Sat in Abingdon

We didn’t travel too far out of Banbury before pulling over out in the countryside just passed Twyford wharf, at Kings Sutton Lock.

 

 The next morning we set off toward Aynho where we had planned to fill up the diesel tank, although now we had no need having filled up in Banbury before we left. It was a good day weather wise having sunny periods although the wind was still cold and in places that were shaded by the trees it became quite cold. On passing through Somerton bridge (196) we spotted the other two up ahead, who were already mooring up alongside a field just before bridge (198). So we slowed to tickover and pulled in just behind them and secured the boat, before gathering for tea and coffee. Now as there were cattle in the field the dogs had to stay on their leads, but not before Darcy found something rotten to role in (phew). Back at our boat there was a log floating in the water at our stern, and I got a shock to spot a grass snake sunning itself, but before I got the camera it was off. I did however manage to get a shot of it swimming across to the other side (see photo).

 

The next day we were off again, and it was a little colder that yesterday as we headed for the Heyford’s to top up the water tanks. This is where we stopped on our very first trip out in 2010 and where Jacinta, Sally’s sister in law came to visit us for the day, although this time we would not stop. On reaching the water point, both John and Graham were already breasted up and filling their tanks, and oh boy was the pressure low as it seemed to take ages to fill them up. Eventually they were both done and on their way again, leaving us to top up and catch them further along the Oxford at Thrupp. While filling out tank we spotted a toad (or frog), not sure, swimming along the side of the boat, and with the pilings along the edge it had no way of getting out.

 

We were soon on our way again, travelling through some beautiful scenery, passing an old Roman Road called Akeman Street, although there is now nothing to show of it. Around the Rock of Gibraltar and the pub of the same name, we had visions of our first trip and a busy part of the canal, although this time there was little or no boat movements but ours.

 Now with facilities at Thrupp Sally and I decided to pull over and get rid of our rubbish and empty the cassette, and it wasn’t until we arrived that I remembered what a beautiful place Thrupp is.

With its sharp bend and Lift Bridge we pulled over and did our chores before heading off again.

John on NB Acen was up ahead and had stopped to collect the newspapers for us on the edge of Kidlington at bridge (224), and we caught him up a little further on at Roundham Lock. Through the lock we got a call from Graham who had pulled over and moored up to wait for us on the outskirts of Kidlington, and it was here that we moored up for the night. Our descission was made to part company with the guys here, for us to make our way into Oxford and for them to continue their journey to Lechlade.

The next morning we all said our faiwells and both Acen and Autumn Years headed off leaving us behind although we did help them through the lock before waving them off. I would apologise at this point for the blog being a bit rushed and lacking interest, however I have ordered an external antenna for my Wi-Fi so soon I should be able to update the blog daily.

Monday morning Sally and I were up and off heading for Oxford and the weather had taken a turn for the better and it was sunny for most of the day.

 First Kidlington Lock and a run down to Dukes Lock and the water tap where we once again topped up the water tank before heading into Oxford, our mooring and the shops where I had hoped to get an antenna for the Wi-Fi. We travelled at slow pace enjoying the canal and the back gardens of the houses that lined the canal on our way into town. As on our last visit, the canal is still lined with boats that seemed to have taken up residence and turned the towpath into their own little gardens, a great number of which showed no sign of being licenced, which is a bit of an insult to those of us who do licence our boats (but hey). In the town we found a mooring which was in the same place that we moored back in 2010 and after a cup of tea and a sandwich we headed into town. I visited every shop to try for my antenna but to no avail, however one guy said he could get me one but it would take three days to arrive, but I declined the offer.
 

I eventually ordered one from e-bay and arranged for it to be delivered to my Brother in law, Peter who lives in Hampshire, who had kindly offered to bring it up to us when we arrive in Reading.

Next comes the Thames and we have so been looking forward to this part of our journey. Setting off at around 09.30 we made for Louse Lock where we dropped down onto the Sheepwash canal, (but they don’t wash sheep here anymore) for a short journey onto the Thames.

Turning south we soon arrived at our first lock on the Thames (Osney lock) and as the water was running at a pace we had difficulty in getting onto the layby, especially with the draw from the weir opposite, but with some help from the lock keeper we were soon safe and secure. It was here that we saw the one and only other boat moving on the river this day as he came out of the lock. Once in ourselves, the fast drawer ceased and we were told that from here the river will slow down a pace, and it did, although even on tick over we were traveling at around 4.5mph.

Having passed Folly Bridge, we were heading for Abingdon on a very wide River Thames, and at times with Sally at the helm down to Iffley Lock.

We continued our journey down in glorious sunshine altgough a cold wind and it was very enjoyable indeed, just as we had remembered.

We moored up at Abingdon at around 13.30 and settled in the rest of the day.

 

Now a little help needed, can anyone identify this duck, (and I know it's not George).