Reading to Oxford....final part.

Another warm start to the day and I was looking forward to the final part of my Summer Cruise, which would be on a new section of the river Thames for me. 

Casting off around 9:30 I was very quickly passing the entrance to Sheepwash Channel where I had joined the Thames on 30^th May, but for my return to the Oxford Canal I had decided on the alternate prettier route alongside Port Meadow and up Duke's Cut.

Entrance to Sheepwash Channel.

After a few bends in the river it opens out to reveal Port Meadow in all its glory with a sign on the bridge warning of shallows at the edges so keep near to the centre.

Approaching Godstow lock, if you are not already aware, you need to be aware which side to pass the Red and Green floaty things (buoys) , when going upstream keep Red on your left, Green right, downstream the opposite, Green on your left, Red right, I am going upstream and in this situation I simply pass down the channel marked by the buoys either side, I think all the birds where trying to put me off :-) phew, glad I got that right!

Godstow lock 5’ 2” deep and the last mechanical and manned (actually a lady keeper today) lock for me.

Just past the lock are the ruins of a former nunnery.

And this more modern dwelling/shed?

I was soon passing through lovely countryside and the very bendy section of river which turns left and right often and where care needed to be taken.

More floaty things.

The last double lock for me was next, King’s lock, manual and down to me to operate, ‘I think I remember how to work these!’ no time for a picture until I had happily got through it without incident.

Leaving King's Lock

The junction is just past the lock, left for Lechlade sharp right for Oxford and once again a bendy section, this time narrower and with vegetation often encroaching and limiting the view ahead severely.

I then left the river behind and joined the canal section of Duke's Cut, the original link between canal and river was owned by The Duke of Marlborough, it opened in 1739. you can tell you are back on the canal, moored boats restricting the width and view and as I approached the bridge carrying the A40 I could see nothing approaching ahead, but seconds after taking this snap

I met a boat just as I had started to enter the bridge hole, he just had time and room to allow me to squeeze through, but he had to reverse back again to allow him to negotiate the bridge hole himself, we both laughed that neither of us had used their horns to warn of our approach, no harm though.

I think at this point I am back on C&RT waters, and into the first single lock, Duke's Cut lock, but not before letting another boat, already in the lock come through.

Duke's Cut Lock, not the most pretty I've been in.

It is single file for the short distance from the lock to the mainline Oxford at this point.

Luckily no other boats attempted to enter the cut so I was soon out and going up Dukes lock, I had help from boats both ahead and behind me.

After one lift bridge and one more lock I moored up, it was very hot by now and I have found a nice spot above Kidlington Green lock that suits my plans for the next week or so, painting, but first I can put away the anchor and lifejacket and rest a bit, tomorrow will be ok to start work, maybe.

Tonight’s mooring

Totals today: 6 miles : 5 locks : 1 lift bridge