Round The Bend

We left Napton on the Hill feeling a little guilty at the early hour, we were as quiet as we could be, Micky, since having the better silencer fitted makes little noise, compared to some anyway. The reason for this leaving early was nine locks to do and rain forecast for later, no brainer, get going.
This is a beautiful section of the Oxford canal, hard to do it justice with photos, (but we try though!) what does seem both pleasant if a little unusual is the amount of bends, I think either the surveyor was drunk when marking the route, or the sales rep from " Canal Bends Are Us " made a killing here, It feels more like a small river meandering around the Warwickshire countryside.
We are now moored at Fenny Compton, about 8 miles north of Banbury, Ali's birth place, and an area I know from my old work days, we can tell we are going south for the prices are going 'up' as we move 'down'.We could get a pint and a half of good beer for £4.00 a couple of weeks ago, yesterday was £4.95  ho hum.

Bella proves she has not learned her lesson, leans over the side -  duck watching.

Cute though.

Water Buffalo, graze by the cut! Their milk is used locally for ice cream.....come back Ali!

A sorry sight, this boat now being pumped out after a lock mishap, if your lock handler puts the water in too quickly, the boat can be pushed back in the lock at speed, and into the closed gate, as happened here, her rudder ripped off and boat holed,  then sank, not a great day for the couple on it.

We are traveling from left to right of the picture, on one bend, and can see the canal must turn again to get us under this bridge.

Great to see acres of yellow, despite the hayfever.

Baz looks relieved, after narrowly missing a hire boat that came round the bend on the quick side of 

 " in control "

We may stay here for two nights, or until we get a good weather forecast, for rain is due here soon, we knew this sun wouldn't last. There is an enterprising pub nearby that runs a small shop in the snug - just the basics but very useful. Just in case we stay here over the weekend there is a Co-Op a mile down the road for Ali's Saturday paper fix!

Bye for now

Baz and Ali