Only a day late ...

Yesterday was a day for amazing skies - I love taking photos in these conditions! It was also very windy as you can see from our ensign as I waited above Somerton Deep Lock on the South Oxford Canal.


On lock landing above Somerton Deep Lock
It was hard to get off the lock landings - but I managed it!

Somerton Deep Lock
At Heyford Common Lock John had real trouble, I had left him and gone to work the lock for a change! His long legs were an asset when it came to pushing off the bow so I was back on the helm to get Epiphany into the lock!

Somerton Mill Bridge
I thought I would give him some more practice - so went to work Allen's Lock - one of the easiest on the South Oxford, fingertip control of the paddles almost!


However the bridge below the lock is very narrow and meeting another narrowboat approaching can be tricky! We arrived at Lower Heyford to find that Oxfordshire Narrowboats were in possession of the canal with 5 hire narrowboats abreast and no room to pass. Fortunately they were able to pull them in a bit, but it was still a very tight squeeze!


Aynho Wharf and Oxfordshire Narrowboats from bridge

We were hoping to meet up with Dusty for diesel, coal and gas - he was no where to be seen! However he was reversing down the line of long term moorers beyond the bridge. We pulled into a just vacated VM - we did a "dance" with the narrowboat leaving it to get in. Very handy to wait for Dusty to return. Once re fueled we went visiting, via a chat with some of the other boaters there. A cuppa aboard narrowboat Take Five was very welcome. Thanks Mike and Christine - happy cruising! We moved on a little further to moor just before Cleeves Bridge, right by the railway but with a lovely aspect!


The trains did not bother us much at night and we set off fairly early back to a very familiar place!

South Oxford Canal, Aynho to Lower Heyford
5 hours 39 minutes, 6.44 miles, 3 locks

Add comment

We do not post anonymous comments or blatant advertising - so don't waste your time!


Security code
Refresh

Blog Calendar

  • 2012 (148)
  • 2011 (387)
  • 2010 (376)
  • 2009 (453)
  • 2008 (116)
  • Click above for a map

    Visitors

    628687
    TodayToday116
    YesterdayYesterday1732
    This weekThis week6484
    This monthThis month25806
    Copyright © 2012 Narrowboat Epiphany: cruising the UK's inland waterways: rivers and canals. All Rights Reserved.
    Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.