Banbury

Up at 8:30 to meet up with Peter who fitted the inverter. After a further look at the wiring instructions, he concluded that two wires were interchanged. Once he had rectified this problem the power sockets worked OK. We also met Nigel the carpenter and agreed with him about making some doors and shelves for us to fit next time we are at Lower Heyford (they will make the doors and we will fit them!)

Eventually, we were ready to set off just before 11 - the weather was sunny and pleasantly warm. We cruised northwards, passing through or close by various small villages, such as Upper Heyford (once associated with a large USAF base but now a giant car park - look at Google maps to see ) Somerton and Kings Sutton. Somerton Lock, a rise of 12 feet, is about the deepest narrow lock in the system.

After a short break for lunch, we entered Aynho Lock, above which the River Cherwell cross the canal. This lock is very shallow but made of a strange lozenge shape to pass more water with each boat in order to feed the much deeper locks further down.

As we arrived at Nells Bridge Lock, the promised showers materialised, with a viscious downpour which quickly cleared. The rest of the day was either overcast or equally wet. Back to normal. Above Twyford Wharf, work was in progress with piling and dredging but we were not significantly delayed.

Eventually we reached Banbury where we filled up with water and dealt with the rubbish. The centre of Banbury almost overwhelms the canal - certainly Tooleys Dock almost disappears below the modern shopping centre. (It was here that Tom Rolt began his famous canal journey that is said to have been the beginning of leisure cruising, which eventually completely replaced the commercial traffic) The lift bridge, just above Banbury Lock, has a hyraulic windlass device to raise it - this bridge is well-used by pedestrians to and from the shops of bus station.

After passing through the long section of moorings, we decided to moor before meeting the next lock. Not ideal as we are close to a main road, but shielded by trees and any further would have also brought us close to the motorway and its non-stop roar.The television was taken out of its box and sullenly refused to work. Perhaps we shall take a trip in the morning to the large Tesco nearby - it was originally ordered on-line from Tesco.The heater certainly warms the cabin well.