Oxford to Gibraltar (but not that one!)

Mon 23^rd August  Osney Bridge to Kidlington Green

We walked to Waitrose, where we bought a few items and had a coffee and a croissant for breakfast. Then we took a bus for just two stops to get to Aldi, where we did most of our shopping, including a new curly hose. On the way back we overshot our stop and were dropped near the station, as the stop near the bridge was closed due to the roadworks. The advantage of this was that we found a post box which we needed. We caught a bus back as the shopping was heavy. There are so many bus routes that use this stretch of road that there is one every two or three minutes.

Back on the boat, Hazel unpacked the shopping, while James turned the boat around in the millstream, and we went upstream under Osney Bridge, avoiding the water jets again.

Leaving Osney Bridge

Into the Sheepwash Channel, Isis Lock was in our favour. As were going through, a Muslim family were watching, so we gave them “How do locks work?”. We gave a second one out to a lady who was walking past.

The end of the Sheepwash Channel

Into Isis Lock

The Oxford Canal

St Barnabas Church, Jericho

We stopped at a sanitary station at bridge 238 further up, and we filled our water tank from being a quarter full. It took 35 minutes. Much faster than it would have been on the Thames with the pressure release valves they have installed.

Water point

Boats moored among loosestrife

Muddy Waters

Then there was Wolvercote Lock, Perry’s Lift Bridge and the A40 before the junction with Dukes Cut. One lift bridge (233) had been removed since we last came through here in 2017.

Perrys Lift Bridge

Under the A40

After Duke’s Cut is Duke’s Lock, and then Drinkwater’s Lift Bridge. This is manual, and used to be released with a key, before raising the bridge by pulling on chains. Now it is raised hydraulically with a windlass.

Junction with Duke’s Cut

Duke’s Lock

Drinkwater’s Lift bridge

We moored before Kidlington Green Lock, where we found a length of piling. The plan is to arrive in Thrupp just as others are leaving, which will give us some mooring options.

Moored before Kidlington Green

Having seen very few boats moving earlier in the day, several were on the move in the evening, presumably relocating after work. A small Oxford Cruisers hire boat arrived in front of us.

3 locks, 5 miles and 2 lift bridges. Dep 1135, arr 1440, with 35 minutes at facilities.

Tue 24^th August  Kidlington Green to Thrupp

We had four boats in a row, all facing up stream. The first to leave was the light blue one furthest back. This was followed shortly by the small hire boat in front of us. The one behind us we think was unoccupied.

We left some time later, and used Kidlington Green Lock, which was half full due to leakage. After skirting round Kidlington, we arrived at Roundham Lock, and were surprised to see the small hire boat still going up in the lock. They were either very slow, or had paused somewhere. We reset the lock and took our turn.

Kidlington Green Lock

Roundham Lock

We passed the hire boat as they filled up with water at Bridge 224. We moored in Thrupp at the first visitor mooring near the Boat Inn. We walked back to the Jolly Boatman, where we met James’s cousin Priscilla and Gerard for lunch. It is probably three years since we last saw them.

Priscilla and Gerard

The Jolly Boatman

We had seen on the news last night that three canoeists were canoeing from Liverpool to London, and were going via Oxford. It was in aid of awareness of suicides among war veterans. Today we spotted them paddling past us.

Three canoes

The internet signal was extremely slow, and the phone signal almost impossible. Why is it that popular canal locations suffer in this way? Thrupp, Stoke Bruerne, Crick and Braunston all have the same problem. Other problems here include noisy trains, noisy planes, and noisy people. Bah! Humbug! Otherwise, Thrupp is lovely.

2 locks, 2 miles. Dep 0925, arr 1035.

Wed 25^th August  Thrupp to Bakers Lock, Gibraltar

Moored in Thrupp

We went to visit Anne Clark, a good BCF friend we have known for 24 years. We had lunch with her in the Boat Inn. It was good to see her.

James Anne Hazel

We decided to move, as the internet signal was very poor, and we had a Zoom meeting this evening. As we set off, we discovered that Rowan had arrived this morning and was moored halfway to the lift bridge. We had a chat with David and Jane, before we found we were blocking the way and needed to move. Somebody kindly opened the lift bridge for us.

David and Jane on Rowan.

The lift bridge at Thrupp

We had given out two Canal Ministries leaflets as we left. One was to a lady on Joss, and we passed her boat in Thrupp Wide.

Joss

Shipton on Cherwell church

We had hoped to moor just before Shipton Weir Lock, but there was a boat there. Plan B was to moor on the river next to the lock. That was also occupied. We were concerned that we would have to go on for ages before finding a mooring, so we tried to tie to trees on the river, but we couldn’t get ashore. We acquired a lot of weed on the prop. We finally found, to our surprise, that the moorings below Bakers Lock were all available, so we gratefully tied to the piling.

Shipton Weir Lock

Near Bakers Lock

Bakers Lock mooring.

We managed to join our Zoom meeting, although the signal was weak.

1 lock, 2 miles, 1 lift bridge. Dep 1450, arr 1620

Next: Continuing north up the Oxford Canal, hoping to meet Graham and Sandra somewhere, as they are coming the other way, heading for Oxford.

Pinkhill to Oxford

Fri 20^th August  Pinkhill to Osney

James had a short chat with the man on Beulah May before we left. We were on our own in Pinkhill Lock, self-service.

Pinkhill Lock

As we passed the boatyard, there was a young man in a dinghy with an outboard getting a bottle of gas. Further down the river, we noticed him coming down the river behind us, gradually catching us up.

We passed under the toll bridge at Swinford, and came to Eynsham Lock, which was keeper operated. The chap with a dinghy came in behind us. We paused as we left, and emptied two cassettes at the facilities there. When we had finished, we set off, and found him just round the corner, having broken down. He asked us for a tow, and so we towed Hugh for about two miles down the river to where his narrowboat was moored.

Swinford Bridge

Eynsham Lock

Hugh on tow

Soon after this we passed the junction with the Dukes Cut, and came to King’s Lock. This was self-service, and we shared it with another boat. We had to close the bottom paddle before filling the lock.

Leaving King’s Lock

The Skew Bridge is not such a problem going downstream. We once saw a sailing boat go under here, and they deliberately capsized the boat, and righted it again after they had gone through.  The nunnery at Godstow comes just after this.

Skew Bridge

The Nunnery

Godstow Lock was self-service again, and once again we had to close the bottom paddle before filling the lock. We still had the other narrowboat with us.

Godstow Lock

Tern

Heron

On the approach to Osney Bridge we were warned by another boat to beware of the water. Soon we could see two jets of water coming down from the underside of the bridge, from the broken pipe that we thought they were meant to have repaired. Thankfully we managed to avoid getting wet.

Broken pipe under Osney Bridge

The moorings were in short supply at Osney, and there were two gaps which were too small. Thankfully Lee Swift left so both boats could get in.

We went for a meal at The Punter, a vegan pub, which used to be called the Waterman’s Arms in an earlier life.

Moored near Osney Bridge

3 locks, 6 miles. Dep 0945, arr 1245.

Sat 21^st August  Osney

James went to find the lock keeper at Osney Lock to pay our mooring fee of £11.00. Free for the first night, then £5.50 for each of the subsequent nights. Maximum three nights.

Mooring ticket

We noticed an unusual refurbishment or redevelopment of a Victorian terraced house, which look quite inappropriate.

Victorian Terrace

Someone's idea of a good refurbishment

We walked across the bridge and under the railway bridge to the bus stop at the railway station, and caught the bus to Aylesbury. It took 1¾ hours, going through small villages as well as Thame and Haddenham. On arrival at the bus station in Aylesbury, we found that our local bus was waiting, so we got on and were soon at our destination.

We called in at Lidl for some bread and milk before going to our apartment. We went to see John and Ruzenka, our neighbours downstairs, for a catch up. Later we had a Chinese meal delivered.

In the night we had a very loud thunderstorm.

No boating today

Sun 22^nd August  Osney

We went to the canal basin for our church service. It was lovely to see everyone. Phil and Anne were back from sabbatical, and were leading. We were allowed to sing, but with masks on. We caught up with Bryan as well, as we spotted him among the boats.

Back to the apartment to close it down again, and Jack and Sandra collected us and took us to the Dog House, where we had booked a table for Sunday lunch. We had the senior’s meals which were plenty big enough for us. They kindly then took us into Aylesbury, where we just caught the 1410 bus to Oxford.

In Thame as we went through, we phoned our friend Pam, to tell her we were on the bus, and she waved from her window as we passed.

We took a few pics of Oxford at bus top height.

Oxford from the bus

Back at the boat we noticed that Kathleen Rose was moored behind us.

We slept well.

No boating today

Next: leaving Oxford heading north via the Sheepwash Channel and the Oxford Canal.

Lechlade to Pinkhill

 

Mon 16^th August  Lechlade to Kelmscott

We had to do battle with the cows again this morning, as they crowded in towards the boats. One had the number 64 on its rump, and was reluctant to move. The guy on Concorde was cross because they had scratched his boat. Lee Swift also had problems, as well as the wide beam behind us. Another wide beam further back had come prepared with his own portable electric fence to give himself space around the boat!

Cow no 64 interested in Lee Swift

We stayed until the cows had moved on, and then went for a walk, hoping to visit the first lock on the Cotswold Canals at Inglesham.  It was a pleasant stroll along the Thames Path, and over a footbridge near the Roundhouse. Sadly, there was no access to see the restoration work that has been done on the lock, so an aerial view from Google Earth, and a pic from the Cotswold Canals Trust will have to do.

The Roundhouse at Inglesham

The Lock at Inglesham   Inglesham Lock (cotswoldcanals.net)

Roundhouse (red arrow) and Lock (yellow arrow) (Google Earth)

We walked back along a different path into the village, where we visited the Christmas Shop, which has moved across the road to smaller premises. We also went to the pharmacy and Londis before having breakfast in the Sourdough shop.

We crossed back over Halfpenny Bridge, so called because they used to collect a toll. The tollhouse is still there, and appears to be a private dwelling. Built in 1792.

Tollhouse

Halfpenny Bridge

Back on the boat, we set off at the same time as Lee Swift, and we shared St John’s Lock with them.

WWII pillbox

An unusual duck

Sharing St John’s Lock with Lee Swift

We emptied two cassettes at the facilities. We had the next lock at Buscot to ourselves, on self-service. A group of ladies with towels appeared, asking where the best place for a swim might be. They crossed over the weir hoping the National Trust tearoom might be open, but we think it is closed on Mondays.

We wanted to moor near Kelmscott, and visit the Plough Inn, but the moorings were very overgrown, and the best places had been taken. The William Morris Manor House is closed for refurbishment, and they probably aren’t bothered about the moorings at the moment. We moored further on near a sharp bend and another WWII pillbox.

There are a lot of pink flowers at this time of year, including Purple Loosestrife, Himalayan Balsam, and Great Willowherb. The Rosebay Willowherb comes a bit later.

Purple Loosestrife

Himalayan Balsam

Great Willowherb

A beautiful white flower

Our own private garden for this evening

2 locks, 4 miles. Dep 1200, arr 1400

Tue 17^th August  Kelmscott to Rushey

As we were about to leave, narrowboat Kathleen Rose went past, and we suggested sharing the lock. However, they said they were going to fill up with water first, and we know what that means! When we arrived at the lock, they said they would be some time, so we went in first.

Grafton Lock and Kathleen Rose

Radcot Bridge

Radcot Lock

We arrived at Rushey, and we were the only boat there. Eventually two other narrowboats arrived, including Kathleen Rose.

On our own at Rushey

Joined by two others

James went to explore, and found that the Thames Path crosses the weir and lock here. There is also a fish pass, going in a big loop like a log flume. Apparently, the house by the weir used to belong to David Niven.

The fish pass

Rushey Weir

He didn’t spot deer again, or swimming cows, but he did see a hare, too far away to get a photo.

Evening sky at Rushey

2 locks, 5 miles. Dep 1030, arr 1225

Wed 18^th August  Rushey to Newbridge +

Morning reflections

As we left, we asked the guy on Kathleen Rose if he was leaving, but he said not yet. We disposed of rubbish at Rushey Lock, and were locked through by the lady lock keeper.

We went under Tadpole bridge, and through some sharp zigzags, where we had to take swift avoiding action as we met another narrowboat on a corner.

Tadpole Bridge

Owls to keep birds off moored cruisers

Tenfoot Bridge is neither ten foot hight or ten foot wide, so the name is a mystery. Perhaps the maximum load was five people?

Tenfoot Bridge

It would be good to visit Chimney Meadows nature Reserve, but mooring is almost impossible. There was a notice about it at Shifford Lock, showing a footbridge that isn’t marked in the Nicholson Guide. It connects two parts of the Thames Path. The lock was on self-service.

Chimney Meadows notice

Shifford Lock

We had wanted to stop at Newbridge to visit the Maybush for lunch, but there were “no mooring (wedding)” signs all over the meadow where we usually stop. The signs looked very old, and this was mid-week. The pub is losing business. Email sent to pub.

Newbridge

We needed an alternative mooring, and we found a good spot on a low wall alongside the Thames Path, just a bit too far to walk back to the two pubs at Newbridge.

Our mooring below Newbridge

2 locks, 6 miles. Dep 1005, arr 1235

Thu 19^th August  Newbridge+ to Pinkhill

A small narrowboat called Sloe went past before we were ready to join them. We left twenty minutes later.

Leaving our mooring above Newbridge

Harts Footbridge

When we arrived at Northmoor lock, Sloe had only just arrived themselves, living up to their name. A few minutes later, Kathleen Rose arrived, and three of us shared the lock. Four cruisers arrived also, on a boat club outing to Oxford, and they decided that none of them could fit in with us.

Sloe at Northmoor Lock

The weir at Northmoor is apparently the last paddle and rymer weir on the Thames, and has been preserved for historic reasons. Sloe suggested that we leave first as they were going to be Sloe.

The unusual weir at Northmoor

The weir and lock as we left

Ancient willows

We had in mind a possible lunch stop at the Ferryman at Bablock Hythe, as we have never stopped there, but there was a fisherman on the only mooring available, and the pub didn’t open for another hour. We decided to move on, past all the caravans that line the left bank.

The Ferryman at Bablock Hythe

Caravans and cruisers

When we arrived at Pinkhill, we found that the moorings were unoccupied except for a boat that was there when we came through earlier. We chatted to him and discovered that he was the fisheries manager for Thames Water, who own the site. We mentioned the nature reserve, and James asked him how to get into the bird hide that is always locked. He gave us the combination for the lock.

Moored above Pinkhill

Kathleen Rose arrived soon after, and moored up nearest to the reservoir. Sloe came chugging past quite a bit later, followed by the boat club cruisers.

The cruising club coming past.

James went for a walk to check out the reservoir and the bird hides. While he was in the first bird hide, there was a sudden heavy rain shower. Hazel had washing out to dry, and we hadn’t put the stern cover up, so Hazel had to rush round doing the best she could.  James met a man with a long lens in one of the bird hides, and he said that one of the local adult barn owls had died, so the future was uncertain for the local barn owl population. There has been a pair breeding annually for several years. He discovered that the huge man-made nesting sites were to attract Ospreys, but none had come as yet.

There wasn’t much to see apart from an egret in the same place as last time, and a grey squirrel on the path.

Little Egret

Grey Squirrel

Back at the mooring, three more boats arrived, including Beulah May who moored behind us. He doesn’t go very far, just moving around locally.

There was a dark threatening sky, with sunshine at the same time, which looked very dramatic in the evening.

Evening light

Next: Back into Oxford, with a brief excursion by bus to Aylesbury, before starting up the Oxford Canal.