After being pipped at the post at our first lock, we had a feeling it was going to be one of those days. On leaving the lock, a moored boat pulled out into our path, we bumped his stern button as we could't stop in time, he then pulled into the water point, this had been our plan, and we suspect that's why he had pulled out, we decided to blow out the water stop, and find a mooring. After only a mile we had a decent spot, with t.v. - however Ali pointed out that her Mum, due to visit tomorrow, would not be able to get to the boat easily, even if they could understand where we were.
Pins were pulled,we plodded on, a boat coming towards us round a bend had cut the corner, forcing us to either chance the shallows, or hit him, we ran aground, to rub it in, the wash from his boat ( moving a bit ) further pushed us aground, we were stuck! No amount of revs and pushing with a pole was going to free us.
With my legs bare I dropped into the water, after a bit of pushing and a lot of cursing, we were again afloat, next time we will hit the b........r.
Taking our places in the queues for the next two locks, we pottered to Banbury, seeing a nice spot, near a park with tree shade, we pulled over and moored, after settling in we tried the t.v. - no signal, due to the nice trees no doubt, we pushed off again, Ali muttering dark words about Formula 1 and obsessed husbands ( well come on, it is the British Grand Prix !)
The dogs were now officially fed up, on the boat off the boat, we were no better, seeing a large gap we dived in, then saw the 'no mooring' sign - how we did laugh - so moved on.
We are now in the centre of Banbury, Ali has rushed out to find me a Mc Donald's, ( or to check out the shops, hmmm ) anything to shut me up! We have t.v., we have full bellies, both a little ashamed to have eaten burger and chips ( one of us had two ) It feels like we are moored in a shopping centre, and sounds like it too.
The pub in Cropredy, we only had the one drink, but a nice place.
The church opposite the pub,most villages the road would be called Church Road, not here, It's Red Lion road, what came first we wonder.
These ducks had heard that duck feather will keep you warm, they were not convinced.
Taken shortly after Baz had to get in the cut, no... no definitely no smile there.
Under the M40, what no road works!
Traffic flashes bye, maybe our day could be worse eh!
Today's Mooring
In front, Banbury shops, wonder where Ali will be while the F1 is on tomorrow ?
To the rear, a greener nicer world, can we go back now please ?
It's always interesting seeing places from a canal perspective, because this canal is new to us we are never sure where moorings will be or if there will be space for us when we reach a chosen destination. While we are cruising along we make notes in our canal map books because that will make life much easier next time we pass this way!
Bye for now
Baz and Ali
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