Start of Season

We managed to leave home by 8:50, thanks in part to the fact that Mike had been able to load up the car with the usual collection of plastic boxes after he returned from the cathedral yesterday afternoon.


It was a clear run with relatively little traffic and almost no roadworks. We called at MichaelWood Services but found that it was being 'reconfigured' which meant that, even though the service area was quite empty, there was a packed car park. Generally, it felt that it needed a face lift. Still, there was a special offer on coffee and hot cross bun which tempted both of us!

We arrived at Lower Heyford shortly after 1 o'clock and set about unloading as well as checking all the works which we had arranged to be done in advance of this trip. All seemed to be OK. We decided to risk filling up the fuel tank - the dreaded diesel bug hangs over us (see last year's first trip to understand why!) but Mike put in some special fuel treatment before adding fuel. Fingers crossed!

Just after Mike had loaded all of the remaining boxes onto the stern counter (blocking access for the moment!) two visitors arrived: Fi and John from nb Epiphany. They are now making their way down to the Thames, having been trapped at Banbury until Grants Lock was re-opened. They stayed for a cup of tea (we had at least managed to unpack enough supplies to do that) and, after catching up on progress and gossip, they left us to complete our preparations.

We eventually set off around four o'clock and soon were passing familiar landmarks. Firstly, the Mill Lift Bridge which is now a bit easier to operate and Christine managed it without too much problem.

After passing the impressive old barn at Upper Heyford we passed through Allen's and Heyford Common Locks. The tiller is much firmer after the winter servicing but is rather more hard work!

It was still a brilliant afternoon and even mundane railway bridges can seem worth photographing!

We were aiming for Somerton and our familiar mooring just before the village, hoping that we could find a spot where the satellite dish would yield a signal (We knew from previous experience that not all parts of this mooring can do so). It was by now becoming quite chilly so Mike pulled in, trusting that his orientation instincts were still working. A little later he was, just for once, proved OK when the dish quickly locked on to a signal.