.......but now I’m just not sure.
One of the many joys of
this life is you can change your mind whenever you like, we’ll get to that
later.
I wanted to watch the Formula 1 qualifying today, 12:15
BBC1, so I set off from Banbury at just after 8am to give me chance to find a
suitable mooring in Cropedy with that dreaded TV signal.
You see some unusual things on the canals, this house has a
picture of the owners displayed on the rear wall.
Dink & Malc, when I came
down this canal Malc was in the garden and greeted me as I went past with a
comment about the weather and a wave, he seemed a nice man, and with a name
like Dink I’m sure his wife is lovely too.
The first lock of the day Hardwick lock (28) was in my
favour with the gates closed, I could see no boats waiting or in the lock and
no water escaping from the gates so I gently nudged up against the gates
and left the boat on tick-over to push them open, I emphasise gently here, if you go bashing into to
lock gates you will bring down the wrath of the boating gods and be smote with
the ‘windlass of shallowness’, this will cause you to run aground often and
slow your progress generally. If you use
this method and find the lock is actually full simply keep the boat on
tick-over against the gates while you empty the lock, if however someone is
actually in the lock you will have to reverse back with an expression of ‘I am
an idiot’ all over your face.
Just after the lock the M40 passes overhead, would you
rather be in this lorry?
Continuing up through Bourton Lock (27), the lock keepers
cottage in need of some TLC and a new owner I think, I wouldn’t mind but I have
a lot of canal mileage to cover yet.
Through Slat Mill lock (26) and I was soon approaching Cropedy, I did not
like any of the available moorings on the approach so I stopped at the services
to get rid of some rubbish and continued on through the lock, there were a few
spaces but most were in the shade and some were only 24hr, no good as I want to
watch the Grand Prix tomorrow, so 1st change of mind.
How about this for considerate mooring,
his stern pin is dead centre on the towpath and he’s kindly put a coloured bag
close by which of course means it's ok, a bit like putting your hazard warning lights on while you stop on a Zebra crossing to nip into the shops, unfortunately an idiot that I can’t ‘name and
shame’ as the boat had no name.
On through the next three locks
Broadmoor (24), Varney’s (23) and Elkington’s (22) and then I stopped just past
Clattercote Wharf and moored up, it was now 12:00 and very hot, I had a cuppa
and a sandwich while tuning the TV, no signal on the Necvox, and after 4
attempts no signal on the new one either, 2nd change of mind.
I moved on again up the Claydon locks
(5no.) and moored on the visitor mooring after bridge 144.
No signal on the Necvox, 3rd
attempt on the ariel and it’s a winner, give that man a coconut J
I had missed qualifying but I have just watched a quick catchup on the red button and I’m staying here tomorrow for the Grandprix at least!
Travel today: 8 miles : 12 Locks
Tonights mooring 
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