An interesting first day on the Thames

I left my mooring at 9:30 this morning and cruised the last bit of the Oxford canal to Isis lock, for a shallow lock (3’- 6”) it took some time to empty, I think a badly leaking top gate was the problem but eventually I managed to open the bottom gate and exit, it was also slow going on Castle Mill Stream, the short shallow link between the Oxford and the Thames but I was soon out and going with the flow.

The approach to Isis lock

Leaving Castle Mill Stream and joining the Thames

 Next business was to purchase a visitors license for the Thames at Osney lock, having parted with the £61 fee I was seen through the manned lock by the very helpful lock keeper.

Leaving Osney lock

Wide water now, following a trip boat past all the boat houses for rowers and punt’ers.

This chap has an interesting looking boat; do you think he’s trying to evade something?

Past the Four Pillars hotel with this fine looking vessel moored out front.

And then in and out of Sandford lock, its nice not having to get the windlass out.

A couple of nice little boat houses.

I caused a small issue at Abingdon lock, there was quite a queue of boats on the service point and I couldn’t see the situation at the lock landing so I just went for it only to find I had jumped ahead of a large boat who was waiting to go in, but I got into position in front of him anyway and then apologised to the owner and allowed him to go first when the time came, he was ok about it but I was slightly embarrassed.

The weir at Abingdon lock

I spotted Karl moored alongside the park but there were no spaces and the lock keeper had told me there were spaces on rings after Abingdon Bridge so I carried on only to find they were all full as well, so I resigned myself to continuing on until I found somewhere, not easy on the Thames and it was another 5 or 6 miles through another two locks before I found a suitable spot just before the weir at Days Lock, it was just after 4pm, a long interesting day for me.

Tonights mooring:

Totals today: 16 miles : 7 locks

Into Oxford

Karl had moved on on Friday, he wanted to be somewhere on the Thames for Saturday, so I'm solo again for now.

I spent Friday morning preparing the bow deck area for painting, it was hot, metal filler takes a lot of rubbing down and by the time I was reasonably happy with my efforts I was exhausted. After a rest and allowing the midday sun to cool a bit I washed the roof. On Sunday I finished off the preparation of the bits I had left and put a coat of paint on it all, I then walked the mile into Kidlington and bought some provisons, late afternoon I put a second coat of paint on, it’s great fun this painting lark J

This morning I moved on myself, setting off around 8:45 and putting a load of washing in the machine, the engine needs to be running whilst using the machine.

The bridges are not all attractive but this one (230) certainly looked like it could support its load.

Lift bridges continue to be a feature of the Oxford canal but the ones on this section are nice and easy to operate for the solo boater, they are heavily balanced to the open position and are kept closed by a locking mechanism which is on the towpath side, so it’s easy, tie up, unlock and allow the bridge to raise, take the boat through and lower and secure the bridge, if only all of them were like that! This one is number 233, not the prettiest setting with the A34 flyover just behind it.

Another feature of this last section of the Oxford is Agenda 21 moorings (the name given to rural residential moorings along this stretch), boat after boat for long lengths of the canal, interspersed with conservation areas, so moorings for the visiting boater are limited.

Agenda 21 moorings.

In Wolvercote lock (45) 

More Agenda 21 moorings.

I stopped on the service point just after the open lift bridge 238 and did the necessary fill and empty before mooring up just after bridge 240, it seems to be a reasonable mooring with rings to tie up and a play area just beyond the towpath.

Tonights mooring:

Totals today: 4 miles : 3 locks : 3 lift bridges.

I sorted myself out and went for a stroll, cities are not my thing, I didn’t venture into the centre, instead walking along the fairly busy road running parallel with the canal, not much worthy of a pic, this caught my eye though.

It was then back along the towpath, this is Isis lock, taken from the bridge, the last lock on the Oxford canal, turn right for the Thames, these days Isis is not a name we enjoy hearing about but Isis is what the Thames is called in these parts (it’s literary epithet), the water to the left in the picture is the Oxford continuing on to come to a, now, rather unimaginative finish with a small winding hole suitable for boats up to 30 feet to turn around just a few hundred yards along, previously it had a grand basin overlooked by the Castle and was busy with Wharfs.

Jericho Wharf is under development, another blot on what should be a very pleasant canal landscape, I have to say I was disappointed with the difference between what I expected compared to what I actually found along this last stretch, I must lower my expectations then I might be happily surprised!

Back on the boat and Formula 1 to watch, Monte Carlo, that doesn’t disappoint me normally J

P.s.

Just as I was posting this with radio 2 on in the background they kindly gave out the F1 result without a warning, bloody hell, another disappointment after all.

Drifter

Having picked up a few provisions and heard from Karl that he had found a suitable mooring further along with room for me it was a late start for me, leaving Thrupp yesterday at about 1:45.
I hadn't gone far, just cleared the private moorings and rounded the bend, when I was greeted with this sight.

His stern pin had pulled out and he was adrift across the canal, I pulled over, tied up and set off towards him with my lump hammer in hand. I arrived at the boat as a lady boater walking her dog arrived from the other direction, she offered to help so it didn't take long to re-secure him, hopefully it would hold a bit longer this time.

He's fixed, I'm off again.

I didn't have far to travel and having passed the next batch of residential moorings I was soon arriving at Roundham lock (42) where I was happy to see a boat just leaving the lock so having seen me they left the gate open and I was able to slide straight in, then having emptied the lock I was happy to see a boat waiting to come up so I was able to slide out again, little moments of unexpected extra happiness, we all enjoy them J

He's also happy as he didn't have to open the bottom gate, win win.

Passing bridge 227 where an attempted 'sympathetic' repair had failed miserably not only in blending in to the existing but also with parts of the repair already fallen apart.

As I said a short distance to travel and I soon spotted the mooring and slotted in behind Karl's boat.

Current mooring

Total Travel : 2 miles : 1 lock

Fresh Waters

I moved on today, the weather looked favourable and I had no reason to stay longer.
A slow steady cruise through the Oxfordshire countryside.

Passing a busy Enslow Wharf and lots of moored boats.

At the second lock of the morning Bakers lock (40) two boats were approaching so no need to close the gates, the first boat however pulled over and allowed the second boat to take the lock first, not sure why but I guess they had their reasons.

The River Cherwell joins the canal at this point and for a short while you have deep wide water to cruise in before the canal leaves on the right at Shipton Weir lock (41).

Bit blurry but the sign says Oxford Canal right, the lock is just out of sight.

Another lift bridge (219) to deal with after the lock, same procedure as for the one at Lower Heyford except the bridge has a chain so only the padlock needed, just as I had got it suitably secured in the up position a passing walker asked if I needed help! timing is so important, I thanked him but said I was ok.

Then it was into Thrupp, I passed a few gaps in the initial visitor moorings and continued on.

Approaching Thrupp Canal Cruisers Club

 And then had to deal with the electric lift bridge which is immediately after the sharp right turn,being electric helps, no need for chain or padlock just a BW key. 

Through that and some 7 day moorings available so that would do for today.

I am now on 'Fresh Waters', last time I came down the Oxford I winded before the lift bridge.

Having got moored up I decided to put a second coat of paint on the bow well deck areas, I was about halfway through when a boat slowed alongside and asked if could move back so he could get in, there had been a boat in front of me who had moved on leaving a not quite big enough gap for the new arrival, So I completed the bit I was painting and pulled back a bit allowing them in to the space, then coninued my painting.

Once I had finished I had a stroll around Thrupp, not much to see, it's a tiny place but a popular boating spot.

The sharp right turn with the bridge in view, service point over on the right
and room to wind (turn) at the corner.

The Boat Inn, one of two pubs in Thrupp.

Totals today: 3 miles : 3 locks : 2 lift bridges

I'm back after a Wi-Fi-less pause.

Due to lack of Wi-Fi this is a bit of a long catchup post, sorry!

Thursday 19^th May

I spent 5 nights at the lovely mooring spot just before Somerton and managed to get some more painting done in the bow well deck on the dry days, yesterday the weather was not great, it rained almost all day and particularly heavily in the early evening.

Today we decided to move on and the first obstacle, lift bridge 193, proved to be no obstacle at all as two Canal and River Trust workmen were in attendance and opened the bridge as we approached.

A pleasant short cruise to arrive at Somerton Deep lock (34), which at 12ft deep is quite imposing, by the time I arrived Karl had already entered it and closed the top gate so he stayed aboard Lizzie Jane while I locked him through, another boat arrived to go up so I locked him through as well before entering the lock myself and going through.

Half empty

Waiting for the helmsman to re-board

Somerton Wharf is a lovely well kept small residential wharf with room for five boats, slightly spoiled by the sound of the mainline railway which passes quite close behind it.

Everywhere around us now new life is growing rapidly, with calves in the fields fattening up

and mummy duck teaching the ducklings that sometimes it’s better to take to the towpath.

The next two locks came and went and I arrived at lift bridge 205 which was down as is normal for this one, it is quite high above the canal and not at all balanced, it’s also metal and quite heavy, but as I had already tackled it last year I was prepared, stopping with my bow nudging the bank on the towpath side and armed with a length of chain and padlock I stepped off at the bow taking the bow rope with me and walked across the bridge. I then pulled the balance beam down raising the bridge and sitting on the beam I passed my chain through the ground ring (the only good thing about this bridge) wrapped it around the beam and padlocked it in place. It was then a matter of pulling the boat across so that I could climb down onto the bow, walk along the gunnels and take the boat through, then reverse so that the stern button was touching the high wall abutment of the bridge and climb up carrying the stern line, release the padlock and chain to lower the bridge, checking the tiller was clear of the bridge first, climb back down onto the stern and continue on my way pleased that nothing had gone wrong J

Karl had already gone through having a bit more luck than me; a boat was coming the other way as he approached, and they opened the bridge allowing him to go straight through without any problem.

Just around the next bend in the canal was the chosen mooring for the night at Lower Heyford which although very close to the railway is quiet and pleasant with only the lack of Internet and phone signal being a slight problem, although sometimes it’s good to lose technology for a while.

Tonights mooring:

Totals today: 5 miles : 3Locks : 1 lift bridge

Friday 20^th

This morning Karl decided he wanted to move on but I wanted to walk into Steeple Aston and have a look around so we parted company for a while again.

Having looked at Pearson’s guide I noticed there was a circular route available by walking back to lift bridge 205 and then following a footpath across fields to the village, returning along a country lane and road. So I set off on foot taking the two pictures of the bridge 205 en route. As I entered a large field I read the warning notice that cows with calves were grazing but thought nothing of it, about halfway across the field some of the youngsters decided they didn’t like my presence, and took to charging towards me bellowing as they approached but stopping about 10 yards short of me, this did not faze me but when a few of the mums decided they might have fun harassing me I quickened my pace J.

These remains were quite a way in the distance and I don’t know what it is and without Mr Google available at the time of writing I probably won’t ever find out.

The walk into the village was about 2 miles across country and mostly uphill but it was worth it, I spent an hour walking around Steeple, Middle and Lower Aston here’s a few pictures of this charming hilltop retreat.

Walking back down the country lane and onto the B4030 I had a distant view of Rousham House of which Pearson’s informs me the gardens are open daily, no dogs or children under 15!

The total walk was probably 6 to7 miles taking around 2½  hours, sidestepping cow pats to begin with J

Saturday 21^st

The weather was decidedly iffy this morning and I had all but decided to stay put for another day but with a brightening sky (slightly) I decided to move in search of a signal on either the phone or the Wi-FI, contact was needed to arrange things for a potential visit.

So at 10:15 I released mooring chains and was away, I got about 10 yards along towards a narrowing and spotted a small day boat heading towards me, he must have been lurking amongst the bigger boats, he was closer to the narrowing than me so I had to reverse back, the stiff breeze making it more of a task, but he was soon passing safely and on I continued to the water point. Right opposite is this lovely house with its own boat, looks like it’s used for entertaining large numbers of passengers, maybe an ex hire day boat.

A family of ducks showed and interest while I was filling up, searching for food no doubt, the little ones seemed to play ‘circle mum then head off in all directions’

They are very cute though J

It was not a very pleasant day for cruising, the wind picked up and there were sporadic showers of rain, I had some luck though, at both locks (37&38) I met boats coming the other way negating the need for me to shut the bottom gates.

Not really camera weather but I snapped ‘Cosy Rosie’ just before Pidgeon’s Lock,

I had intended to go through the lock but looking ahead I could see the moorings beyond were taken so I pulled the boat back and moored before the lock. I had both phone and Wi-Fi and could see no reason to continue in the blustery damp conditions, the canal will still be there tomorrow (or Monday!).

Tonight’s mooring:

Totals today: 4miles : 2 locks