A weird day...........

.........that ended almost where it started.

I wanted to go to Thrupp today, maybe kill a couple of days there before starting the return trip, I have decided I don’t want to go into Oxford itself so turning at Thrupp seemed to make sense.

It began well again sunny but still very blowy, I set off about 9am through Pidgeon’s lock (39) and along the tranquil canal passing Enslow with its wharf, lots of moored boats

and the ‘Rock of Gibraltor’ pub.

I passed another blogger I follow Mortimer Bones (N.b. Bones) although she doesn’t blog much lately and she did not appear to be around.

Just after Enslow the river Cherwell joins the canal briefly, with warning signs before and after Bakers lock (40) about water levels and sharp bends,

but without any heavy rainfall lately it was in the ‘green’ zone and as calm as the rest of the canal.

Red Don't proceed, Amber proceed with caution, Green safe as houses

Shipton Weir lock (41) is another diamond shaped lock at 2 feet 5 inches deep, the second I’ve encountered although they are not difficult, just different.

Shipton Weir Lock, another diamond shaped lock

Lift bridge 219 was closed so I edged up to the non towpath bank walked along the roof and jumped of the bow onto the bank, which was not too overgrown, lifted the bridge and secured it with the chain, then jumped back on, motored through and reversed into position with the stern at the bank and making sure the tiller was clear of the bridge, lowered the bridge, hopped back on board and away I went, not too tricky considering it is the first one I have actually had to do alone.

Reaching Thrupp I decided quite late to wind (turn around) before the lift bridge, I then decided to pop onto the service point and top up with water and empty the cassette, who should be moored just by the services but Maffi (N.b. Milly M.) one of my favourite bloggers, and he was strolling about, so having emptied the loo and got the water started I went over and introduced myself spending the time it took the tank to fill chatting to him, before leaving I took a picture.

Maffi aboard the Milly M at  a busy Thrupp

In the time I had spent chatting the moorings had filled, there wasn’t a space to be had so that was the end of my first visit to Thrupp, short and sweet, I looked for a mooring en route as I left but they are few and far between down this way.

Back at lift bridge 219 again closed I thought I would try nudging up to the bridge instead of the bank and hopping onto the bridge, taking care not to strike the bridge with my roof, it all went well, or I thought it did.....

I was soon back at Shipton Weir Lock, because of the lock shape I was able to wait for a boat following and allow him to share with me, letting him leave first as I told him I was trying to find a place to moor, not far along the river section again I came across him and a boat coming the other way having ‘words’, they’d had a coming together on one of the sharp bends, and the other chap was none too happy with my lock partner, I bet he was glad I had let him go first.

The signs were there.

.... now when I was leaving the lock myself, I noticed my tunnel light was a little unusual looking and I realised I must have bent it at the lift bridge, I had forgotten about the height the light stands off the deck and must have just caught it on the underside of the bridge as I nudged up to it, lesson learned there, either take the light down, or stop a little bit sooner! 10 minutes work straightened it all out though no permanent damage.

A sad looking tunnel light and bracket.

All better again

I didn’t find anywhere to moor until I got back the Pidgeon’s Lock, the other side to last night though this time, so that’s where I am and will stay tomorrow and have a look around the village of Tackley.

Tonights mooring

Totals today : 7 miles : 5 locks : 2 lift bridges twice