Oxford Canal, Br 193 above Somerton deep lock; Monday 29th June
I make my apologies to Robert Burns for the misquotation; once a phrase gets into my head, it is difficult for me to loose it. (the phrase, that is: I am accused often of loosing it)
We were boating by 6.10am, in order to avoid the high temperatures that we have been promised. The calm of the early morning has always made boating at this time of day special. We have found also, that the other boaters out and about early are of the old school; where they come and help at locks whilst sharing chat and information.
I was interested to see the attempt by BW to create 'The Amazon experience'. Most of the towpath south of Somerton meadow has sufficient tall growth to require the carrying of a compass if not GPS. Fortunately, it would seem that the blowpipe using natives are not early risers; I saw nor felt any darts.
We had an interesting chat at Somerton deep lock with a couple about the Lancaster canal. They used to run a hire fleet on there, and explained to us the reasons behind the hostility of the local boaters to visitors. Basically (of course!) the problem was lack of forward planning by BW, in providing additional mooring places and reducing the time to 24 and 48 hrs. One early visiting boat moored on a water point for five days. No wonder that the locals were unhappy; I understand completely.
One point that the Somerton couple were unable to help us understand was why none of the locals go down to Glasson dock. Their best guess was that they do not like locks! They also agreed that Glasson dock provided the best moorings and views along the canal.
We moored a short way along the canal just before Chisnell lift bridge, another of our favourite spots.
2009 Totals: 288 Locks – 606.5 miles – 14 Bus pass uses
