Banbury and beyond

With just a short run into Banbury, it didn't take too long before we moored up right by "Castle Quay" in the town centre. One for the ladies because town means shops, and shops means shopping, and for the three girls that meant some serious retail therapy.

On the Sunday, our day of arrival we all went out for what would have been John's birthday dinner treat, but trying to find a nice place to eat turned out to be quite difficult. In the Reindeer pub, which had been recommended we ordered our drinks only to find out that there was no food left (would you believe it), so we asked for a recommendation of somewhere else we could get food. "The three pigeons" was mentioned so John looked them up on his phone (looked good) so he called them to make a reservation and we were in. Drinks downed in double quick time we set off, and received a very warm welcome when we arrived, food and drinks ordered we sat down and had a lot of fun with the waitress "Ashley" and she recriprecate, making the afternoon meal very enjoyable indeed. Graham, Carolann, Sally and I picked up the tab, giving Jo and John their birthday treat. After a slow walk back to the boats we all settled down for the evening.

We all spent the next 48hours enjoying the delights of Banbury Shopping, before preparing to move on.

 

Before leaving Banbury on the Wednesday morning, all three boats reversed up to Sovereign Wharf to take advantage of diesel at 89 pence per litre. For John and Graham reversing was a little easier as they both have bow thrusters. For us, without such luxury, John volunteered to poll the front for me and the whole backward journey went very well so he has now been promoted to "my wing man".

 

We arrived early and waited till it was open bang on time if not a little early and received what can only be described a warm and friendly service "Recommended". Fueled up we once again set off through the town and the first lift bridge and lock, onto the service area where we did our chores before following John and NB Acen out of the town and into the countryside again. One further lock later we moored up after as little as two hours running time.

                                                     Banbury town lock and services

                                         One of the many lift bridges on the Oxford Canal

Not easily seen, but a family of deer in the field

We passed a field with a family of deer who seemed quite content to keep on munching away, then onto the lock. Here we met an old narrowboat selling coal, gas and diesel and helped him through the lock, but not before buying a couple of bags of coal "just in case winter has not gone yet". Graham did the same, so it was a profitable lock for the trader.

                                               Graham peering over the top of the lock



                                                           Our Mooring for the night