Banbury.

After the glorious weather on Monday came the UK payment, one day of sunshine often rewards you with two days of rain at this time of year, we were on 24 hour moorings so on Tuesday morning we moved through Cropedy lock to find a 14 day mooring the other side of the village, a short cruise in the rain.

We sat out the rest of the rainy afternoon and the following day setting off again on Thursday for what looked like a pleasant day's cruise to Banbury.

This little chap had found his own little grassy haven to take in some sunshine.

With Karl ahead again I arrived at Slat Mill lock (26) in time to assist and was joined by the lady from the boat following me, so things moved ahead ok and I was soon leaving her to close the bottom gates for me.

With one gate closed, she is wallking around the lock to close the other gate.

Passing through the lovely Oxforshire countryside with vibrant yellow rapeseed fields and clear blue skies.

Entering Bourton lock (27) I had gained some ground but the following boat arrived again in time to close the gates as I left.

After passing through the last lock for today, Hardwick lock (28), I was soon arriving at Banbury, a text arrived from Karl to tell me there was room on the town centre moorings so I headed in and moored behind him.

I spent the afternoon doing a couple of shopping trips and then in the evening we regrouped to visit the GF Club, which although a private club, is open to canal users, we spent a couple of hours outside watching the locals and a visiting team compete in a game of ‘Aunt Sally’ which is played almost entirely in Oxfordshire only, more details HERE

It was an enjoyable day finishing with an enjoyable evening and a twenty yard walk back to the boat, and the beer was cheap J

Current mooring:

Total travel:  5 miles : 4 locks