A boatful of girls to delight Geoffrey's eye!

The mooring here is quite congenial apart from the unsightly hoardings opposite the disputed Jericho area.   The towpath is very busy both with pedestrians and cyclists but luckily is wide enough for Barney to still sit out and people watch.   I say `pedestrians` and not `walkers` as most of them are walking with a purpose and are not so inclined to stop and chat as people are in more rural areas.   Most of them do not even make eye contact to allow you to bid them a pleasant `hello`...........I guess that is town life......

As I write this the boat behind who has his stern adjacent to our stern (bed is aft) and he is running his engine or it might be a generator.......it is 9.45pm!!

So Long to Thrupp

Sad to leave such a pleasant spot but a beautiful morning which was just made for early cruising........so we were off at 7 with Geoff and Barney walking so that they could buy the  paper on the way to the first lock at Roundham.  

There are several very sad looking boats in the first stretch before The Jolly Boatman pub

As I passed Milly M the sleepy head of Maffi appeared and I think he said Good Morning!!

There is a water point just after bridge 224 but no chance of getting on it.  A hire boat was moored there (not watering!) and poking right out into the bridge hole.  I had been creeping along very sedately and quietly but couldn't resist a noisy burst of reverse as I went past...........

Just before Roundham Lock there were 5 boats moored, the first 2 with out of date licences........

It was such a nice morning I shouldn't really have been critical BUT

This boat is moored in the lock landing place...grrrrh....

No criticism here, just a lovely rural spot with one of the several lifting bridges on this stretch of the Southern Oxford.

Spotted on a moored boat, can anyone enlighten me as to its use????

We moored right at the end of the canal just before Isis Lock.  Sun was still shining so washing out and then a trip into Oxford for me to find Specsavers to have my glasses adjusted.

6.37 miles, 4 locks 3hrs 57min

Wey Hey...Toilet Fixed!!!

Well at least we hope so and I will spare you a photograph......Lee Sanitation were brilliant and came straight out this morning, now they have replaced the whole docking station and Cal has assured us that it won't go wrong again....I just hope he is right.......
Boe departed at 6am this morning to be back in London in case she had a call for Supply work.    Emma stayed the day and left about 5 as she was starting a week of nights.........seems very quiet without them both.......bit more space though!!
So onward to Oxford tomorrow.  Despite the enforced prolonged stay we have really enjoyed Thrupp and will be sad to leave but one does get itchy feet after a while...........
Update on the Porta Potti argument.......stand-off.   We went to view them, a fem `um`s and `ahs` and did not purchase but decided we knew what was available IF the worst came to the worst and the loo could not be mended....but as you can see it's mended.........................

Rainy Day in Thrupp

This is our first really rainy day when all one wants to do is stay below with a good book........however we braved the rain to go to church at Shipton on Cherwell.   We lucked in as they only have a service every other week.  We had a very warm welcome and stayed to chat a good while after the service......we met another rnarrowboat couple, Dick and Jane from Ariadne,  and discovered that Dick was the nephew of Jenny Clarke (Deceased) who used to teach at Trevisker School where Boe went to school....what a small world we live in...

This was followed a little later by an extremely good Sunday Roast in the Jolly Boatman.

The afternoon was given over to to gently relaxing, culminating( in Boe's and my case) in a beautiful sleep..............until we were rudely awakened by a large thump on the boat.....

It was still pouring with rain but we were forced to clamber ashore as the lady on the wooden boat behind seemed rather upset.  We couldn't decide if this was because they had also been thumped or because her husband was having apoplexy over the incident and threatening to wreak revenge.  He was no doubt fuelled by the fact that the boat in question not only did not seem to know what it was doing but was full of seemingly extremely drunken lads.  There were in fact two boats......one of which was the one that had rammed the bridge on Friday......................

Poling at Thrupp

We had been told about the art of punting ones boat when wishing to reverse but later on Saturday we were able to see Maffi on Milly M in action., ably assisted by Molly on the roof.....

 Look....No hands (on tiller)

He certainly kept the boat as straight as a die..........

The squiggles only crept in when he went back on the tiller to negotiate the bridge!

And here we stay!

Well it was voluntary until late yesterday afternoon.........

We had two leisurely days in this delightful spot.  Iain & Christine came to lunch on Thursday and Geoff went into Oxford on Friday to visit the Pitt-Rivers Museum.   The original intention was to leave on Friday but Emma decided she would like to come for the weekend so we thought we would stay an extra day  so she could leave her car here, cruise down to Oxford with us and come back on the bus on Monday to collect.  Weekend all nicely planned.  Geoff had even googled for which church we would visit on Sunday and I had looked up bus times........now for Boe as well as she had decided to join the weekend party......DO NOT MAKE PLANS

Why are we still here..........THE TOILET IS BROKEN AGAIN!!!!! .  I am not sure which was worse, the toilet breaking or Geoff's sense of humour failure.   He takes these setbacks very personally......

We have had no problems for 4 years but this year we decided to be prudent and have it serviced.   DO NOT HAVE TOILETS SERVICED...remember the motto...If it is not broken don't fix it.

It was 4.45pm when I reached for the phone to call Lee San and of course they shut at 4.30pm on Friday so I could not even tell them we needed an urgent visit on Monday......

Whilst we were having supper 2 hire boats, full of about 20 lads, went past en route to the lifting bridge and the second boat had problems stopping and this was the result...

The lads all thought it was very funny!!!

After supper we repaired to the Jolly Boatman where we had arranged to meet Bones and Maffi and we thought it would be good for morale.   Emma joined us about 9.30 after a double shift in A&E and both Molly and Boots took a shine to her

If you are wondering if we are not drinking here don't worry, the glasses were only moved for the picture!

Anyway a hilarious evening served to temper Geoff's unhappiness......well for a while anyway.  Now he is threatening to go  out and buy a Porta Potti for just such emergencies.....this is being heavily resisted by me due to space requirements.    However I have a feeling he may win and then I shall be the unhappy one.

Our prolonged stay meant we needed water for the weekend and since the 7 day moorings are full we decided the only way to ensure that we kept our place free whilst so doing was to fill up at 6am.   So we snuck back through the bridge very quietly (actually at 5.45am) and by 6.30 we were back in our space.  I would like to say `Not a creature had stirred, not even a mouse`  BUT  those wretched ducks were alive and squawking

Luckily it is a beautiful morning

We are beginning to wonder if we will ever get off the Oxford.  Much as we love it I am looking forward to reaching the Thames and we hope the Kennet & Avon.  We are watching carefully to see what happens to the water levels on the K&A.  They already have restricted lock opening times at the summit however heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow so we hope that may help a little.  

Another Sojourn at Thrupp

Today I took the bus towards Oxford to rectify the last of yesterday's mishaps.......a filling had come out which necessitated a trip to the dentist...a very expensive one I might add!!

It is very easy to while away the days here in such delightfully kept moorings, although we are careful now not to keep our side doors open if unattended after the duck incident.....
On our travels we have seen several Cornish boats, St Piran, Truro to name a couple and we have seen several called Dreckly...however this one moored back around the corner from us really took the prize.

It really stands out as Cornwall colours I thought although on closer inspection what I thought was black turns out to be dark green.

The best bit however was this

The St Columb Canal is, or rather might have been, near where we live and was never completed.

It is sometimes referred to as Edyvean's Canal, was first proposed by the Cornish engineer, John Edyvean in 1773. His idea was to run a canal from Mawgan Porth through parishes inland and to return to Newquay. Its purpose was to import sea-sand, seaweed and stone for manuring to improve land. Two sections were built. One, from Trenance Point at Mawgan Porth to Whitewater, and the other from Lusty Glaze to Rialton Barton near St Columb Minor.

Work started in 1773, but it was never completed. At Lusty Glaze an inclined plane can be seen linking canal and sea. The canal was dug to Rialton at a height of 100 ft passing under the path from St Columb Minor to Penrose. Parts are clearly visible. A section from Mawgan Porth to Whitewater was used for three years. Failed attempts were made to complete it in 1829.

For those who want to know more see here
The day ended with a very pleasant evening as Bones and Maffi came to supper.

Toilets and Ducks

Tuesday was not without it's problems.....

After such a delightful sojourn at Kirtlington Quarry the day ended badly when Geoff went to change the toilet cassette and had problems....it would not engage properly and subsequent investigation seemed to reveal that something was either broken or had come unattached.  Because of the way the toilet is fitted it is very difficult to reach or see anything.........why don't boat builders think of these things??????

Now Geoff does not do adversity well...........so a sleepless night was had by both of us and early morning saw us hot footing down to Thrupp where there was at least a sani station including loo.....a phone call to Lee Sanitation as soon as they opened elicited a promise that someone would be with us that day.

Meanwhile the trip down was extremely pleasant but at times chilly

It is supposed to be Flaming June!   Admittedly a few minutes later whilst waiting for the lock to fill and in the shelter from the wind and the sun came out, I was sweltering in this amount of clothes.

Luck was with us at Thrupp as we managed to fit into the last space on the 7 day moorings.

Cal from Lee San arrived about 2pm and quickly diagnosed the problem and managed to rectify it.......he left with the reassuring comment that it should not happen again!!!

Now where do the ducks in the title come in?

All along this stretch of moorings which are beautifully kept by the Thrupp Cruising Canal Club there are some extremely tame ducks.......we take great care not to feed them as they need no encouragement to come visiting.   However today the friendly white one decided to pay a call (literally!). He or she entered by the side doors and proceeded to make itself very at home by c....ing all over our floor.  To say I was not impressed would be an understatement.  In addition to the mess to clear up I can't stand being near any form of bird with flappy wings, so it was left to Geoff to catch the thing and remove it....now we keep the side doors closed....

The day did end on a much better note as we went to the pub for a pre supper drink to meet up with Bones and Maffi (2 local boat residents) after which we decided that the cruising life was OK after all.......

En route to the Jolly Boatman we passed this poor dog...such a hard life living on a boat

4.02 miles 2hr 38 min 3 locks

On the move again.

This is what I have been doing

Wey hey....we are on the move again.......
A week last Friday we left Petroc at Lower Heyford to go and house sit for Giles and Susannah.  Whilst they holidayed in Cornwall in our house for the half-term week we went to their house where we were in charge of 2 dogs(One was our Barney), 3 cats, 3 chickens and one fish, not to mention watering all the vegetables etc.....
Geoff was i/c chickens as they are not my cup of tea at all...I think he became quite attached to them.....
Geoff had visions of a really restful, peaceful week with little to do but walk the dogs.  In the event we had lots of visitors which was in fact very pleasant.  We were initially left without a car as there was a last minute hiccup with their car in which they had planned to travel to Cornwall.    The big car had to go to the garage and they had to squeeze all 3 children and a mountain of luggage into the smaller car......with the consequence that Boe had to drive out with out little car which she had in London........she ended up staying the week.....
We could have managed without transport except that we wanted to drive up to Petroc on the Tuesday and run the engine........we have never left her unattended for that length of time before in a strange place.   In the event she was absolutely fine and we arrived back last night.  We were driven back by Giles, stopping en route to do a biggish shop to stock up the fridge again.
So today we set off again on our leisurely trip southwards.  We had intended to water at Lower Heyford as we left but there was one on the watering point and two waiting, so we abandoned the idea as we were not desperate.
We have moored at the disused quarry at Kirtlington again as it is such a peaceful spot.  Tomorrow we shall wend our way to Thrupp where we hope there will be space to moor.
3.65 miles, 2 locks 2hr 30 min

Blenheim

During our week away house sitting I had a day out with Di Fletcher and we went to visit Woodstock and the grounds of Blenheim Palace.  Although it tried to rain on us it was kind to us whilst walking in the grounds which are beautiful.

 Duck Pond

 Approaching the palace over the bridge

 The bridge viewed from across the vast lake

Still at Ayno

We had planned a layover day anyway, at least that is my story.  This is the view from Petroc at one stage of the day....

It is difficult to capture the full effect of rain on camera but I assure you they were heavy showers.   Still we cannot complain too much as it is the first really wet day we have had since we set off.  To be fair they were only showers, there were dry intervals when we could get Barnaby out for a walk, albeit a little shorter than normal.
As you can see from the second picture I do have something to occupy me when kept indoors......  more work on Giles` accounts amongst other things.
0 miles, 0 locks, 0 hours!!

Heading South again

Well we were after a short trip in a northerly direction to turn ourselves around.   Another very pleasant stop in Banbury.  We did not rush ourselves this morning and it was almost 10.30 after we had shopped and pottered.  Needless to say by that time other boats were on the move so there was a bit of waiting at locks, but we were in no rush. 
Barney seems to prefer walking alongside with Geoff but when he is on the boat whilst cruising this is now his preferred position

One has to be very careful where feet are put

The wind was still with us but not quite as strong as yesterday.......it really is quite delightful ambling up and down the Southern Oxford.  Geoff is still in seriously go slow mode which I think is great but takes a bit of getting used to!

No Kingfishers sighed this year yet but Heron's are around

As you exit Nell Bridge Lock there is a very low bridge and if you look closely you will see the level indicator board for the next stretch...however someone has obviously given it a good thwack and turned it through 90 degrees.

What it should look like.

We had lunch on the go today, a very rare occurrence for us, but we wanted to be on a little way as the forecast for tomorrow is not so good, there is even talk of rain.......

We moored just before Ayno Wharf and it is so congenial we may stay over tomorrow.

Our view

I have walked up the the Wharf and ascertained the price of diesel, 87p + tax where applicable and we can declare our own split.  Interestingly I was informed that places that will only sell at 60/40 have to inform you of this fact before filling up or it is not legal...this is news to me....can anyone verify this snippet of information.

7.38 miles 4hr 16 min 5 locks





Back to Banbury

Yes we are still heading north........
Another windy trip today.  When we set off for one of our unusual (for this year) early starts it was quite breezy but the forecast had told us it would not be as strong as yesterday............not sure we think they had that quite right.  It certainly made for some interesting approaches and exits to the locks.  However we had no great difficulty until we exited Kings Sutton Lock.   I had swapped over with Geoff and walked on for my morning constitutional with Barney.  After a while(luckily not too long) I checked to see he was following me but there was no sign so I retraced my steps to find him moored up.
Guess what the problem was???

For the first time this year we had something round the prop........so Geoff had to engage in one of his least favourite occupations.
When we reached Banbury we found it much busier than our last visit...only a few weeks ago.....
However there was a convenient space that was just long enough for us in our favourite spot just north of Tom Rolt Bridge. 
We had no sooner moored up when Tony Fletcher arrived and whisked Geoffrey away for some male bonding in the pubs of Banbury.  The left me to have a peaceful afternoon with my book........
8.26 miles 5 locks 4hr 56min

ON THE MOVE AGAIN.

We were collected from Petroc by Tony on Saturday morning and whisked off to their place as we were going to Samantha's 40th birthday party.........Geoff's goddaughter.  a good time was had by all as can be seen below..

One of Geoff's rare appearances on the dance floor!!!   I think this was only because the music was so loud you couldn't have a conversation with anyone...........birthday girl Sam in the centre.
Everyone was a little jaded on Sunday morning but we rallied sufficiently and Tony and I drove us back to Petroc.  We did a Sainsbury's shop en route and then Sunday Lunch at the Boat at Thrupp.  The food was excellent but pricier than the Jolly Boatman and not as plentiful....touch of the Nouvelle Cuisine bout it.
Today we had a leisurely start...another......we had the forecast for extremely high winds but it seemed to indicate they would be further north.   As we progressed however it became stronger and by the time we reached Somerton deep lock it was blowing well.  Dusty the Coalman was ahead of us so we tied up to wait (Very securely).  Geoff went up to the lock to help and I sat and waited.....and waited....and waited....
Eventually he returned to report progress.  Dusty had tried to tie up and his line ashore had broken and the boat waiting to come down had got itself into difficulties........stuck across the canal.....when they eventually extricated themselves and came out at the bottom of the lock the altercation between husband and wife was still going on.......it was bound to have been the man's fault wasn't it????.
Anyway we only went a little further before we moored up for the night.
4.96 mile, 3 locks, 3 hr 5 min

Lower Heyford again

After a walk to the nearby village of Kirklington for the paper we set off for another of our mammoth trips.   The village is truly delightful, it has everything going for it, pretty, village green with pond, school, church, pub and unbelievably in this day and age, a well stocked village shop together with Post Office.  It's only slight downside is that a fairly busy road runs through it.  However this does give them a bus service which runs from Oxford to Bicester.   In addition we chatted to a lady walking her dog by the boat who said they had only moved there just after Christmas and they had found it a very friendly village with a great community spirit......
Anyway we set off gently and managed to find a very congenial mooring at Lower Heyford.  We are out in the open which we like although the railway runs right alongside.  After a while you hardly notice the noise of the trains.........

3.12 miles 1hr 44min 2 locks

We`ve moved!

Just don't get too excited...a small distance and backwards..........well North again.   In fact it was backwards to start with as we (I) had to reverse back to and through the lifting bridge to turn round.   

Yesterday Geoff became a tourist again as he wanted to visit the Ashmolean Museum which had been shut on Monday.   This time he remembered the camera so below are a few of his offerings of the wonderful buildings in the city of Dreaming Spires  (Morses City for devotees!)

Christ Cathedral

Sheldonian Library

Hertford Bridge, referred to as Bridge of Sighs because of its resemblance to the Venice one.

This time he used the bus both ways.  Meanwhile Barney and I managed a good long walk through fields and then back through the woods.   I wouldn't have attempted the wood bit if I hadn't met two locals with a dog who set me off on the right path.  I walked with them a part of the way and then braved the rest of the woods alone.   It is hardly a jungle but I find it just a little spooky when there is not another soul around in a fairly dense wood.

By arrangement at about 4pm we were descended on by Giles, Susannah and the 3 grandchildren.  It was lovely to see them all but I am not sure that 3 small children in the confines of a narrowboat would be compatible for an extended period!  After taking the elder two to the woods to run off some energy we went to the Jolly Boatman for an early supper which was excellent.  Despite all 3 of the children being very well behaved, the underneath of the table looked like the wreck of the Hesperus when we left......

With the family

 Moorings at Thrupp

Watering at Thrupp

Today after watering at Thrupp we retraced our steps and have now moored on the opposite side of the towpath near an abandoned quarry.  We have looked at this spot before and it looked a little bleak but it is in fact quite delightful.

The bank is not exactly perfect but we have found one ring and several trees to tie to.  Together with several strategically placed fenders we don't seem to be coming to any harm.  Surprisingly most boats have gone through relatively slowly....I say surprisingly because we are finding this year that passing boats seem to have lost the art of slowing down for moored ones.   Not all I hasten to add but quite a few.  Maybe it is just relative because our mindset seems to be definitely slow motion this year.

Geoff was the first explorer of our location and discovered that the disused quarry was delightful as was the nearby village of Kirtlington. 

We spent a very peaceful afternoon here.  I tried out my new chair which I had had delivered to Giles and they had brought on their visit to Thrupp.   I have swapped it for the one we have in the saloon but I have some reservations about it so it may get swapped back again.

Later I went for the walk round the quarry which is now an SSSI.

 There are steps up from the mooring spot which lead to a well defined path which is all fenced

In the middle is a reproduction of a prehistoric maze.

One or two walkers with dogs passed by my chair and me during the afternoon.  One lady had 3 big hairy dogs who had been in the water......they were very friendly and came and shook all over me.......I was not overly impressed and she didn't stop to apologise either........

Another quite elderly delightful lady (and her dog) stopped to chat on the wooden bench beside me.  She was originally from Vienna but had lived in Kirtlington for over 60 years.  She told me that in the summer (Is it coming??)  this was a very popular spot both for boats and campers.  We are lucky to have found it at this time of year and on a day that shows a little promise of summer.  After several  days with a cool wind, there is none at all today, hence my sitting out.

3hr 28 min, 4.02 miles, 3 locks