We joined the River Cherwell for a short period, alongside the old cement works with its tall, but evidently crumbling, chimney.
The lock at the end of the river section - Shipton Weir Lock - is diamond-shaped to allow more water through that the small fall would otherwise have permitted. The result is a cranked lock beam which is not as easy to use as the standard straight type. 
There were not too many boats around so it was a peaceful cruise towards Oxford. Later, by mid afternoon several Oxfordshire Narrowboats were on their way back - we passed one in a lock about 3 o'clock with the hope of returning to base by 1`0 tomorrow. Given their evident lack of experience and only two in the crew, they will have to be up early!
We stopped for lunch just outside Kidlington and enjoyed a bowl og the lamb soup which Christine had been preparing all morning. With a bag of vegetables found deep in our home freezer, it was a true winter soup!
On again and by late afternoon we were looking for a mooring in Oxford. They are notoriously scarce, especially in the main season, with long stretches designed a Conservation Area and others for Agenda 21 residential mooring. We eventually tied up in Summertown, even thought the designated 24 hour mooring needed the gangplank to reach the bank!
Once moored, Mike continued to fit the new light in the bathroom - not without some frustration in pulling the wires behind the panelling! In the end he succeeded - now he has to re-fit the shower light: tomorrow now!
The roast meat, lamb, smells ready so back to the galley.
The sharp turn at Thrupp was as 'interesting' as ever, made a little more difficult with one boat moored so that it took up both of the mooring slots at the service point. The stretch immediately after the lift bridge is very pretty, with a long row of old cottages and pub lining the bank on the towpath side.
There were not too many boats around so it was a peaceful cruise towards Oxford. Later, by mid afternoon several Oxfordshire Narrowboats were on their way back - we passed one in a lock about 3 o'clock with the hope of returning to base by 1`0 tomorrow. Given their evident lack of experience and only two in the crew, they will have to be up early!
We stopped for lunch just outside Kidlington and enjoyed a bowl og the lamb soup which Christine had been preparing all morning. With a bag of vegetables found deep in our home freezer, it was a true winter soup!
On again and by late afternoon we were looking for a mooring in Oxford. They are notoriously scarce, especially in the main season, with long stretches designed a Conservation Area and others for Agenda 21 residential mooring. We eventually tied up in Summertown, even thought the designated 24 hour mooring needed the gangplank to reach the bank!
Once moored, Mike continued to fit the new light in the bathroom - not without some frustration in pulling the wires behind the panelling! In the end he succeeded - now he has to re-fit the shower light: tomorrow now!
The roast meat, lamb, smells ready so back to the galley.
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