So very near to the Oxford Canal

Saturday, 12 November 2011 12:03

Eventually the downstream cruise on the Upper Thames leads to Oxford

Oxford University Church, St Mary's, one of the "dreaming spires"

But we have got to get there first!

The trees along the river have a fascination for me, particularly these. I am not a "tree hugger" but I do take photos of them!

Before and after trees

Sometimes they are in lines in the fields and sometimes just by the bank - they must be pretty old and need controlling. Another fascination is the variety of houses along the waterside, be they cabins or grand houses. This pink cabin stands in its own grounds with a private mooring,

Summer cabin

Compare that with this large house just by Oxford Cruisers at Eynsham

Reflection of a "grand" house

Just as we arrived at Eynsham, the sun obliged and gave me a chance to snap Beacon Hill with the herd of cows on the slopes. 

Beacon Hill from the river

Grazing herd on the slopes

We took the opportunity to water up, empty a cassette and dump rubbish at Eynsham Lock (again). Then we locked ourselves through as it was on self service (lunch time). Below the lock is the Weir Stream (once navigable for cargo boats to Eynsham), which I blogged about here. Further downstream is the old broad Cassington Canal, followed by the mouth of the River Evenlode.

Cassington Canal was a short, broad, private canal started by the Duke of Marlborough in 1800 and opened about 1814. It fell into disuse around 1870. The wharf was near the village of Cassington and had its own public house, the Barge.

Mouth of the River Evenlode

The narrowboat here seems to be a permanent fixture and nearby there is an "encampment" with another narrowboat and a large old boat on land, presumably being restored.

The "ark"

The "encampment"

After the large bend known as Hagley Pool, we spotted the mooring that we had been on on our way upstream in March. That will do - it was time to stop - and from here it is only a short trip down into Oxford. However, here boaters have a choice - is it to be Dukes Cut and thence onto the Oxford canal or downstream on the River Thames to Godstow and Osney?

River Thames, Newbridge to above Dukes Cut
3 hours 28 minutes, 9.19 miles, 3 locks