Breezy day.

Today's journey was uneventful I am very pleased to say. We left our mooring at 8.30 as it was still relatively calm. 5 minutes into the journey and it started raining and it was cold. We got to Bakers Lock just as a boat went in from the Cherwell. I asked if the Cherwell was okay and the lady looked at me as if I was simple (she could be right there). Apparently they had cruised for 9hours yesterday coming up the Thames on red boards so obviously the Cherwell was a pussy cat compared to the raging Thames. Any way the board was on Amber but we didn't have a problem until we had left Shipton Weir lock when the wind was holding us against the bank. Then I spied a lift bridge, down of course with the wind coming across the fields, now was I going to have a problem? I made sure I had porridge for breakfast so tackling a lift bridge in the wind was a doddle. Yet again we passed Dusty then it was onto the facilities at Thrupp to get rid of the mountain of rubbish I seem to have collected, fill up with water and empty the cassettes. I also acquired a couple of books leaving 2 in their place and a donation in the Air Ambulance tin. The men were working on the lift bridge so they offered to open it for Paul which was just as well as by now the wind was really blowing. They told us that yesterday someone had come through the bridge from Kiddlington side forgot to steer out of the bridge and ended up hit the bank and riding up on it, bet that was an interesting sight. We are now moored up outside The Boat on the 48 hour moorings the hoovering is done and Paul wants to have a lunch time pint. Tonight we are meeting Maffie in The Jolly Boatman for a meal will be nice to catch up again.

Knackered!!!!

It is sods law isn't it, while moored by bridge 170 we had a fantastic signal on the laptop. Yesterday we made our way out in to the country moored by bridge 193 and had absolutely naff all. Hence no blog yesterday. Still our journey was fine we even passed Bones on her way to Cropredy haven't seen her since 2008. As you can see we cruise the South Oxford quite regulary.

This morning with our evening mooring planned we set off ,first problem was I couldn't get bridge 193 open, didn't matter how much I swung on it I could not lift the dam thing so now we had a problem, if Paul was to lift the bridge for me that would mean he would be on the wrong side of the canal to get the boat through, just how do single handers manage. Any way Paul got the boat on to the off side I held the boat, in the wind I hasten to add while Paul opened the bridge, next problem was how to keep bridge open as there was a length of chain and no means to anchor it, well Paul just tied the chain up said "get here quick and hold on to this chain" which I did then Paul had to get the boat under the bridge while I used all my strength to hang on to the chain. I then walked the tow path with Saffie to Somerton Deep lock. Next problem was I couldn't shut the lock gate once the boat was through, so again Paul had to come to my rescue what would I do with out him (answers on a post card please). The journey after this was fine we even had time to have a chat with Maffi at Heyford Wharf, have arranged to meet up tomorrow for a meal. Silly Maffi thought we would get to Thrupp this afternoon just how long does he think we travel for in a day.

Passed this lovely garden full of daffs what a delight.

When we got to Dashwood lock I leapt from the boat and ended up face down in the mud, once again I had tripped on the fender rope pleased to say that Paul has now moved it forward so hopefully I wont do it again.

By now we were traveling behind Dusty when he over took us I do not know as we passed him at Cropredy. Needless to say the designated mooring planned for the night came and went. You can tell I was a novice at marking mooring spots 2 years ago as I seem to have put a cross on any straight bit of tow path irrespective of whether it was a decent mooring or not. I have amended this now as I am a bit more up to speed with the idea of a decent mooring. Just before pigeon lock Dusty pulled alongside the cream teas boat so we were able to pass. We had to tie up as there was obviously something round the prop. I sorted the lock out while Paul tackled the weed hatch and voila, weed and a very long zip emerged for the watery depths, surprising how so little can slow you up so much. Well we are now moored below the lock I am absolutely knackered what with struggling with lift bridges and deep lock gates plus stacking it in the mud all I fancy doing is putting on my PJ's and sitting in front of the tele, neither of these will happen as its my turn again to walk the dogs and the TV reception is CRAP.

Oop's

Last night alarm was set, bed was made up on the dinette all because Paul wanted to watch THE RACE live and I didn't want to be woken early. As usual all the best laid plans go out of the window. I was woken by Paul stumbling and mumbling into the bedroom to turn on the inverter don't know what the time was although it was light. Then the kettle was put on fire was raked the kettle boiled and whistled for ages before the gas was turned off and in the background I could hear the commentary of the blasted Grand Prix. I managed to actually stay in bed until the race was finished, I knew Jenson has won because Paul was shouting at the tele "come on Jenson" as if the bloke could hear him. Crystal came in to find out if her mum was still in bed so I knew it was time to get up. At least the kettle had been put on again to make me a cuppa. First comment from me was "why didn't you put the blasted headphones on". It then transpired that the phone hadn't automatically updated the time so Paul had leapt out of bed at 7 new time and the race was just about to start so now I have to sit through the repeat this afternoon to allow Paul to catch up on all the chit chat that he missed. Think I will walk up to Morrisons to get out of the way just for something to do. Mind you yesterday I surpassed myself and got the Tcut out and managed to do half the boat tow path side. (Paul was fishing at the time) I must finish it today as you can see what is done and what isn't.

These two pics are our current mooring

This gent and his lovely owl were in Banbury as we went through at least the owl looked interested in us.

As we have such a good signal here Paul wont have any problems getting in touch with his brother today.

Grrrrrrrrrrr

Yes, this morning I was woken by the alarm going off at 4.45am just so Paul could get up to watch the qualifying of the GP.(hence the early writing of this blog) I did ask why he couldn't watch the repeat later in the day and I was told in no uncertain terms that the repeat was an hour or so shorter than the earlier programme. My response to that was SO WHAT. Have now decided that tonight he can sleep on the dinette if he wants to get at 5am to watch the race I need my beauty sleep.
We are still moored by bridge 170 its been nice and quiet no one has moored near us a few boats have gone by struggling with the strong winds and rain that we had yesterday.
Two policemen (I use the word men loosely as one looked about 12), walked past the boat yesterday afternoon then seemed to disappear from the tow path only to surface about 15 minutes later, they saw me on the boat and had a quick chat, it transpired that there had been some break ins on boats at Cropredy and the suspect was a homeless man who just steals food. In the copice near by there is a tent and the police were checking it out to see if said homeless man was in it but he wasn't. It was funny they saying about a homeless man as in the morning we had seen a chap in his late 50's walking backwards along the tow path which we thought was very strange. Any way the policeman said if we saw anything suspicious to give them a ring, just imagine the response if we dialled 999 and said we were on the tow path a mile from Banbury and seen someone suspicious would they send a copper on a push bike ringing his bell I don't think so but all credit to them to be out looking for the villain.
Paul has been on the back of the boat fishing since the end of qualifying and has managed to catch a small roach, WOW! There's a boat coming along now so that will stir the canal up and put pay to any fish nibbling on his bait.

Lift bridge 170

Nb Ellen caught up with us yesterday and moored behind us at Cropredy. In the Afternoon Angela John and I plus 4 dogs all went out for a nice long walk across hill and dale. Paul didn't come because he was too bloody lazy and makes the same excuse that he has a bad knee he hasn't, just doesn't like walking. Well, we all enjoyed ourselves so that is all that matters. Just as we got back to the boat nb Leonard pulled up in front of us, we first saw this boat two years ago at Braunston when Paul had stuck his head into the engine room to admire the old engine, there is a youngish lad that owns it, so Paul was on the tow path chatting away and he chatted away for nearly 2 hours long enough for me to get dinner in the oven and watch a programme on the tele with out himself huffing and puffing. John also joined the two fellas and they have the cheek to say that women can talk.
This morning we set off for Banbury having been told by a passing boat that the lift bridge in the centre was up and boat traffic hadn't been stopped at all. Once there we moored up I did a quick nip to Wilkinsons then we made our way to bridge 168 for a shop at Morrisons, at least there is armco here now, although it is best to go under the bridge as before it is a bit on the muddy side. Must admit I purchased more than was on the list but Paul dropping things into the trolley didn't help I mean what am I suppose to do with MEALWORMS he tells me they are for fishing for one horrible moment I thought he wanted them on toast for his lunch silly me!!!!!
I unpacked the shopping while we continued our journey to our current mooring which is between lift bridges 170 and 171 we are on a nice bit of armco Tv reception isn't too good on the digital but ok on analogue which is just as well with the next round of the GP this weekend. On the up side we have a very good 3G signal on the dongle. We plan to stay here until Monday may get the boat washed down and Paul can get HIS headlight and bell cleaned so they look shiny again. Weather has turned wet as forecast, there are some nice walks here for the dogs as long as it dries up a bit.

Cropredy.

Yesterday afternoon Angela and John came aboard for a cuppa and some boat cake they just wanted to check it out and see what all the fuss was about. Glad to say they enjoyed it, Paul then bored no sorry showed John the drawings of the stretch and Angela and I faffed about with our blogs. Then us girlie's left the men to it and we walked the dogs. Now our Crystal has always been a bit feisty around other dogs and I tend to keep her on a short lead but do you know that when Angela got Maggie her Cavalier king Charles off the boat along with Betty the dog she looking after, Crystal looked and that was it, it was so nice to be able to walk my two with other dogs without any aggro. We walked the 5 locks then returned to the boats.
This morning we said our goodbyes to Ellen's crew and set off down the locks, Angela very kindly came along with us to help me do the first 5 locks that are fairly close together. Then she returned to John and Ellen to wait for some friends who are paying them a visit today. Hopefully they will catch up with us soon, thanks for your help Angela it was much appreciated. Paul docked my wages of £1 by 50p as I hadn't done a proper days work!!!!!
For the first time I decided to walk Saffie with me while doing the locks but I wasn't too sure how Crystal would react to being on the back without Saffie but again she surprised us and just spent the time laid at Paul's feet.
Must admit that these locks were quite hard and the gates were heavy especially the three I had to do on my own. I think the novelty wore off a bit for Saffie by the time we had reached Broadmoor lock she was ready to get back on the boat mind you it was raining by then so that may have had something to do with it.
We are now moored up on the 24hour moorings in Cropredy 3 cassettes have been emptied (I can now uncross my legs), the basic bread, milk and booze have been replenished so we are okay it that quarter. Have given Eric a knock on Rhonda and had a chat with him. It is very grey and damp outside but we are warm, the washing is in the cratch drying and in a minute I am going to make (yes that's right MAKE) some fish cakes, this Jamie Oliver cook book is proving to be money well spent. Mind you if you think about it how clever do you need to be to mash some spuds and add a bit of cooked fish to them and wack the cakes in a frying pan. At least I read the recipe shall just add a few bits and change a few bits (not salmon for us but smoked haddock). So all in all nothing like the Jamie Oliver recipe at all.
Paul has just surfaced from the weed hatch as we had a strange ticking noise on our journey down and he found a load of weed all bound together with miles of fishing line. On the up side, we passed a guy fishing and he thanked us for going slow past him was probably his line that was round our prop.

Bridge 144 Claydon top lock.

After topping up with water we left Fenny compton this morning following behind "Ellen". So much for hoping the weather would be good, to say that it was breezy is an understatement. It was positively blowing a hooley. Only upside, it was dry. I don't like it when it is so windy Paul say's that I am a wimp which yes I probably am. He doesn't like doing the washing up but I don't call him names. (not to his face any way).

On the way we passed Gosty's home mooring and even managed a quick hello to Ian and Alison who were on their other boat. We had only travelled for about and hour and a half when John pulled in to the moorings above bridge 144 at least there are rings here. A few boats have gone past in both directions, hope there is a space at Cropredy tomorrow as we need to use the facilities there. Angela and John have visitors coming tomorrow so they may catch us up Wednesday. By the time we had put the canopy up and had a spot of lunch it was raining quite hard, for once the weather men seem to have got it right.They said one o'clock and it was 4 minutes past.








Fenny Tunnel.




Overnight mooring.




Well as I sit here writing this a boat has just come out of the lock heading towards Fenny and run all along the side of the boat so we are down to bare metal there. After hitting us he then proceeded to hit the bank on the corner and is now moving along the bank as he struggles with the wind. Why do people travel in these weather conditions if they can't control their boat. We aren't talking about a slight breeze here it is VERY VERY windy.