Overnight there were heavy rains and when we awoke it was still very wet. However, by 9.30 it had eased somewhat and there was just the hint of brighter weather coming over the horizon as we set off.
The journey up through Banbury was mush as was expected. During the morning there seemed to be very little traffic about - although quite a few moored up waiting for the rain to stop! Passing under the Tom Rolt Bridge, Christine rather approppriately put up our new IWA memebrship stickers! (Tom Rolt is credited with creating the idea that canals could be used for leisure purposes once their commercial role had dwindled)
Within about half an hour the rain had ceased and sunshine gradually broke through. The rest of the day was very pleasant, with fluffly white clouds and a steady breeze.
By lunch we felt the need to change into lighter clothes! We took a break just above Bourton Lock where we spotted some bright, large red poppies beside the almost derelict lock cottage. There must be plans for its restoration, however, as during lunch a lady (who said that she now owned it) stopped to ask if we had been there long - someone had kicked in the door yesterday.
Off once more and we arrived at Cropredy Wharf where we planned to make a service stop. It was a little wait as another boat was already filling up. However, within half an hour we were on our way once more.
The cut through Cropredy (place of the famous annual Fairport's Cropredy Convention) is rather narrow and made all the more difficult with boats moored either side.
The last target for the day was the Clayton Flight of five locks up to the summit pound. Thanks to them being all set in our favour we passed through the flight in about 50 minutes. Just above the lock we moored for the night - a place we had moored in the first trip up here last year.
After we moored, Christine went off to photo some little ducklings who clearly already knew where food comes from!
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