Pulling, punting towing

The world is stunningly green at the moment, and if there were any part of the Oxford that is in full splendour in the green it is the Enslow to Lower Heyford stretch.  It was stunningly beautiful.

The smells are good to

The 48hour mooring signs are back at the quarry after several years missing without trace.  I hope they are sturdy as they could be great mooring posts.

and then the pictures stop.

Dashwood lock came but it did not go. Instead there was a bit of a clatter and a bang followed by a kaput.

Oops.

The first boat to tow us was totally unsuitable and although they were doing us a favour towing, I really wasn’t sorry to lose them. 

We thought we should get a larger boat to tow us to stop us pushing them into the hedges and other canal attributes . It was an afternoon for little boats and a little boat said they would tow us. They were adorable, and not just because they towed us.  Bloomin’ good on the tiller and very good humoured about all sorts of things.  In no time we were safely moored up with a gear box/driveplate/ kaput to fix. Not my boat, fortunately; indeed it is so not my boat that I doubt I will even be on tea duty while the mechanic extraordinair throws his spanners around the engine room.  It will, hopefully, not be a difficult and expensive fix.

Once moored up and farewells of gratitude were offered we were invited to supper by two friend who had also just moored up.  What a treat to relax and recover.  Boots was doubly excited as he was able to lounge on the sofa for the evening looking regal.

Routine Checks?!

I received this letter yesterday. Has anyone else had one?!
(click on the picture to make it bigger)

Lucky Duck for Sale

Lucky Duck is a 48ft traditional stern narrowboat first registered in 1986, with a reliable BMC 1.8 engine. It sleeps 2, makes a great live-aboard boat and is well adapted to coping with being away from shore power. Easy to handle and well laid out inside with a traditional ‘saloon forward’ layout, it would be a good starter boat for anyone looking to begin a life afloat, or enjoy some holiday cruising. All systems are in good working order.

Last backed August 2011, BSC until 2017. Hull survey carried out 2013 and available for viewing.

Details of the boat here.

John Wonfor

Raising money for macmillan and travelling the canals.  He is heading towards Oxford and was last heard of at Upper Heyford.  Give him a wave and support if you see him!

Boating Kit

Visit

I love it when my Pa comes to visit.

Whisper in the grave.

There is something magical about churchyards; the way the flowers are undisturbed and the old trees bend over to whisper their stories.  They are stunningly peaceful and recently I stumbled over a beautiful one with a bench in the shade.  Wonderful.

Little Venice

Now I have got over the ‘lav’ incident last Saturday, here are some pictures from Little Venice. A great day out!

Cheek!!!

As I made my way in to the ladies lavatory the person on the door told me the mens lavatory was next door.

Pah.

Finding Libby–Oxford and London

OVERVIEW

When dowdy Pauline allows her bossy neighbour to talk her into a holiday on a hotel boat, she isn’t expecting to revisit her past.  Or to find a new future. A warm and witty look at what happens when a waterways holiday takes an unexpected turn… back to carefully forgotten memories of stifling respectability, young love, and the sixties that didn’t swing for everyone....

Performing her own script, Kate Saffin is natural… Her warm portrayal… allows the audience to laugh at [Pauline’s] fusty foibles… creating a genuine affection for the central character. FringeGuru (original title: Memories of Water)

TICKETS

Oxford: The Theatre at the Old Fire Station May 9^th and 10^th 7.30pm (55 min)
Tickets £10/£8
http://www.oldfirestation.org.uk/event/
Tickets Oxford: http://bit.ly/14Y3FCL
Box office: 01865 305305
Or on the door from 19:00
London: Pleasance Theatre Islington May 14^th 7.45pm
Tickets £10/£8
http://www.pleasance.co.uk/islington/events/finding-libby