3 September 2011 - Lower Heyford to Shipton-on-Cherwell

Best laid plans of mice and men.....  Kathryn and Brian arrived just before 11 and went to look for us the wrong way down the canal (well it was a 50/50 chance). I in the meantime walked up to the pub where I thought we were meeting and - we missed each other.  Still it filled in an hour.....
All reunited we had a cup of (now obligitory) tea and set off south.  They only had a short time with us so I had planned a run down to the next village - Takely from where they could catch the train back to Lower Heyford and the car.  A pleasant but too short trip saw us through 2 locks and moored up in about an hour.  As time was tight they decided to get a taxi rather than rush to get the train.  As we set off after lunch (and birthday cake - thanks K&B!!) I realised with horror that the bridge carrying the footpath back to Takely could not be reached from the towpath.  We had no option but to hike all the way back to Lower Heyford..... Ah well.
With Kathryn and Brian safely on their way we delayed long enough at the Bell in the village to re-hydrate then hiked back to the boat and set off once more.  An approaching boat warned us of a tree down ahead, but we managed to squeeze by without trouble.  We got a fair way before it started getting dark dark so we moored up at Bakers Lock just north of Shipton-on-Cherwell. Yet another lovely spot - a clear star lit night disturbed only by the odd meteor and the hooting of owls in the woods next to us.

Guest crew 

Tree down

2 September 2011 - Banbury to Lower Heyford

We have arranged to meet up with friends Kathryn & Brian tomorrow.  Extensive study of the map showed Lower Heyford as both a convenient place to meet (there is human habitation!) and a good days travel from our overnight mooring south of Banbury.  A lovely days travel.  As we got to Heyford Lock we came across several holiday hire boats who had just started their hire.  They were being taken through the lock by a harassed chap from the hire company.  As he brought one boat through ahead of us he whispered - could we please go through really slow to give him time to finish his teaching session and be ready for the next boat.  This we duly did, crawling through the lock.  He seemed very grateful with a great big thumbs up sign.  We stopped just before Lower Heyford and walked into the village for a look.  Beautiful place mostly with houses in local stone and many thatched.  Very poor TV signal so had to watch several gripping episodes of the Antiques Roadshow.  Am older than some of the exhibits so didn't much enjoy.

Anyho Weir double lock

1 September 2011 - Remained at Banbury (Ken to Reading)

September already!  The first signs of autumn - leaves floating by the window.  Moved the boat near to Morrisons so that Annie could do the shopping.  The plan was for her to ring when she had finished so I could walk up and help carry the bags.  Sadly she could get no phone signal - so appeared at the boat with arms significantly longer than previously with all the shopping.  I walked to the station and caught the 12.55 train to Reading (easy) and the bus out to Tilehurst (hard! I hate buses).  Said hi, got stuffed with food and returned the same way (but the other way round).  Annie had felt uneasy about a group of youths where we were moored so had moved the boat out of town - yet another lovely spot (but sadly a fair walk from the station).

Hairy Harriet the (boat) pole dancer

31 August 2011 - Little Bourton to Banbury

Travelled the relatively short distance into Banbury so that I could catch the train to Reading tomorrow to see Mum & Chris.  We moored right in the centre, which was now spookily quiet after being jam-packed on our previous visit.  Mark managed to find us and called in on his way home from Southport.  Managed to park his car right by the boat.  Had a nice chat and Annie did us all a meal.  Mark ran me up to Maplins in Banbury for a couple of 12v projects on the boat and then set off home.