Back on board

Back on board after a very tiring train journey back from Burscough...... to few seats for passengers....so glad we got on in Manchester and had the pick of the seats.  Finding our bus stop in Oxford on a busy friday afternoon was a challenge.....a welcoming brew with Dave and Beryl followed by tea at the very friendly pub The Boat , a good nights sleep  and all is well with the world.

This morning we moved off towards Kidlington

These two lovely people not only got us some bread and milk etc to come back to but also locked us through the one and only lock of the day.

Mr Tesco can't be far away then!!!

Never mind the "far canal" we have the far bank.....plank required!!!

Stocked up with provisions...love my recently aquired shopping trolley!

All settled down for a quite afternoon and we have a adrift moment.

Being adrift is becoming a feature of Cruise 2017.  This time a passing boat managed to snap off the hook of the mooring pin.

1 1/2 miles, 1 lift bridge and 1 lock.

Highlights of the last few days.

The swing bridges come thick and fast after leaving Banbury.

Fields of lavender???? According to Mr Google it is linseed which is planted in fallow fields and puts more nutrients back into the ground than it takes out .....natural fertilizer

A rare treat for me, being in the lock rather than operating it.

It is very tight exiting the lock.

A diamond shaped lock which is only 8 1/2 inches deep and is where the River Cherwell crosses the canal.

Oh dam the bridge is down!!!

Beryl sitting on the arm of the bridge to keep it down!!!

Giant wild rhubarb masks the towpath

Somerton Deep lock, up there with Tardebigge for the honour of being the deepest narrow lock on the system.

Fen on duty watching her flock.

From Somerton to Upper Heyford the canal takes on the appearance of a river and the tow path goes up hill!!!

Walking back from sunday lunch at The Bell in Upper Heyford - 2  large courses £9.95 and very tasty.

A typical old England village.....wonderful!!!!

Height of luxury - a electric swing bridge

That's a big one!!!

Winnie the Pooh boat.....love it.

The fields have taken on a golden colour this week....harvesting will soon follow.

A remote mooring , our resting place for tonight.

SCORES ON THE DOORS

Week 10

307 1/2 miles, 164 locks, 12 swing bridges, 5 tunnels

Banbury

BANBURY

We moored just before Castle Quay and the Tom Rolt Bridge. Rolt being a driving force in the regeneration of the canals.

Off for some retail therapy.

Wow 2 of my favourite pastimes- canals and shopping side by side!!!

Inspired by Tim & Prunella's Oxford trip we sort out the Banbury of old and found a very nice cheese stall on the farmer's market.   

The old town and its vast range of shops very much still surviving.

Back on the Quay this is Tooley's Historic Boatyard preserved as part of the Banbury Museum whose inland waterways gallery imaginatively spans the canal.

It was in this dry dock that Rolt has his narrowboat Cressy refitted prior to his 1939 cruise as told in his famous book Narrowboat.

Before we can wend our way onward we have to negotiate this swing bridge and a lock.

Looking down from the bridge.

Waiting for the lock......time to nip into Debenhams????

Exiting the lock.

We are soon out in this lovely countryside where thankfully the swing bridges are generally left open.

Cropredy to Banbury

Calling at the services on the outskirts of Cropredy, located just beyond a bridge and a very awkward place to moor.

Come on C & RT this has been like this for 6 weeks!!!!

Sokai begins reversing out to allow the waiting boat to use the services, while Arkholme waits.

There is a boat coming down stream....

and for good measure a canoeist gets in the mix...

all good entertainment for the locals!!!!

Out into the peaceful countryside....

and still experiencing grounding when moving over for a on coming boat.

No amount of pushing would move Sokai

 Sokai tied to Arkholme and a good pull did the trick.

Free at last

and time to take a break.