Oxford Canal, Kirtlington winding hole; Sunday 28th June
Stop Press.
I had a swim in the Thames last evening. It was warm and I did enjoy it; of course Myra said ‘I have been telling you to go in’. Exactly. I did notice that she failed to include coming out again.
Back on the Oxford canal, moving off next morning, we had oncoming boats at each lock making progress easier. It was 9.30am when we arrived at Thrupp; this canal’s equivalent of the car park at the Angmering branch of Sainsburys. Entry to the latter is reserved for those who were on the road before the introduction of driving tests.
Having passed through Thrupp lift bridge very slowly, I was presented with a private boat across the canal at right angles to the three boats on the water point. He was turning around, and despite the use of a girly button (bow thruster to those of you who are not boaters) was unable so to do without hitting the side of one of the others. Many black looks, quite justifiably, but little sign of an apology from the clueless steerer. We crept slowly by, putting some distance between ourselves and the chaos. Along the River Cherwell section and we arrived at Bakers lock behind a hire boat. We waited for them to go up and another to come down before moving ourselves, Myra helping out at the lock and of course taking part in the compulsory chat.
We had most of the locks our way, and decided to moor just past the pipe bridge at Kirtlington; it is a lovely spot with the River Cherwell on the other side of the towpath to the canal. It was by now 32 degrees; I was glad to get inside where I was able to perfect my shrinking violet act.
2009 Totals: 283 Locks – 598.5 miles – 14 Bus pass uses
