We were expecting to meet with Andrew somewhere in Banbury so there was no need to set off at the crack of dawn. As it happened, after the exertions of the past few weeks, it was not until after 9 that Mike emerged! We had had a slightly disturbed night as one of the smoke detectors decided to tell that it was hungry (needed a new battery). However, its behaviour was erratic and twice we thought that we had turned it off, only for it to start beeping again!
Progress was just as slow getting ready to set off - in any event fog was covering everywhere! Somewhat after ten, Andrew rang to find out where to meet which we eventually managed at Samuelson's Bridge, the stopping place for Morrisons.
On the way we passed a boat with an unusual structure protruding well behind the rudder. Nearly missed a photo, but it seems that the device can swivel either way to load up a motorbike.
After unloading - including the results of calling at Majestic on the way in to Banbury - Andrew went to park his car in a convenient spot whilst we set off to stock up for the next few days. It is quite a distance before we will have the next chance to do much more food shopping. We returned to the boat well-laden.
A short distance further we called at the service stop below Banbury Lock. Whilst Andrew was filling up the water tank, Mike set off for goodies at the shop in Castle Quay selling fruit, chocolate covered things and licorice. Meanwhile, Christine popped to the even nearer Debenhams for some wine glasses.
As a boat coming up took the lock which was ready for Andrew and then took ages to work through, we were all back at the boat before it was away towards the lift bridge.
Believe you can and you will was the sign in this little boat - not sure how much will it needs!
Well, this was an attempt to show you the newly-painted roof, but, well, a plain roof looks like a plain roof! What you cannot see are all the problems which have been sanded away!
The canal north of Banbury has a succession of isolated locks, most have no vehicle access and the one at Bourton Lock does not appear to have made much progress of this summer.
Another shot of the boat - the light conditions were not good for photos today so very unlikely to improve on the CanalMap library (the last few times have been with excellent blue skies!) so only on the lookout for something new.
We arrived at the bottom of the Claydon Flight of five locks at 4:30 and emerged at the top just after five past five!
Not much further and we moored with a clear view in the satellite direction!
9.1 miles - 13 locks
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