Tuesday 9th June. Christ Church Meadow, Oxford.
Kings Lock is the one that we refer to as the first/last ‘Proper’
Lock on the Thames, dependant on the direction of travel.
It has balance beams on the manually operated gates and wheels to raise or lower the manual sluices (paddles on the canal system). The engineering acronym KISS is well applied here.
We arrived at 8am and worked it ourselves; having negotiated the series of bends below the lock, we saw the pontoons from yesterday moored under the A34 bridge at Godstow. Apparently, the river will be restricted to one way passing the work area once all the pontoons are in position.
Myra operated Godstow Lock for the crew of a shared ownership boat, it was their first time on the river. The lady in the crew could not swim and had previously fallen in the canal at Harecastle Tunnel. Was she wearing a lifejacket? No.
Was there an anchor available for immediate use? No
When attempting to stop at Osney lock with a strong stream running, did they use the back rope first? No. Did they almost get across the weir barrier? Yes.
I am the first to complain about over regulation of most aspects of our lives; however in situations as outlined above, I can see a need for some of them.
We carried on through Folly Bridge and moored up on the towpath side of Christ Chruch Meadow, behind Roy and Sue on Baglady, the dutch barge holiday boat.
We chatted to Sue, who was awaiting the return of Roy with their guests.
2009 Totals – Locks 231; Miles 461.5; Bus pass uses 12
