Secrets, stowaways and a lucky escape in the wind.

Well we are back aboard and heading south for the Thames. Having had a temporary mooring at Cropredy for three weeks, we arrived back at Sunday lunchtime and loaded up everything we think we'll need for the next six weeks. We're bound to have forgotten something. 

We had a surprise for the boat - a new set of fenders !! At my retirement party on Friday evening, work colleagues had got together and bought them. It was a total (and most welcome) surprise. The old fenders were looking a bit worse for wear and I had talked about changing them, but decided to keep them a while longer. Louise had obviously been listening and had conspired with the guilty parties. It now makes sense why she took pictures of the fenders a few weeks ago but I had no idea why. A very well kept secret dear !! We also picked up a couple of stowaways courtesy of another colleague and they now take pride of place aboard. Thanks Rachel !!

Our new 'crew' 

Having loaded, checked and double checked, fenders replaced, we decided to vacate our berth late afternoon and travel all of 200 yards to the moorings above Cropredy Lock for the night. 

Monday was a lovely day for cruising. We left about 9am heading for Banbury. There were a few boats about with it being a Bank Holiday, but only small delays at locks. Banbury was busy with boats, shoppers and gongoozlers. Sovereign Wharf is closed until further notice as it is apparently in the process of being sold, so this convenient 'service stop' isn't currently available. Louise lifted the bridge by the shopping centre and then enlisted a bit of help with the lock.

Banbury Town Centre

Every little helps

The cottage and barn at Kings Sutton Lock is currently shown as up for sale. A check of the website reveals it is sold STC with a price tag in the region of £450k. A lovely location for someone, but a bit of extra cash needed for some TLC I would think.

Location, location, location

On to Aynho for the night. As we approached the weir lock, a boat was up against the top gate trying to get into the lock. All a bit strange as there hadn't been anyone ahead of us since leaving Banbury. It turns out that the hirers had come up the lock and decided to turn around. A little bemused, Louise questioned where they'd managed to turn. In the river was the answer. Now for those that know it, it would be quite an achievement to turn a 65' boat where the Cherwell crosses just above the weir lock, but they'd managed it. Just wish I was there to see it. This lock is diamond shaped to allow more volume of water to enter the pound below as the drop is only about 1foot.

Aynho Weir Lock 

We moored for the night in open countryside before bridge 193 and spent the night listening to the rain pounding on the roof.

This morning the weather only suitable to turn over and go back to sleep. The wind was fierce and not really favourable for cruising. A few brave souls ventured out, and together with the sudden strong showers we stayed put. It brightened up towards lunchtime so I decided to get a couple of jobs done. I'd been meaning to sand down the rear taff rail seats for a while so got on with that whilst Louise went off for a stroll. By the time she returned I'd got a coat of stain on them and a few boats were starting to move. We decided to join them.

Somerton Deep Lock 

At times it was very gusty and we 'crabbed' along in the exposed stretches. We were waved into Somerton Deep Lock and locked down by a couple of other crews which was very much appreciated. We arrived in Lower Heyford about 4pm and moored up, but the trees were 'creeking' in the wind. Within ten minutes of securing the boat, there was a loud 'crack' and a branch across the water only a few yards from the bow of the boat. Luckily for us it hadn't hit us, and even luckier for the boat that had gone past us less than a minute before.

Mill Lift Bridge, Lower Heyford....that won't move   

That was the signal to move! We quickly untied and managed to pull the boat past the offending branch before starting the engine. I told the folks at Oxfordshire Narrowboats, who were just releasing a hirer out of their yard (poor buggers) who said they'd let CRT know.

There were no other moorings to be had at Lower Heyford, so we battled the wind for a good hour before mooring in quite a sheltered spot at Tackley, just below bridge 212, which gets us a bit nearer Thrupp with another poor forecast for tomorrow.

All that fuss and they named her after a boat...