We had a really good night moored in our lovely rural setting! This view greeted us at about 7.30am.

By the time we set off the sun was shining and it was very warm. We reached Clifton Hampden around 10 am. The bridge is very "pretty" with it's elaborate brickwork. Just above it, yet another Cornish boat! Is there a problem in Cornwall - is everyone migrating?

Clifton lock has a small rise and then is followed by Culham lock in a lovely setting, followed by Culham Cut and Culham Reach. Off Culham Reach is the new junction for the Wilts and Berks canal - one for the future! The old junction, now built over, is marked by a sign in Abingdon  In Culham Reach we were passed going downstream (at speed due to the flow!) by Nb Salix Alpha on their way back to the K & A after a month away.

We reached Abingdon where it seems everyone had decided to moor and it was very busy. It is a another pretty spot and the river is lined with interesting buildings and meadows.
 

 

The Old Anchor pub just above the  bridge at the entrance to the River Ock, brought back more memories of the cruise in the 70's and 90's!

We passed through the narrow Abingdon Bridge which was causing a very fast stream leading to more moorings.
 

Soon we spotted nb Beau with Trevor and his collie Bill. We greeted each other and he told us that Osney Lock was back on red! We said we would press on as far as we could get anyway, leaving him behind to follow in the next few days I suspect!

Near Nuneham we slowed down to watch a quad bike scramble start. Boy did they kick up some dust as they did! it is a long stretch between Abingdon lock and Sandford lock, passing Nuneham House and this lovely Oxford Barge at the Four Pillars Hotel.
 

At the next lock - Iffley, the helpful lock keeper told us that Osney was on amber - goody, we could get off the Thames! So we continued on through a regatta, past all the boat houses and the University of Oxford rowing club. A very busy stretch with rowers, pleasure boats and punts. The River Cherwell joins the Thames here, but was comparatively benign and popular with the punts!

Christchurch Meadow was "heaving" with people, picnickers, sunbathers and gongoozlers! We passed Milly M and left our "calling card" - hope you spotted it Maffi Two or three boats pulled out from the moorings ahead of us, obviously also aware that the red boards at Osney were lifted at about 1 pm too!  So the bendy stretch after Folly Bridge suddenly became extremely busy both ways.

There was a queue at Osney lock, both above and below. The boats in front of us were reluctant to move forward when I asked them so we had to hover with two other boats behind us - Duh! However when asked by a chap from the EA, getting into a patrol boat, they quickly complied enabling us and another boat to tie up to wait too.

The lock keeper was excellent despite the volume of traffic and calmly locked everyone through in turn, directing according to length of boat. Above the lock all the moorings were taken although the stream made mooring very difficult.

Would we get under Osney Bridge?
 

 

Yes, with a few inches to spare.
 

Next decision - Sheepwash Channel or not? No contest - off the Thames we went, turning sharp right into Sheepwash. Of course, there were some working boats moored on the starboard side making the turn extremely tight. However the skill of the helmsman made the turn and the extremely narrow channel seem like a doddle!

A sharp left at the end of the short cut and we waited for our first NARROW lock. Epiphany looked and felt very strange in Isis lock! Looking back at the bridge and lock I was so glad to be on the Oxford canal at last.
 

Though I must say that I enjoyed the river more than I thought I would, helped by the fabulous weather! John loved it and left with regret!

We moved slowly into the Jericho area and who should we spot moored but nb Angels Payment with Angie on the back! There was room for us a few boats along, opposite College Cruises and St Barnabas. Just where we were last Tuesday following the Morse trail!
 

A cup of tea and a good catch up on Angels Payment was great! They are off down the Thames on Sunday so it was really good timing that we managed to meet! Great to see you Dave and Angie - greetings to all back at Bath Narrowboats and the K & A!

 

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