We set off this morning and had the canal to ourselves for the first couple of locks. Then a holiday boater pulled out right in front of us and stole our lock. He did it to somebody else too, shut the gates in their face and happily wasted a few thousand gallons of water.
He soon slowed down when we caught up with the pack, rush hour on the cut. Never really goes away once it's built up because you meet everybody again at the next lock.
You have to be philosophical about these things, enjoy the rest, have a good look around, chat to the other boaters, say hello to the curious cows.
The captain has a new hat, just in case I forget who's in charge. I have been enrolled on a radio operators course so I can get a VHF radio licence. That will allow us to travel on the tidal stretches of the Thames.
Liquorice pipe for added effect.We stopped along our route at Copredy, which has a connection with Fairport Convention, and had a pint in the 15th century pub.
We then continued to Banbury, where we shall look for a cross in the morning, and poured over our campaign map. We are creeping ever further south.
