No rain today!
Still quite windy and, for a while chilly enough for Mike to add an extra layer.
We set off as usual with the first of today's series of locks not far ahead. This part of the Oxford canal, one of the earlier to be constructed, mostly has single locks whenever the navigators needed to change level. As a result, cruising is always a matter of, "How far is it to the next lock?"
There are still some wild flowers around although other plants are already beginning to prepare for autumn. (Pix taken as we cruised along - sorry!)
Dink and Malc's house - that's their picture on the wall (we presume) which is a well-known landmark at the start of Banbury. The coffee smells were also quite strong today, coming from the nearby factories.
Other boaters have several times recommended Sovereign Wharf as a re-fuelling stop but, as every other time we have passed this way, they were closed. Never seen them open so no wonder they can advertise a good price for diesel! Wouldn't want to arrive here on our last drop of diesel.
It was still only just after 10 o'clock so there was a surprising amount of free mooring. we had stopped last night short of Banbury, which had been our target, as we did not expect to arrive until 6 pm and usually it would be hard to find a space at that time.
Christine worked the hydraulic lift bridge by the shopping centre and then when to the shops for a few item whilst Mike took the boat down through the lock and started to fill up with water.
Beyond Banbury we were a little surprised to see that Haynes Lift Bridge 170 was closed - it has always been open before now and is not the best well-balanced! (OK, clever cloggs, this picture was taken after we passed through)
We saw another two ex-canal properties for sale today, with the same agent as the one at Claydon Top Lock. This one was just above Nell's Bridge and the other was at Kings Sutton Lock, once a favourite place to call for an ice cream, especially with a grand child aboard!
Just below Somerton Deep Lock there has long been a sign facing the railway line that almost touches the canal at this point. Every other time we have seen it it looked like something that had had no attention six the 1960's! However, someone has now made it much more up to date, although it may still have the same raised lettering.
We had intended to go to Lower Heyford Church in the morning but looking it up on the internet revealed that the only service in the benefice tomorrow is on the former air base above Upper Heyford (well know site in past decades when used by Us forces). As a result, we stopped just above Allen's Lock so that Mike could take a brisk walk to Lower Heyford to collect our car. He needed to get there before 17:30 as that is when they lock the compound overnight.
13.8 miles - 8 locks
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