Onwards from Banbury

After what can only be described as an overwhelming welcome to Banbury I decided to stay for a couple of weeks. Eventually after much fun and fames with various things the morning of departure arrived and we noticed the water levels were a bit low so Boots went off to investigate.

Some boats were really struggling

but the morning was beautiful

 

We met our friends Miss Lucy and Angie and headed up the canal. CRT had, apparently, been working hard to replenish water supplies after the lock paddles had been left open.

Up through Banbury lock and we were halted while the banner for canal day was strung across the canal.  Peter took my bow rope and entertained me while Kate Saffin hung the banner up with two helpers making sure her boat didn’t float off.

A beautiful cruise northwards through the wildlife and hedgerows took us on to Cropredy.

Lower Heyford to Somerton Meadows

You love it or you hate it:

looking back:

nice bit of ballast:

Leaf

Not today

Is it really 16 years since we were wed?

10 years from when I fought for my life

- from when you wished me dead?

Well, I survived

Through all your lies

Happy Un-anniversary

- the best thing I ever said?

Wow! It worked

Normally when I try this sort of thing it turns to disaster!  Sue on NB No Problem scooped up a chick, got its strength back, put it on a lily pad and there was a happy ending! COOL. Read about it here…

Herbie and the Heron

If you haven’t seen this lovely set of photographs then DO!!!

Oh? Again?!

Tiller Telegraph

Rousham

A short walk up the hill from the moorings at Lower Heyford will find you in a village called Rousham. If you like Kent, then you will love it here.  Left almost as he left it you can meander around the gardens of this beautiful country house.  The house was remodelled by Kent in the 18oos in a free Gothic style and it is a beautiful day out.

There are some real gems from some beautiful moorings along the canal.

The Poo

In the middle of the towpath

Was a great big poo

I didn’t do it.

Did you?

NO!

The dog did it.

Too high to go over it..

- we had to go around that poo,

me and you

with great big ruck sacks and a picnic

- it took a day or two

to get around that poo.

THEN

can you believe it?

ANOTHER poo!

Far far to wide to go around it

so over it we did go.

Two great big ladders

(in every girl scouts bag)

positioned carefully.

We hauled ourselves up

with our bags on ropes

We climbed up and up

up and up

and up

until we reached

the squidgy peak

of the great big poo.

and then down the other side

me, then you.

(for a moment I thought we’d fall in)

We conquered that big squidgy poo too.

Glorious

I have often thought of mooring here.  It is glorious. No road traffic but there is the noise of the occasional passing train but the dawn chorus certainly makes up for it.

Hooray Henry-Etta? me?

There I was minding my own business boating along the lovely stretch from Pigeons Lock to Northbrook when I rounded the corner and suddenly couldn’t see a thing.  The dazzle from the shiniest boat on the cut nearly had us weaving on to dry land.  We grabbed the emergency supply of sunglasses and managed to correct our course just in time to grab the claxon and make lots of noise.  It took quite some time to rouse the crew of NB Yarwood to their front doors but eventually they gave in and left the F1 to itself to wave at us.

The good ship Bones was rather embarrassed with it’s livery as it went skulking past the gleaming Yarwood.  I am starting to paint, again, which involves taking all the badly put on paint off. Again.  I think it will look stacks better this time.

When it comes to poor paint work I find that a distractor draped over it certainly helps.  Here is our new neighbour for a few days.