Just one of those days .....

Thursday, 14 October 2010 15:57

However, we are back cruising!

We actually "escaped" Banbury town centre yesterday evening, using the boaters facilities on our way!

Here we are at the water point before Banbury Lock - rumours are that BW are to electrify this lift bridge - why? I had no trouble opening it even in my rehabilitating state!

We are having some internal and external work done on Epiphany and all has now been arranged with Tooley's Boatyard. We can get in a few days cruising before returning for the work to begin. I have not forgotten you, regular readers, but an absence of much to report means an absence of blog!

We spent last night below Samuelson, or Tramway, Bridge (168) as we needed to stock up the larder from the convenient Morrisons there. After a slow get-up we set off southwards on a typical autumn day - still, misty and with a chill in the air. The good news was that we had the fire going, thanks to Tooley's ministrations to our leaking chimney. A cosy cabin at last!

All the lift bridges (all 10 of them from Banbury to Aynho!) are fortunately left up, as otherwise we would have made much slower progress! There are three before our first lock, Grant's Lock.

Lock and Lock Cottage

Two more raised lift bridges and we passed Twyford Wharf with its collection of moored narrowboats. Here we met another boat coming through Twyford Bridge and John executed a tight reversing manoeuvre amongst the moored boats!

Twyford Wharf

Kings Sutton Lock has a railway theme. It was here that our engine started a high whistling sound, diagnosed by John as the alarm notifying us of a broken fan belt. As John's back is still temperamental, it was time to call RCR who arranged to meet us when we arrived at Aynho.

Kings Sutton Lock

Three more lift bridges and we approached Nell Bridge - a lovely area popular with narrowboaters, some fine buildings by the lift bridge, a small holding which sells meat and other produce, including buffalo burgers, and then Nell Lock.

Nell Bridge (187) is one of the oldest on the South Oxford Canal and it is now buried under Aynho Road (B4100). Leaving the lock is tight and looking back you can see the old bridge under the road.

The railway is never far away and the River Cherwell joins the canal for a short stretch at the next lock. This sign looks familiar - we saw enough of them this summer and I thought we had done with them for a while!

Navigation warning sign

Aynho weir and lock are a familiar sight - we have walked along here in our pre-Epiphany days when we needed a canal fix! The weir stretches towards the lock which is a strange shape. There is only a one foot drop but to maintain position in the lock it is best to put the front end against the bottom gate.

Aynho weir and bridge before lock

Here we are in in the diamond lock and looking back, leaving the bottom gate open as another narrowboat was approaching to ascend the lock.

After the final raised lift bridge, I was wondering if we would find a mooring at Aynho - the wharf and moorings here are a familiar sight from the train windows and it always looks busy as I whizz pass on my way to London. However, after a quick scout along the bank, John spotted a mooring right opposite the wharf - ideal, as I have a quick trip back to Cropredy tomorrow to see the GP. A very kind friend is to give me a lift. Once I get back, we may move again - we have the cruising bug and mean to make the most of it for a few days.

Oh - and RCR turned up as promised and we are now in full working order, after just one of those days ......

South Oxford Canal, Samuelson Bridge to Aynho Wharf

3 hours 26 minutes, 6.22 miles, 4 locks