Heading North on the Oxford Canal

We did get into Thrupp nice and early so there were plenty of moorings available. By dinner there was not a mooring to be had with the bulk of the boats heading towards Oxford.

A couple of days in Thrupp gave us some time to catch up on a few jobs that needed doing. I managed to finish the polishing along one side of Serafina and replace the foam around the weed hatch. There was also plenty of time to have lunch and a few drinks at The Boat Inn.

We pushed off on Tuesday morning heading for Heyford. We made such good time and it was a lovely cruising day so we continued on, but not before we picked up Rachael's handbag from The Bell Inn. She had left it there while on our way to Oxford. We didn't tie up, Rachael held the centre line while I nicked up to the pub to pick it up, five minutes and we were on our way again.

Came across this boat on our way, looks like it's for sale but the stove might need a little work or even replacing.

We spent the night moored at Aynho, just before Bridge 189, we've moored here before it's no too bad apart from the odd train.

On Wednesday we arrived at Aynho Weir Lock just in front of a hire boat. This lock is a diamond shape and can fit two boats in so we obliged. While it was filling they asked us if we knew where the next winding hole was which happened to be 10 minutes along the canal and just through the next lock, they were happy with that. After we exited the lock and continued on they were not to be seen. We emptied and went up through the next lock and they still hadn't appeared. My only guess is they tried to wind in the small water course just outside Ayhno Weir Lock. I'm not sure if they are still there but I certainly wouldn't have tried it! The locks weren't in our favour, this was the third lock in a row we were getting set to empty so we could go in.

Banbury Lock was busy! We were the fourth boat queuing at the bottom so I decided to top up the water at the Services rather than go through the lock and fill in the pound at the top. There was plenty of time to get some water into our tank and not even lose our spot in the queue! Banbury is one of our favourite moorings, there was plenty of space right next to the shopping centre as directed by Rachael. The weather here was great once again and there was plenty of time to take it easy and have a good wander around town. There is always shopping to do! and I always have odd jobs that require doing around the boat.

The fine lady riding a cock horse

Banbury Cross

Friday started off with the sun beaming through the porthole and we set off at 9am in bright sunshine which lasted most of the day. We struck the odd shower on our way to Fenny Compton as well as beating our way through the 'Amazonian like' under growth just before you get to Fenny Compton. I think the CRT mowing contractor must be waiting for the off season to do the whole Oxford Canal...it needs it!

Just a little overgrown!

The sunshine is out again as we have moored in Fenny Compton where we expect to stay for a couple of days, the weather outlook for tomorrow is for heavy rain but that could change...like the weather! Dinner tonight at The Wharf Inn, I'll let you know how it goes.