Sat 28th June

Well we were heading for Braunston for the weekend but luckily found out that it is the show this weekend so there are no moorings available for miles. So we are here at Claydon top lock and have been since Thursday. It is very quiet nothing around us (no shops for me to wander round) so it is just as well that I topped up at Cropredy. Have heard from Rita and Graham on Sorted and they arent too far behind us so it would be nice if they caught us by the time we get to Fenny Compton then we can go out for a meal together, we have a lot of catching up to do as we parted company at the end of April.

Paul is having another go at fishing no luck so far, it is a tad windy and being near the locks there is a lot of boat traffic. Of course motor cycling has taken precidence over everything at the moment as the MOTGP is on from Assen.

have heard from 2 of my kids and they are fine am looking forward to being able to see them again in the not too distant future. Miss the grand kids they grow so quick.

24th June 2008

At last Paul has caught a fish, the first one since we got onto the cut. There have been many a time when all the fishing equipement was going to end up in the drink mainly because Paul's patience level isnt too high. But last night around 9.30 he caught a really nice fish so we are now staying put for another day to see if he can catch another.

Boating traffic has been high today there is a boat moored on the lock bollards but it transpires that they got caught on the cill in the lock and have dammaged their prop. At the moment they are waiting for help to arrive. Will leave here tomorrow just cruise for a few hours and see where we end up.

21st June 2008

A wet day so it looks like we will be just pottering, Paul is doing his favourite thing watching the Grand Prix qualifying so that means tomorrow we will have the race on so I will be reading or doing wifely things!!!!!! Yesterday in our infinate wisdom we decided to cycle to the shops. I certainly have plenty of admiration for the proffesionals after our trip, most of it was uphill so by the time we reached the Co-Op I was on my knees didnt help that I had a little voice in the background telling me to change gear I didnt have any more gears to change thank goodness the return journey was downhill.
Will continue our journey on Monday when the weather should be a bit better. Dogs are worrying for a walk so it looks like it down to me to get my wet weather gear on.

Thurs 19th June

On a bright and breezy Thursday we left the mooring to get a bit nearer to Banbury. We have to judge the journey as we dont want to overnight in the city centre as on our journey to the Thames we had kids running across the roof of the boat. We managed to meet up with boats going up and down the canal which again made the locks easy for me. We may stay put for the weekend as weather for tomorrow and Saturday looks pretty grim, apparently there is a Co-Op about a mile away so we can get the bikes off the boat and get provisions. If we stay put will get some chores done and I'm sure Paul can find something to do or a film to watch!!! Must catch up some e mails and ring the kids too as it is Jamies birthday tomorrow.

wed 17th June

Yesterday we left the mooring at Kidlington and had a quiet cruise to Lower Heyford where we bought diesel 85p a litre, cost us 73p a month ago. Still we need the stuff so we have to pay the price. Found a mooring just after the marina and settled down for the night. Tele reception wasnt very good so Paul was a bit on the grumpy side and I couldnt get an internet connection so I was grumpy too, so we made a good pair.

This morning we set off again in the rain and wind heading for a nice mooring a couple of miles up river. We met lots of hire boats going in the opposite direction so that helped when we came to the locks made life a lot easier and gave me a chance to have a chat with fellow boaters. At the moment Paul is trying to fish but with the amount of boat traffic on the canal he may have to give it up as a bad job.

Depending on the weather we may stay here a day or so want to get through Banbury without stopping so have to plan where we will be stopping next. Will we have a short day or go for it and do cruise for 4 or 5 hours it is a problem having to make these desicions.

Monday 16th June

We are at the moment moored up at Kiddlington after spending three weeks stuck on the Thames at Abingdon. Idea was to travel to Windsor to see the family but all that has been knocked on the head. We just turned round and came back onto the Oxford canal to a hopefully quieter time. Not too sure what the plan is may go up north or down the Grand Union and then meet up with the family in London who knows.
While at Abingdon met up with some nice people, Maffi on Milly M and his partner Bones. No doubt we will catch up again.