Is this the way to .....

Friday, 31 December 2010 09:00

On the other hand probably not!

We took a quick trip a few miles up the South Oxford Canal today: no, not a virtual one, an actual one.... by car! Reconnaissance photos reveal that most of the canal is still iced over - surprise, surprise.

Aynho - water over ice, sorry no photo.

Twyford - ice

There is widespread flooding too, as the River Cherwell has burst its banks at Twyford and other places.

River Cherwell at Twyford

At Nell Bridge, the lock is beside the road (remember the old bridge is buried beneath the road) - clickety click. It all looked pretty solid above and in the lock.

So that confirms it (as if we needed to): we are going nowhere for a number of days/weeks/months! 

Banbury has water below the lock but ice above, with a centre line of ice leading down past Castle Quay towards the swing bridge. A few narrowboats were moored up. Here, beside the Jolly Boatman, the towpath is fast becoming a mud track and the grass has appeared. However, under a layer of water the ice is still very thick and the ducks and geese are still puzzled as they are paddling but cannot swim!

By the way, look at the title of the blog again (not the subtitle) - it was the way to .... amaryll(o)is! This is Carolyn's blooming beauty! We dropped in for a cup of tea whilst up that way and I couldn't resist a photo.

Amaryllis