27 July 2011 - Kirtlington to Somerton

We were determined to make an early start and make an impression on our outstanding journey distance.  Managed to start early enough..... then straight away disaster.  Whilst still in sight of our overnight mooring I moved over to let another boat passed the other way (we keep right on the canals).  Now negative G is something you usually hear in terms of aerial acrobatics or formula 1 - not narrowboating!  Well you experience quite a lot of negative G as you run aground and with 10 tons that's a lot of force.  The boat tips and rises up out of the water and you realise this is going to be a bit of a bugger to get off!
We managed to move the bows free and get a line onto the opposite bank, then with the help of a nearby moored boater, and lots of engine revs she came free.  Lots of thanks to said boater and we were on our way again all the benefit of our early start lost.

Stopping for a lock

Exhausted by the early start and our grounding we treated ourselves to an early finish, finding a lovely spot just south of the village of Somerton.  Taking the bikes off the boat, we cycled into the village - about a mile - with Lady jogging behind.  The map said there was a post office, but we went right through the village and out the other side.  It was on our way back through we spotted a house bearing the name 'The Old Post Office'.  Obviously a victim of the current economic climate. Our own climate was pretty warm too.

Overnight stop 27th July south of Somerton