Dreaming spires

Oxford, one big university with a city mixed in.

There is one stereotype that is very true,

We joined the masses on our own bikes, peddled into town and caught a tour bus. Siting on the top deck of an open topped bus we did one lap listening to the commentary and getting our bearings and spotting places of interest to come back to.

First stop was the Alice in Wonderland shop, selling all manner of curious things. Originally it had been the shop that the real Alice, of the story, went to buy sweets.

Next stop was St Mary's church where we climbed to the top of the tower to look out over the dreaming spires.



Medieval architecture is a little on the cramped side,



and quite crude too !



that's a nun cupping her, well you work it out. There are also vomiting monks. Nice.

But there is plenty of fine stuff too.



We went into the Bodleian library which is just behind the Radcliffe Camera pictured. Never found out why it was called a camera. Then round the corner to Oxford's bridge of Sighs.




An American lady asked us " is that it !???!" Lucky she hadn't gone to Venice or she'd have been really disappointed. We then cut across the courtyard in the background to find somewhere to sit and have our packed lunch. We found a fine set of grand stone steps just as it started to rain. When a tour guide and her group of students came running over to share the shelter as the rain turned into a full blown thunder storm. We learnt a lot from our new neighbours extended stop and lecture on the structure of college life.

When the rain abated we made it to the history of science museum before jumping back on the bus and heading back into the city centre for a spot of shopping. Then back to the bikes and Maya, it's hard work this tourist business.

We're back !

We've been on our holidays, sort of. We had to go back to the real world to do a few things.

We left you in Banbury from there we headed south to a little place called Lower Heyford where there were long stay moorings and a handy railway station.



We secured Maya, watered the plants and waited for a train to take us back to Banbury and another train back up to Manchester.



Back up north I went and did the VHF radio course and passed too. I'm now qualified to operate and use marine VHF radio equipment.

Then we had to kill time until we found out about collecting our new boat. The devil will find work for idle hands and he pushed me in the direction of the bike shop. I traded in my two old bikes and got a new one more suited to two up travel so the captain and I can roam around in comfort.

We hadn't seen rain in months but we got plenty that week, which as it happened was something of a blessing because we got the call to pick the new boat up on Thursday. More water in the locks which was a good thing.

The next day we sailed Chug to Wigan, bit of a culture shock, it's like stepping up from a car to a truck, he's huge.

Then on the Saturday morning we ascended the infamous Wigan flight with the VERY gratefully received help Mum & Dad D, Skipper Tony and crewman Kelly. Thank you guys.

Sorry no pictures, we forgot the camera. D'oh

With all missions complete we headed back south to the sun. Maya was fine and the flowers had survived too, but the fridge was empty and there was no phone signal to let anyone know we'd arrived or blog. So the next morning we struck out for Thrupp. Tiny little place, maybe a dozen houses and a pub.


Not just any pub but a pub used in an episode of Morse no less. There was also a shop in the next village a short walk away where stocked up.

Then today we made our way under clear blue skies down to Oxford, though the going was not all easy.



We made it to a mooring just a few minutes walk from the city centre,


where tomorrow we'll play proper tourists, catch a tour bus and everything.

Then in the evening we had a walk to look at our next challenge.





The Thames.

Rush hour

Another nice if somewhat dull day.

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.

Green day

The day didn't start well. Two holiday boats had moored in the lock pound and got the drop on us this morning. They were absolutely clueless. The boat in front of us lost their rag with them and gave them a frank appraisal of their skills. The captain wasn't too happy about the situation either.

Once clear of the locks we got past them and the day improved considerably.

Today we did green, lots of green, vast amounts of green that stretched as far as the eye could see. With little else apart from the odd isolated farm.



Even in the middle of nowhere the gongoozlers found us.



We think they are Buffalo, definitely not your average cow.

The day continued in much the same vein, huge expanses of green and vast blue skies.

So this tight bit came as a bit of a surprise!




It didn't last long, it was an old tunnel that has been opened out near the delightfully named village of Fenny Compton. Then it was back out into the fields and moored up for the day.

A new navigation

Another early start to miss the madding crowd.

We looked up at the mountain of locks before us. Oh well they don't get any easier just looking at them.



When who should come around the corner, the Holiday boat that helped us through yesterday.



All was going well, then we rounded a bend and the true magnitude of our days work hove into view.

The Stockton flight of 8 closely packed locks.

We fell into a good routine, the first pair opened the lock, then closed the gates as the boats came in. Then went on to set the next lock . While the second pair filled the first lock, let the boats out, closed the gates and walked up to the next lock. Worked a treat and we were soon through the 15 locks.

The holiday boat left us at the top and we made our own way. You know you're in the country when the locals turn up at the pub by horse.

There were just 3 more locks to go, luckily another boat turned up just at the right time to give us a lift.

After that it was plain sailing to Napton junction, where we hung a right onto the Oxford canal. We have moored at the foot of Napton hill, with it's windmill on the summit.


We settled in then went for a walk to check out tomorrows challenge, you guessed it, more locks. Though we are back to narrow ones, very narrow. Fenders UP!

Wide locks !?! oh eck

We set off good and early this morning as it was going to be a busy day. 12 miles and 27 locks.

First we had a tunnel to get through, wide enough for two boats to pass, which is a bit unusual. With another tunnel half way up the hillside for the tow path. How they got the old boats through I don't know.



Then we arrived at our first lock. Oh dear, neither of us had realised the Grand Union is a broad canal.




Oh eck this is going to be hard work we thought. Our salvation came around the corner in the shape of a yellow holiday boat. Luckily for us it was one of the rare ones where the crew knew what they were doing.



Then the day really began, so there aren't any more pictures. Once you start there is no time for anything else. Though the lock gear is a bit unusual, it's big and works well. The locks fill and empty really quickly.

All was going well until we met another boat coming up the locks who had managed to drain the pound between us, then ran himself aground for added entertainment.

Then it was a run through Warwick, not much seen apparently, we carried on to Leamington Spa. Where we stopped at a canal side supermarket and stocked up. Before heading back out into the countryside to moor up for the night.

Tomorrow, more locks and hopefully the Oxford canal

Back on the cut again

Hi folks,

Yesterdays trials went well, we had a BBQ to celebrate.



This morning Mum & Dad left us and we got under way again.

Into the land of narrow bridges.



VERY narrow bridges !!!!!!!!!!!!



In fact it's a very quirky canal all together.

The lock keepers houses have barrel roofs




The aqueducts are in bath tubs with the tow path at the bottom not at the top of the water.






It's very strange looking UP at your boat as it sails by.

The rest of the day passed with little incident, we had a bit of a squeeze into one lock, and the killer geese had to be treated carefully.



We made it through the 17 locks, 4 aqueducts and countless skinny bridges to get onto the Grand Union and heading east before swinging south again.